(Photo by Tyler Jackson Wilson)

Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of “Planetary Spells & Rituals,” “Shadow Magick Compendium,” and “Goth Craft”, all on Llewellyn. He is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of the “disciplined eclectic” or “Eastern Hellenistic” tradition and training coven Opus Aima Obscuræ, and is a radio and club DJ of Gothic and industrial music. Also trained in Georgian Witchcraft and Buddhist philosophy, Raven has been a Witch since 1999 and a Priest since 2003, and an Empath all of his life. Raven holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also an animal rights activist, black-and-white photographic artist, Tarot reader, and is the co-owner of Twigs & Brews Herbs, specializing in bath salts, herbal blends, essential oils, soaps, candles and incenses. He has appeared on the cover of newWitch magazine and Spellcraft magazine (Australia) and has been featured on MTV News and CBS PsychicRadio.

Planetary Spells & Rituals: Practicing Dark & Light Magick Aligned with the Cosmic Bodies
(MARCH 2010. Llewellyn)

Organized by the planets (including Earth, Sun, and Moon), these powerful spells are aligned according to astrological energies. This includes 55 significant rituals that can be easily customized according to one’s magickal and spiritual path. From personal growth to practical concerns, you’ll find numerous workings, including the following: Glamoury, healing childhood wounds, exorcism of a house or property, revealing truth, divination magick, halting gossip, safety in travel, summoning love (from inside and out), mending quarrels, banishing heartache, physical healing, etheric cleansing, grounding, breaking addictions, cursing a violator, releasing anger, cord-cutting, breaking through stagnation and sorrow, drawing abundance, croning and saging (Second Saturn Return), summoning the ancestors, guiding the dead and dying, averting the evil eye, uncrossing and curse-breaking, weather magick, psychic work, prophetic dreaming, scrying, binding, past-life regression, ritual death, and spiritual rebirth.

Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality
(Llewellyn Worldwide)

Exploring the shadow—in its variety of forms—is not only safe, but is necessary for balance and healing. Raven Digitalis invites you to navigate inner and outer darkness and harness the shadow for spiritual growth. Shadow Magick Compendium includes ritual meditations for exploring past experiences, dispelling harmful behavior patterns, and healing a fractured soul. Learn how to safely perform fasting and other methods of self-sacrifice, learn about crosscultural mysticism, get in touch with your spirit animal, take advantage of the dark moon and eclipses, and learn the history of the European Witch hunts. Discover methods of godform assumption, shamanic journeying, and the magick of the dying season. From astral journeying to sigils to dark herbs, you’ll find an array of magickal techniques to navigate the shadows and mysteries of yourself and the world at large.

CLICK BELOW TO ORDER!

Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture (Llewellyn Worldwide)

Raven Digitalis explores the dynamic intersection of dark culture and occultism in Goth Craft. The book introduces many kinds of Goths and Witches, and the philosophy of each. It covers the basics of magick and beyond, with special attention to blood magick, death magick, and necromancy. You’ll also learn how to proactively channel dark emotions, and express spirituality through clothing, hair, makeup and body modification. Also covered is vampyrism, BDSM, gender/sexuality issues, and the magickal-spiritual use of drugs. From working shadow magick to spellcasting on the dance floor, Goth Craft revels in the exciting convergence of two vital lifestyles.

TOUR DATES / UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

February *2010* 12-15 (Fri to Mon) ~ SAN JOSE, CA: PantheaCon 2009: A Gathering of Tribes (the nation’s LARGEST Pagan/occult convention!), San Jose Doubletree Inn

Thanks to Jack Smith for the design!

As mentioned above, the key to eating ethically (which has always been my focus) is to choose food wisely, whether plant or animal. Save seafood, I didn’t eat meat (and certainly proselytized vegetarianism) for reasons of ethics and morality. I still, and will always, be concerned with animal rights and the ethics of things we consume — food product or otherwise. Every dollar we spend is akin to casting a vote.

When my Coven proposed butchering half a pig last Autumn (free-range, from a local farmer) with the help of some of our community elders who were to partake in the other half, my stomach churned. At the time, I couldn’t imagine eating meat: it was unethical and immoral. After talking to ecologists, browsing certain articles online, and after reading “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, I realize that the ethics of eating are not as black-or-white as “veg vs. non-veg.” It’s much more complicated; there are numerous dimensions and factors to consider. The production of the food, the way in which the product is treated, genetic modification of plants and animals (GMO), carbon footprint, effects on the environment (devastation vs. conservation), and one’s surrounding agricultural cycle are of extreme significance.

