Mini Ogham Staves

Posted on March 5, 2024 by David Taliesin

Yesterday the most perfectly wonderful package arrived on my doorstep. I just started studying Ogham in honor of my Irish heritage and out of interest as a divination tool. I came across Susan James on Etsy who is the owner of Speckled Wood Crafts. She lives in England and makes these beautiful staves from the native trees there. To say I am thrilled with the purchase would be an understatement. As I opened the package and held the individual staves in my hands, I could feel the love that went into crafting them. They arrived surprisingly fast considering they were shipped from England. I had looked at a number of sets of Ogham staves before ordering these but felt really drawn to this particular set. The rave reviews on her Etsy shop are well deserved. If you’re looking for a set of these, I cannot think of a more beautiful set to own. Here’s the link to her Etsy shop. The set I ordered are the Mini Celtic Tree Ogham Staves.

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid the Peacemaker

Posted on February 26, 2024 by David Taliesin

Station Two: Brigid the Peacemaker

[Stones: lepidolite or amethyst]

Here is the second prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one, click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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February: Cougar Moon

Posted on February 23, 2024 by David Taliesin
cougarmoon

The February full moon (February 24th) goes by many names such as Cougar Moon, Snow Moon (Native Americans), Moon of the Seer, and Quickening Moon. Typically, winter snows are the heaviest in February and the scarcity of food favors solitary hunters such as the cougar. Feb 27th is a good night to contemplate the energies the Cougar brings into our lives.

According to Jamie Sams and David Carson’s excellent book Medicine Cards, “By observing the graceful pounce of Mountain Lion/Cougar you will learn how to balance power, intention, physical strength, and grace.  This relates, in human terms, to the balance of body, mind, and spirit.” Cougar energy also speaks of the times in our lives when we need to step out as leaders/pioneers without any followers behind us.

So go outside if it’s a clear night. Light a candle inside if it’s not. Then spend some time asking yourself if there are any imbalances in your life at the present moment and strategize what it would take to right them. You might also want to contemplate if the Divine Presence is asking you to have the courage to step out and lead. Is the Cougar calling you to pounce on an opportunity that has been in your field of vision for a while? Only you can answer this question!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid of the Land

Posted on February 20, 2024 by David Taliesin

Brigid’s Garden

Station One: Brigid of the Land, Brigid the Earth-Woman

[Stones: moss agate or green opal]

Here is the first prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. For station one, I have two separate paths to embark on that include a story, a prayer, and questions for contemplation. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one, click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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Brigid’s Garden

Posted on February 13, 2024 by David Taliesin

Recently, I’ve been reading Lunaea Weatherstone’s delightful book Tending Brigid’s Flame. It was there that I discovered an experience that tickled my imagination: “At Solas Bhríde in Kildare, the Brigidine Sisters have created a pilgrimage walk with five stones. At each of the stones an aspect of Brigid is honored and prayers are offered. The Solas Bríde walk culminates at Brigid’s well. Create your own walk that leads to a place of contemplation in your garden or a circular walk that can be done repeatedly.”

So, I’m working on a miniature version of this pilgrimage that can be placed on a home altar since most of us will never get to journey to Kildare. Stay tuned and I’ll begin posting stations of this walk as they are written. I will make the final form available as a free PDF booklet. I feel led by Brigid to create this devotional journey for everyone to enjoy. I have not been able to stop thinking about it which is always a good sign! May Brigid guide my creative journey.

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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My First Month Working at a Metaphysical Bookstore

Posted on January 27, 2024 by David Taliesin

Not all is bad and horrifying in the world. Sometime the Universe blesses us in ways we never expected. I needed to look for part-time work in 2024 and actually considered bagging groceries in a local supermarket. The Divine sort of laughed at me and said, “Oh no, honey, I have something much better in mind.”

Long story short I started working part-time this month for the most amazing metaphysical bookstore in my city: Asheville Raven & Crone. I’ve known the owners of the store ever since it started and am grateful for the opportunity. Of course, there is a lot to learn but I know I’ll get there. The staff is so kind and knowledgable and I’m glad to add my particular knowledge base to the mix.

I love working with the customers, some of whom it’s clear by the look on their faces that this is the first time they’ve ever set foot in a “witch store.” I remember taking that first brave step myself many years ago and am grateful for those who were able to answer all my questions and guide me to the resources I needed. It’s my pleasure to return the favor.

The most beautiful thing that happened my first day working there was the way the staff treated a homeless person who walked in our door. I was at the register at the time and after greeting him warmly he said, “I’m really cold.” I invited him in to have a cup of hot tea and sit in the reading room to warm himself up. One of the other employees and the store manager rustled up some prepackaged snacks he could take with him along with a packet of “hot hands.” They sat and visited with him like any other customer. It was a holy moment and made me proud to work there.

