I was invited to write an article about vampirism for the Instant Magic newsletter. It’s published in their October issue, right hand column, “The Truth About Vampires.” The publisher mentioned that several members of the local Pagan and Wiccan meet up groups have been asking a lot of questions about vampires lately, and making a lot of comments, some positive and some negative, so he asked me to write an article that would answer some of those questions and hopefully dispel some of the negativity. Please tell me what you think of the article. Also, the original version of the article that I created to post at the meet up groups themselves, is posted at the Sanford Vampire and Shadowlore meet up in the files section. I plan on turning this into an Article Base article soon, as well.

Please take a look at the articles and comment here to let me know what you think, how I can improve further articles on the subject, or if there is anything about the subject that you would like to know more about in another article.

Enjoy!

BB,

Vivienne

Tags: Entertainment, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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On September 19, 2008 I published an article at Article Base about Sarah Palin: “Palin’s Black Magic Connections.”

I’m used to the Christian Right coming after pagans, but when they become a threat to my Catholic mother I take it especially personally. Take a look at the article and let me know what you think in the comments section.

BB,

Vivienne

Tags: Christianity, Current Events, Government, Magic, Paganism, Politics, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! - Haunted Attraction Crew

For event happening the weekend of October 17-19, 2008

In the Orlando/Casselberry/Sanford central Florida area

Nephilim United Productions, Inc., a corporation not for profit dedicated to promoting “dark” art, fashion, literature, film and music, is planning our first event for October 2008. Volunteers are URGENTLY needed as we create a charity haunted attraction to serve as both a fundraiser and our first edutainment introduction to the community. This will be a multi-element haunted event, and we need dedicated volunteers at all levels of experience and skill sets to bring everything together.

The attraction will combine educational, historic and cultural content with classic handcrafted scares, keeping tech effects costs to a minimum while relying on artistry, enthusiasm, and old fashioned fun and showmanship to provide family entertainment value and personal service unequaled by large “mega haunts” in the area. The event is presented for entertainment purposes, and as such will call for the creation of “sideshow gaffs” and oddities created through a variety of means. Local artists will also be needed to create the event, which will showcase the work of these artists.

Funding for the event will be secured through individual donations and sponsorship by businesses and organizations. Sponsoring organizations receive acknowledgment, advertising, and promotion as outlined in our sponsors’ information packet (available upon request).

The primary theme for the guided-tour haunt is “The History of Halloween and Horror.” Scare-laden rooms will illustrate key points in this timeline: the Celtic origins of Halloween; early horror literature; a homage to the circus sideshow; classic movies; and television. The overall framing script will be the operation of a “Traveling Spook-Show Carnival” of the style popular in America from the 1940’s to the 1960’s. Rooms in the sideshow will therefore also include a spook show séance, a museum of art and oddities, a “Treasures of Egypt” room, a chamber of horrors, a freak show, and a stage area for live performances of magic and theatrics. That’s the plan. We will need a lot of help to build the sets and staff these rooms.

[Read more →]

Tags: Entertainment, General, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Here we go the first Dark of the Moon Crone Cast. Vivienne D’Avalon and I’s first podcast together, we go over things from this Election, to Nanobots, to Scientology vs. a group called anonymous, to the FBI taping your Tubes. For the music clip “W’s Duty” by Jonathan Coulton go here.

Bad Moon Rising- Dark of the Moon Crone Cast 1

 

 Bad Moon Rising- Cast 1- Dark of the Moon CroneCast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Christianity, CroneCast, Current Events, Government, Magus Dethen, Paganism, Politics, Religion, Science and Technology, Vivienne D'Avalon by Magus Dethen
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Tags: Christianity, Current Events, Government, Morals, Paganism, Politics, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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The compendium for the 2007 New Orleans Harry Potter symposium, Phoenix Rising, is out and my paper, “Sirius Black: the Face of Eleggua in the Potterverse” is in it. The table of contents is here.  It can be purchased here.

