Utica – Author M. A. Phillips

Excited for Tonight

Visiting family usually means that my mental discipline goes out the window. Not that I’ve had much recently in regards to religion… With a craft show coming up, my free time is filled with more sewing than meditation, ritual, or spellwork. I even brought my work with me so I can create while visiting family. Continue reading “Excited for Tonight”

Various Random Things From This Weekend – Probably Quite Boring *

I’ve had an enjoyable weekend so far. I was able to visit some of my family which is always wonderful. My husband was able to spend a lot of time with his best buddy and our future brother-in-law (I’ll call him Hunter). Now that I’m older, I get along better with my sister (I’ll callContinue reading “Various Random Things From This Weekend – Probably Quite Boring *”

Living in Northern NY

As of August 6th, Weretoad and I have been residents of Northern NY for a year. We moved up here from the Mohawk Valley last year. It’s been a bit of a transition. I’ve been meaning to write about it. In many ways, the North Country is similar to the Mohawk Valley. It’s still NYContinue reading “Living in Northern NY”

Of Visits, Traveling Altars, and Color

I’m back from a lovely weekend in the Mohawk Valley. I was able to visit my family and some friends who graciously invited me over for tea. I stayed true to my oath (vow? Perhaps I should have gone to Seamus’ workshop at Wellspring…) and performed a full ritual this week. Because I was awayContinue reading “Of Visits, Traveling Altars, and Color”

Triquetra Meditation

I was meditating before bed last night. I found myself in my astral nemeton and briefly met with my lynx spirit guide. He chided me for not visiting often. I next started to focus on a symbol – the triquetra. It’s the symbol tattooed onto my back and is very significant to me. I don’tContinue reading “Triquetra Meditation”

Spring and Reiki

Happy spring! Yesterday was the Vernal Equinox and I went down to Utica for a reiki workshop led by friend and reiki master Imagickat. This was her first class on reiki and the first time she’s given attunements. I must admit, before the class I knew very little about reiki. She’s given me reiki treatmentsContinue reading “Spring and Reiki”

What’s New in the North Country?

Study ProgramsMy progress is slow. I’m waiting for my books on magic in Northern Europe to arrive. I cannot wait to attack them! As far as the art SP is concerned, I have to combine my working outlines into one document. I was going to do laundry today but I think I’ll do that instead!Continue reading “What’s New in the North Country?”

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”

MVPN – It’s Official

Why am I, the self-titled “North Country Pagan,” so interested in what is going on with the Utica Pagan community? I still consider it my home, albeit a distant one now. I found my path in Utica and I made spiritual ties in Utica. My tribe is very much in the Mohawk Valley. Today, theContinue reading “MVPN – It’s Official”

Time Warp, MVPN, and North Country Pagans

I took advantage of the long weekend and visited my family. I was able to attend a performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Utica College. (It was fantastic, by the way!) My dear friend Katrina and former mistress of ceremonies for MVPN was there and we were able to catch up before theContinue reading “Time Warp, MVPN, and North Country Pagans”