Mi Dulce Vida

Halika Byahe Tayo...

2012-01-14T03:24:00.000-08:00

I always expressed my love for the Philippines. I am always proud of my Filipino heritage and as a Pinoy, I want to do a lot of things to change and improve the country. Though there are times that I am disillusioned with the way our country's direction is heading, I am here to support the Philippines and the Filipinos not the stoofid politicians who control our government.

I was thinking of travelling around Mindanao this year. Trips which are not that expensive but should be very memorable. I remembered the old "Halika Byahe Tayo" of Freddie Aguilar and the rest of the Filipino artists and I came across the new version of the song.

Let me leave a part of the lyrics for everyone to contemplate to...

"Halika Byahe Tayo!

Nang ating makita ang Ganda ng Pilipinas...

ang GALING ng Pilipino!"

Version 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaFzSiqonSo&feature=related

Version 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVLmXCRhiTA&feature=related

Version 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABohDdXy0Pc&feature=related

Ako ay Pinoy at Mahal ko ang Pilipinas

Photos from the Internet

A Journeyman's Life

2012-01-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have been wondering lately about my existence. I know that this is a very "EMO" thing to do but in this way, I feel that I could really contemplate and see things more clearly. My spirit is seeking to do something grandiose especially in the field of magick. I would consider myself in a little as an adept, one who is knowledgeable regarding the occult arts but never a master. In the organization that we created, the levels in the heirarchy are Novicia/Novus (New Students), Discipulus (disciple or an advance student) and an Adeptus (Mentor); there is no Master of the Arts because nobody is one.

A journeyman, as defined is a person who was done in his apprenticeship and is fully educated in a craft or a trade but not yet a master. I am feeling stagnated once more in my practice of my Craft because of some delays and lack of inspiration. To be a master, a Journeyman must create a project that is presented to a Guild/Cabal for evaluation to gain the title of a master. This is where the concern starts.

I am thinking of starting my ultimate experiment. As a fan of new things and discoveries especially in advancing magick, I am thinking of going through the experiment that I have in mind a few years ago (2005). Since the magick of Solomon is operating on the theory of Kabbalah and the Jewish religion, I am thinking of calling one of the 72 Spirits of Solomon using a different base paradigm. Basing on the theory that if the base/foundation paradigm used is older than the entity that you are trying to contact, the spirit would identify the Deities/Gods that you requested to attend the rite.

The magick of Solomon uses the name of the Hebrew God and His Aspects to be the boundary of the sacred circle. I was wondering if the same Spirit can be summoned through a Druid Circle since Pagan magick is way older than the Judaisim. Though we cannot really say that this is the case since there are a very limited articles and write-ups regarding this.

As a Journeyman, I want to try something that would yield amazing results. I want to develop something which was not yet tried before. Though some Chaos Magicians already experimented on these types of things, I want to do more. I hope I would be inspired to discover something new, rare and out of this world.

picture from Wikipedia.org

Thoughts on Roman Paganism

2012-01-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

As I have blogged before, Wicca has been primarily my Path for the last 16 years that I am worshiping the Goddess and the God. Primarily because of the desire to associate myself with a formal religion that I have tread into the Craft of the Wise. The Wiccan Path is the most enlightening path for me; I have found a religion which would suit my devotion to the Goddess and the God that I revere, and this is Roman Paganism.

The Roman religion prior to the personification of the Gods was confined to the belief of the Numen. The Numen is the inherent spirits of the place, guarding individual objects, place, nature, the home, etc. Ancient Romans treat everything as if they are "alive" since everything has an intelligence. This is more similar to the Japanese concept of the Kami.

Roman Paganism is more appealing to me since the deities that I worship is in this Pantheon, so rather than becoming an eclectic Wiccan, I could directly follow the old religion which venerates the Gods that I revere. If you are a Wiccan worshiping Kali and Shiva, why not follow Hinduism so the worship becomes formal and more structured? Just my thoughts.