It’s true that our ancestors ate meat. It’s a good point. BUT, that meat was not factory-farmed, so it’s not a valid argument for those who eat unsustainable meat. Our ancestors, as well as other cultures across the globe who live in tune with nature, valued and understood meat to be the flesh of sentient, conscious creatures. Our ancestors ate seasonally: more wild game and root vegetables in the cold season, and more fish, fruits, and veggies in the warm season. I recommend taking a page from their book! If we’re going to eat meat, I believe it should be in alignment with our local environment and agricultural cycle. I live in Montana, which means that we have relatively long winters — the most ideal and ethical diet for this environment includes wild game. If I lived in an area of the country or world that had a year-round agricultural cycle (with fruits and veggies almost always in season), a vegetarian or vegan diet would be the most ethical choice — in this case, meat consumption would be an unnecessary expenditure of life. Vegetarianism and veganism are fantastic choices if such a diet is supported in one’s immediate environment. For ethical reasons, I would much rather eat some elk, deer or antelope that my dad hunted, and which provide years’ worth of sustenance than eat vegetarian “sausages” whose environmentally-devastating, genetically-modified soybeans were grown in Paraguay (South America) and combined with Monsanto corn products in the States. I’d rather eat a formerly free-roaming, happy pig named Ferdinand, whose local farmer I am familiar with (and garnish his cut with local potatoes and carrots) than consume a high amount of vegetables imported from gods-know-where while Jack Frost rears his head just outside the back door.

Factory farming is the enemy of sustainable living, earth consciousness and ethical eating. It doesn’t matter to me whether meat “tastes good” or not; what matters is my impact on the environment and the welfare of all beings whose energy was spent creating the food. I won’t order meat at restaurants because it’s nearly always factory-farmed, unless the menu specifies otherwise. The process of factory-farming animals gives no recognition to the animal’s happiness. Animals are usually pumped full of growth hormones, inhumanely crammed into tiny spaces, torn from their families, are unable to roam free, are given cheap GMO feed, are allowed to develop tumors and infections, and they may never see direct sunlight or feel the grass beneath their feet — not to mention the environmental impacts from their waste products and the GMO feed itself. I refuse to support a greed-based, inhumane industry such as this. No being should have to endure the suffering that millions of factory-farmed animals are forced into every year.

Supporting real, local farmers, fishers and hunters helps reduce negative impacts on the environment. Putting money into ethically-raised meat takes money away from the factory “farmers.” Hunting is also financially economical. Organic (or similar) meat may be more expensive in the grocery store, but that’s okay: most human bodies don’t need meat to survive; we are omnivoriously designed, and America’s meat frenzy (the perception that we need a daily intake of meat to live) is unrealistic, unsustainable and unhealthy.

Free-range. Animal-friendly. Organic (if possible). Grass-fed (if bovine). Sustainable. Veg-fed. Ethical. LOCAL! These are qualities I look for. If you choose to eat meat, I hope you will too.

Dukkha muccantu: May all being be free from suffering,

~R~

PS: Here’s a great, scientifically-based article on the subject: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/06/meat-production-veganism-deforestation

Throughout our lives, we learn ways to cope with our experience. Sometimes these modi operandi are learned from others, but more often than not they are gained through our own successes and failures throughout life. In terms of daily operation, it would be silly to think that we all don’t—even to a slight or subconscious degree—alter our behavior depending on the people we’re interacting with in any given circumstance.
As a prime example, and one that certainly makes sense to readers, we naturally alter the words and descriptive depth we use when discussing our esoteric viewpoints with fellow practitioners, as opposed to discussing them with those completely unfamiliar with magick or earth-based spirituality. For one, those who are unfamiliar with our path, regardless of how open they are, simply won’t understand certain terminologies, ritual procedures, and so on. Instead, we then communicate with terms and concepts they comprehend. As another example, if a store manager was training an employee, they would use different terms, descriptions, and examples than they would if they were at a managerial meeting. The examples are endless, and this communicative adaptation is something we do regularly to one degree or another.
Depending on one’s routine, we all interact with a wide variety of people on a daily basis. Thus, we somewhat change our methods of interaction based on our immediate situation. This is part of life, and is nothing fake or inauthentic. However, if we become accustomed to acting a certain way, our minds may become accustomed to this behavior and the effects it produces.
Psychologically, this can be considered a reaction to positive reinforcement: if we act a certain way in life, we can get rewarded with praise, respect, or material items. In a sense, this could very easily be a throwback to our primal survival instinct, which tells us that we must remain “on top” to ensure against our demise. Hiding certain aspects of our personalities can produce a comfortable illusion of empowerment. If we know ourselves and our minds (and thus our vulnerabilities) more than others possibly could, it gives a sense of protection from the outside world. Knowing oneself is priority to the humble spiritual seeker.
The false projection of personality is illusory. Aside from instances in extreme situations, putting up a façade in life is dreadfully unhealthy. In an extreme scenario, constantly altering one’s personality is outright manipulation—not only towards others, but towards oneself! On the other end of the spectrum, never altering one’s personality or communicative methods can lead to misunderstanding and alienation. As with everything, the key is striking a balance.
What is boils down to is this: are you being yourself? Do you change the way you respond to people based on what works for them in the moment or what works for you? What are your motivations behind this? If you find yourself putting up different social masks and façades, and recognize this as being unhealthy, dishonest, or deceitful, you may want to consider performing this working.