Tags: Entertainment, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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A recent Associated Press poll article quoted figures to the effect that 10 percent of the population of the United States still believes, erroneously, that Barack Obama is a Muslim, rather than a Christian – even after all the publicity the remarks from his pastor received. The article broke this down over how many whites vs. how many blacks believe this lie; how many Republicans vs. how many Democrats, etc. The overarching message seems to be that some people are willing to say anything to slander an opponent, are willing to take advantage of and even stoke any vile prejudice, to accomplish their goals. No matter who gets hurt. Irregardless of the truth.

It also shows that the people most likely and indeed most willing to believe a hateful lie are just those people who don’t like the person being lied about. Don’t like your neighbor? Make up a nasty story and spread it to the others in your neighborhood. Those who already don’t like the person in question will grab at that lie like a life preserver, just one more justification for their own horrible opinion. Is it true? Who cares? They’d rather have the excuse so they can feel better about their own vile hatred. Troubled by a popular opponent who is winning a competition? Find the strongest, most popular prejudice you can exploit and then label your opponent with it. Sit back and watch the feeding frenzy as the people who already hated him try to chew him up and spit him out using the new weapon you’ve handed them.

Of course, none of this even begins to broach the specific prejudice in question, against Muslims. There is always something. Whether the fear being exploited is of someone’s color, or religion, or gender, or sexual orientation, there is always some group that is demonized by a significant portion of the populace. All anyone has to do is find what that bit of meat is, infuse it with the scent of the target, and then throw it to the dogs and watch the vicious attacks begin.

So why are 10% of the population willing to believe, in the face of truth being shouted from the mountaintops and all over the national media, that Barack Obama is a Muslim, and presumably hate him even more than they do already because of that belief? Is it because he’s black, and some people believe that blacks are more likely to be Muslim because of Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, or Muhammad Ali? Is it because of his African name? And why is it such a horrible thing to believe of him in the first place?

We have become a nation that equates a particular religion with violence, hatred and anti-American sentiment. In the past we accused atheists of the same things, and in the future it will probably be pagans or some other belief system. For a nation that is supposed to champion freedom of religion, we are atrociously bigoted and hateful. And it is shameful. We are supposed to be better than this, people! And above all, we are supposed to value truth, and not be so gullible as to glom on to any and every lie that gives us another excuse to stoke our petty, mean-spirited hatreds. Grow the f*ck up!

Tags: Christianity, Current Events, Government, Politics, Religion, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Here at CroneSeraphim we strive to bring civil rights news items to your attention that might not be covered by main stream media. But anyone who has read our “about us” page  or our bios knows that we are not just pundits, we are Pagan pundits. One of our main goals is to share with other Wiccans and Pagans some of the magickal practices we have found useful to positively affect our world.

The main political problem that seems to be on everyone’s mind right now is the Presidential election, particularly the heavily contested democratic primary. However, the spell I suggest here will work equally well for the general election, once the democratic nominee has been selected. It is not meant to take the place of active participation in the mundane political process, but rather to provide a spiritual supplement that will boost the effectiveness of those efforts, as well as provide a psychological boost to help keep you fighting for what you believe.

I’m going to assume that the majority of you reading this have not only made up your minds who you support in the democratic primary, but are either strongly in favor of one candidate or strongly opposed to the other (particularly if you are planning to vote for John McCain in the general election). There has been a lot of bad press directed at all three candidates, but particularly at Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The following is a spell from the hoodoo tradition, designed to send negativity back whence it came while positively supporting your candidate.

For this spell you will need:

1. a special candle poured with the bottom half black and the top half white (available at occult supply shops that offer hoodoo equipment and supplies);

2. a knife sharp enough to carve and shape the candle;

3. a mirror you can burn the candle on;

4. optional: “reversible” oil, which should be available at the same place you find the candle;

5. matches or a lighter to light the candle with.