The structure of Roman Pagan religion is very rigid. They have the College of Priests, priests or flamens who handles services for the 15 deities with official cults. They also have a high priest called called pontifexes and sacerdos who holds the title as a priest of a specific temple. They have different priests for different deities and with different tasks and duties. They also have augurs who would "know"the will of the gods prior to any activity that the people are doing.

Another more complicated part of the ancient Roman religion is the variety of domestic gods that they venerate. Aside from the worship of Vesta as the Goddess of the Hearth, individual families give offerings to the household gods called the Lares and the Penates. The Penates are domestic gods and are always given offerings during meals or when doing anything connected to household work. They are given thanks and left food to ensure that things would go well. The Lares on the other hand are gods which oversee a specific place. They are also honored in houses and in some other places like the crossroads. They are bound to the place and would protect/bless anyone in the place as long as they are given the offerings. Manes on the other hand are ancestral spirits of the dead members of the family and would give their blessings and protection to the family itself. Unlike the Penates and the Lares who governs the place/house regardless who's in the area, the Manes is bound to the family and would move with the family where ever they are going.

With the concept of the Numen, the Lares, Penates and the Manes- everything in the Roman religion requires offerings and veneration especially if you want protection and your endeavor to be successful.

Magic in ancient Rome revolves on the use of Potions, charms and gemstones which are believed to possess certain characteristics that are given by the Gods. The most intriguing concept of Roman magic though is the division of the magic based on gender. Love magic is also divided into Eros and Philia, Philia which is commonly thought to be employed by women who were considered inferior socially during that time. The magic employ the same materials such as potions, amulets, etc and this is mainly directed to take control of men; a feat that would get power from those who dominated their patriarchal society. Eros on the other hand are employed by males who would give lust and affection to women.

There are still alot of things that I need to learn when it comes to the ancient Roman religion. Luckily there are revivalist groups like Nova Roma who aim to reconstruct the Old Roman religion in this modern day and age. They follow the Roman religious structure and revived the festivals that the Old religion celebrates. I hope I could practice it the way they did in the past.

New Year's Resolution

2012-01-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

I am now 30 and I am quite aware that I am old and I need to do a lot of things that I haven't done before right? Why all "I"?

For quite some time, I have done a lot of things for other people. I spent money for people, spent time, gave love, worked with people in a very uncompromising way. I am always the underdog, I would always say "Yes", say "Okay", get the job without complains... but I come to realize that I need to voice out things that I want other people to hear, what I want to do, or just what I want.

So here's a list of the things I want to fulfill this year of the Dragon.

1. I want to be very healthy. Eat right, workout, get back my abs and hopefully sleep enough.

2. Spend time with myself to contemplate on things.

3. Be a better son.

4. Be a better employee.

5. Travel around Mindanao- at least twice a month.

6. Be decisive

7. Focus on Photography

8. SAVE MORE MONEY, SPEND LESS

9. To be promoted

10. To be more DEVOTED to my Gods.

Just 10 for now and I will add more soon!

Before I Forget...

2012-01-03T17:27:00.000-08:00

Countdown to 30

2012-01-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

I will be 30 in 2 days... For a person to live for 3 decades, I think I am quite satisfied with what I did and what I am doing. There are things that I thought I would never do or achieve, and I proved myself wrong.

1. I promised myself that I wouldn't work in a call center and yet I am working in one.

2. I thought that I wouldn't get a six-pack abs, yet I had one and working on getting it back.

3. Never thought that I would go to Mindanao, yet I am here right now.

I had many things to thank the gods for, many things more things to ask from Them but I am just so happy that I have people who loves me and wants to take care of me.

My Wishes this year:

1. A better Job or at least a promotion

2. a New Phone (iPhone4s, galaxy S2, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Ace (the least)

3. DSLR Stuff- New lens (18-200mm/55-300mm), Macro Lens, Flash, Battery Grip, Memory Card

4. More Travels to come (especially out of the country- before my passport Expires)

5. More Money to have our house fixed

6. More money to Save (yes, I am saving now)

7. more Money to finish my Masters Degree

8. More money to study More Master Degrees

Happy@30

Healthy@30

For more years to come... I will endure eternity for Knowledge!

