30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts, Day 3

Today's way to help during the 30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts: Donate!


Stepping Stones Nigeria is a UK based charity that is dedicated to helping children in the Niger Delta region.  SSN was founded by Gary Foxcroft, who was in Nigeria doing research for his master's degree.  From the SSN website:

Gary and Naomi (his wife) came across a number of children living rough on the streets, many of whom had been abandoned and abused following witchcraft accusations. Over the years, SSN has developed close relationships with a number of local child rights NGO’s who work tirelessly to protect these children and prevent the further abuse of other children in similar situations in the Niger Delta.
The scope of SSN’s work has grown steadily in recent years to a point where we are now seen as the most effective international child rights charity working in the Niger Delta. Our work saves lives and gives a voice to thousands of children in a region where few other agencies chose to operate.

Over 95% of the children on the streets of Akwa Ibom State have been stigmatised as ‘witches’ and abandoned to live on the streets by their parents. On the streets these children become vulnerable to rapists, traffickers and some have been known to become victims of ritualists who use their body parts for Juju

Stepping Stones Nigeria works with other non-governmental agencies on these goals:

• Rescue – Saving the lives of children who are at risk from serious harm
• Rehabilitation – Providing the children with healthcare, clothing, education, counselling, refuge and protection
• Reunification – Doing everything possible to reunite children with their parents, should they both wish for this to happen
• Re-orientation – Working with community members, traditional leaders, police, and government to re-orientate the way that they think about children, fight the belief in child witches and promote a greater understanding of child rights.

I've set up a fundraising page in an effort to raise funds for Stepping Stones Nigeria.  The widget is in the sidebar --->  If everyone who comes across this post, my tweets, or Facebook posts about this charity would just give $1, the amount of help we could give as a community would be amazing!!  Just a buck.  Way cheaper than today's Starbucks, right?  If you can give more, well then that's okay, too!

Read more about the witch-hunts of Africa at the following:

Blogs that have posted about 30 Days of Advocacy:

• Musings of a Pagan Hacker
• The Witch of Stitches
• Bones, Buried Treasures and Beliefs
• Lilac Wolf and Stuff

Read through all of my 30 Days of Advocacy Posts (and find out more ways to help) here.

You can find more information at:

• Witchcraft Legal Aid in Africa
• Missionaries May be Encouraging Accusations of Witchcraft (Via Christianity Today)
• Did Missionaries Trigger the Witch-Hunts (Via The Wild Hunt)
• Witchcraft and Statecraft by the Georgetown Law Journal

And while the 30 Days of Advocacy focuses on Africa, don't forget these things happen in other parts of the world as well:

• Rampant Witch Killings in Orissa District Causes Concern (India)
• Gaza Woman Murdered for Witchcraft
• Fawza Falih (Saudi Arabia)
• Haitian Cholera Epidemic Sparks Witchcraft Killings
• Tribal Woman Killed by Nephew in Witchcraft Case (India)
• Three brother's lynched, buried alive for witchcraft (Bolivia)

Have you written something for the 30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts?  Leave a link in comments!

30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-hunts, a campaign of  South African Pagan Rights and supported by the South African Pagan Council, Pagan Federation International, Pagan Federation England and Wales, Correllian Nativist Tradition (U.S.A. & S.A.) and Circle Sanctuary (U.S.A.).

This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts, Day 2

Estimated children in Africa that have been tortured, killed or abandoned (as young as infants) after being denounced as witches?  Over 15,000.

What can you do to help today?  Visit the South African Pagan Rights Alliance website, copy their International Letter of Protest and email it to the addresses listed on the letter.

Other things you can do to support the "witches" of Africa:

•  Light a candle
• You can click here to help the "witches" of Malawi.
• If you are a member of Twitter, "follow" and re-tweet TouchstoneAdvocacy who will be tweeting daily the names of those murdered in South Africa during 2010 as a result of being accused of witchcraft.