* Stepping back & further application: *

The primary reason for performing this spell is for releasing social aspects of yourself that are not aligned to your true personality.
What are the roots for your putting up masks, walls, and façades—where did this behavior originate? How will you function without the aid of these energetic walls? How will your relationships (of all kinds) change if your personality becomes more authentic in any given situation? Will you be able to hold true to your views and emotions, even when it becomes tempting to act differently? These are some things to seriously ponder when preparing for a ritual of this sort.
This spell is a good one to perform multiple times. Additionally, constantly monitoring your daily interaction is key. When, in your daily life, you find yourself putting up one of these masks, bring awareness to the behavior and alter it accordingly. Performing this spell will not remove all these masks instantly. Instead, you must regularly and actively weave the spell’s metaphorical work into your life.

* SUPPLIES: *

o A number of plastic masks, either full face-sized or masquerade masks. These must all be the same size, thin, and should be transparent or white. Additionally, the masks should fit comfortably on top of one another, and should have an elastic cord on the back so that you can wear them all simultaneously.
o A 3’ x 3’ black veil
o A black sharpie marker
o A yellow candle
o A stick of cedar, frankincense, or sandalwood incense

* NOTES: *

➢ I don’t normally endorse using plastic of any type in ritual work. However, these will be reused and are appropriate to the working at hand.

➢ For this spell, please be wearing no makeup or decorative jewelry.

➢ The best time to begin this spell is just before sunrise.

* PROCEDURE: *

• Begin by casting a circle, calling the quarters, chanting or raising energy as you normally would, performing protective exercises, and altering your consciousness. Clear your mind, bring focus to your breath, and meditate for at least a few minutes. When ready, begin the spell.

• Light the candle and incense, placing the candle in front of you (elevated if possible). Sit facing the East.

• Examine the masks in your hand. See them as representations of your false personality types. Grab the marker and, on the forehead area of the first mask, write a word or short phrase that summarizes a false aspect of your personality. This should be a characteristic that you tend to overemphasize or create for yourself. You may have a habit of portraying these qualities to other people or may trick yourself into believing them to be true about yourself. This could be anything from “Yes-man,” or “Know-it-all” to “Perky and chipper” or “Unforgiving brute.” If you are familiar with sigilry, symbolism, and pictorial communication, you may wish to decorate the mask with these things rather than words alone. Whatever the case, imbue the mask with the energy of the façade.

• Repeat the exercise with each mask, assigning one characteristic or term to each. Each mask should be assigned its own individual “face.” Take plenty of time to think about your daily life, scrutinizing any possible falsities in personality that you may put up, even unconsciously.

• Once finished imbuing each mask, place them atop one another in descending order: the “mask that you wear” most frequently should be in the front, while the one you utilize the least should be in the back. Hold these masks up before you, saying,

“Hail be, guardians of the East and spirits of the Sun! Be with me as I perform this rite. To the great rising sun of Truth—the All-seeing, All-knowing King—I offer up these masks to you. These represent false aspects of my personality. These are façades I wish to diminish from my life. Blessed be the power of the Holy Rising Sun: you are God, you are Truth! Shine through illusion, shine through fear! Hear my praise, mighty Center of this Universe! Oversee this END to my masquerade.”

• Put the masks on your face, stacked on one another as they are. Cover yourself with the veil. Through the masks and veil, you should be able to see the dim light of the candle flame in front of you. Say the following,

“The guiding light of the flame before my eyes represents my true self, my pure self: that which I seek to bring to the surface.”

• Meditate for a few minutes, thinking about what you wish to accomplish with the spell. In your mind, deconstruct many of the prominent moments in which you allowed various untrue aspects of your personality to emerge. If you cry or feel frustrated, channel that energy into the masks and veil on your face.

• When ready, lift the veil and throw it behind you, shouting,

“With the parting of the veil, I begin my process of transformation!”

• Take the outermost mask from your face. Look at it and declare out loud what it represents (i.e. “this mask represents the illusion of superiority I place on myself…,” etc.). Throw the mask behind you and, while staring at the candle flame, bellow the word “Sol” six times.

• Repeat the process for all masks, one by one.

• When finished, gaze at the flame and say,

“With your infinite light, oh mighty Sun, I ask you now: align my soul to your very essence. With the glory of your radiance, may my true personality shine through illusion.
ZAHAV! ZAHAV! ZAHAV! ZAHAV! ZAHAV! ZAHAV! So mote it be!”

• Close the circle as you normally would, saving the masks in a hidden place, wrapped in the black veil. The masks can be reused in the future (individually or altogether) if the need arises.

