NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS for Shadow Magick Compendium (!!!)
Current mood: excited
Category: Art and Photography

(Please direct any feedback to the blog of this same title; thanks!)

Hello sweet readers, friends & fans. That's right! You've heard correctly! Woooooo! Now taking PRE ORDERS for SHADOW MAGICK COMPENDIUM, my second book :D

* You will receive the book (ideally) before it hits shelves... inscribed to you personally, of course! (please say on PayPal which name to inscribe it to)

* Also, the FIRST 25 PEOPLE TO PRE-ORDER get a free loose incense from Twigs & Brews!! The blend will be a surprise, and will be intuitively picked :)

Please note that this book does NOT focus on subculture; its focus is magickal spirituality and some of its darker, yet positive, aspects. Here is some more info:


Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality
(Llewellyn, SEPT '08)

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 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.


Books are $18 retail. Shipping and packaging cost about $5, so $23 is the total. To PRE-ORDER your copy, please PayPal $23 to:
Or, visit my website www.ravendigitalis.com and click 'add to cart' beneath the book's description (to place it in your PayPal account).

OR send a check or money order to:

Raven Digitalis
P.O. Box 2666
Missoula, MT
59806
USA

NOTE: OVERSEAS SHIPPING: add $11 (=$34)

Thanks so much for your support; it is my hope that the book will help positively touch and transform your life. Our experience of Existence is the most sacred thing in the world, and I hope to progressively influence your experience. Blessed Be!  Love,

~Raven D.~

Someday I will...
Current mood: relaxed
Category: Quiz/Survey

Inspired by the 'I am Grateful for...' blog posts/lists by my friends Thorn & Abel, it came to mind to make a similar reflective/goal-setting list of 13 items (13 being a particularly sacred/significant number). "Will" in this list can also be replaced with "WILL TO," which refers to one's spiritual alignment (for example, it is my Will [or 'destiny'] to overcome sorrow, etc.)  Do it for yourself, post it below, and post your own on your blog for others to do... Pass it on!

Someday I will be rid of social anxiety
Someday I will be able to fall asleep & wake up easily
Someday I will co-own a metaphysical shop and help many people
Someday I will know sustained equanimity & joy
Someday I will overcome frustration
Someday I will have written scores of books
Someday I will master communication skills
Someday I will be totally comfortable with my sexuality
Someday I will grow old & wise
Someday I will master astral projection
Someday I will be without fear
Someday I will be comfortable in this physical frame
Someday I will transcend this earth and enter Wholeness

Your turn...

5:13 AM - 21 Comments - 36 Kudos - Add Comment

PUBLIC RITUAL SCHEDULE!! May 2008-March 2009
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

 
NOTE: Print this out! Or email your address for a pre-printed schedule!

{O}  *Men's Dark Sun*: 9PM. These men-only 'Dusk' Solar rituals are designed to attune masculine energy to the Sun. These are performed at sun's transitory time between zodiac signs, and shall align masculine energies to the astrological solar tides. These will follow general Gardnerian ritual procedure, and will include an aligned community 'activity' and an endurance 'challenge.'

)O( *Women's Dark Moon* Esbats: 9PM.  These women-only, psychic development rituals include general Gardnerian ritual procedure, astrologically aligned divinations and devotional offerings to Aima Elohim our Coven Matriarch deity.

}O{ Public *Full Sun*: 9AM. Open to all! These public 'Dawn' Solar Rituals are performed at the sun's height in a specific zodiac sign, and are designed to draw on the sun's exalted astrological energies. These will include general Gardnerian ritual procedure, the reading of sacred texts, individual spell/prayer time, and guided meditation/visualization.

~+~ Public *Sabbats*: 6PM. Open to all! These include general Gardnerian ritual procedure, seasonal ritualistic observation, invocation/godform assumption, Sabbatical celebration, and general revelry. Most are held outdoors. Meet at the Temple House.

