Purrfectly Pagan Magazine - May 2022 Issue

Purrfectly Pagan MAGAZINE VOL. 1 ISSUE 5 MAY 2022

How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects

by Mama Faye

BEING A WITCH IS POLITICAL

TAKING NOTE OF OUR CONNECTION

by Lady Shay

by Wil Darcangelo

TIME FOR DAT MAYPOLE FUN, SEX MAGICK, AND BELTANE

by Holly Broderick

In This Issue: Letter from the Editor Mindful Paganism: Goodbye, Old Self. Hello, New Self!

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother: Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects The Witches' Corner: Being a Witch Is Political Taking Note of Our Connection The Devil's Advocate: My Views and Connection to Paganism from the Left Hand Path

Magick is a complicated thing, and no results are guaranteed. No medical or income claims are made in this publication.

Letter from the Editor Dear Reader -You'll notice a few changes in this issue. Fewer pictures, for one. The file size was getting pretty big for people to download, so I reduced the number of images (for now). I am working on a solution that will allow for more bright, full-color images that make the pages pop.

We also have a new writer and column! John Shaden will be writing a monthly column called "The Devil's Advocate". I am looking forward to the perspective he will bring to the publication.

Next month will be our 6-month anniversary of publishing! Can you believe it? It's so exciting!

Thank you for all of your support.

---Lady Shay Purrfectly Pagan | 3

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THE WITCHES' CORNER Being a Witch Is Political WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

Centuries ago, in 1692-1693, the Salem Witch Trails resulted in the execution of 19 people out of the 144 to 185 who were accused of witchcraft. Hysteria, fear, and hatred created a dangerous, deadly situation.

The Old Testament of the Bible has numerous passages about witches and witchcraft. (Spoiler alert: they aren't pleasant.)

Exodus 22:18 – Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Leviticus 19:26 – Ye shall not ... use enchantment, nor observe times.

Leviticus 20:27 – A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Deuteronomy 18:10-11 – There shall not be found among you any ... that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

Sucks, doesn't it?

Purrfectly Pagan | 6

(continued on next page)

THE WITCHES' CORNER Being a Witch Is Political - continued WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

"But that was a long time ago! Things are different now!" you say?

Really?

In February of 2022, a pastor in Tennessee threatened to dox "witches" that "infiltrated" his church. It doesn't matter if the people in question really are witches. The threat is real. It's been 300+ years since the Salem Witch Trails and religious wackos are still spouting off threats.

"I don't want to get involved in politics," you say?

Guess what. The people who believe you are evil are involved in politics.

The people who don't want you to practice your craft are into politics. The people who want to tell you how to live are involved in politics.

The people who want to take away your rights are involved in politics. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 7

THE WITCHES' CORNER Being a Witch Is Political - continued WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

My sweet Witchy Friend, along with spiritual weapons, you must get involved. Your very right to openly exist is on the line. And in some places in the US, it's not safe to openly be a witch. In theory, the US has religious freedom. In reality, there can be great harm if you share your witchy side with others.

Get involved. Rally, write your representatives, send postcards to voters, and make sure you vote.

You can't stay on the sidelines. The stakes are too high.

Purrfectly Pagan | 8

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Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane WRITTEN BY: HOLLY BRODERICK

It’s that time of year again where everyone thinks us witches are out there naked in the forest dancing around fires doing fertility magick, and manifestation rituals. As if?! Ugh! Don’t they know anything? We do that stuff all year long, so long as we have the place to do it and aren’t at risk for frostbite. So if that’s the case, then what’s the big deal about Beltane?

Beltane is one of the most fun holidays and it’s during the best time of year to manifest the things you want and need. It’s the celebration of the Celtic Sun God Belenus. It falls directly in between Ostara (the Spring Equinox) and the Litha (Summer Solstice). The energy this time of year is perfect for manifestation and fertility spells. Think about it. The plants and the animals are all reproducing. Manifestation and fertility energy is in abundance.