COSPLAY Ideas

2011-12-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

I searched the Internet for characters that would fit my looks and easy to CosPlay for a "first-timer" like me... Here are the characters I planned to Cosplay...

#1 RUDE From FF7

Reason: We have the same skin tone, moustache and goatee and he is easy to CosPlay.

#2 Yazu from Nana- He is easy to Cosplay. Props are easy to find and the costume is easy to acquire.

#3: Tsukamo Nishino from Gintama- As a first timer, i would go for easy characters to portray with less props and not so complicated costumes.

#4 Giichi From Blade of the Immortal- Props are manageable, the costume is not that complicated.

#5 Madarame Ikkaku- I really want to CosPlay him, but since I do not have the time to really do it and I am ashamed to CosPlay, it was always delayed...

Runners Up are (simple to Complicated) the following which I plan to really CosPlay within the year or two...

Cid from FF10

Ermita from Claymore

Borma from Ghost in the Shell

Seth from King of Fighters

Choi from King of Fighters

Bart (Bald) from VanDread

Faust from GGX

Dian Wei from Dynasty Warriors

and the most complicated for me...

Zasalamel from Soul Calibre

I just hope that my new Cosplayer Friends would help me with this... Huhuhuhu!

Spell Language

2011-10-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

I created this spell and integrate folk magick with my personal paradigm which is anchoring and using seals and sigils as my focus. I created the spell last Sunday and worked on it using folk magick, it is a spell using a dark colored jar, honey, a brown paper bag, some urine, cinnamon and some colored pens. This spell is for advancing in the corporate ladder, to get your managers see your worth.

I throw in my own paradigm creating the spell. I drew a seal with three arrows putting the sigil in the center. I encircled some aspect of the Goddess Hekate, especially those related to focusing on the opening the Path and to Guide the Roads. I used a blue candle to focus my will.

Here is the seal that I used:

Tales of Atreia- Book 2- Rifts and Shifts

2011-10-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

Beluslan- One of the cities of Asmodae is a Fortress protected from the Elyos by the Asmodians. This city is surrounded by weakening Aetheric field which causes time/space rift to appear randomly across the entire terrain. Most of the time, this place is full of the white winged enemies. From the portal in Marchutan's Convent, I appeared in Besfer Refugee camp. This is where most of the people end up, especially those who are not really needed or those who does not any family. I need to go to Beluslan and train as a Magus of Lumiel.

I waited for morning and started checking out the village. It's very small territory and there are no large inns that accommodate travellers. There are also a few guards that protect them from Elyos raids. I looked around and talked to some guards, I was informed that I need to go to Pandemonium and talk to the High Priest of Lumiel. I need to learn to use these gifts and to learn from the Daevas who came before me.

Early that night, I gathered my meager pack and started walking to Beluslan. It is safer to travel at night since our Asmodian eyes could easily see in the darkness of Asmodae. I was taking the lonely dusty road, passing by the Besfer Ghost town. This was once a very busy town according to the old records when they were plagued by carrion monsters carrying disease that wiped out the entire town. I was very careful not to disturb the ghosts lamenting silently on the road side. I was very careful, walking silently when...

From the back of the ruined house came a very shrill voice. A rotted looking lady dressed in white was screaming as she was darting to my direction. I quickly raised my hand in the air and traced a sigil, calling the Aether to gather in front of me and around me. The shield absorbed the first impact and sent me flying to the side of the house. I quickly scampered and run behind the ruined house with the banshee running after me. I need more time to do this and try to lose the ghost, if not, I will be forced to face it.

