Author Archives: Terrie Brookins

Durham Region Pagan Pride Day 2015 ~ Pray

Posted on by

As we people gather ‘round, we mark this space our holy ground. East, South, West, North, and Spirits of place, we call you forth!

Gods, Goddesses and Deities, of earth air fire and sea; Grant blessings here, and harm to none and bless our work that will be done.

Well that was the way it was supposed to go!  I had the pleasure of leading the main ritual for this year’s Durham Pagan Pride Day. Usually the day has it’s challenges. Today was no exception. I completely forgot that I was vending, scrambled to make it all work and promptly realized that there was no way I’d be able to go home for my full ritual supplies and come back.

Thankfully MY community stepped up, stepped in and got everything going right for me.

While many are thanking me for main ritual, I wish to thank everyone who came out, supported the event, bought from vendors, helped set up and take down. My thanks to the local coordinator, Kat who made sure that I didn’t roast in the sun!  I also want to thank my sister in spirit Lady Charissa and the Pagan Business Network for their contributions, ideas, support and general cheerleading! See, that was the gist of what the main ritual was all about.

I had pretty words all set up for it, too! Here are all the pretty words. I said most of them! I swear!

(I had the wreath set up ahead of time:)

Many pagans believe that we are all connected to each other – by energy, by faith, by commonality, by the myriad of deities that we honor. This connection is like a spider’s web.  This connection is like fine embroidered stitching. This connection is like a network of nerves in our brains. This connection is like a map of veins in our bodies. And like veins we all go back to the source, back to one main energetic place. You can call it what you will: Heaven, The Summerlands, The land of the dead, another plane, another reincarnated life or back to the earth from which we came.

(This is where we strung three different lengths if ribbon around the participants. Some were looped. All were told to hang on to the ribbon.)

And yet, though we have this connection we are divided.

( Some were short, some long, some ended up with two or three pieces.)

We are divided by the different pantheons we honor. We are divided by the ways we honor Deity. We are divided by the songs we sing, the way we dance, and the magic we work. We are divided by the distances between us and our holy places, the distance be us and our chosen kindred and even by the festivals we can actually attend.  We are even divided by those who can proudly claim their faith in public and those cannot for fear of unwarranted persecution.

Look at your ribbon, a representation of your connection to your deity and your people.  Each of you honors Deity and your kindred a different way.  Each of you can feel cut off from the source, alone, dealing with things you believe that no one can even comprehend.  We all know this is far from the truth.

 

I have spoken to quite a few classes at Durham College about what it means to be pagan.  For me, at it’s roots it means to spiritually survive, to connect to Deity and community the best you know how.  To  know that when we feel divide, all we have to do is reach out and make a connection. No we don’t wait for things to happen to us. I don’t know about you but my deities remind me that faith without work is dead. I can lift my voice in prayer, then I lift my butt and get it in gear.

(I showed them the wreath.)

Plain Wreath

You’ve seen and worked on a wreath like this before.  However, this time, we will do something different. Look down at your ribbon, let a small amount your energy flow into it.  Let those who are able come forward, and tie their ribbon to the wreath and to each other, to make the connection again to Deity.  You can weave your ribbon through the vines making sure that your ribbon ties onto another one to be secure.  You can ask for help!  You can work  together!  You can tie your ribbon to only one or entwine it with others.  All that matters is that you know that you are not alone and your community stands with you. If you are unable, will bring the wreath to you.

(We made sure everyone  was included.)

Working Together

Folk of Durham Region Pagans. This has been a very different ritual for Pagan Pride Day.  We have celebrated the simplest and most holy of who and what we are – energetically connected to the Source, to Deity and to each other. That is truly magic.

 

 

20150816_171411

Gentle folk, this is your Community Wreath – a representation of all that we are and can be.  I will take this wreath with me to any pagan event I go to, to represent those who cannot be there  and that those who wish to add their energy may do so.

 

Gentle folk is this acceptable?

(Thank the gods they said yes!)

 And yet,  even I can’t be everywhere. I propose that should there be an event that I cannot attend, the organizer contact me to have the wreath present, tie on more ribbons, to make more energy connections and then return it to me.

Gentle folk is this acceptable?

(Another yes!)

This is where we all empowered the wreath with our energy. It was amazing, awe inspiring and fantastic. What can I say?

It’s different in Durham! We’re a community, maybe divided by our paths, yet we are all connected through community!

smilingfaces

Upgrade Your Magic ~ Pray

Posted on by

In the past few years the economy has tanked, it’s true. We’ve all had to save our pennies for the really nice things we want. So why not do the same for your magic work?