Blogs that posted yesterday about 30 Days of Advocacy:

• The Witch of Stitches
• Bones, Buried Treasures and Beliefs
• Lilac Wolf and Stuff

You can find more information at:

• Witchcraft Legal Aid in Africa
• Missionaries May be Encouraging Accusations of Witchcraft (Via Christianity Today)
• Did Missionaries Trigger the Witch-Hunts (Via The Wild Hunt)
• Witchcraft and Statecraft by the Georgetown Law Journal

And while the 30 Days of Advocacy focuses on Africa, don't forget these things happen in other parts of the world as well:

• Rampant Witch Killings in Orissa District Causes Concern (India)
• Gaza Woman Murdered for Witchcraft
• Fawza Falih (Saudi Arabia)
• Haitian Cholera Epidemic Sparks Witchcraft Killings
• Tribal Woman Killed by Nephew in Witchcraft Case (India)
• Three brother's lynched, buried alive for witchcraft (Bolivia)

Have you written something for the 30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts?  Leave a link in comments!

30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-hunts, a campaign of  South African Pagan Rights and supported by the South African Pagan Council, Pagan Federation International, Pagan Federation England and Wales, Correllian Nativist Tradition (U.S.A. & S.A.) and Circle Sanctuary (U.S.A.).


This is post copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts, Day 1

Today starts Day 1 of the 30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts.  What can you do to show your support?  It can be as simple as lighting a candle in honor and support of those affected by accusations of witchcraft, past and present.  Here are some candle color ideas. Light one, light many.


Black candles can be used if you want to banish the negativity surrounding those accused.

Blue candles can be used if you want to wish all the people of Africa honesty, peace, empathy and harmony.

Brown candles could be used for banishing sorrow.

Gray candles could be used for stabilizing negative influences.

Orange candles can be used for things related to the law - perhaps helping to outlaw the accusations of witchcraft.

Pink candles stand for friendship and emotional healing.

A purple candle could stand for spirituality and tolerance.

Magenta candles are used for spiritual healing.

Choose silver candles for understanding and female power.

White candles can be used for anything, but can be used specifically for purification, purity, harmony or enlightenment.

Yellow is the color of wisdom, communication and action.


If you are a member of Twitter, "follow" and re-tweet TouchstoneAdvocacy who will be tweeting daily the names of those murdered in South Africa during 2010 as a result of being accused of witchcraft.

Read about what else you can do this month at the South African Pagan Rights website .

As long as there are people in the world who are unsafe from the accusations of witchcraft, none of us are truly safe.

Click here to learn how to help the "witches" in Malawi.

Here are some links for even more information (more to come):

• Witchcraft Legal Aid in Africa
• Missionaries May be Encouraging Accusations of Witchcraft (Via Christianity Today)
• Did Missionaries Trigger the Witch-Hunts (Via The Wild Hunt)
• Witchcraft and Statecraft by the Georgetown Law Journal

And while the 30 Days of Advocacy focuses on Africa, don't forget these things happen in other parts of the world as well:

• Rampant Witch Killings in Orissa District Causes Concern (India)
• Gaza Woman Murdered for Witchcraft
• Fawza Falih (Saudi Arabia)
• Haitian Cholera Epidemic Sparks Witchcraft Killings
• Tribal Woman Killed by Nephew in Witchcraft Case (India)
• Three brother's lynched, buried alive for witchcraft (Bolivia)

This is post copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Catching Up!

Just a quick note to drop in and say hello!  Between a mean case of bronchitis and working on the book, I haven't been on the blog much these days (you can usually catch me daily on my facebook page, however!).

So what's new in the B household lately?  Well, Miss M. attended her first ritual the night of the "Super Moon".  It was a lovely ritual with a small group.  We did a ritual for healing and blessed a candle for a neighbor of mine.  We also blessed other candles for various reasons, and Miss M. did a spell to bless bottles of  moon water, then passed one out to everyone who participated in the circle.  It was a super great night with some wonderful friends!