I quickly remembered the spell I learned by studying an old spellbook. I traced the necessary runes of power to gather the aether around me and I started chanting... "Glacies vesica...", the water in the air compressed and formed into ice. Three Sharp ice blades that hovered on top of my right hand. I turned back and focus the energy on the Banshee and repeated the spell once more... "Glacies vesica... no" and sent the blades flying towards the spirit. The iceblade passed through the Banshee's form and while it hit the air between her chest, I traced another rune and shouted... 'Gelu flatus!!!" The blade blossomed into a flower shaped ice blast that held the banshee in place. Treading carefully that my attacks won't attract any more spirits, I plan on finishing this spirit quickly.

Quickly tracing the runes of power in the air, I completed the spell by tracing a vertical line on the set of runes that will call fire... "Incendia telum". At once the aether gathering around my fingers quickly turned into a spark and the fire writhed on my arms. I focused the tongue of fire into the frozen form of the banshee and willed it to surround her. As the chain of fire surrounded the spirit, I then traced another rune on top of the spell and focused my will- "Praemium!" the chain of fire exploded and scattered the essence of the spirit, then it was gone.

I headed north and passed the Black Plains. As the cold light appeared on the sky of Asmodae, I reached the fortress of Beluslan. I went to the person guarding the portal to the capital and he told me that I would need 14,000 Kinah to use the portal. By then my money was not enough to pay for it. I was sitting in the corner when I heard someone talk...

"Need a Lift to the Capital? My name is Urrd, and Im on my way to Pandemonium. Wanna tag along?"

Samhain et aL

2011-10-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the incences that we can use for Samhain.

Hecate Incense **
by Gerina Dunwich

1/2 teaspoon Dried Bay Leaves
1/2 teaspoon Dried Mint Leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme
pinch of Myrrh Resin
pinch of Frankincense Resin
13 drops Cypress Oil
3 drops Camphor Oil

Using a mortar and pestle, crush the Bay, Mint, and Thyme until almost powdered. Stir in the Frankincense and Myrrh resins. Add the Cypress and camphor Oils, and mix well. Store in a tightly capped jar and let the mixture age for at least two weeks before using. Burn on a hot charcoal block during your ritual.

From the Net...

Samhain 2011

2011-10-19T11:59:00.001-07:00

Inviting everyone for the celebration of the All Hallows. Davao people, please send me an SMS, email or message me on Facebook/Twitter.

The Coming of the Dark

2011-10-10T16:13:00.001-07:00

Samhain is coming. To Pagans everywhere this is the last harvest of the year where people in the westerm hemisphere would often gather their harvest/produce and set it aside to be used for the coming Winter.

Here in the Philippines, the most prominent holiday that we are celebrating is the "Fiesta Minatay" or the All Souls Day which is celebrated on the eve of November 1. However, witches like us would still celebrate the Sabbat Samhain. I could still remember the time that we celebrate this feast at the back of Project XXA1, it is an internet cafe owned by our friend "Manong Donnie" and we would go there in costumes. We would wear our robes and would walk around the city and visit some of the malls. Then we will celebrate a simple get together with some of the witches and sorceresses of the city.

One of the celebration that I could still remember was with Victoria and her friend Neil. Vicky is magus, trained in the difficult Enochian magick. A system of magick who calls upon angels to be a part of their rites. Neil on the other hand was working with Fairies as a part of a Lineage magick of the Diwaniwa.

The celebration was very simple, no elaborate circles (we hold hands and form the circle ourselves), or any complicated conjuration. We call on the Goddess and the God to attend the feast and call on the elementals of the place to attend the rite. We also invited our loved ones who passed beyond the veil to be present. We shared cakes and ale (Apple-cinnamon cider brewed by Neil, the Kitchen Witch) and performed spells and wishes (which required blood and I didn't do since I am against needles).

We used to do our Gypsie Parties during the Hallows Eve too where we do Tarot readings and casting spells for friends... we used to rent a restaurant or a bar, close it up and have a party.