Forget Christmas! This is the most wonderful time of the year! The sun is shining. The Earth is warming up and we are dancing around the Maypole celebrating life! We are grateful to come out from our homes and hovels and into the sunshine. Beltane is meant to be a joyous occasion celebrated with others. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan| 10

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother continued

Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane This year John and I had our first Beltane party because for the first time in our lives we have a group of friends that are on a similar path. It was so much fun doing Beltane blessings, manifestation spells and walking between the fires. While we had a very successful gathering, we were not so successful at taking pictures to share. Sorry. The pictures I’m sharing with you are from last year, when it was just John and I with our two fires.

In our state you need a permit to have a bonfire without the risk of police getting involved.

Before burning, a resident of our state must have a permit from a Burning Official. Well, we thought that we would opt to have tiki torches instead, as we didn’t want anyone to get burned on our account. Just kidding! Truth is, we just didn’t want to go through the hassle of getting the burn permit, and setting up two fire pits in the yard, so we opted for the $5.00 option, Tiki torches. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 11

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother continued

Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane We blessed everyone who came to the party with moon water that was blessed under the full moon just the night before.

We had everyone write the things that they

wanted

to

change

about

themselves, and burn the papers to get rid of the things that no longer serve them anymore. Then everyone thought of the things that they want to manifest and they walked or danced in between the torches.

We felt lighter and more free by the end of the evening. All clothes were kept on for this gathering, as our home is located right near a main road, children were present, and it was a bit chilly, but it was still fun and freeing. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 12

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother continued

Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane So far, I am well on my way to making the goals that I set for myself on Beltane but that was only a few days ago. I’ll follow up on how I’m doing with becoming a millionaire and a super fit “hottie bomb body,” in a few months. We will see how it goes. If things progress with the speed that they’ve been going so far, I’ll be writing December’s article from my yacht in the Bahamas while wearing a sweet little purple tankini with my boyfriend John at the helm. Or maybe I’ll be writing from the garden of our new compound that’s designed to help battered women by giving them a safe and free place to live while they get back on their feet. The second option has been my dream for many years and I’m closer now than ever to making it happen. So basically, when the things I focused on during the manifestation spell a few days ago during Beltane start truly coming to fruition, a lot of people will be happier and healthier because they will be in a safe environment. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 13

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother continued

Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane Now I did promise to talk a bit about sex magick. Seeing as Beltane is often thought of as a fertility holiday and the ancients used to walk their cattle between the fires to purify them and increase their fertility and people often think that Beltane is one big orgy, I thought we ought to talk about sex magick. Here’s the thing, Beltane isn’t about orgies, dancing, and food, although all of those things can be used in Beltane celebrations. Also, sex magick is not specifically about fertility or kinky sex practices.

Sex magick isn’t some weird kink and shouldn’t be fetishized. It’s not even really about sex, unless your spell was about sex. Sex magick can be about anything. Sex energy just magnifies the intensity of the spell you’re using. During Spring, on and around the time of Beltane, fertility, sexual and manifestation energy is in abundance so doing sex magick is often thought to be most potent this time of the year. (continued on next page)

Purrfectly Pagan | 14

Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother continued

Time for Dat Maypole Fun, Sex Magick, and Beltane I know I usually share little bits about my personal practices at home, but for this one, I’m going to leave you wondering. There are all different ways to perform sex magick. Just be careful when looking it up online because you will end up with some really bizarre sites and all sorts of STI’s (Spam Transmitted Infections) if you’re not careful. If this is something that you’re interested in, please look up Skye Alexander. She really makes things easy to understand and keeps it light and interesting.

I hope that you enjoyed your Beltane just as much as we enjoyed ours and that all of your magick is done with grace, respect, and gets amazing results. Mote it be.

Purrfectly Pagan | 15

About Holly Broderick: Owner of Holly Be Healing, a business dedicated to energetic and spiritual healing.

While the business, Holly Be Healing, is only a few years old, Holly’s dedication to helping people has been a lifelong mission and her talent for intuitively knowing what people are feeling and how to help them heal is as skill that Holly has honed over the years. Holly taught Shaolin Chuan Fa for 10 years and Yang Style Tai Chi for 5 years. While doing and teaching the martial arts she discovered her love of energy work and started focusing a lot on meditation. She became a certified Chakra Meditation Specialist and certified health coach in order to help people clear their chakras and heal physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Holly has been reading Oracle Cards, and tarot for 26 years privately and just recently added it to the services that she provides through Holly Be Healing. Holly Be healing offers Chakra Meditation sessions, Moving Meditation sessions, and Oracle Reading sessions to clients of all types. Holly has read for all types of people, schoolteachers, massage therapists, stay at home moms, jewelry designers, and even radio stars. She has lead meditation sessions with black belts, teachers, local artists, IT specialists, world renowned artists, and countless others.