So, if you live in Asheville or are in the area, please stop by and see us. This is a wonderful store filled with unique creations from a number of local artists and magic practitioners. We also have an exceptional selection of books, incense, candles, stones, ritual items, divination decks, etc.

I know I will enjoy this new chapter in my life. I just know I’m supposed to be there and am glad to serve others in this capacity as they continue on their spiritual journey. Blessed be!

Written by David Taliesin, ©2024, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Tending Brigid’s Flame

Posted on January 26, 2024 by David Taliesin

I just starting reading a delightful book by Lunaea Weatherstone entitled “Tending Brigid’s flame.” As someone who resonates with Brigid the goddess as well as the saint I enjoyed discovering Weatherstone’s reverence for both.

Here are two excerpts from the book:

“Why include a saint in a book largely intended for Pagan readers? To put it plainly, it’s because the saint and the goddess are one and the same. She never left. No other Western goddess has an unbroken history of worship. No other goddess has been clung to so passionately by her devotees, no matter what other canons of faith they accepted. To write a book about Brigid without including her saint aspect would be denying half her powers: The power of endurance, the power of practical love, the power of bridging differences.”

“It’s a mistake to pooh-pooh Saint Brigid as if she was a Brigid imposter, a pale substitute for the great goddess who preceded her. I was predisposed to dislike her, but the more I learned, the more she appealed to me.”

I am also someone who appreciates the aspects of both the goddess and the saint. I have an icon of St. Brigid above my altar that, for me, represents both. She is the bridge that can bring Christians, Pagans, and those who are somewhere in-between, together. I know few forms of the Divine that are capable of doing this. She inspires and empowers me to follow in her footsteps and try to do the same. Blessed Imbolc to all!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Imbolc: Becoming Rooted in Good Soil

Posted on January 25, 2024 by David Taliesin
spiral-roots
Artist Unknown

At an Imbolc celebration I attended, one of the priestesses talked about paying attention to the season we’re in. During the month of February, it may not look like much is happening in the natural world around us. However, underneath the ground seeds are breaking apart, rooting themselves, and drawing nutrients from the soil. It is only when they do this that they can become green plants and beautiful flowers in the spring. She challenged us to spend time this month doing things that ground us and make us feel rooted. She said we should look for activities that nourish our spirits and make us feel alive and creative.

The other part of this process is that we may have to die to something. The seed breaks apart and transforms itself into something new. This is also a part of the growing process as we let go of old, unproductive ways of living and adopt healthier behaviors and habits that are life-giving to us, to nature, and to the people around us.

As we say in the South, “That will preach!” It reminds me of something Jesus said: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) Both Pagans and Christians must undergo this same spiritual process if we are going to grow and become the healers and reconcilers the world needs us to be. It’s not easy to die to our self-centeredness and destructive patterns of living. We love our habits and routines, even if they are killing us! But natures tells us that dying is a part of the process of bring new life into the world.

Jesus also told a parable about four different types of soil. The first three yielded practically nothing but the last seed that was sown, even surprised the farmer. Jesus ended the parable by saying: “Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:1-9)

We all need to find good soil in our lives. So, while the chill of winter is still with us, let us find something that helps us to put down deep roots in spiritual soil, so we can emerge in the spring with vitality and aliveness.

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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My Brigid Story

Posted on January 24, 2024 by David Taliesin

In 2015, I attended my first Imbolc ritual which was led by Mother Grove Goddess Temple. It was a transformational night for me as Brigid made her presence known to me in a real and powerful way. Since that night, she has never left my side, and is still the form of the goddess I hold most dear. It is She whose name I invoke every time I cast a circle, and an icon of Saint Brigid is front and center on my home altar.

Fast forward to 2022 and I found out, much to my surprise and delight, that one of my Great Grandfathers was Irish. He was born in the United States but both of his parents immigrated to this country from Ireland. Throughout my life, I’ve always been told that my Dad’s side of the family was 100% German. Surprise!

It appears that Brigid already knew this family secret and sought me out before I discovered the truth. I spoke to my mentor and friend Byron Ballard about this and she said Brigid always seeks out her people who are a part of the diaspora from Ireland.

I cannot tell you how wonderful this discovery makes me feel, and my celebration of Imbolc this year was especially joyous and festive. My hope and prayer for all of you is that the Goddess will surprise you every once in a while and fill your life with a sense of wonder and delight. May the spiritual path you walk contain a few unexpected twists and turns along the way!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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A Solstice Blessing

Posted on December 21, 2023 by David Taliesin
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