Please mark your calendar so you can tune in, call up, cheer on, or throw virtual tomatoes at!

(non-interview event) DARK DREAMS: CORPORATE SLAVES
Book-release party! I’ll be signing copies of all my books, and giving free hugs.
This Friday: April 2nd.
Missoula, MT: Elk’s Club downstairs / 18+ / $5 / 10pm-2am
DJs ir8prim8, Hauli, Tobin / Dress in a CorpGoth fashion!

Easter Sunday, April 4th:
WITCHTALK RADIO on BlogTalk Radio
4pm-6pm Eastern (3-5 Central, 2-4 Mountain, 1-3 Pacific)
www.blogtalkradio.com/witchtalk

April 5, Monday
MODERN WITCH podcast
You can now download my interview on this great new podcast.
Also appearing on the show is the illustrious Storm Faerywolf!
modernwitch.podbean.com

April 7, Wednesday
HEX EDUCATION, SALEM
9pm-10pm Eastern (8-9 Central, 7-8 Mountain, 6-7 Pacific)
www.blogtalkradio.com/hexeducation

April 9, Friday
PAGANS TONIGHT (WITCHSCHOOL)
10pm-11pm Eastern (9-10 Central, 8-9 Mountain, 7-8 Pacific)
www.blogtalkradio.com/witchschool

April 12, Monday
(not live) : You can now download my interview with my friend
and fellow author Corvis Nocturnum! Available here any time:
www.corvisnocturnum.com (click on ‘Radio Show’)

April 16, Friday
CBS PSYCHICRADIO’s PSYCHIC IN THE CITY
8pm-10pm Eastern (7-9 Central, 6-8 Mountain, 5-7 Pacific)
www.psychiconair.com

May 10, Monday
PARA-X on INTUITIVE LIFE NETWORK
3pm-4pm Eastern (2-3 Central, 1-2 Mountain, Noon-1 Pacific)
www.para-x.com

May 24, Monday
SEPIA (SouthEast Paranormal Investigation Association) RVP
10pm-Midnite Eastern (9-11 Central, 8-10 Mountain, 7-9 Pacific)
www.sepianc.com

www.ravendigitalis.com

I woke up, washed my face, cleaned a fresh piercing with some saltwater, threw on some clothes and eyeliner, grabbed Uba, and was out the door. After a series of wrong turns—my brain wasn’t turned on just yet—I found my way to the veterinary clinic. My Priestess, my friends, and myself prefer this particular vet not only because she’s a knowledgeable middle-aged hippie (I’ve also heard that she’s Wiccan!), but because she rarely charges for animal checkups, shots, advice, and even medicine… a kind and kindred soul.

Cat and medicine in hand, I headed for the car and stuck both inside. “Great job, Uba Nabibi Mudada, you were so good for the doctor!” Just then, I noticed a dog behaving strangely outside of the clinic. A fellow with sunglasses, in his mid-30s, snubbed a cigarette and stood before the dog. I couldn’t hear what he was saying. The dog had short, brown fur and looked to be about 60 pounds. The dog’s head was slanted 90 degrees to the left, and his right eye was missing. He kept walking in circles, one after another, tongue hanging out over bits of missing hair. I was somewhat reassured by noticing that the dog was “all smiles,” so to speak; the doggie-grin he wore was ear-to-ear.

“Is he okay?” I walked up to the gentleman.

“No… no, he’s not.” I instantly sensed an overwhelming sorrow. “This is it.”

“What do you… oh…”

“Yep,” the man’s voice was trembling; his sadness couldn’t be contained, “it’s the end of the road. He lost his eye a while back, and he’s just disoriented and… he’s done for.” I instinctively placed my right hand on the man’s left shoulder and rubbed his back a bit. At that exact moment, I felt his pain. A very deep, soulful pain. I knew his mutt was a dear companion—there was Love there.

He started to weep a bit more, not trying as hard to hide the pain. I sensed that he was the type of fellow who usually hid his emotions—a sad reality for many men in American culture. Still, I sensed that he was the type to his pain simply because he didn’t wish to burden others with the emotion.

“Yeah,” I replied, “it’s hard. Really hard.” Tears swelled in both of my eyes. I had empathically absorbed a good portion of his misery—not because I consciously tried, but because I was there.”
“I just can’t be selfish anymore. I’ve been selfish too long. It’s time for him to go.”

“You took him here so he can leave?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

I removed my hand from his back, worried that he might feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, male-to-male touch is also a taboo in American culture, even though that particular taboo doesn’t exist for the majority of other cultures in the world. Either way, he didn’t seem to mind the touch, the conversation, or my unconventional appearance, and actually seemed to appreciate the support from a stranger.

“He’s happy, you know,” I told him, “very happy.”

“Yeah, he is. I know. He’s had a really good round.”