Holly is also the co-creator of a unique and fun podcast, "Psychics and Swears," where she and her cohost enjoy doing 5-minute fun readings and interviewing our favorite intuitives. Holly and her partner John Shäden are also the creators of the amazing fragrance, "Moon Owl Moon Water."

To learn more, please reach out to Holly: 475-329-8997 Hollybhealthy@gmail.com Purrfectly Pagan | 16

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Learn more about how to become a Contributing Writer for Purrfectly Pagan Magazine here: https://www.purrfectlypagan.com/author-application.html

Purrfectly Pagan | 17

Looking for Pagan Authors to Feature!

Are you a Pagan Author?

We might want to feature a review of your book in an upcoming issue!

Please contact Shay and tell her a little bit about your book(s)! https://www.purrfectlypagan.com/contact.html Purrfectly Pagan | 18

Mindful Paganism Goodbye, Old Self - Hello, New Self WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

Have you ever wanted a fresh start? Leave your guilt and "baggage" behind and just go in a different direction?

Let me tell you a story.

Over 20 years ago, I found myself at a pretty low point. I had a toddler. I was pregnant. And I left a toxic relationship. I was in a shelter, with nothing more than I could carry. No car. No house.

Nothing much more than some clothes, a diaper bag, my purse (with precious little money in it), and...well, that's about it.

Definitely a low point.

I made a lot of mistakes after that point. I'd love to say I left that domestic violence shelter and became a self-made gazillionaire within 5 years. But...I didn't. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 19

Mindful Paganism Goodbye, Old Self - Hello, New Self (cont.)

WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

It took me a long time to find my way.

But once I found it, my life was forever changed.

I talk about Mindful Paganism each month in this column, so I won't rehash everything, but I will give a reminder: Mindful Paganism connects Mind, Body & Spirit in order to help you change the direction of your life.

Fast forward almost 20 years, and I was still struggling. I craved purpose. I wanted Abundance. I wanted a better life for my kids and myself.

And I was suffocating in the life I was living. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 20

Mindful Paganism Goodbye, Old Self - Hello, New Self (cont.)

WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

I tried many different things (including dozens of self-help books), but I felt I couldn't move forward.

I tried nearly 20 years of New Year's Resolutions, incidentally.

Setting myself up for failure each time. They suck.

So I tried something different.

I have always loved writing letters. I had dozens of pen pals when I was growing up and in college. Sending and receiving letters has always brought me joy.

So...I wrote two letters. (continued on next page)

Purrfectly Pagan | 21

Mindful Paganism Goodbye, Old Self - Hello, New Self (cont.)

WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

The first letter was a Goodbye, Old Self letter.

I wrote the letter like I would write to an old friend. I thanked my Old Self for the good times we had and the tough times we went through. And I explained to my Old Self that I needed to move on. No hard feelings, but I couldn't be friends anymore. I didn't like who they were. And I was leaving all of their mistakes behind.

The next letter was a Hello, New Self letter. I envisioned who I wanted to become. Who I wanted to be. The lifestyle I wanted to live. I "introduced" myself to this new person, explaining I had just come out of a long-term relationship (with my Old Self) and I was looking forward to meeting my New Self. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 22

Mindful Paganism Goodbye, Old Self - Hello, New Self (cont.)

WRITTEN BY: LADY SHAY

I began to act like my New Self, taking on the habits I wanted, the mindset I wanted.

If I slipped up? No worries. Every new friendship has its hiccups, right? It's not like a Resolution. I wasn't expecting perfection, just change.

It was the best decision I have ever made.

Not I help others make a fresh start and change their direction.

It brings me joy.

Purrfectly Pagan | 23

About Lady Shay Lady Shay is an eclectic witch.

She feels her purpose is to serve the Pagan community.

Shay is the owner and Editor-InChief

of

Magazine.