Last year during my first Halloween here in Davao, we went to Samal island to celebrate the Sacred feast with some of the friends I have here in the office. This year, I hope there will be more people present and we will do it on the same resort. Since I feel that the resort (Dayang in Talikud Island) is magickal in itself, I think of it as the best place to do the ritual... it is still a place of in-between (Mountain and Sea meet) just like the Hallow's Eve- when spirits roam the land of the living and the Men of this world wanders off to the realm of the Faeries.

Photos from: nessieatbp.blogspot.com, jadegoblin.elfwood.com

May Their Souls Soar and Touch the Heavens

2011-09-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

Let me clear this up, I am not writing this as a tribute to the boy who killed his lover and then himself. Killing another human being is an offense that would earn the one who did it with retribution so intense that I would pray to Hekate that his next life would be better. Claiming the life of others is unfathomable, however, killing yourself without justification (i.e. as an exchange for another life or a sacred sacrifice) is an offense that is punishable in the 7th Circle of Hell according to Dante where they are transformed into gnarled, thorny bushes forever consumed by Harpies. No, this is not about it.

I am writing this to glorify the love in it's many form. Love of a person to another person regardless of gender- clearly, this shows that love encompasses all and knows no gender/sexual orientation. "Soulmates" are believed to be a soul split into two and would forver seek each other and return to the other half, no matter what gender or form the other half is into. Love is capable of looking beyond the meatsack and recognize the one within. This I believe is the reason why people of the same gender would love each other.

Love from friends. Who says single people are unhappy? We could still get love from our friends and this is as pure and powerful emotion as the one shared by lovers. In this incident, I think that his friends could have done something more. I am not to judge if the boy's friends thought that they are close to the 13-year old as they think they are. I know that there are things that we cannot really share with friends, but close friends could easily detect if their friends are hurt, sad, or happy just by being with them. He could have shared it with his friends and obtain support from them.

Love of the Parents. I'm not saying that the parents did not love these kids, especially the 13-yo. What I'm saying is, if they loved this kid more, they could have been open and aware about his sexuality and his relationship. I think if he only had a mom or dad to talk to about his feelings, he would not resort to killing himself. The parents are most of the time not open that they have Homosexual kids. If the parents would intimidate their kids by telling them that being gay would give them a one way ticket to HELL, then these kind of topics would never be discussed during dinner while eating Lucky Me noodles.

Gay kids would often feel alone and confused and since they have no adults to guide them, they would do stupid and foolish things. They would let their emotions reign and control them and would act out of impluse and in a fit of rage or other heightened feeling. There are a lot of Statistics to prove that teen gay suicides are rampant in the US. If there's a parent who listened to his boy's whining regarding how sexy or cute the senior hunk was, then I think this would not happen. I think all he needed was an ear to listen to him and a parents hand (and not a belt-buckle) to guide him, I think he will grow up to be a more balanced individual and a respectful partner who is able to respect his lover's life and his own.

This also showed love when jealousy and greed overpowers it. Again, everything in excess is really bad, too bad though there's no more time for them to improve their relationship. So "IN MEMORIAM" of J &J... may you guys rest in peace and may you transition to the next life smoothly and safely. As the song goes "TOO MUCH LOVE WILL KILL YOU..." and in the case of J&J it did.

MAY THEIR SOULS SOAR AND TOUCH THE HEAVENS!

Pic Source:

http://www.squidoo.com/boy-princess-manhwa

Cosplay Idols

2011-09-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Jei was into Cosplays. He attended some events in Manila where he get to dress up characters he like in an occation. But those things were stories from the past, and when I say past let's say that it was years ago.

I love to dress up characters too- I dressed up as a punk-modern, urban sorcerer in a Gothic Party in 2001. I also dressed up as a Magus from House Tremere, Order of Hermes-Mage the Ascension game (Halloween 2005), a Horwarts Griffindor student in a Halloween Party (2006) and a Bad Ass pirate in our Christmas ball (2010). After all these years, I never thought that my fascination in dressing up as your favorite character would be very famous. We even planned out to have a Bleach cosplay in my former company where I planned to dress up as Jubantai-taicho Hitsugaya Toushiro. With the advent of a lot of Cosplay stiff- contact lenses, wigs, costumes; cosplaying is easier now compared to doing it years ago.

