family – Author M. A. Phillips

Ancestor Worship

I was going to go on an adventure today in the forests around Watertown. My plan was to follow the map made by my grandfather to find my ancestor from Ireland who settled in this area. But it’s been rainy on and off all day. Normally that wouldn’t deter me, but my grandfather really wantedContinue reading “Ancestor Worship”

Website Envy and Other Things

I felt really ill yesterday due to hormonal issues. I accomplished nothing after work. I don’t feel fully restored tonight, but I’ve already been more productive than yesterday! I did some work on a doll and did a quick ritual to promote healing in the areas surrounding the oil spill. CedarLight Grove is encouraging everyoneContinue reading “Website Envy and Other Things”

I spent some time with my family driving through the Otsego County today. It’s always nice to see different areas in the state. I’ve been there a few times as a child/young adolescent, but not recently. Upstate NY is so beautiful. We drove by glimmering lakes, sprawling wetlands, emerald pastures, and numerous content looking cowsContinue reading

I shot my first large gun. The recoil surprised me, causing me to shriek and throw the gun after firing. Luckily it’s only a single shot so the gun was empty! My complete lack of grace was redeemed by the fact that I actually hit the target – a stationary clay pigeon. After that weContinue reading

Looking for a good book for your Pagan child?

I came across a childrens’ book today and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t pass it up for my growing collection of young Pagan literature. Any parents/educators should be familiar with the hugely successful “Magic Tree House” books. I see second and third graders reading them all the time. This book, entitled Leprechauns and IrishContinue reading “Looking for a good book for your Pagan child?”

Exploring Watertown and Sewing a Skirt

I had a lovely day with my husband and parents yesterday. I showed my parents the Paddock Arcade, where I broought my mother Moontide Arts, the New Age shop, while the men waited outside. She really loved all the clothing there. We also went to some boutiques on Court St. like the fair trade/thrift shop andContinue reading “Exploring Watertown and Sewing a Skirt”

Visiting for Easter

My parents want to visit next weekend! I’m very happy and excited to see them, but the situation makes me laugh. They were talking about going out to eat somewhere but I suggested making dinner. “But it’s Easter! We don’t want you to have to work.” Oh, my silly if well-meaning parents. I explained, forContinue reading “Visiting for Easter”

Ancestors

When we look back at our past, it’s often easy to see the obvious sign posts we passed on our way to the present. I’m one of those who believes that I was always a Pagan – I just didn’t realize it until the age of 17 or 18. My father raised me to beContinue reading “Ancestors”

Visiting the tribe, traveling altars, and study programs.

We took the weekend to visit some of our tribe in Utica. We spent a majority of it with my parents which was lovely. We had a belated birthday dinner for my father and watched a couple movies with them. We also spent some time with some friends/in-laws. I’m not sure what to call themContinue reading “Visiting the tribe, traveling altars, and study programs.”

My husband and I went to Muin Mound last night to celebrate Imbolc with the grove. The ritual was held outside in negative three degrees weather! Now I feel like a hardcore Pagan! Last year we did a lot of rituals inside because of the snow/cold and then a surplus of water and mosquitos inContinue reading