I replied, “He’s had a good incarnation; he’s happy, and now he can leave his body.”

He walked over to his dog, who had made a series of circles nearing the street traffic. The owner rerouted the mutt, whose drooling grin and tilted head hadn’t moved an inch, and the vet came outside to greet the dog and console the gentleman. I patted the dog on the back, sensing his happiness despite the obvious physical pain and delirium he was experiencing. Tears reached the labret piercing beneath my lower lip—a different type of cleansing saltwater than the kind I had used an hour earlier. I thought to myself for a second, “When humans are in pain, myself included, we so often get attached to the sensation and its accompanying fear. Animals just accept it and keep on going.”

“Have a good journey,” I told the beloved pet. The owner and the vet started talking intently, and they and the dog went inside the clinic. The man didn’t remove his shades.

I sat in the car and allowed myself to cry for at least five minutes, feeling the deep pain of loss the fellow was experiencing. For a time, I just sat with the emotion, letting it express itself through watering eyes and an expression of tragedy. After a few minutes, I realized that I had empathed much of his sorrow. I absorbed this heavy bit of it and had to figure out what to do with it. I felt so sorry for the fellow, wishing I could help him more.

“Okay,” I said to myself, “I absorbed this for a reason. I’m an Empath for a reason. Now I need to do something with this.” I first envisioned a soft, white light surrounding my face and head, quelling the tears and providing reassurance. To me, the white light represented a sort of “force from beyond,” a comfort from the Other Side. I allowed this to permeate my head and quickly wash over my body while I took a deep breath. I felt more composed—not due to emotional suppression, but due to constructive energy work—and visualized this same healing light going to the man and the mutt. I sensed that the dog didn’t need much of this energy; his emotions weren’t suffering. I visualized the owner surrounded in this soft light of acceptance and peace.

I sincerely smiled to myself, knowing that this bit of human comfort and compassion (a spiritual element severely missing in humanity), as well as this bit of magick, may have helped—even slightly—heal his pain.

~O.R.D.N.~
LVX/NOX
418/2080
x

*** The Crossroads at Midnight: A Ritual For Indecision & Path-Choosing ***

When looming decisions rule our thoughts, it can benefit us to utilize magick for the purpose of discovering the best possible course of action. Indecision can be a heavy weight. Not knowing what to do with oneself can lead to all varieties of anxiety. Following through on one path or another can be damaging if the person isn’t fully committed or sure of themselves. This spell can help the caster come to learn their destined route and grow
secure in the decision.
Spiritually and mythologically, the term “crossroads” can refer to a number of things. The best way to analyze the term is by understanding the symbolism: two crossing roads, or a fork in the road, signifies two paths. These paths can be spiritually seen as those which intersect “this” with “that.” These polarities can represent any two differing ideas, paths, or realms. The most popular idea are the perception of the crossroads being an intersection between this world and the faerie world. Other cultures have long viewed the crossroads as gateways between the realm of the living and that of the dead. Others view the crossroads as the intersection between good and evil forces. Mythologically, the Greek goddess Hecate and god Hermes seem to be those most prevalently associated with the crossroads. Numerous African gods (in Vodou and other systems) have crossroad associations. In Hoodoo, many practitioners view the crossroads not only as a boundary between worlds, but a place where magickal spells can be placed or buried either for the purpose of fixing/sealing them or destroying an enemy’s curse. This may be due to the fact that the crossed roads form an “X,” or because the roads are assumed to be frequently traveled on (thus carrying forth or “stomping down” energies).
One can utilize the intersection of two paths for a variety of purposes. Because some lunar deities have crossroad associations, as well as because the crossroads are generally visited for magickal work during the hours of night, the symbolism is frequently aligned with the moon. Just as the moon is the illuminated eye in the darkened sky, so may this spell provide the practitioner with the clarity to find their way.

* Stepping back & further application: * ~~~ You are finding yourself at a crossroads in life for a reason. For starters, one must step back from their mental turmoil to see something for what it really is. Is the decision a really big deal, or are you somewhat blowing it out of proportion? Is the choice black or white, or is there actually a balanced middle-ground that outweighs the two choices? Are there more options in the situation to be considered, and are the options necessarily mutually exclusive?
Sometimes the answer to difficult questions have the most simple solution. Sometimes the answer is already known, and the seeker is just looking for the confirmation they need. This spell can work in that regard. However, be open to the possibility of receiving messages that contradict your opinions or expectations. Objectivity is a necessity when analyzing or divinating on a situation, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.

SUPPLIES:

* 4 fresh, organic apples
* Chiastolite, saturolite, or another “cross stone”
* A combination of lavender, honey (or honey powder), and myrrh
* Your most accurate deck of Tarot cards or other divinatory tool
* An athamé or knife

NOTES:

Ø This spell is designed to be performed at a crossroads. It is best to find two intersecting dirt roads or paths in nature. I’ve found the most ideal crossroad locations to be cemeteries, parks, and mountain trails. Also, the spell is best performed at midnight or 3am while the moon is full. Finally, be sure that you are alone and undisturbed.