~}{~ Public *Cottage Crafts*: 6PM. Open to all!  Public Cottage Crafting events are forums for community based education and neo-rustic reclaiming skills for the modern TRIBE! These events focus on Olde World skill revival and include Non-ritualistic spell work, arts, crafts, gardening and alchemy. Events vary and are based on the traditional seasonal activities of our ancestors.  These are festive social occasions and participatory lessons on the basics of rural hedge-craft.

Please email for directions :)

(CONTACTING OAO)

* www.ravendigitalis.com (has OAO + T&B Info.)

* esthamarelda [AT] gmail.com

* www.myspace.com/twigsandbrews

* ravendigitalis[AT] gmail.com

* www.myspace.com/oakraven

* ladyautura [AT] gmail.com

* www.myspace.com/ladyautura

PO Box 2666, Missoula, MT, 59806

FOR ALL RITUALS:

* Please bring a $5 donation and Altar Offering* to each.

* Please bring a vegetarian potluck food item to each.

* All Events are 18+ unless given written parental consent.

* Attend events with a spiritual mindset: that of communing with Spirit and leaving the ordinary world. Be free, be wild, be blessed-beguiled!

*OFFERINGS*

Each OAO ritual is an opportunity for the community to present offerings to the Temple Elemental Altars, as well as observe any of the many deity altars of the Temple House.  Offerings should reflect prayers, blessings, feelings of gratitude or goals that are present priorities in one's life.  Offering symbolic gifts to the Gods and Goddesses is an ancient expression of our abilities to commune with the forces of the Universe.  These offerings are not made great by worth or value in the material world, but are instead symbols of our hearts desire.  As such, they are tenderly cared for by the priests and priestesses of OAO and are burnt, buried or sunk in the Clark Fork River at the end of each ritual year.

      )O( JUNE 3 (Tues) ~ Women's Dark Moon~Cheromancy (Palm Reading)

      ~+~  JUNE 19 ~PUBLIC SABBAT~Midsummer! (Candle Exchange-BRING A CANDLE)

      ~+~~~ JUNE 20-22 (Fri-Sun) ~RETREAT~Basin, MT (Invite-only. Please inquire for info.)

      )O( JULY 2 (Wed) ~Women's Dark Moon~  Cleromancy (Dice Divination)

      }O{ JULY 9 (Wed) ~Full Sun~Cancer Sun

      {O}   JULY 22 (Tue) ~Men's Dark Sun~ Potion making / Swimming

      ~}{~ JULY 30 (Wed) ~COTTAGE CRAFT~Magickal bread-baking

      )O( JULY 31 (Thur) ~Women's Dark Moon~Astrology

      ~+~   AUG 1 (Fri) ~PUBLIC SABBAT~  Lughnassadh! (+ handfasting)

      }O{ AUG 6 (Wed) ~Full Sun~Leo sun

      {O}  AUG 20 (Wed) ~Men's Dark Sun~Tribal paint & drumming / Flame

      )O( SEPT 1 (Mon) ~Women's Dark Moon~Tasseomancy (Tea Leaf Reading)

      }O{ SEPT 6 (Sat) ~Full Sun~Virgo Sun

      ~}{~ SEPT 21 (Sun) ~COTTAGE CRAFT~Canning (beets, pickles, Salsa, jam)

      ~+~ SEPT 22 (Mon) ~PUBLIC SABBAT~Autumnal Equinox!

      {O}  SEPT 23 (Tue) ~Men's Dark Sun~Liquor making / Trivia

      )O( SEPT 29 (Mon) ~Women's Dark Moon~Cartomancy (Tarot)

      }O{ OCT 8 (Wed) ~Full Sun~Libra Sun (Raven may be on book tour; please RSVP)

      {O}  OCT 22 (Wed) ~Men's Dark Sun~Incense Making / Jumping

      )O( OCT 28 (Tue) ~Women's Dark Moon~Oneiromancy (Dream Divination)

      ~}{~ OCT 30 (Thur) ~COTTAGE CRAFT~Apple knockers & Sugar skulls

      ~+~ OCT 31 (Fri) ~PUBLIC SABBAT~Samhain!!