[Read more →]

Tags: Current Events, Government, Magic, Paganism, Politics, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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This morning (Wednesday, March 12, 2008) NPR aired a story that salvia divinorum may soon be made illegal. For those of you who don’t know what salvia is, it’s a form of sage that has some psychoactive effects. Salvia is currently an uncontrolled substance, because its chemical makeup and effects are too dissimilar to drugs that are already banned — the law says that a drug has to be similar to a drug already on a particular schedule or class of illicit substances, in order to be included in that list. However, a substance can be added to this list based on analysis of 8 factors: 

• Actual and potential for abuse
• Pharmacology
• Other current scientific knowledge
• History and current pattern of abuse
• Scope, duration, and significance of abuse
• Public health risk
• Psychic or physiological dependence liability
• If an immediate precursor of a controlled substance

….  Based on the results of the analysis, the DEA may recommend that Salvia divinorum be scheduled as a controlled substance.

Salvia has been used by shamans and other spiritual seekers for “out of body” experiences and similar meditative practices. It does not have a market as a social drug, because the mental states it creates in the user are not conducive to social interaction, but rather, introspection. Just as with alcohol or tobacco, the user must act responsibly, and know enough not drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of any mind altering substance. However, NPR is reporting suicides that have supposedly been linked to salvia, thus causing a renewed push for criminalization.

Salvia divinorum is currently illegal in several states in America and in many countries around the world, and more states are jumping on the banning bandwagon every day. The DEA considers it “a drug of concern.” “The majority of the pending legislation would add the plant ‘Salvia divinorum’ to the states’ lists of controlled substances.”

In G. Pagan’s March 12, 2007 bill analysis of California AB259, he quotes information that

The effects produced by Salvia divinorum are not comparable to any other effects produced by the other psychoactive substances (i.e., peyote, psilocybin, LSD, etc.). This also includes variables of the user, such as body weight, sensitivity, strength, and dose taken and method used. The effects can range from subtle to extremely strong, causing an individual to have out-of-body experiences and create a real potential for physical danger to oneself and others.

Pagan’s analysis also discusses the fact that prisons are already overflowing because so many people are being incarcerated on drug charges because of substances that are already banned.

Salvia’s reputation suffers from “the current lack of laboratory and clinical research into its potential therapeutic properties.” So of course, rather than do responsible research, fear mongers are instead gunning to criminalize it so they can seize yet more control over their “subjects” — otherwise known as American citizens. Never mind that there are freedom of religion issues, that salvia “was used for both medicinal and religious purposes by the Mazatec Indians in Oaxaca well before the arrival of European colonial powers” and that it is currently in use by modern day shamans pursuing that freedom of religion. Never mind that we are supposed to have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” in this country; if the pharmaceutical companies can’t charge an arm and a leg to sell us chemical happiness, Whhhhyyyy, it’s a danger to society! Ban it! Burn it! Throw the witches in prison! Never mind that the prisons are already stuffed to the gills, that just means more money for the companies that build prisons and hire out guards and supply weapons!

“Salvia divinorum is a valuable medicinal herb that is rarely abused…. It is not habit-forming, not addictive, and does not present a significant risk to public health or safety. Because it is a powerful consciousness-altering herb, some regulation of sales is sensible and appropriate, but criminalizing possession certainly is not.”

So why can’t we use common sense, people? Why is that so frikkin hard????

Tags: Current Events, Government, Morals, Paganism, Science and Technology by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Theatrical Techniques for Ritual
With Vivienne D’Avalon
Every Sunday for 8 weeks, from 3:15-5:15 pm
Starting Sunday, April 6, 2008
at:

Little Fish, Huge Pond
309 E. 1st St.
Sanford, FL 32771
Ph: 407-488-5331

Price: $15/class, or $100 in advance for the full 8 week course – a more than 15% discount
Minimum of 3 reservations required per class.
Reservations can be made at 407-484-2285.

