Are you going to PantheaCon in San Jose this year? If so, you can join me for two workshops on Sunday, February 19!

The first one is “Working with Difficult Gods” on Sunday at 3:30 PM in the Silicon Valley room.  Working with the Gods is not all hearts and rainbows. Every deity, no matter how bright, has a dark side. Some of us choose (or are chosen) to work with Gods who are Themselves difficult and demanding, and additionally are perceived as “bad” choices by others in our community. The Gods are not fluffy bunny friends; They are strong and fierce, and we must be strong and fierce in our devotion to Them. We’ll talk about balancing devotion with practical considerations, and how to handle people who think it’s their duty to inform you of the error of your ways. This workshop is new this year, so you will be the first to hear it!

The second workshop is a an updated and expanded version of “The Futhark and Beyond!“, which I presented at last year’s conference. This workshop will be at 9:00 PM in the Boardroom. If you are familiar with the Norse Runes, you know the 24 Runes of the Elder Futhark. Beyond that, there are the Younger Futhorc, the Anglo-Saxon Runes, and the Northumbrian Runes. Also, there are some random medieval Runes designated for magical purposes! Suddenly, we have 41 magical symbols to work with—which also conveniently spell words that can be used to create further magic! We’ll mention a few other systems, such as the Gothic Runes. Come venture with me through the Aetts and meet the Runes old and new—or would that be old and older? There are several Rune workshops this year, but mine is the only one which covers all 41 Runes!

I also have cool badge ribbons to hand out, in case you need additional incentive to attend!

See you Sunday!

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for February 11, 2017
Active Influence: Sinmora/Queen of Wands
Rune: Wunjo/Joy
Hidden Influence: Farbauti/The Tower

When Rome is burning, sometimes all you can do is dance. Events beyond your control are reshaping your reality in ways you wouldn’t have imagined even a week ago. Do what you need to in order to stay safe physically, with the understanding that may be all you can do as the pieces of the Tower fall to the ground.

Wunjo says to take joy in the situation, and, if you are being freed from a difficult or constrictive circumstance, there is much cause for joy, even if the changes are drastic.

Sinmora invites you to dance with Her, to feel the fire in your soul, to take all that no longer serves a positive purpose in your life and cast it into the fire. Channel that creative fire into exultation, into dance, into the sheer joy of being alive in this moment. That energy will carry you forward in a positive as you move along the path to your new way of being.

Sometimes, the poem and the draw, in spite of being randomly done, sync up perfectly. Today is one of those days. Not only does the poem relate to the Gunnlod/Two of Cups card in its subject, but the author herself was a princess kept captive and excluded from society by her own father, just like Gunnlod.

I Drink the Wine
~ Zeb-un-Nisa (also known as Makhfi)
Translated by Paul Whalley

I drink the wine of Thy sweet lips. My star
Mounts to the zenith now that Thou art come.
My heart and eyes are Thine, mine eyes that feed
Upon Thy motions. Sleep is sin to-night.
Thine eyebrow is the Easter moon, Thy face
The lamp of heaven. Rapture fills the sky
And all the erewhile darkness is at once
Illumined, for the Moon of my desire
Gives the full goblet, pledging me,—and all,
Sun, moon and firmament are mine to-night.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for February 10, 2017
Active Influence: Ymir/ The Fool
Rune: Eihwaz/Protection
Hidden Influence: Gunnlod/Two of Cups

In the beginning, there’s a great deal of excitement, and all kinds of energies rushing around. Take care of your self and your dreams by setting and enforcing firm boundaries. However sweet the words, they may be hiding dishonest intentions. If you choose to trust someone, be very sure of who—and what—they are. And if someone randomly materializes in your mountain hideaway and says his name is Bolverk—well, you know how that story ends. Be careful who you share your dreams with, and take good care to protect what is valuable to you, both material and intangible items.

my poem
~ Lucille Clifton