Purrfectly She

Pagan

started

the

magazine in January of 2022 to help her fellow Pagans.

Shay is currently working on an upcoming book about Mindful Paganism. Mindful Paganism is the practice of connecting Mind, Body, & Spirit in order to change the direction of your life. Mindful Paganism helps you become the person you want to be, find your purpose, and manifest abundance.

Shay can be reached via email at purrfectlywiccan@gmail.com.

Purrfectly Pagan | 24

Taking Note of Our Connection WRITTEN BY: WIL DARCANGELO

Not long ago, I watched a video online about our electromagnetic connection with the earth.

Of course, all of these types of things are subject to actual scientific scrutiny. A video I came across online does not qualify as a peer reviewed scientific article. Let’s remember to keep all things we see in perspective.

However, it does pose an interesting thought. And something which aligns with our current understanding of even the magnetic sphere which surrounds our planet. All of this around us is electromagnetic in nature. Everything has polarity. Including our cells and organs. The elements all have polarity. And the overflowing abundance of that we see every time we shock our finger on a doorknob or witness a bolt of lightning. The very atoms in our bodies are held together by the same force.

There is a bit of advice in this: Come into contact with the earth. Physically.

Literally. Regularly. Touch the earth and discharge the excess electricity within you. Draw from the earth the type of charge you really need. (continued on next page)

Purrfectly Pagan | 25

Taking Note of Our Connection WRITTEN BY: WIL DARCANGELO (continued)

Most organized world religions give their authority over to a higher power not of this earth. But the ancient

traditions

maintain

reverence for the cycle of earthly life. They push their hands into the soil to hold in them the source of their sacred accountability. It is the earth

to

whom

they

are

answerable. This is their authority.

This is their rulebook.

The earth makes all the rules, for the record. We should note that a bit more often. Our best task is to listen and obey them. From the JudeoChristian perspective this world is God's creation and as such is as sacred as God Itself. If you would love God, you would do so through the earth itself. Honor God by giving gratitude for the earth. By protecting it. The earth religions honor Goddess the same way. (continued on next page)

Purrfectly Pagan | 26

Taking Note of Our Connections WRITTEN BY: WIL DARCANGELO (continued)

Our pagan traditions recognize the wheel of the year, the seasons, the cycles.

Both in the sky as well as the earth. As above, so below. These cycles are embedded within us, within our emotionality. The waters of our body respond to the waters of the earth in tandem. Acknowledge your significance to the earth and your connection to it will be strengthened.

We recognize that at certain times of the year, as the seasons change, we change ever so slightly with them. As the light dims so too do our spirits tend.

As the leaves unfold again in the spring, we breathe a sigh of relief. It's more than just the cold. Or the return of warmth.

(continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 27

Taking Note of Our Connection WRITTEN BY: WIL DARCANGELO (continued)

This is something deeply intrinsic which goes beyond any religion or philosophy. We are made of this earth in the most literal terms. There is no molecule in our body that was not first a part of this planet. And the stars before that. The minerals in our bodies right now, brought to us through the food we eat and the air we breathe, were once a part of this earth.

In all likelihood I have, we all have, inhaled molecules that were only weeks before submerged in the mantle of the planet. We are all thoroughly connected to it. You cannot deconstruct soup. It is fully entangled. There is no line where the earth ends and we begin.

Every atom in our body arrives to us via the earth. We are literally the clay of it. To dust we shall return because we are dust already. Yet what a wondrous and complex thing, a single speck of dust.

Purrfectly Pagan | 28

About Wil Darcangelo

Wil Darcangelo, M.Div, is the Minister at the First Parish UU Church of Fitchburg and of the First Church of Christ, Unitarian in Lancaster, and producer of The UU Virtual Church of Fitchburg and Lancaster on YouTube.

Email wildarcangelo@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @wildarcangelo. His blog, Hopeful Thinking, can be found at www.hopefulthinkingworld.blogspot.com

Purrfectly Pagan | 29

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How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE

Think of five things you use or have on you nearly always. Perhaps these are tools for work, a piece of jewelry, your wallet, purse, lipstick, hat, just to name a few examples. You can use the magic of blessings and setting intentions to breathe power into these objects and to create better results from their standard uses.