Ø If you are used to working with deities of the crossroads (Hecate, for example), you may wish to additionally call on their assistance for this spell. Don’t forget to bring proper offerings!

Ø The colors red and black are traditionally associated with the crossroads in Africa. It would be ideal to wear these colors when performing the spell.

PROCEDURE:

· Begin by casting a circle, calling the quarters, chanting or raising energy as you normally would, performing protective exercises, and altering your consciousness. While sitting in the middle of the crossroads, clear your mind, bring focus to your breath, and meditate for at least a few minutes. When ready, begin the spell.

· Place one apple on each intersecting road. Make sure that the fifth apple is either standing upright on the “cross stone” next to you, or is resting on the stone while sat in your lap. On this fifth apple, take your athamé and carve an X on one side and a Y on the other.

· Now that the apples surround you in a square shape, raise your hands and, either closing your eyes or gazing at the moon, whisper,

“Gods, ancestors, spirits, devas, fae… those who guard and protect the crossroads… I summon your presence and ask you to bear witness to this divination. Guide me in my way, guard me in my path—may I know the route I am meant to take. Utter the answers I seek. Whisper solutions in my ear. Possess my mind not with glamour, but with solutions. So mote it be.”

· At this point, you may call forth any crossroad-associated deities you wish to work with. If you work with any spirit guides or spirit animal helpers, summon their aid. After this, declare,

“The question I have is this: ___[state your dilemma]___. What path shall I take?”

· Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. Take note of anything applicable that you might hear. After a few moments, say,

“If I was to take the road of ____[state one possibility]____, what would be the result?”

· Quiet your mind and listen for any answers or signs around you. The wind may pick up, an apple might fall over, a car might blare its horn, and so on. Take note of any synchronicity and determine whether or not it’s divine communication. After a few moments, draw a Tarot card or divine with the tool of your choice. Take note of any messages you may receive. Be careful to read the signs not in the way that you wish to see them, but in the way that the spirits intend.

· Repeat the two previous steps for as many “possible solutions” you have in mind. When you’ve divined on each potential outcome, say the following,

“Are there additional possibilities in this situation—those which I have not previously considered?”

· Again, listen to the signs and divine for as long as you need. Eat the apple in front of you and meditate on the messages received. Try blurring your eyes and gazing into the “cross stone” in order to see if any additional messages are waiting to be scryed.

· At this point, you should have a more clear direction of the path you should walk. If you didn’t get a direct answer of the best possible outcome, take note of the messages you received and continue to practice “informed contemplation” until you make the decision (or realize the decision, I should say).

· Thank all entities present for their assistance in your ritual and close the circle as you normally would. For offerings, leave the apples where they are, placing the core in the center. Without looking back, walk away from the crossroads the way from which you came.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErbHChfZ7UI

“The earth turned grey, the sea turned black, the rivers turned red, the sun turned cold, the beast turned pale, the stars turned fast, the air turned to poison… [and when the Lamb opened the Seventh Seal, silence covered the sky]…” …in the background is playing the ENIGMA: MCMXC AD complete-album music video DVD that was sold alongside the disk—I rented it through Netflix (which I am becoming obsessed with because of the rare DVDs available to rent thru there), though I’ll continue to support local video stores as much as possible.

It’s late, very late, and my mind is prone to tangents and ephemeral asides. But I’m sure you don’t mind =) [Reality is all about dancing with the vibrations and circumstances one finds oneself with/in any given present-moment] Also, if I haven’t gotten to your email/comment/friend request, please don’t take it personally—time just hasn’t been something I’ve had a lot of lately!

My first stop was Denver. The New Age show was… interesting… there were some great aspects about it, such as some of the people I got to meet. At the same time, it astounds me how many delusional people, charlatans and con artists are involved in the New Age movement. Luckily, I have enough discernment to tell who is in it for the cash and who is truly in it to help, heal and guide people. I both feel sorry for the desperate people deceived by the swindlers (don’t even get me started on the ascended-master-communicators, clair-everythings, escapist white-light-healers and Scientologists), and celebrate those who accomplished actual healing work at the event. Anyway, my main signing was at the Witches’ Brew Café. I met some TRES cool folks there (spiritual kin!), went to some clubs, and had an absolutely great time. It was also during the time of the DNC (Democratic National Convention) in Denver, and watching Obama (from the hotel room; not live) indeed instilled me with some new hope for this severely misguided country. I will certainly vote for him, even though (very sadly) it’s the 200-some representatives in the *Electoral College* that decide who is president, NOT us citizens. Makes one wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. I wish every vote was equal in this country.