This class will teach techniques used by actors and other performers that are useful for intensifying magickal work and performing effective and powerful public rituals. Anyone at any level of knowledge, skill, and experience will walk away from this class with a whole new arsenal of tools and skills. Lessons will include: Breathing and vocal exercises; projection and enunciation; movement, posture, and finding character center; visualizing with 5 senses; intention; focus; improvisation; script analyses; makeup and costume; hair and jewelry; props and charging ritual tools; working with masks; energy work; grounding and centering; chakras and auras; opening intuition; working with spirit guides; adopting personas, archetypes and roles; astral body work, astral travel, and god form assumption; raising and storing power; elements of ritual; and uses of music and dance. As a final exam students will create and perform a full ritual.

Students taking the Circle Casting Clinic with myself and Kim Wade will find this course to be an excellent complement and supplement. Students paying for the full Clinic year in advance will be given a further 10% discount coupon off the advance price for this course.

***

Vivienne D’Avalon has a degree in Music and Theatre from Hunter College, CUNY, and acted for many years in New York City. She has performed most recently as a gypsy dancer at the Gypsy Heritage Festival and here at the opening of Little Fish, Huge Pond. Vivienne has taught at many venues throughout central Florida, and has served as High Priestess at initiations and several public and private rituals. She is the author of “On the Care and Feeding of Spirits” and “The Patriot’s Spell Book,” and runs Persephone’s Haven, a business serving Goths, Pagans, and all others who walk between worlds. She will be co-teaching a monthly clinic on Circle Casting with Kim Wade for 1 year, at this same location, also starting Sunday, April 6, immediately before this class from 1 – 3 pm. You can make reservations for the Clinic at 407-895-0580. You can contact Vivienne at Vivienne@persephoneshaven.com or call to make reservations for this class at 407-484-2285.

Tags: Magic, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Circle Casting Clinic
with Kim Wade and Vivienne D’Avalon
First Sunday of every month, from 1-3 pm, for one year
Starting Sunday, April 6, 2008
at:

Little Fish, Huge Pond
309 E. 1st St.
Sanford, FL 32771
Ph: 407-488-5331
Price: $15/month, or $125 in advance for the year, a 30% discount;
Minimum of 5 reservations required per class.
Reservations can be made at 407-895-0580.

This clinic will teach the elements of circle casting and ritual work, and train people in the community to take over facilitating the twice monthly moon circles at Avalon. No matter your level of knowledge, skill, or experience, you will leave this Clinic with the confidence to run any ritual.

Students will be expected to attend at least one circle per quarter. These should include 1 Sabbat, 1 full moon Esbat, and 2 dark moon Esbats for the year, student’s choice; students will start facilitating in September.

Our first class we will make introductions and give the circle and sabbat schedules for the next three months; outline the topics to be covered over the course of the year; discuss the Wheel of the Year and the names and times of the full moons; discuss the differences between full and new moon Esbats; go over Imbolc; and cover altar set up.
***

Kim Wade has been facilitating the moon circles twice a month at Avalon for over a year. She has also organized and presided at countless sabbat rituals over the years. Kim is a professional psychic and tarot reader who runs Avalon’s Psychic Sundays, and has been teaching classes on numerous subjects at Avalon for many years. You can contact her at blulibra9@aol.com.

Vivienne D’Avalon has taught at many venues throughout central Florida. She has served as High Priestess at initiations and several public and private rituals. Vivienne is the author of “On the Care and Feeding of Spirits” and “The Patriot’s Spell Book,” and runs Persephone’s Haven, a business serving Goths, Pagans, and all others who walk between worlds. She will be teaching an 8 week course in Theatrical Techniques for Ritual, at this same location, starting Sunday, April 6, immediately after the Clinic. Advance purchase for the Clinic for the year will also come with a coupon for $10 off the advance purchase price of this class. You can contact her at Vivienne@persephoneshaven.com or call to make reservations at 407-484-2285.

Tags: Magic, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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