What's on the reading pile?

The last time I wrote a "what's on the reading pile" post was for my blog's previous incarnation.... at least 3 or 4 years ago!  Time to write up what's on the pile today. At the top of the list are books I'm currently reading, below are books "on the pile" meaning that I plan to read them just as soon as I can! I really need someone to read books to me while I knit... just until I get good enough at knitting to do both at the same time (shyeah right).

You'll notice some of these I mention I have the ebook version. I'd really rather have hard copy but... funds are limited and often ebooks are cheaper. Not to mention SPACE in my house is limited and I AM still getting hardcopy books and I'm not sure I have room to fit them on my shelves! lol  (on a side note, many of my ebooks can be read to me by my kindle, which I haven't tried extensively yet but it may allow me to multitask lol)

Books with bookmarks in them:

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer
by Diane Wolkstein and Samuel Noah Kramer

My coven has been reading this for a while now, it's something of a coven project. :)

Descent of Inanna
by Edward VanDerJagt

Picked this up at Lammas Fest from the author, who is husband to a friend of mine. I've read parts of it so far, I think I'm going to stop and read both of these Inanna books at the same time... more like side by side study. Ed's book is written with a modern "voice" to make the story more accessible, with annotations to explain some of the historical context.  One difference I've hit so far is that Ninshubur is male in his text, where in every other translation I've read, she is female. This is a bit of a roadblock for me, as Ninshubur's gender is integral to the story for me. So we'll see how this progresses.

Iron Kissed
by Patricia Briggs

Briggs was author guest of honor at Demicon a few years ago, and I won a volunteer prize that was a back patch of the design on the main character's shirt on the cover of this book. Naturally, that meant that I really needed to read at least one of the Mercy Thompson books. ;)  I'm now on the 3rd in the series. I'm slow because I don't read as often as I'd like but I do love these stories... Mercy being a part native american coyote-shape shifting auto mechanic with a knack for getting herself into various supernatural tight spots. Fun reads.

Apocalyptic Witchcraft
by Peter Grey

Not sure how far into this one I am... a third of the way maybe. It's hard to tell with ebooks. Unfortunately now the only way to get it is hard copy... the UK passed some law that does not allow UK publishers to sell ebooks for some reason... I got two books from the publisher before the law happened. Anyway, it's a tough read as the author uses lots of big words that I have to look up and speaks in a way that takes getting used to. I usually have to back up a few pages each time I pick it up just to get used to reading it. Otherwise though, it's an interesting read.

Essential Reiki:  A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art
by Diane Stein

I have my first attunement in this lineage, and my reiki master and covenmate of course assigned us this book to read. I have this in hard copy somewhere but I can't find it, so I had to buy the kindle version which was annoying... but at least I have it.

On Becoming a Counselor
by Eugene Kennedy and Sara C. Charles, M.D.

I've read a few chapters of this, so far very interesting and useful. It might take me a while to finish, as I only have so much patience for "textbook" reading.

The Crooked Path Magazine
edited by Peter Paddon

I happened on Paddon's work when I was doing some searches on the interwebs. I was disappointed to learn that he is passed on, and won't be able to write anymore. :(  Anyway, I picked up all his books via kindle ebook, most of the issues of this magazine via kindle and one hard copy. There's only 3 more issues I don't have, that I can only get in hard copy unless they offer them as kindle versions in the future.  I've read a few articles out of a few issues but sometime I will sit and read through the whole things.


Books on the "TO READ" stack...
I have to admit there are way more books on the reading pile than I'm going to list here. I'm only listing books I actually possess!  My to-read list is much much longer... I just don't have most of them in my possession... mainly due to many of the books being out-of-print and expensive to purchase. Since my in-house pile is large enough, I will wait to inter-library loan the ones I don't own. lol

The Red Goddess
by Peter Grey

As soon as I finish Apocalyptic Witchcraft by the same author, I will start this one. I have this as ebook, but because of the new UK law, you can't get ebook version anymore.

Discount Armageddon
by Seanan Mcguire

When I'm done reading Iron Kissed, I'll start this book. My hubby has been reading them and likes them a great deal, and his description makes me think I will too. I'd like to keep reading Mercy books but I don't own any more and hubby has 3 of these in house. :)

A Grimoire for Modern Cunningfolk
by Peter Paddon

When I finish reading the Crooked Path magazines I have, I'll start reading the books by Peter Paddon, starting with this one.