      }O{ NOV 8 (Sat) ~Full Sun~Scorpio Sun

      {O}  NOV 22 (Sat) ~Men's Dark Sun~Sigil & Blood Magick / Ice-Water

      )O( NOV 27 (Thur) ~Women's Dark Moon~Lampadomancy (Lamp Divination)

      }O{ DEC 6 (Sat) ~Full Sun~Sagittarius Sun

      {O}  DEC 17 (Wed) ~Men's Dark Sun~Rune Making / Water Jumping

      ~}{~ DEC 18 (Thur) ~COTTAGE CRAFT~Rug Weaving

      ~}{~ DEC 19 & 20 (Fri & Sat) ~COTTAGE CRAFT~HOLLY-DAY Baking and Movies

      ~+~ DEC 21 (Sun) ~PUBLIC SABBAT~Yule! (Present Exchange + Feast- TOFAM!)

      )O( DEC 29 (Mon) ~Women's Dark Moon~Radiesthesia (Pendulum Divination)

      }O{ JAN 7 (Wed) ~Full Sun~Capricorn Sun

      {O}  JAN 21 (Wed) ~Men's Dark Sun~Natural Gift Exchange/ Hand-Tying

      )O( JAN 26 (Mon) ~Women's Dark Moon~I-Ching

      ~+~ FEB 2 (Mon) ~PUBLIC SABBAT~Imbolg! (+ Taper candle-making!)

      }O{ FEB 7 (Sat) ~Full Sun~Aquarius Sun

      {O} FEB 18 (Wed) ~Men's Dark Sun~Ice & Snow Magick / Description-Game

      )O( FEB 24 (Tue) ~Women's Dark Moon~El Coco (Coconuts. Yes, Coconuts!)

      }O{ MARCH 7 (Sat) ~Full Sun~Pisces Sun

      {O} MARCH 22 (Sun) ~Men's Dark Sun~Emotional Herbal Work / Drinking Challenge

      )O( MARCH 26 (Thur) ~Women's Dark Moon~Elder Futhark

3:43 AM - 12 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Just a personal update
Current mood: horny
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

(NOTE: DON’T CLICK THE LINKS IN HERE. THEY’RE ALL SCREWEY! Just copy and paste the addresses in a different browser to pull up the pages. Thxxx!)

Hey all.  Some folks have been asking what I’ve been up to, where I’m being interviewed, etc., so I thought I’d post a little personal update thingy. For those of you waiting to hear about upcoming local OAO open rituals (Women’s *dark* moons Esbats [hosted by Estha & Datura], Men’s solar rituals [hosted by me], everyone-Sabbats, everyone-full-moon-Esbats, etc.), stay tuned! I’ll type it up in the very near. I’ve just been very busy working and doing spiritual Work, battling insomnia, and am currently trying to catch up with things around the house. Also, I’ve put a small image of SHADOW MAGICK COMPENDIUM (Sept) on my main page. I’ll soon post a full description of the book (it does NOT have a Gothic focus; it’s purely magickal/spiritual) and will be taking PRE-ORDERS very soon!!

I’m also trying to get caught up on my emails (the MySpace ones, anyway) to stay in touch with friends and fans. My 2000 messages are now skimmed down to 1000.. it’s a good start :P  Otherwise, I’m trying to get out of the house more and go to clubs and parties, etc., which seems to work well with my severely-nocturnal schedule. I really want to catch up more with friends locally when time permits. :::fingers crossed:::

So, my most recent PR/interview was on KERRANG! RADIO UK, who are broadcast from London. If you are in the broadcast range, keep an ear out for my 20-minute interview on Nick’s nighttime programme. It was pre-recorded, and the focus is ’Goth culture.’