Such as your lipstick can be blessed with the powerful intentions of enhancing your physical appearances and also enhancing your ability to communicate in more meaningful ways.

Your hairbrush can enhance the strength, shine, and growth rate of your hair.

Your wallet can attract 10 x the amount that goes out, creating energetic flow to enhance and empower your bank account.

A necklace or hair band can be blessed and cast and may improve your memory and clarity.

(continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 31

How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE (CONTINUED)

Your eyeglasses can be blessed and enchanted and may improve your eyesight.

You can also choose articles of clothing, jewelry, or other accessories and enchant them to empower and brighten your chakras.

Your yoga mat can be turned into an enchanted tool to better strengthen, support, and guide you into your flow.

What could our lives become should we choose to empower all of our everyday items into enchanted tools to gain better and brighter, even faster, results?

There are multiple ways to achieve these results. My preference has been a combination of practices folded together.

Such as utilizing the moon. When possible, I hold off on these enchantments for the New Moon and Waxing stage that follows.

Typically, I prefer cleansing, release, and surrender rituals for the Full moon and Waning period.

Purrfectly Pagan | 32

(continued on next page)

How and Why to Enchant Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE (CONTINUED)

When not manifesting these energies with the moon I will often utilize moon water created during the New Moon for manifestation or Full Moon for purification.When you use moonwater to wash an item or to baptize it, you will likely want to simply take a small bit, about an ounce is fine, and save the rest for other unique purposes. A single jar of moon water can last months if you use it sparingly. Moon water is much like Holy water and can be used in the same ways and perhaps more.

Pour your single serving of Moon water. Hold your hands around the container, (ideally metal, glass, wood, or a type of clay) close your eyes while still holding the visualization of the vessel.

This would be an ideal time to use a sacred prayer or invocation either aligned to your spiritual practice or to the task at hand. Personally, I start with a Shaman’s Invocation to call in all the elements, and the powers of all.

(continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 33

How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE (CONTINUED)

For some items I will change the natural appearance of the item by painting or drawing sigils and Grabavoi codes directly onto the item aligned to its greatest purpose. If you are unfamiliar with either, a simple search or Pinterest hunt will lead you to many resources. The explanation of both is simply too much for this article! Though both I use frequently for these enchantments and many other purposes. You’ll understand more of the possibilities as you explore them further.

Use the holy water to either cleanse your item or to paint on invisible (BUT POWERFUL) sigils and Grabavoi codes on any part of your object that feels right to you. There is no wrong answer here. This is the quintessential to baptizing your object of choice, while enchanting it with a specific set of intentions.

During this period of drawing, painting, and baptizing your belongings I encourage you to talk to your object kindly, giving it instructions and letting it know your desired expectations and what it can do to serve you best

Purrfectly Pagan | 34

(continued on next page)

How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE (CONTINUED)

You can set more than one intention to an item but only if you feel it is right to do so. If the item makes you feel as if it should only be empowered with a single purpose, then that is the right answer.

Once you have applied your sigils and/or Grabavoi codes and blessed your item with Moon water hold your hands around or above your item but do not touch it. Close your eyes, see your hands, see through your hands, see the item in full, all around it. Imagine the codes and sigils glowing brightly. Thank Source, or your chosen deity for empowering your object and enchanting it with power to bring you your desired results quickly and easily. Remember to dive deep into gratitude as if it were already given, already done. We do not need to ask permission, as the item is already ours and came to us with reason.

(continued on next page)

Purrfectly Pagan | 35

How and Why to Enchant Our Everyday Objects WRITTEN BY: MAMA FAYE (CONTINUED)

There are times I will go over the top with my enchantments, using them in rituals during New Moons or Full Moons or on other sacred days. If you feel called to do this with anything I encourage you to do so. I have filled purses with crystals, representations of gold bars, money, money jars, sacred objects and tokens during these ceremonies.

Dive deep into gratitude at the end of your blessing. Perhaps even chanting Thank You, repeatedly until you feel complete with your practice.

Once you’re done, use as normal! Each time you use your item, think of your blessing, feel the excitement of the great blessings to come from this enchantment and feel and embody the gratitude for these great gifts and the power you carry within you.

Until next, unique souls, happy enchantments!