Here’s the thing. The prevailing theory behind most magic is “as above so below.” The translation? “Garbage in. Garbage out.” If you can afford to get better quality of materials yet choose to go cheap? Guess what your magic results will be?

Now before everyone loses their minds, read the above again. Now read it out loud. The part that should stick out is the ” if you can afford to get better quality. ” if you’re still trying to get food on your table to feed yourself and your family? I won’t begrudge you on that point. However, if you’re shopping for a new video game or crystal? Some bling that you really don’t need to survive? Seriously, just get better spell materials.
BestBadges

I have to admit that I have an ulterior motive here, Not just for myself. Since the economic fubar in the past few years, a whole new class of artisans have emerged. From all natural candles, hand made fantastic incense, fine crafted jewelry to some great soaps and artwork are all available for you – made by people you know who understand the importance and value of good work.

Yes, it may seem expensive. Just give them your money.

So I hear some dissenters in the crowd. Ok fine. Let’s say that item A seems steep on price. Answer these questions:

  1. Can you get it anywhere else?
  2. Was it hand or machine made?
  3. Can you talk to the person who made it and look them in the eye?
  4. Can you get it customized specifically for you?
  5. Can you get all that from the $1 store?

And more importantly, will you have a better magical experience with a product that you know will work and work as intended?

Hopefully the point is clear here. Save your shekels and get the good stuff. If you’re looking for me to plug my own business, you’re out of luck. HOWEVER, Check out the Pagan Business Network to find a whole new world of great products made by great people.

Posted in Tee

Not like the others ~ Pray

Posted on by

 

Sometimes, when I’m quite tired, I admit that I’m

jealousy

I’m jealous of all those who seemingly commune with their gods,  deities and spirits – and get answers, get direction,  get a pat on the head for being a good little devotee.

See it’s not like that for me. My prayer time is more like turning in a field report and awaiting further orders.  I salute,  tell of my findings, play down the mishaps, under represent my achievements and wait to get sent off on another adventure.

For a long time I wanted to be like my peers, the ones who told of magical journeys to the Other World  there the deity of their choice bestows some awesome spiritual gift upon them.

Yeah, my reality is nothing like that.The Flash of Lightning and the Fiery Arrow are hands off most of the time. But when my patron do deities call?  Well, you know how your parent, partner or guardian calls you by ALL of your names?

hide
You stand still hoping that a building doesn’t fall on you as you frantically search for a place to hide. Yeah. That feeling.  I know I’m *usually* not in trouble but I get nervous nonetheless.

 

Lugh decided He wanted an online shrine. THEN gave me something else to effectively keep me away from it.  Did I mention that  the something else was to expand my skills so much that I didn’t realize just how much I  can do?  (I can send you a resume if you’re interested in the craziness. It’s only good for a day or two.) When the bouts of crippling self doubt hit,  my reward is a burst of brain only power for learning a new cool skill that I’m more suited for.  Talk about never ending homework. I usually don’t find out until months or years later that the “thing” Lugh wanted me to do is needed at a certain place and time. You guessed it, I’m the one with either the answer, the skill or the knowledge to say “yeah you really don’t want to do that….”

Brighid reminded that, while she was the daughter of a wealthy and influential family, She *really* dislikes non functional tools.  That’s why I now wear a two pound hammer instead of an athame.  While she’s not that keen on Lugh,  she (and my mentor) led me to not even bother with a boline. I now carry a cobbler’s very pointy awl.
Hammer and Awl
Where do I even start with the Ancestors?  I acquired a railroad spike – a symbol of many things not only for my African American ancestors but all who traveled to new places to rebuild their lives.

The spike is made of iron. As I have learned while I work through the Iron Pentacle, iron is my birthright.  It is in my blood. It’s of the stars the earth my ancestors and all that is. Anchored by the past, rooted in the present and reaching for the future  I am whole. Forged in the fire, I am the flame than no one shall quench. Though this spike is small,  it is important.  For one loose spike can unsettle or derail an entire train.

And for all of that?  The potential builds quietly, waiting for the call – the next set of orders.  The hammer is clean. The awl is sharpened. The spike is oiled.  I’m given smaller tasks to fulfill and magick to make. No epic journeys,  no deity manifestations. Just the occasional  healing candle, tarot reading or house spirit fight to break up.

I don’t flame tend or well watch for Brighid.  My poetry isn’t that great and I don’t make mead. I don’t speak Gaelic for Lugh. My chess game is terrible. I don’t own a kilt, though I want one badly. I don’t have tattoos in ogham and can barely pick out words in it.  Hell, I’m not even a natural red head.  (Looks the mirror) Nope. Still not a ginger!
 