Letters from the Devil's Forest
by Robin Artisson

I'm not sure I can wait too long to read this. I might start it soon. lol
I bought the ebook kindle version as it was cheaper, only to discover after it downloaded that I lost my kindle charger, so had to order a replacement charger so that I can read the darned book. lol... pretty sure the charger will turn up soon as I get the new one... house-wights playing a trick on me. ha.

A Dreaming for the Witches
by Stephen J. Yeates

I regularly read a blog by Steven Posch and whenever he recommends a book I add it to my "get it" list. This title intrigued me so I got it, but it's not a high priority read right now.

A Deed Without a Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft
by Lee Morgan

Another not high priority to read but it also looks shorter than some of my other ebooks so who knows... might read it sooner.

Lore of the Vanir
by C. Nico

Last year I read a book called Witchdom of the True: A Study of the Vana-Troth and the Practice of Seidr by Edred Thorsson and was intrigued by his thesis and re-interested in the Vanir. I had briefly toyed with the idea of exploring the Heathen path or Asatru based on the portion of german ancestral heritage, but I wasn't really keen on Odin or really the current folk in Asatru. But, after reading that book, I AM more interested in the Vanir. This ebook had some good reviews.

Traditional Witchcraft for Fields and Hedgerows
by Melusine Draco

This author and book were on some recommended reading lists for Trad Witchcraft, and the ebook price made it affordable, so I picked it up. I'll get around to it in my copious free time. LOL

A witch in her territory

Like all predators, a witch has a territory and patrols it regularly.

Gemma Gary

In his blog post here, Steven Posch reminds us that our Craft must be local if it is to be valuable to us. What power do we have as witches if we don't know where the sun rises in relation to us standing at our front door? What wildflowers might pop up in our back yard? (I know urban witches, you might never see wildflowers, but dandelions count! find your own local power!)

 He listed a number of excellent questions, which I saved to come back to eventually. Now I have and I admit, I had to look one thing up. (where the nearest spring is!)  So here are my answers. I have decided that I do not patrol my territory enough... it took me a long time to come up with some of my answers!

What is the Moon's current phase?     waning crescent

At this moment, in what direction is the Moon?         far east, to rise around midnight

From where you live:

Where on the horizon does the Sun rise on the shortest day? The longest?    southeast (from trees), east (just north of the road from my house)

Where on the horizon does the Sun set on the shortest day? The longest?     southwest (over the creek woods), west (over the trees that block sight of the road)

How many hours of light do you get on the shortest day? The longest?   a little over 9, a little over 15

Where is the nearest body of water?     out back, behind my backyard and the yard lot behind me is Blackhawk Creek, which empties into the Mississippi

Where is the nearest river? Why is it named as it is?  Mississippi from the native americans who called it "father of waters" also Misi Sipi "big river"

Where is the nearest spring?    Burlington IA, 1.5 hr drive

Where does your drinking water come from?   From the Mississippi, through a water treatment plant

Where is the nearest oak tree?   My neighbors one house over and behind

Where is the nearest fruit tree?    a volunteer mulberry on my fenceline

Where is the nearest holy place?    my yard.  next I'd hazard a guess that the closest to me is Sunderbruch park... everything west of me on my road is old agri properties, but the park is undeveloped woods with recently (starting in 2005) added trails for hiking, offroad bikes and horses.  I call it sacred because in a small city, to have that much undeveloped woods in-city intended for people to move around in without motor help is sacred... it gets people in the WILD. Also, this whole area was settled by native americans for thousands of years, and I'm sure is riddled with their sacred sites, lost to us now.

In your area:

What is the predominant type of rock?      limestone and other sedimentary rocks

What is the soil type?    fertile brown, with some clay

What are the three predominant native trees?    maple, oak, linden

What are the three largest raptors?    owls, redtail hawks, bald eagles in winter

What is the largest native feline?     bobcat

When do the deer rut? Give birth?     last half oct-december, May-august

What are the predominant winds?     north, northwest, west, south

From what direction does most of your weather come?    west, northwest

What are the three most important crops? When are they planted? Harvested?     corn (mid-april/early may, sept-nov depending on it's purpose), soy (around april 25 unless too wet, sep-nov), livestock (sorry this isn't a crop! but it's true)

Can you name:

Three local wildflowers that bloom at Bealtaine?     may apple, sweet william, wild ginger

Three local wildflowers that bloom at Midsummers?    Queen Anne's lace, wild clover, purple coneflower

Three local wildflowers that bloom at Samhain?        late goldenrod,  might still be Queen Anne's lace, blazingstars

Invocation of the Horned One

I found another treasure from Doreen Valiente that reminds me of Grand Sabbat. :)

Invocation of the Horned One

By the flame that burneth bright 

O Horned One!

