I’ll be here June 8-11.
We’ll be launching the publication of my book, Magical Power for Beginners, in Portuguese, under the title O PODER MÁGICO.
Archive for Deborah Lipp
Book Review: Have You Been Hexed?
Quite by accident, I stumbled upon an excellent book, so I’m breaking blog silence to review it. More about jonas-andersson
Have You Been Hexed? Recognizing and Breaking Curses, by Alexandra Chauran is absolutely superb. In truth, I was wondering if I should write a book on the subject, so my editor suggested I read this one first. It’s probably better than what I would have written.
Most people approach hexes/curses in one of two ways: Either, there’s no such thing (or, as a variation, there’s no such thing unless your imagination is allowing it), or HOLY SHIT IT’S EVERYWHERE. Chauron, by contrast, is neither alarmist nor dismissive.
The author covers just about everything you’d hope such a book would cover, such as:
- You’re probably not under a hex, but you might be
- Here’s how to tell
- What else might be wrong if it’s not a hex
- And what to do about that
- Cultural factors in hexes/curses
- How to detect a charlatan who is selling “hex removal”
- And what to do about that.
It’s all written in a clear, educational, lucid, and very sane style. The author clearly understands Wicca, magic, and related subjects, but asks no such background of the reader. She’s experienced both with people who think they are cursed but are not, and the real—if rare—thing. It’s a short book that can function as a how-to guide to a fraught situation.
Do I agree with 100% of the book? Of course not—no two people agree on everything. My only real complaint is that she references and uses Isaac Bonewits’ “Laws of Magic” often, but does not include him in her bibliography. This is an editing error, though, not a writing error, and doesn’t detract from the book.
Becoming Psychic, June 28
I’ll be at the Tarot Society in Brooklyn on June 28 for an intimate and lively talk on Becoming Psychic.
Coast to Coast Radio: Listen up!
Join me for two entertaining late-night hours with George Noory on Coast-to-Coast radio this Friday, June 9, at 10pm Pacific. The show runs from 1am to 3am my time, so I’ll be getting punchy towards the end, which will undoubtedly add to the fun! Tune in!
New Review & Twitter
Hey folks. You will no doubt have noticed that blogging has dried up. I am actively tweeting, so please follow @DebLippAuthor for all the latest. Including cat pictures.
By the way, the delightful Treadwell’s Bookshop in London has just posted a lovely review of Merry Meet Again.
About Pagan Religion
Ian Corrigan has created a pretty brilliant blog post about his Pagan religion, in response to Star Foster’s “Crisis of Faith” blog post on Patheos.
I don’t have a lot to add. Both Ian and Star talk about leaving Wiccan Mystery Traditions. I have never felt the need to leave mine. Star talks about how participation in a Mystery Tradition can be short-term (like the Mysteries of Eleusis–attend once, never forget), and wonders whether it’s actually a religion. To me, I see exoteric and esoteric Wicca as two sides of the same coin. Participating actively in the Pagan community is something I encourage, even if you find public rituals weak or silly or whatever. I have loved and mocked and enjoyed and been bored by all manner of Pagan rituals over thirty years. Know more about legend of shangri la
My ritual life is Gardnerian–my Mystery Tradition suits me fine–but Pagans are my people. In Judy Harrow’s badly-named book Wicca Covens, she says “Witchcraft is not a religion, but a committed religious order. Our religion is Paganism.” I’ve always really liked that; I think she’s hit upon something important in how we express ourselves religiously.
Star Foster said “What you believe matters as much as what you do,” and Ian responded “I tend to see beliefs as ephemera, compared to traditions.”
I have for years told students that Gardnerian Wicca is not orthodox (strict in belief) but orthopraxic (strict in practice). Believe what you want–we’re not the Thought Police. If the religion is true; if the Gods are present and the ritual reaches Them, if the Mysteries reveal to you a connection that is Mysterious and profound, then your belief, your understanding, your spiritual connectedness, will be informed by that and emerge from that.
Do the rites. Worship the Gods. Belief will follow in a way unique to the individual, and yet the coven will be of one mind because the practice and its results bind us together.
Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole
I did this fun podcast with the folks at Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole tonight. We talked about the four elements, about elemental beings, about Spirit, and more.
The podcast is here and will be available on iTunes.
Boy or Girl?
I went to McDonald’s yesterday (don’t judge!) and ordered a Happy Meal. It’s a way to eat as much as you want, and not supersize it, it has apple slices, it’s cheap, and I like the toy.
So anyway. I order a Happy Meal, and the kid behind the counter says “Boy or girl?” I was momentarily stymied.
Why do we have to stick a gender on this? Obviously, it’s for the toy choice. I’ll even play Devil’s Advocate for a moment; I think that customers asked them to introduce this. When Arthur was little, there were just Happy Meals, not “boy” meals and “girl” meals. In fact, he’d give me his toys if he thought they were too girly (my love of stupid little toys goes way back). I’ll bet that parents got tired of kids being disgruntled, I bet that customers asked for the option.
But why is the option “boy or girl”?
“What are the toys?” I asked. “Star Wars or Build-a-Bear.” “Star Wars,” I said.
Girls don’t like Star Wars? Boys don’t like bears?
What efficiency expert decided that it was easier to ask “boy or girl” than to simply give a toy choice?
Today’s irritation has been brought to you by The Patriarchy.
Dream Interpretation
So, Friday night I dreamed I was at a party that my brother was hosting. When I left work to go to the party, I found my car had been stolen, but I couldn’t reach the cops. Somehow I got to the party anyway. The men mostly stayed downstairs watching sports. I stayed the night, and in the morning the men had come upstairs, and Bruce Springsteen was one of them. I got into a big easy chair with Bruce and we were making out. It was glorious. My mother was there and after a while I think she got tired of watching me make out, because she started making fun of me. Then I went back to trying to get the cops about my car. Then I called into work to explain about my car and my boss fired me. (This was a boss from years and years ago; someone who actually did fire me in real life).
Now, if I know who or what Bruce Springsteen represents in real life (which I do), then I might understand that my subconscious is telling me that, no matter how glorious it feels to be with “Bruce,” it’s a disaster. In this dream, Bruce is wonderful, but job, car, Mom are all bad. It’s a warning, and not a psychic warning. Based on how it made me feel, this was a psychological, not a supernatural, dream.
So of course I ignored the warning, and of course within 24 hours the warning proved right.
Blessed Imbolc
May the three fires of Brigid: The fire of the body, the fire of the head, and the fire of the forge, be awake within you.
From the fire in the body, may you have energy, healing, and fertility. May your health be robust. May your bodies energies be as bright as the Sun.
From the fire in the head, may you be inspired. May you write, paint, draw, dance, and make music to your heart’s desire. May creativity flow freely.
From the fire in the forge, may you be skilled in your crafts. May you be adorned by beautiful jewelry, may your steel never break, may work be rewarding.
Blessed be.