On my part, I'm itching for spring!  It's still getting below freezing most nights here in NJ, so we haven't done too much as far as the garden goes yet.  A bit of cleaning out the beds of things that didn't make it over the very rough winter we had this year.  Thankfully the lavender plants survived and the mugwort is already making a comeback!  A few other herbs are starting to come back up as well, but I'm afraid they might have gotten an early start and might be negatively affected by the cold start of spring.  I guess we'll see!  All I know is that I can't wait to be able to get my hands into the (unfrozen) earth and start harvesting fresh herbs and veggies!

In the online Pagan community, a Pagan fundraiser for Doctor's Without Borders (to benefit Japan) has raised over $30,000 dollars!  Kudos to all who worked to organize this and to those who donated.  Every single dollar counts!

If you haven't read about it already, tomorrow starts the 30 Days of Advocacy Against Witch-Hunts.  It's easy to find a way to participate - even if all you do is re-tweet posts.

April is also the beginning of Autism Awareness Month.  Not sure how you can participate?  How about making a pledge to stop using the "R" word?

Lots of blog events going on right now as well!  Have one going on?  Share it in today's comments!

Have a great first-day-of-the-work-week!




This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Guest blog from Sam of Bones, Buried Treasures and Beliefs!

Mrs.B.'s Note: Sam Curtin is a Penn State graduate with a "passion for Anthropology, Museums and writing."  This is the first part of a series of explorations into North American Indians.  Find more of this series and tons of other great reads at Bones, Buried Treasures and Beliefs!

North American Series: Part 1.1

Southeast: Mound Builders/Southeastern Ceremonial Cult

By Sam Curtin

Welcome to the North American Indian series. For my first post I will be talking about the Moundbuilders of the Mississippian Period and the Southeastern Ceremonial cult within the Southeastern culture area. I will be focusing mostly on the burial sites of the Mississippian period and the artifacts of the ceremonial cult, both of which go hand in hand with each other. 

Simple Candle Ritual for Ostara

No matter how much the busy domestic witch might want to be able to make time to do an elaborate ritual to welcome the first day of spring and the spring season, sometimes it can be hard to work one into our lives.   Family needs, household emergencies, work and projects (just to name a few) can eat up time and energy.  Many witches have expressed the feeling that if a ritual isn't elaborate it doesn't feel like they are doing it "right".  

At Ostara, a time of new beginnings and rebirth, let yourself let go of those feelings that there is a "right" way to honor the seasons and deity and allow yourself to find the simple ways to celebrate each day.  Really take notice of the changes happening around you in nature.  Take note of the fact that darkness is falling later each day.  Pay attention to the birds that land in your yard - are the robins out yet? Say a little prayer of thanks for warmer days, the beginning of the growing season and start looking forward to all those wonderful spring and summer foods that are coming!

Another simple way to honor the day of the season is to hold a simple candle ceremony.  Create your own around what you'd like to renew or start or just to honor spring time in general, or use this simple ceremony:

Guest Blog from Jon from Me vs. College!

Graphic ©Me vs. College, courtesy of Jon Morgan

This post was brought to you by one of my very favorite bloggers, Jon from Me vs. College!  If you haven't checked out this blog yet, you really need to do so.  If only to me Gamma.  Seriously.  You'll love it.

How could Merlin cope without Archimedes? How could Granny Weatherwax get by without You? What would have become of the Wicked Witch of the West if she hadn't had her monkeys, bees, crows and wolves to keep her company? Where would the folk in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series be without their dæmons?

Throughout history, in fiction, reality and everything in between, witches and wizards have benefited from the company of familiars. Ancient Romans believed that each household should be home to a familiar; it would be the responsibility of the creature to keep the family from harm. Shamans and medicine men from all over the world honor animal spirits to this day. They gain wisdom, guidance and assistance from these spirits.