Local friends, circle-mates & I were featured on MTV News, which I’m sure you’ve seen (see the last blog if not). I think it turned out well (insecurities aside) and I’ve gotten some amazing feedback about it! Here’s the link to the full story:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584096/20080325/id_0.jhtml

And as you can see, I’m on the cover of the fantastic international NEWWITCH magazine. I’m absolutely honoured. There’s an interview and some pictures in there too. It’s available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, New Age shops, etc., and their website:

http://www.newwitch.com

I’m also featured as one of the ’stars’ on the cover of Australia’s SPELLCRAFT magazine. What an honour as well! I love these guys; they are basically the newWitch/PanGaia of the Southern Hemisphere:

http://www.spellcraft.com.au

And as far as online sources, I’m also honoured to be on the cover of Mystikka Jade’s MetaCreative e-zine (they are also connected to MetaCreative radio!). This is a gorgeous e-zine whose focus is metaphysics and creative spirituality. They have great features and articles, and it’s FREE online to download, print out, etc. I was lucky enough to have an interview with the renowned Vampyre fiction author G.L. GILES (her MySpace account is located right here). The MetaCreative MySpace page is is located right here and their offical website (with e-zine available for download) is:

http://metacreativemagazine.com

Some months ago, I was also interviewed online by a number of acclaimed metaphysical sites! Here are some:

Gabrielle Faust’s ’Eternal Vigilance’:

http://www.gabriellefaust.com/archives/category/magic-myth

The Wiccan/Pagan Times (WTPT):

http://www.twpt.com

The Magical Buffet:

http://www.themagicalbuffet.com

Oh, I also have a little article here (note that my contribution to the Gothic subcultural side of magick basically ended in 2007. It’s fun and legitimate, but my focus is currently more on mysticism and magick :] thus, people can learn from my work without feeling that they have to belong to any particular subculture!) Anyway, here’s the ’Magickal Elements of the Gothic Subculture’ article on Llewellyn’s site:

http://www.llewellynjournal.com/article/1360

Hope you like! I’ve also got a variety of articles in a ton of Llewellyn annuals including the new Witches’ Calendar (’09), the Witches Companion, The Magical Almanac, The Wicca Alamanc & the Spell-a-Day Alamanc. For a complete list with images, see this page of my website:

http://www.ravendigitalis.com/author

I also hope that I’ll still get lots of interviews, both in print and on radio (and perhaps more film) as my other books are released!

Am sending love and gratitude to my friends and readers,


~O.R.D.N.~   xXx


418/2080
LVX/NOX

1:06 AM - 18 Comments - 30 Kudos - Add Comment

Me & friends on MTV NEWS. :-O video + link
Current mood: triumphant
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Currently watching : The Fly [Blu-ray] Release date: 09 October, 2007

12:50 AM - 60 Comments - 100 Kudos - Add Comment

ZEITGEIST: PLEASE watch this film!! (online, free, 2 hours long)
Current mood: enthralled

Please watch this film, everyone! If you have 2 hours to spare, it may be 2 of the best hours of your life :) It delves into religion, Christian origins, astrology, Paganism, politics, etc, etc. I truly think it's something that EVERYONE absolutely MUST watch! It's been recommend to me more times than I can count, and I finally got a chance to watch it this evening:

http://zeitgeistmovie.com

Currently reading : Magick In The West End: Stories of the Occult By Kala Trobe Release date: 01 November, 2005

12:49 AM - 14 Comments - 15 Kudos - Add Comment

Can you HELP GREENPEACE NEW ZEALAND? (please read!!!)
Current mood: awake

Greetings! Estha and the ladies here with the Womens' Dark Moon Divination circles (an extention of our OAO tradition and the outer local community, are conducting a local VALENTINE'S DAY bake sale and benefit for a branch of Greenpeace! Though we can't sell cookies online, if you can *Donate* any amount of cash, it would be *IMMENSELY* appreciated and *would go right to Greenpeace.*

Greenpeace has a presence in 41 countries around the world, is entirely independently funded. The organization continues to have landmark success in regards to a multitude of imperative world issues because of independent donations like your own. We, the community group represented by the spiritual/meditation/metaphysical group Opus Aima Obscuræ, feel a call to support them.