When I was browsing through the manga sites looking for the newest episode of Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Fairy Tail, Witch Hunter, Ao No Exorcist and Novus Karma when I looked for pictures of my favorite Fairy Tail character- Gray Fullbuster... then I saw this guy...

JayEm Sison id from LA who's doing Cosplays for fun. To think that a Filipino would look great when acting out a Manga/Anime character is fascinating. Then, it came to my mind that I would probably list all the Cosplayers I like... and I WILL meet them all in the future... when I become a Famous, Professional Fashion Photographer...

The First one is again JayEm Sison- buffiest, sexiest Gray Fullbuster ever. Filipino but based on LA and he visited Iloilo during one of the Cosplay events there (I'm now based in Davao)- here are some of his costumes- Gilgamesh from Fate: Stay Night, his own Bangis and other characters I do not know...

The Next one is the Cutest pair of Naruto and Sasuke I saw on the internet- Jin Joson and Miguel Mercado. These boys look cute when they are in their "yaoish" mode and are talented Cosplayers individually. They are also well known in the Cosplay circles and has even travelled to the US to showcase their love for this art.

Here are some of Jin and Miguel's Cosplay pics

Espada Numero Seis Grimjow Jaegerjaquez- Kishire Pantera!

Miguel as L from Deathnote

and his emotional depiction of Uchiha Sasuke!

Jin as Espada Numero Quatro- Ulquiorra Cifer: Tosaze Mushushierago

Jin as Kurusaki Ichigo

And finally Jin as the lovable Uzumaki Naruto-kun:

I also love the Davaoeno cosplayer Ace Tolentino...and I NEED to meet him soon too...

For the Ladies, of course there's always my all time fave Alodia Gosengfiao in her myriad costumes... Misa from Deathnote and the Baroness from GI JOE

Another Cosplayer I also like is the team member of Jin and Miguel in their Cosplay Shoots. i believe her name is Kat and I guess i need to research more on her... :)

Kat as Orihime with Jin and Miguel---

I am now 29 years old and as Jin replied on my Tweet... you are not TOO OLD to Cosplay, I am willing to invest just to do this childhood fantasy... I guess I need Ace's help to get me started... I hope other's like Jayem, Jin or Miguel can also help me to start... Alodia is too famous to spend time for her fan... hehehehe...

I want to dress up as Toushiro Hitsugaya in 2006-

and since I'm a skin head now, I'll probably be Madarame Ikakku

I guess I have to start somewhere, right?

Thank you for inspiring me guys, I really appreciate it!

Special thanks to the Deviant Pages of Jayem, Jin, Miguel and Kat for their pix and Google for Alodia, Toushiro and Ikkaku's pics...

Twitter Replies

2011-08-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

It's been sometime that I started fondling Tweeter. My first impression about this social media is that it is not really that impressive. I felt like the Tweets are too short and it couldn't carry the thought across. However, after sometime, I learned how to appreciate the short but sweet Tweets and started to post often...

I would comment about some topics that other people would talk about, especially if it has some socio-cultural significance and it captured my interests.

Twitter Mentions:

I have mentions from these FAMOUS people... hehehehe...

Howie Severino: One of my "IDOLS" when it comes to creating Award Winning, World Class Documentaries. I have been following him in I-Witness (my entire Family's KAPUSO and my sister's even working for the KAPUSO Network in Iloilo) and I would always admire how the team (Sandra Aguinaldo, Kara David, Jay Taruc and of course Howie) would look at issues objectively. Simply showing what GMA7 symbolizes- Walang Kinikilingan, Walang Pinoprotektahan, Serbisyong Totoo lamang!"