We call thy name into the night 

O Ancient One! 

Thee we invoke by the moon-led sea

By the standing stone and the twisted tree

Thee we invoke where gather thine own

By the nameless shrine forgotten and lone

 

Come where the round of the dance is trod

Horn and hoof of the goat-foot God

By moonlit meadow on dusky hill

When the haunted wood is hushed and still

 

Come to the charm of the chanted prayer

As the moon bewitches the midnight air

Evoke thy powers, that potent bide

In shining stream and secret tide

 

In fiery flame by starlight pale

In shadowy host that ride the gale

And by the fern-brakes fairy-haunted

Of forests wild and wood enchanted

 

Come! O Come!

To the heartbeat's drum!

 

 Come to us who gather below

When the broad white moon is climbing slow

Through the stars to the heavens' height

We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night

As black tree branches shake and sigh

By joy and terror we know thee nigh

 

We speak the spell thy power unlocks

At Solstice, Sabbat, and Equinox

Word of virtue the veil to rend

From primal dawn to the wide world's end

Since time began---

The blessing of Pan!

Blessed be all in hearth and hold

Blessed in all worth more than gold

Blessed be in strength and love

Blessed be where e'er we rove

Vision fade not from our eyes

Of the pagan paradise

Past the gates of death and birth

Our inheritance of the earth

From our soul the song of spring

Fade not in our wandering

Our life with all life is one,

By blackest night or noonday sun

Eldest of gods, on thee we call:

Blessing be on thy creatures all.

The Witch's Ballad

 I came across this poem by Doreen Valiente at her official website, and had to share! Because I was there just over a week ago! Ah, the sabbat!

The Witch's Ballad
by Doreen Valiente
 
Oh, I have been beyond the town,
Where nightshade black and mandrake grow,
And I have heard and I have seen
What righteous folk would fear to know!

For I have heard, at still midnight,
Upon the hilltop far, forlorn,
With note that echoed through the dark,
The winding of the heathen horn.

And I have seen the fire aglow,
And glinting from the magic sword,
And with the inner eye beheld,
The Horned One, the Sabbat's lord.

We drank the wine, and broke the bread,
And ate it in the Old One's name.
We linked our hands to make the ring,
And laughed and leaped the Sabbat game.

Oh, little do the townsfolk reck,
When dull they lie within their bed!
Beyond the streets, beneath the stars,
A merry round the witches tread!

And round and round the circle spun,
Until the gates swung wide ajar,
That bar the boundaries of the earth
From faery realms that shine afar.

Oh, I have been and I have seen
In magic worlds of Otherwhere.
For all this world may praise or blame,
For ban or blessing nought I care.

For I have been beyond the town,
Where meadowsweet and roses grow,
And there such music did I hear
As worldly-righteous never know.

© Copyright The Doreen Valiente Foundation

Iowa Lammas Fest 2015

Two weekends camping in a row! I am exhausted! :)

Our local pagan festival has been around for 13 years, though this is my first year going. Not sure exactly why I waited so long to go, but there were several years where I wasn't doing much camping.

It was certainly laid back, which is exactly what I needed since I was already tired! The fire at main ritual was lovely. My coven danced as only witches can dance!

The event has a chosen charity to raise funds for, the MacBride Raptor Center. An educator came and spoke about raptors and brought out a Kestrel and a tiny Screech Owl, as well as talked about other raptors. The birds were adorable.

We spent most of our time just sitting around! Saturday was so so hot! We sat and knitted and chatted between activities. My covenmate Melanie taught a bellydance class, fortunately for her she likes the heat. Her partner taught a poi spinning class. The kids played and explored the Devonian Gorge that was at the park we were at.

We did get together and take a picture in the afternoon. Most of the kids were off somewhere so we didn't get them into the picture. Coven friends also joined us. :)

Sunday looked to be another hot day, so we all packed up after closing ritual and headed down to the Dam and the beach. I was so exhausted that I almost didn't go, but the kiddo really wanted to (he'd gone on saturday with some of the others).  We went, and it was lovely. The water was cool and refreshing, though the sand was hot! We found lots of fossils in the sand.

A lovely weekend with my tribe!