Over time, in the west the word familiar has become synonymous with a sleek black feline sitting pretty on the back of a broomstick. While this isn't necessarily untrue (if you're lucky enough to actually get a black cat as a familiar, you've got me as an admirer), it's become a stereotype that can be a bit... well... limiting.

A lot of young Pagan, Wiccans and witches (or any combination of the three) are getting a feel for the Craft, and they think they have to totally dress the part. Black clothes, black conical hat, black cat. Once again, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you identify as Gothic, more power to you. But I have the niggling feeling that quite a few of young, up and coming witches are trying a bit to hard to look "witchy". They think that if they're going to be a witch, they must wear nothing but black flowing robes. If they're going to have a familiar, it must be a black cat. This simply isn't true.

In reality, many familiars aren't chosen by their masters. You may adopt a black cat, hoping it will help you carry out your will, only to discover your real familiar is the orange tabby down the street, or the big dog that keeps milling around your house. Heck, sometimes your familiar may not even be an animal, or at least not a physical flesh and blood one - It's not uncommon for familiars to come in the form of spirits.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't force it. Don't adopt a black cat and demand that it be your familiar. It may not be, and that's not the cat's fault. When I was in a particularly dark mood, my dog Max was there to guide me out of it. He became my familiar, much to my surprise, and I loved him even more for it. A familiar can be your best friend, a being offering support, knowledge and healing. It can be there for you when you need someone (or something) the most.

Black cat or no, familiars can be incredibly helpful. Keep your eyes and your mind open, and you may just find yourself with an invaluable companion.

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This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Ostara Egg Dyes from the Kitchen

Photo ©CPSM

Taking a page out of my Book of Shadows today!  Though egg coloring kits are pretty inexpensive and easy to use, it's fun to create Ostara eggs with just what you have in the pantry, spice rack or even your yard!

To create your dye:  Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.  Add your dye ingredient from the list below (about 1/2 cup of fresh ingredients or 1 tablespoon of dried) and bring to a simmer.  Let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Strain and return the colored water to the pan.  If you want a  deeper, darker color, you can repeat these steps.  When you are satisfied with the color, add a pinch of salt to the pan along with 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar.  Mix well.  Add eggs and let sit until they reach the desired color.

These work well on regular hard boiled eggs.  Our family (and coven) has a tradition of coloring raw eggs, blowing the insides out, then filling them with corresponding herbs for the intent that we colored them for.  The eggs can be closed by (depending on how big the hole is to drain the egg) dripping candle wax onto a small hole, or covering the hole with a bit of tissue paper and covering the edges with wax. The eggs stay on our altar to charge until we get our garden planted, and then the eggs are buried with our seeds to help "grow" our wishes along with out plants.

Green (for growth, prosperity and healing): Daffodil blossoms (yellow-green), spinach (light green), fresh parsley (light green)

A list of free Pagany ebooks

Increasingly these days, you can find sites online offering copies of books for free download.  Unfortunately, many of these sites are offering books that are still being published and are not copyright free.  In other words, they are illegally infringing on an author's copyright.  In some cases, trying to download a book to read can leave you with an array of computer viruses.  There are sites that will sell you a disc in which they have gathered an array of books that are completely free online.

Fortunately there are sites where you can safely download a vast array of Pagan friendly books; probably the best is a function of Google.  Google books allows you to search specifically for free books that you can store in online and read straight from your Google library or easily download to your computer.  Please note that you must have a google account (gmail) to use this function.  You can sign up for a gmail account quite quickly and for free.

 Here is a list of several Pagan friendly books available for download via Google Books:

 Ancient pagan and modern Christian symbolism
Thomas Inman, John Newton (M.R.C.S.E.) - 1875 - 147 pages
Compares imagery and symbols used by ancient Pagans and the modern Christian religion

Ostara Page

Ostara Activities

What is Ostara?

Ostara Correspondences

Spring is Coming: Are You Ready?





This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!