Andrew Wolff: A Half Brit- Half Pinoy Bench Model/Actor who is now a member of The Philippine Rugby Team- Philippine Volcanoes. The discussion on his Tweeter was about athletes who are "half-Blood" and I never guess that this guy has a 100% Pinoy Heart. He is very proud of his lineage and his being Filipino. Saludo ako sa yo, Andrew!

Dino Lazaro: A freelance Make-up artist from Manila.

It's nice to know that they read the Tweets of people following them, showing that they also care for the opinions/comments expressed by their followers. I really appreciate that they took time to click on the reply button and answer back.

Thanks guys, you will always have my support. More Power!

Ego Sum Paganus

2011-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

I think I finally understand what I am feeling. I have been thinking about this for a few days now and i now understand that no matter what Path of Magick I will adopt, or what paradigm I will follow, I just need the guidance and protection of my Goddess and God.

I am a Pagan, a Witch, one of those few people who see the fabric of reality on a different yet colorful perspective. I feel the energies around me and lately it is disorienting, I wonder if Gaia Herself is also stirring as reflected by the unpredictable changes in the weather patterns. As we all know, everything has a pattern, and these patterns are usually moving in a predictable manner. However, a few years back, the movement of the Forces are totally different and this world is thrown into Chaos.

Egosum Paganus- I am a Pagan, who calls on Ancient Gods of this world. Who worships in the threshold and on the crossroads, in the forest or on the sea shore. One who observes the movement of the cycles of death and rebirth, one who observes the mixture of magick- black and white. One who desires balance in the world.

Pic from: http://news.nationalgeographic.com

The Hanggab Chant

2011-08-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the Chant used to Heal various illnesses.

The following is a Hanggab chant to cure various illnesses which is performed by a babaylan in Hiligaynon society:

Luhod na kamo saragudon
Luhod na kamo halaywan
Saka sa hagdanan
Indi mo na pagsawion sa hagdanan
Indi mo ron pagsawion sa pulongkoan
Diin ka na uris nga babaylan
Diin ka na uris nga dalongdongan
Dali-dali ginalawag kamo
Sunod na sa tupad ko
Luhod kamo sa tupad ko
Hamboy kamo sa abaga ko
Hay nalakat ko ron ang suba
Hay ako na si dagan-dagan
Bisan pa ang bukid natingadon
Parapit don kamo saragudon
Magkilala kamo kay _________ (name of patient)
Ang tanan nga baratyagon sa kalawasan
Bul-on mo ron ang hirab kang surok-surok
Bul-on mo ron and lingin kang ulo
Bul-on mo ron ang yami kang kalawasan
Ginalawag ta ron kamo sa kalag

Lingkod don kamo sa lingkuran
Magkilala don kamo sa natungdan
Indi don kamo kang paghinakiti
Basi nahinakitan kang tawo sa talon
Panghuksa ninyo ron
Magkilala kamo kang hitsura
Panghuksa, panglubda ang tanan nga baratyagon sa kalawasan
Laton don sa tulos
Laton sa bunang
Laton sa kalawag
Kay ako naghanggab don sa haranggaban
Basi kon natabuan sa hulot

Hay saragudon, haraywon
Bawion don ang kasakit
Bawion mo ang atay
Bawion don sa ampis nga itom

Laton don sa bunang
Laton don sa kalawag
Hay mabulos don ang kaupod
Ang akon iba indi ninyo ron pagyao-yauhan
Indi ninyo pagsundon
Indi ninyo pagbugnohon

Hay akon saragudon
Indi mo ron pagsindaon
Hay basi kon nalahog-lahogan ka ron sa laraywon
Hay kon nalahog-lahogan ka ron sang saragudon
Bawion mo ron saragudon
Bawion mo ron haraywon
Indi don kamo maghinakit

Basi ginsinda sa pagpanaog
Basi ginsinda sa pagparigos
Basi ginsinda sa paglagaw-lagaw
Basi ginsinda sa pagpamintana
Basi ginsinda ikaw kang tawo sa sidlangan
Basi ginsinda ikaw kang tawo sa seringan
Basi ginsinda ikaw kang babaylan