Mama Faye

Purrfectly Pagan | 36

About Mama Faye Seven times published in paranormal fiction and dramatic suspense, Faye is currently in the creation process of her first nonfiction production.

Lifelong artist, Faye has a unique style of blending creating a visual feast of color and texture through her often natureinspired abstracts. Her art knows no limits and is most often found coating privately-owned walls across the midwest. Custom requests are all the artist is currently making available for sale at this time.

Mama Faye is a lifelong practitioner of eclectic arts, the extra-ordinary, and the other-worldly. Faye uses her gifts and knowledge to benefit her clients and to help guide those ready along their road to healing.

She can be reached via email at themommafaye@gmail.com.

Purrfectly Pagan | 37

“I do not want to father a flock, to be the fetish of fools and fanatics or the founder of a faith whose followers are content to echo my opinions. I want each man to cut his own way through the jungle.” - Aleister Crowley

The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN

My wish is not to convert. In fact, nothing nauseates a man with my temperament quite like the notion of fools with delusions of salvation attempting to ‘ save the poor, lost and eternally damned souls.’ I have literally no interest in such things. In fact, proselytizing only seems to draw in the desperate, vulnerable and frightened. Quite frankly, I want nothing to do with that. And depending on your personal views, you may find me a bit crass, abrasive and cold. And once again, for the record: I do not care. I could fill Solzhennitsyn-esque volumes with my views on the Abrahamic faiths of the world, but I've been advised by my ‘attorney’ to put those barbed and incendiary qualms on the back burner for a possible future article…. And to be honest, they’re so much tastier when slow-cooked. My reason for banging away on this keyboard is to give you a short yet detailed summary as to who, or more accurately, what I am and my connection to the great umbrella term of ‘paganism’. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 38

The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN (CONTINUED)

I am a Satanist, as well as a practitioner of Black Magick. You may feel that you know what a Satanist is, as well as what Black Magick entails. So let’s get a few things out of the way so we can clear the air. I am not an ‘Atheist’, though I would've said much differently in my teen years. Binge reading Nietzsche and Anton LaVey certainly had its influence on a young, strapping dark lad such as myself.

And to his credit, LaVey was and still is the ‘gateway drug’ to many who may hear the call of the Occult. But at 20 years old, I went back to LaVey’s seminal work, The Satanic Bible, and it did not hold up to my scrutiny. Honestly, it was like listening to someone parrot common sense. Most of his philosophy was admittedly plagiarized by LaVey from Ayn Rand. I now call his magnum opus “Atheism and common sense for dummies.’ no, I needed something more. So I wandered down many deep, dark and sinister paths until I found one that fits my spiritual needs. Perhaps one day I will go into deeper water on this subject, but for now it's in the slow cooker. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 39

The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN (CONTINUED)

Many folks have asked me what the Left Hand Path (LHP for short) even is. What’s the difference between white and black magick?

Aleister Crowley defined Magick( spelled with a K to distinguish it from sleight of hand) as ``the science and art of causing change to occur in accordance to ones’ Will.’ so, even though this definition can be highly subjective, and many have disagreed with the ‘Great Beast 666’, it is the best definition for magick as a whole. The difference between white (or right hand path) magick and the L.H.P. is in the philosophy of how magick should be practiced and what practices should be used for.

“An’it harm none, do what ye will”, or the Wiccan Rede, is the code in which many on the white side adhere to, practice and preach. A lot of people on this side of the coin will also bring up Karma and the ‘rule of 3’. Though these ideas have been adopted and co-opted by my white magic example, karma in the Hindu texts seldom has anything to do with Justice or Cosmic retribution for wickedness, but rather the attachment of the deeds to one's' Darmha. The rule of 3 originates from the Alexandrian school of magick. If karma as defined by these practices was as they say, the world would be a much calmer and docile place. I don't need glasses to see that nothing is farther from reality. (continued on next page)

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The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN (CONTINUED)

As for me, Black Magick doesn’t mean ‘evil’ or any such idea, per se. In fact, we give no credence to the Judeo Christian false dichotomy. We are simply above such ideas. Speaking from my personal philosophy, I dismiss all laws and boundaries I feel to be foolish or restrictive to my spiritual growth. The only time I harm another is if that individual or group intends to do harm to me or my kinfolk. And may whatever god or gods you believe in help you if you cross my line in the sand. To boil it down to its base, black magick is using the skills learned for more than just healing and paying reverence to the earth or any other deity. WE are the ones in control. We hold the keys to our kingdom, nobody else.