I am not like the others.  I don’t fit neatly into the crowd. As an African American (with First Nations heritage), I stand out in a crowd of Celts.  I’m a little jealous of all those who either look like their gods or have shared ancestry. And the ones who look like they stepped right out of a fairy tale! Yeah I’m talking about you mythic Valkyries, warriors and oracles. (sigh). That’s not me.
 Standing Out
If you’re looking for me, check for the brown skirt, red boots and the tool belt. Yup, there I am: in the back with my non Celtic djembe, singing new words to old gospel hymns. I’m there on the outskirts, working candle magic and sigils that don’t look like the ones in the books. I’m over on the side scribbling notes as I find new roots to work with and create new spells.

 

To be clear,  I am not bored – at all. I’m way too busy to be bored. Just a little jealous.  Then again, I’m quite tired right now. I’m sure I’ll be busy with fresh orders,  inspiration and new magic in the morning.
Posted in Tee

The Good Kind of Lazy ~ Train

Posted on by
My name is Terrie Brookins. I am what you would call an efficient and perfectionist witch. What does that mean in plain English? I’m lazy.
Enjoying The Sun
If I can do something right once and not have to worry about it again? You bet your broom I’m going to do it. What’s more? If you push energetically in just the right place, all that you need to happen will fall together on their own. That’s why I love the small works of magic.
Now when I say small, I mean in it in the context or complexity.  Candle magic is my favorite. One simple flame and a heartfelt prayer can work wonders. Stone and crystal work is great for me as well. Simple magickal support, even just a teeny push in small amounts, can bring about a mountains of change. It’s all about realizing exactly how magic works as a witch.
Let’s face it. This ain’t Hogwart’s. As much as I’d love to wave my wand and make feathers dance, it ain’t happening. The magick I wield is passive at most, and when overt? It usually moves by the path of least resistance and finding a way through all available paths.   That is to say, it finds the place to give the smallest push to enact the greatest change. One simple wish upon a star, offering to deity or salt over the left shoulder has the potential to work marvels. We all know that that’s the simple way of saying things. I have indeed done my homework on this.
To do these small works of magick requires a larger frame of thought. That frame of thought means looking at any situation in as many different ways as possible.  If I want to removed a dangerous building or structure, do I enchant bulldozers ? Glamour the construction workers?  Or can I plant the idea for a new building in mind of someone who works for the county or a building firm by talking about something new with anyone in their company?   Makes you think doesn’t it? For most people, it gives them a headache.
The headache comes from a high pitched whistling sound. That sound is the air escaping an inflated ego. Can’t have a big head, chip on your should OR let you greed or runaway emotions rule you. Just because you’re angry doesn’t mean you should perform that revenge or hex work.  Wait a day, or a week until you’ve got a clear head and clearer resolve. Sure make your plan, get your ingredients together. Then, in the morning? Decide if the work is really worth the work. Yes, even the small work. And let’s face it, us magic users have an arsenal of deliciously naughty curses for every occasion!
Yes, they are small work too 🙂
So ask you witches and magicians, light and shadow workers, what’s your small work?

God Hopping & Spell Casting ~ Pray

Posted on by
In my first decade as a witch, I’ve seen some things.  Some of it blows my mind. Here’s one:
Many pagans, young and old, of all cultures have patron deities, the one or two gods that they feel shapes their spiritual and mundane lives.  I, too, have patron deities that I  am devoted to solely.
Now this is where I start scratching my head.
Few pagans of any flavor have gone without casting a spell of some kind – hex, blessing or curse.  Every one of us has been in a spot where we have to use our gifts to enact change on some level. However many wiccan/witchy spells from a myriad of sources (cough *the internets * cough) have the practitioner working with gods they don’t normally petition or have a mutual relationship of any sort. Candle
Umm what?
If you need to ask a favor, do you call on your family and friends? People who know you and can trust you? Or do you ask a celebrity that doesn’t know you from a hole in the ground?  Yes, yes, I’m sure the “Love and Light” brigade will take me to task for this. However, not everything is love and light when it comes to our deities and everyday life.
I am sure that a spell for love would work great by calling on the the great goddess Aphrodite. Since I don’t work with Her, what is Her incentive to answer my plea? Some offering that was dictated in a book and put out only a payment of services rendered?  Yeah – NO.
The real lesson here? If your spells aren’t working, there’s a reason. Do you have a relationship with the gods or spirits you call on? If not? Well there’s your sign to start again.  Develop some kind of relationship with the deity you’re calling on or don’t call on them at all.
What about  your own deities? Why can’t your own guides help? These are some great questions that you can answer. What are you experiences?
Rev. Terrie