Spokane (WA) was… well, not so great. Aside from having the deepest conversation I’ve had about Empathy with Chad, the storeowner of Raven’s Flight (attached to Rising Phoenix), my Spocompton experience was quite unfulfilling… i.e. the hotel decide to not tell me that there was massively loud renovation construction occurring directly outside of my room at 8 in the morning (and I hadn’t slept well for 3 weeks prior—aah!), I showed up to the signing late (things came up at home, making me slightly late) and everyone who came to the signing that day showed up before *I* arrived, my relatives in the area didn’t let me stay with them (because of lifestyle conflicts, methinks), and the date of the Jucifer show was wrong on their Myspace page (I went to the bar and they weren’t playing!). I’m glad it only lasted a day.
HIGHLIGHTS: Conversation about Empathy, drinking a lot, walking around the hotel room nekkid.
Moving on…

Seattle was the next stop. It was loads of fun. However, I absolutely loathe driving in that city—panic attacks nearly ensued a number of times! Regardless, I managed, and got to catch up with *many* old friends from Missoula and elsewhere, as well as meet others on the way. The clubs were nice, the coffee amazing, the signing/readings went perfectly (Edge of the Circle books is one of the most complete and intelligent occult stores I’ve visited), and the time spent with my comrades was memorable. I even got to play with an enormous purple dead jellyfish on the beach! All in all, it was awesome.
HIGHLIGHTS: catching up with beloved friends, the deathrock go-go dancer at the gay club, the jellyfish, eating seaweed fresh out of the ocean, Treair’s snuggly pit bulls.

I stayed with friends near Tacoma, and we likewise had a blast together. The book signings and clubbing (are you noticing a pattern here?) were great, and we even did some drumming and mantras for the full moon. The Central Puget Sound Pagan Pride was fun; it was so nice to meet the Pagan community in the area!
HIGHLIGHTS: Seeing Crescent Moon Gifts (and getting an intricate Hermes statue—my God indeed), meeting author Paul Hudson artist Amy Brown, Angela & Dan’s sweet doggie, red wine.

Eugene (OR) was a very lonely experience, aside from meeting a couple of cool folks at the signing. From what I got to experience and see during the one day I was there, I didn’t find it to be anything too special. See, I have always heard that Eugene is “Missoula’s sister city.” I had to see for myself (anything like Missoula—particularly if it’s a bit bigger than Missoula [there are about 100,000 people here] is grand in my eyes). Though it had a good amount of alternative people, ethnic/cultural/subcultural diversity, and relatively friendly folk, I didn’t get the impression that it was very much like my hometown. I’m glad I got to experience it for myself, though. Oregon and Washington (and Western Montana) are generally very, very lush, green and breathtakingly beautiful.
HIGHLIGHTS: Driving around in the afternoon to check out the city, talking to the trees.

My final stop, which (like Seattle) lasted for about 4-5 days, was Portland. Before experiencing the city this time around, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of the area. Until this time around, I didn’t really get the full PDX-experience. Luckily, I did this time, and I admittedly have a newfound love for Portland. What a great place. The city is incredibly easy to publicly transport, drive and generally navigate in (it was cleverly designed from the start), it’s *extremely* liberal and progressive, very *green* (in many, many ways), GLBTI-friendly, VERY alternative (I never see as many alternative people in one city as I do in PDX), and extremely diverse. If I were to move to a bigger place, I would have to say that it would be Portland. It’s basically like one giant Missoula. Anyway, the book signing was good, it was great to see old friends, the queer clubs, drum n bass/house/trance/electronic clubs and industrial clubs were an absolute blast, and the food was *amazing.* PDX is very art- and food-centered, and there are vegetarian, vegan and even raw food restaurants everywhere you look. I stayed with my buddies Taylor Ellwood & Lupa (who are also fantastic people and brilliant writers—I *very* highly suggest checking out their books), which was much-needed… we even went to a giant BDSM/fetish club party on my last day there. Very memorable.
HIGHLIGHTS: The Vegetarian House restaurant (a Chinese place with tons of mock meat; run by an international cult), spending time with Taylor & Lupa (and their precious kitties), vegan chicken fried steak, high-class cocktails, sushi, seeing old friends and making new ones, more food, drinking a lot, the fetish party, and eating more veg food.

To wrap things up, the Dark Dreams (Goth/industrial/fetish) party here in Missoula just happened, where I signed copies of both books. We got about 230 people this time (the event is usually bi-monthly), which is more people than ANY of the clubnights I went to in travel. There may have been about that many in Denver, but that’s about it. Pretty impressive. It was an amazing time!

So now I’m here! I’ll be catching up on stuff for a while and keeping busy for a bit—time will be on my side sooner than later. I must also express my gratitude to my readers and friends who have expressed praise and respect for the work I’m doing. It makes it all worth it to know that I’m helping people in their lives (and am gaining friends in the process).