Your donation shall benefit *Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand*. This particular fraction of the organization is currently working to defend and protect valuable ocean life. Even if you find yourself landlocked, the threat to marine life cannot be overlooked. This New Zealand fraction of Greenpeace has recently made efforts against the illegal Japanese dolphin slaughter and had extreme success in exposing injustices to the public and the government. The atrocities, disgused as "science," are absolutely horrific. Greenpeace has launched an ENORMOUS campaign against Japan's devastating whale hunts; please see information below. Your donation will, in particular, support the scientists and documentarists backing this cause.

We challenge you to donate a small amount. Even a $5 donation will sincerely help protect the marine life that Greenpeace is assisting. It will also aid them in continuing to protect ancient rainforests, stop climate change, lessen pollution, and work for a planet that gives as much as it takes. ***No amount of donation is too small.***

If you can afford a donation (pretty please?), whether $5, $10, $50, $100, or anything else, you can be assured that your money is going to a real, progressive cause—and it's tax deductible! Please send your donations to the following address (this week if possible), and encourage friends and relatives to do the same! Please note that in order to send a lump-sum donation to a foreign country, we can only accept cash donations for this cause.  The other option is to either *make checks out to Raven Digitalis* (which means that I can personally cash them, as we cannot cash checks made to Greenpeace), or you can PayPal your donation to: . NONE of your donation will be kept by us; every penny will be directly donated to Greenpeace New Zealand. PLEASE help our benefit! Thank you so very very much.

Blessed be,

Opus Aima Obscuræ / Raven Digitalis
PO Box 2666
Missoula, MT
59806


MORE INFORMATION ON THIS CAUSE:

Japan's annual Southern Ocean whale hunt is conducted under the guise of science but has been condemned internationally. This season, Japan aims to kill more than 1,000 whales, including 50 endangered fin whales and, for the first time in 20 years, 50 threatened humpback whales will also be harpooned.  The International Whaling Commission has called for an end to the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary under Japan's whaling programme. Our ship, the Esperanza, is currently positioned just outside Japanese territorial waters and will be following the Japanese whaling fleet after it leaves the port of Shimonseki for its passage towards the Antarctic.  To quote Karli Thomas, expedition leader aboard the Esperanza, " The Japanese government's 'scientific' whaling programme is a sham and a source of diplomatic tension between Japan and countries that support whale conservation, like the United States. Whaling has no place in Antarctica - it's a place of peace and science, and this is not science."


13 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

   1. Replace all frequently-used light bulbs with halogen bulbs (they're cheap now and last for ages!)

   2. Make the effort to RECYCLE! Missoula recycles cardboard, newspaper, plastic, aluminum, and tin. A little goes a VERY long way, and the Karma points are amazing.

   3. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

   4. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods of time.

   5. Substitute baking soda and vinegar for harsh chemicals when cleaning the bathroom.

   6. Avoid supporting industries, companies, and product lines that have low pollution standards, test on animals, or use genetically modified food.

   7. If you have a garden, keep an organic compost bin to fertilize the earth, rather than using harmful synthetic fertilizers.

   8. In the summer, water grass early in the morning instead of at the height of the day (when much of the water evaporates and goes wasted).

   9. Bike, Walk, Bus, or Carpooooooooool!

  10. Reuse items like envelopes, folders, paper clips, bags, boxes, containers, etc.

  11. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.

  12. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging… much of which can also be recycled!

  13. Don't wash dishes or brush your teeth with the water running continuously.
 

*You can do a lot by doing a little!*

New folder :) fan art / friend art / tribute art (fun!)
Current mood: distractable
Category: Art and Photography

Hey hey,

After much mental debate, I've finally concluded that it IS indeed possible to create a friend/fan/tribute art album on MySpace *without* being a self-obsessed, narcissistic egomaniac.  So I did it!  Not because I think I'm a grand celebrity worthy of veneration, but because it's fun!  So if anyone gets bored and wants to make some art of yours truly (naughty art is OK), I'll post it on my page!  Just check out my new picture folders =-)   i'd love to flatter my Leo ego with your art.