The ritual workings are for us to control, and the Gods I work with are my mutual, and sometimes friendly allies. I could once again write forever about my personal experiences with those sublime and diabolical energies, but that as well must be kept for another article.

Slow cooker, it is!!! Magick is only valuable if it can be used not just for spiritual sustenance, but for practical purposes as well. I have known many great Black Magickians since I started this journey many moons ago. I have had the opportunity to work with many unique and interesting men and women who in spite of all the propaganda and fear mongering, grabbed the reins of their existence and took control. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 41

The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN (CONTINUED)

So you’re probably wondering ‘ what the hell does this have to do with Paganism?’ good question, and to answer it, it may take quite some time, but i will try to explain it as painlessly as possible. When a civilization is conquered by another, a few changes usually go into effect immediately. First, the conquerors force their language onto the conquered. Next, they force their religion onto the poor bastards by fear, the point of a sword/spear or brutal torture and not always in that order.

As an example, during the Crusades, in the middle east and in Europe, Christians conquered many small civilizations. They would destroy their temples and convert those who would bow at their feet. Any resistance was met with extreme and brutal measures. Many royal families would even sell their people out for sheer political and financial gains, making christianity the official state religion. The gods of old were literally ‘demonized’, and over time the gods of old were either forgotten or smeared as wicked, ghoulish monsters prepared to drag good godfearing christians to the lake of fire. (continued on next page) Purrfectly Pagan | 42

The Devil's Advocate WRITTEN BY: JOHN SHADEN (CONTINUED)

A fine example of this being done by Judiaism in to old testament is the Goddess Asrate, who was a beloved Goddess of love, sex, and motherhood, was slandered and demonized and transfigured into a male demon named Ashtoreth, modified by Hebrew vowel points as their word for Abomination. Through study and ritual I have come into communion with these wonderful spirits, some outright and some in many different forms and names. This is what one of my favorite people, writer and Luciferian Occultist Micheal W. Ford calls ‘Deific Masks”.

Another quick example would be Lilith, when in her other forms, becomes Kali in Hinduism. I have come to understand that my Current has many overlapping factors with multiple types of Paganism. And for those who say my stance is merely ‘christianity inverted’ I leave those ignoramuses in the quicksand they swear is ‘Divine Truth’. I claim nothing but my personal principles, and though I have many allies in the pagan community, both in spirit and viscera, my path is a solitary march to the Abyss, joking and smoking the whole way.

I stand as an individual, a spiritual man in reverence and praise of beautiful, brilliant Gods and Goddesses that many fear…. And they should.

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About John Shraden John Shaden was born on a leap year in 1988. He is a musician, black magickian, and a chaos gnostic satanist. John has had a keen interest in the occult and left hand path since as early as he can remember. He was born and raise Catholic, John found himself spiritually crippled and in his late teens decided to look into the darkness for answers and he found them. Through ritual magick and in communion with the divine, John has been able to sharpen his skills as a psychic and practitioner of the black work.

John founded an occult order known as the, “Order of the Oblivion,” in which he and his fraternal brother work with other occult organizations in forwarding their goals of gnosis, strength, and apotheosis in 2018. Along with his spiritual path, John has been the front man for the black metal band, “CARNIVOROUS STORM,” since 2018.

John has been a writer since he was a young boy, taking inspiration from authors such as Hunter S Thompson, E. A. Koetting, Michael W. Ford, Charles Bukowski, and Sun Tzu. He has been published on many online forums and websites along with publishing his own work on Brilliantbias.com and various other websites over the course of the last 15 years.

Holly Broderick and John Shaden have teamed up to create an amazing psychic duo, in 2022. They call themselves, “Psychics and Swears,” and have helped numerous people with all kinds of issues. They have assisted several families get closure in 4 different cases of murder. They work very hard to be sure that their clients know that they are cared for, treat them with dignity and are important to their work all the while using cheeky language and humor.

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