Agape,

~R~

Otherwise, I’ve recently planned my big book tour (WA, OR, CO, MT), which will be so very nice. I’ve also just recently been interviewed by GOTHIC BEAUTY Magazine, so look for that feature in the next issue (I’m honoured!). Other than that, I’m trying to spend more time with friends and loved ones, as these things are vitally important. In a sense, I’ve been forced (though certainly not against my will) to see more family members lately: my grandpa died a couple weeks ago. I won’t get into the process, but I learned a LOT from it. he went very peacefully, and Estha and I helped guide his soul out of his body, as did his other loved ones.

Everyone should see Michael Moore’s SICKO documentary. America is such a fucked up Evil Empire in so many ways, it’s unbelievable. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE! Bloody hell, why is GENEROSITY so difficult in this world? ….GREED and FEAR are a POISON worse than any hemlock or arsenic.

People are asking how CONVERGENCE 14 in Tampa went. I would summarize it as one big unfortunate failure. Not only did the Convergence committee not communicate whatsoever with the vendors (note that Estha and Madeline/Datura and myself went there to vend our TWIGS & BREWS products, the current stock of which includes various soaps, lotions, teas, incense, bath salts, essential oils, and a plethora of other things—expect an update with product photos in the not-too-distant), and didn’t bother to tell us that, unlike Convergence 13 in Portland last year (which got around 3000 people), they were purposefully trying to keep this one small (getting a total of about 250 folks throughout). Had we known this, we would have never gone. Still, it was all for a reason and there were good aspects for sure—despite now being even more in debt (no, guys: being an author is NOT where all the money’s at! But that will change with time). So, Convergence 14 was awful this year, and we (and many other vendors) feel used and mistreated. Convergence COULD be an enormous event—something comparable even to Europe’s WAVE GOTIK TREFFIN—but they seem to not want this success. I think there is FAR too much arrogance and cruelty and mundanity within the Gothic community, that large gatherings are both necessary and healing. Gods know American Goths need feelings of community and kinship in particular.
Anyway—I DID get to meet some tres cool people, including the band AUDRA. What sweet, genuine, beautiful people they are! I absolutely adored meeting them.

On the last day of the event, I got news that one of my coworkers, Kolby, shot himself. I was a bit of a wreck, and it’s taken a while to process. Though I had only spoken with him a total of 3 hours, it was clear that he was hurting. I, and everyone he talked to (I am certain), tried to help him the best we could—to put his issues in perspective and remind him of his abilities and beauty. He had so many plans, but his issues of obsession and feelings of worthlessness consumed him in the end. Now, I understand and can even respect FREE WILL, but from my perspective, more often than not, suicide is a permanent solution to temporary issues. And, because Reality works in cycles, it only makes sense that the soul of the one who ‘clocked out early’ is bound to repeat, in some form, the challenges that consumed them. If lessons are not confronted and learned—even the most difficult, soul-devouring, and seemingly unfair experiences within this Reality—they will be replayed in some form. EXISTENCE IS A LEARNING PROCESS. Like ENIGMA/Creteau said, “We came out from the deep, To learn to love, to learn how to live. We came out from the deep, To avoid the mistakes we made. That’s why we are here. We came out from the deep, To help and understand, but not to kill. It takes many lives till we succeed, To clear the debts of many hundred years, That’s why we are here…”

THIS IS THE SUMMER OF DEATH. It is all around us. It is happening more frequently than I have ever seen it. It’s not just for me, and it’s not restricted to the human realm. Tons of people and animals are leaving this plane of existence. It seems dreadfully and curiously ominous. I simply don’t know what to make of it. what do you all think? Most deaths have always occurred in either Winter or Autumn, but this summer…? What global Changes are nigh? Why is this happening? I can’t come to a conclusion.

I should get some new contact lenses. O______o

If anyone wants to download the (legal) bootleg of the SMASHING PUMPKINS live show (Viper Room, LA) that holds so much nostalgia and beauty for me, I recently found it posted here… thank the Muses! I’ve been looking for this for 10 years …

http://www.rspaa.org/rspaa/Live/1998-01-15%20Viper%20Room;%20Los%20Angeles,%20CA,%20US/

In other news, THANK YOU all for complimenting my BIHAWK. I’m glad you like it! Estha did an amazing job at it, and I’m really loving the new hair. It’s so much fun, and my bald-ish-ness looks much more suiting than I would have imagined =)

BTW, I am one busy birdie, so please forgive my occasional email-reclusion/neglection.
Also keep in mind the Services (such as Tarot and spiritual counseling) that Estha and myself offer. Information is available here: www.ravendigitalis.com/services

For now, bonsoir and *EVER SEEK JOY*. Eternal blessings of the Gods, sweet friends!
Hail Djehuti!

~O.R.D.N.~ xx