In other news, stay tuned for a bulletin and blog (subscribe to my blog if you'd like!) regarding supporting GREENPEACE NEW ZEALAND. The ladies of my Coven here are going to be holding a benefit next week!

And then it's off to PantheaCon :)

Avec l'amoure,

~Raven~ xx


LVX/NOX

2080

SOPOR AETERNUS official MySpace profile LAUNCHED! :D:D:D
Current mood: amorous

I am both pleased and honoured to be running the official SOPOR AETERNUS MySpace profile (with the assistance of the fantastic Eden Wolf). This is Underworldly magick and dark art at its finest, put to the form of audial and visual art. I urge you to check out the divine beauty of SOPOR at: www.myspace.com/soporaeternusofficial.

BAND BIO from profile:

Officially founded in 1989, the German based SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS is one of the very few dark groups/projects in Europe (in fact, on this planet), who have based the trinity of their music, poetry and visual appearance on the explicit emphasis of the highly individual expression of pain, isolation, depression, token suicides and the desperate search for the »sacred reunion«; all acted out by their sole protagonist … – the transgendered (and utterly beautiful) Goddess ANNA-VARNEY CANTODEA.

Best described as »introverted exhibitionism«, the holistic concept of their ritualistic/Jungian art is not necessarily rooted in the grounds of a commonly accepted sense of aesthetics … – which is one of the many aspects that gives their work its serious and most unique character.

Though their music playfully fuses elements of classical, baroque, medieval, and even electronic music, the essence of SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS always remains entirely … well … – »Goth.«

Despite the fact that to this very day they still refuse to perform live in front of a human audience, SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS have long gathered cult status in underground circles worldwide.

Strongly recommended to be approached only with an open heart and mind, the profound darkness of their multi-layered (yet fragile) art is mainly intended as a spiritual healing-process for the wounded soul …




Blessed be,


--
~Raven Digitalis~   x
Author of "Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture"
& "Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects
of Magickal Spirituality" (Llewellyn, Sept. 2008)
www.ravendigitalis.com
www.myspace.com/oakraven



i2080orAdn418o

Currently reading : Wuthering Heights (Barnes & Noble Classics) By Emily Bronte Release date: 01 August, 2005

1:37 PM - 7 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

BOOK TOUR 2007! Official report...!
Current mood: jubilant
Category: Travel and Places

Well well well well well! Here I am… yes, alive, living, breathing, Being. Currently just finished raking some gorgeous autumn leaves in the front lawn, listening to a DJ Haywire mix (np: Atari Teenage Riot!), and trying to get my thoughts organized (or 'organised' as they spell it overseas) and my week planned based on things on my f'ing ENDLESS "to do" list. One of which is finding a good job… Another of which is writing this blog/book tour report. I also have to get groceries, clean the fish tank, do some touch-ups on book 2 (Shadow Magick Compendium), clean the bathrooms, organize the house, take recycling, sort books, sort CDs, catch up on e-mails (HUNDREDS, AAH), and perform some rituals I'm falling behind on. But I'm sure you don't want to hear all about my mundane existence (woe), so onward with the official tour report:

CHICAGO ~ Chicago itself, as a city, appeared to me as a big, consuming machine: everyone and everything being sorted, rushed, labeled, shipped, plastic-wrapped, and made a cog of the empirical infrastructure. Yeah; not such a good experience. Estha (my Priestess/partner) and I went here for GothicFest. Truth be told, the festival was *horribly* put together. For example, most bands had to *pay* between $600-$1000 JUST to play at the show for a half hour, vendors had to pay an exorbitant fee, entrance was something like $55 for *each* of the two nights, and each night *closed at 11pm*, meaning that us vendors were left high and dry (we were vending our Twigs and Brews products [see website] and I was selling Goth Craft). What Goths and Rivets want to attend an event ending at 11pm?! It was also 21+, to top it off. Basically, it was a very poor turnout, we lost some serious money that we could use, and it was a really bad experience. However, despite feeling trapped and tapped (not to mention the usual Mercury retrograde flight troubles, awful mistreatment, and the witnessing of some SERIOUSLY angry/cruel/bitter locals), we met some VERY cool people and I am grateful for that. This includes occult author Corvis Nocturnum and the beautiful Ninth Gate/Dark Moon Press posse, model/occultist Gashley Darcane, vampyre/model Don Henrie, DJ Goth Paul, and the bands Attrition, Regenerator, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Red Flag, and Bella Morte. All very nice people, the bands of whom had absolutely ASTOUNDING shows. I had wanted to see Attrition for years, and it was such a pleasure to get to know Martin and Julia, in particular. All these people and more made it worthwhile, and my lovely publicist Jennifer Spees accompanied us for much of the show, which was very nice!

MINNEAPOLIS ~ Definitely one of the nicest cities I've been to. Estha and I went here next and stayed right by the U of M campus. Not only was it tens of times more comfortable, but the 5 nights we stayed at the Days Inn was about the same price as ONE night in Chicago (at the cheapest B&B we could find). Eye of Horus books was the first book signing, and we got to chat with some fantastic folks, I signed a number of books, and spent time in that very welcoming metaphysical shoppe (including walking their outdoor labyrinth!). I also met up with some old friends and met new ones at the Saloon Goth night/gay club, which was very nice. On the 17th, Estha and I visited the Llewellyn Publications headquarters/warehouse, and got to meet everyone that I've been in contact with during the writing process, and many more. Everyone was totally welcoming and fun to hang around. I gave away some Tarot readings in the raffle, which went over very well, and we got to spend time with Sandra and Carl Weschcke (who run Llewellyn)! Magus Books was the next signing. The owner, Roger, was spiritually radiant as usual, and shared with us his forthcoming Tarot deck. Absolutely *astounding*. Roger is one of the purest, most genuine, and seasoned mages/occultists/Elders I have ever met. Estha and I are both profoundly grateful to know him. Naturally, it was a pleasure signing at Magus, though the turnout for book signings wasn't too big (all the events were relatively small since I'm a new author, though, at the same time, sales of Goth Craft are through the roof worldwide).

SAN DIEGO ~ Estha went back to Missoula at this point, and I went on to stay with my dear friends Sasha and Courtney in San Diego. It was a positive change for sure! I even drug (dragged?) them to an industrial club, which was loads of fun (though it was a small club. Sasha, I WILL bring you to a Goth club in Hollywood or Denver, hell or high water. Feel the EBM!!). The folks at Tree of Life books (in Ocean Beach) were absolutely awesome. The musical artist High Priestess, also a good friend of mine, accompanied on harp for this event, which was a glorious touch. It was a casual night, though I was feeling extremely out of sorts (as an Empath, I'm not always sure why I get in certain perceptive ruts/situations, but just have to go with the flow and experience).

HOLLYWOOD / LOS ANGELES ~ I took a train (wee) to LA/Holy-wood, and stayed at High Priestess's house, the House of Bliss. Indeed, it was blissful. VERY Pagan. I got to meet her comrades, all of whom I absolutely adore, and we even did a spontaneous Full Moon ritual the evening I arrived. It was perfect. My event in Hollywood was also with High Priestess on harp, and I signed books alongside celebrity Witch/musician Fiona Horne. She is definitely one of my favourite Witches; I only wish she and I could have had more time to chat! I ended up doing Tarot readings for 5 hours straight! It was nice, and I totally made $200… but blew it all in New York (I was even being frugal…). Ah well. The event was at Panpipes Magickal Marketplace, the oldest occult store in the nation. Unlike some occult shoppes, Panpipes isn't neurotically organized or sterile. This was actually a great attribute; Panpipes is kooky and spooky and fun. Loved it. And the ladies that run the store were a pleasure to get to know. I hope I go back! Anyway; I met up with my good friend and webmaster Michael, and we had a night on the town. We walked the star-tiles, saw the infamous buildings, took hits off a hookah (my first time, ooh), and saw a real-life prostitute (yeah, we don't exactly have hookers in Montana. But I'm not totally uncultured. It was sad to see that, and all the homeless folks, more than anything). The Gothic/industrial club Hell (at Façade) that night was AMAZING. I have never seen so many immaculately-dressed, EXTREME Cyber kids, Goths, and Rivetheads. Unreal. I've been to a number of cities and, at least visually, nothing I've seen remotely compares to the Hollywood dark club scene. Absolutely otherworldly. The EBM/industrial/futurepop that was being played was equally fantastic. The whole scene was very inspiring, even though it seems that many members are more image-focused than musically/emotionally-focused in the scene (but it's Hollywood, what does one expect?).

BALTIMORE ~ Sigh. It is, quite honestly, painful to even talk about my experience here. I have NEVER had to keep up so many walls and energetic barriers for such an extended period of time. This was the darkest city I've ever been to, and I don't mean in the good Goth dark sort of way. The whole area is tainted and spiritually dead (though not supernaturally dead; there are plenty of dead and hungry ghosts, unsurprisingly). I was spiritually suffocating, and basically cried the whole time. It still feels strange *not* to be in Baltimore; I know it's leeched a part of my consciousness, and I MUST pull that back in ritual, perhaps this evening. Actually; I don't want to pull any of that back (thanks for the suggestion Estha), I need to sever etheric ties and let that energy disperse, and pull additional sustanence from elsewhere, like the Nature here. No exaggeration: if you have any sort of spiritual awareness or emotional sensitivity, DO NOT EVER set foot in Baltimore. Personally, I haven't been that sad in some time. I didn't realize it was the murder capital of the USA, either. It was scary. I felt like I was *fucking dying*. It was an entirely foreign experience; I have never been in that sort of situation/paradigm; it was like a whole other world,, one much more evil and broken than I could imagine. Baltimore seems vacant of light—and culture. The immaturity, soul-shattering apathy, escapism/fantasy mentalities, and antispiritual focuses of people there—yes, including those of the subcultures I identify with—was more intense than I ever have experienced. My time spent there also strongly illuminated for me the actual sacredness and the comparatively utopian antithesis of Missoula, my hometown. Not to mention, it illuminated the importance and sacredness of my friends. I didn't realize that LOVE was so lacking in some areas, and I've learned from that experience not to take such a force for granted. Love truly is the Guide; the Law. There is nothing more important nor more spiritual than genuine love, peace, humility, and compassion. I went to Baltimore to visit my friend Ibis (and sign at a bookstore there), and I should not fail to mention that he and a number of his friends/comrades were, however, very good people in that they demonstrated compassion, intelligence, and awareness beyond the temporal. It was nice to see some amount of light in the undertow.

NEW YORK CITY ~ This was fun. Ian/Ibis and I took a day trip drive over to NYC. The Universe decided to lead us in all directions, so we ended up driving through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens (I think), and Jersey City. We went to the Witches' Ball in Manhattan, and met up with our friend, the fantastic chaos-incarnate (I exaggerate not; she IS the chaos current) Rachel Haywire (who is also an industrial/noise musician and writer). The Ball was a neat event, and the organizers did a little ritual for Samhain (in the nightclub.. a short ritual, difficult to perform in the small venue space with tons of people, but it had good intention and raised some nice community energy). I met some nifty folks there, and we partied in Jersey City at Haywire's recording studio, only to wake up super early, drive back, and get me to the airport just in the knick of time. NYC was a nice ending to the book tour, and I'm glad it hadn't ended with the life-sucking Baltimore (sorry, I'm bitter. It was literally traumatic to be there). After that, I came back home, had a book signing here at Barnes and Noble the next day, helped run a local Samhain/Halloween ritual (VERY nice), and DJ'ed a Day of the Dead party. So now I'm here… catching up… getting my thoughts in order… and tackling one thing at a time. Thanks for reading about my experiences =)

Currently listening : Le Spa Sonique By Jens Gad Presents Release date: 04 April, 2006

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