Hay ko ron ang kabangdanan
Hay indi ninyo ron pagpiriton
Ginahimo don ang kabangdanan
Ginsinda ang sinindaan

O, sinda, sinda
O, sinda, sinda
Laton don sa binuik
Laton don sa kalawag
Laton don sa ampis nga itom

Basi ginsinda ikaw sa surok-surok
O, sinda, sinda
O, sinda, sinda
Laton don sa pangalap
Kag dian kamo magpinitik-pitik
Saragudon, haraywon, bawion mo ang sinda kag aswang sa balay

Basi ginsinda ikaw kang diwata
Basi ginsinda ikaw sang aswang sa balay
O, maputi nga dalaga sa burotlakan kang adlaw kari ka
Bawion ang sinda kag tawo sa balay
Bawion ang tanan nga masakit nga balatyagon
Naghalay don ako kang patadyong
Tanda sang pakamatuod kon ano ang kabangdanan
Kon nabugnohan kang kalag
Pakaaydon don ninyo si _________ (name of patient) kon amo ang kabangdanan.

From the internet

Babaylanismo- Bringing Back the Old Ways

2011-08-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Pagan ways of the people of Panay has been lost to us. The pure shamanic/animistic practice that was a part of our ancestors daily lives was demonized by the Catholic Church and anyone who practiced it were called Aswang, Heretic and worst a demon.

The practices of the Babaylans are very unique and powerful. As healers, advisers, seers and intermidiary to the Spirit Reals, they are sought out by nobles and alipins alike. They are wanted for their insights and their power to heal and if needed to kill. They commune with the denizens of all the three realms- the heavenly realms, the middle and the underworld. They do thsi communion to diagnose the sickness of people or get a glimpse of the future. They could utilize these kinds of rituals to collect contracts with powerful entities that would help them honing their craft and strengthening their magicks.

With the coming of the Spaniards and the conversion of the people to the Catholic Faith was unstoppable, the Babaylanes tried to blend in to society and even rewrote their Animistic rituals and mix Catholic prayers with it. The one existing in the form of the "orasyones" from the libretas of the mananambals or albularyos are not the pure form of magick of the baylans. These are already mixed with Pidget Latin and Latin Catholic Prayers.

My Pagan faith leads me to the worship of the Etruscan/Roman Gods- Hekate and Janus. The reason is quite obvious, the Gods has called me to this path and has given me signs that some may call coincidences. Though in this life, especially if you are studying the Occult, there is no such thing as a coincidence. The magick that I perform also stemmed from Ceremonial Magick, thus, when I cast spells I really prepare them and create magickal seals and sigils to serve as a focus of my intention. I also try to use Latin evocation and invocation to manifest my Will in this reality.

However, as much as I want to leave these long lost Ilonggo Rituals, my blood calls out to it more and more. As I have written on my blogs before, I can identify myself as a 5th Generation baylan. My Granma's grandfather was a healer though he uses orasyones in Latin. My grandmother, the last "Cunningwoman" alive in the family (at least the last that I know), uses rituals that are very basic. Using herbs like luy-a (ginger), bunga (betelnut), alibhon (comfrey) she would diagnose sickness and heal them. She would use the luy-a to know if it is an infirmity caused by a tamyaw (greeting) of the dead, the elementals, or even a live person, she also knows how to check the person's health by checking the pulse. Then, she would heal you by doing the "tuob"- covering the person in blankets while burning kamangyan (a form of incense) and other herbs. She could also do the "waswas", a form of cleansing a person using leaves of malunggay or other herbs. She would also give us red pouches (with stones and herbs inside it) or would pin a piece of ginger as protection to young cousins and siblings.

These practices in the Philippines are slowly dying and it is our responsibility to save and revive it. Though the practice of Babaylanismo is difficult to recreate because of the lack of materials (especially Babaylanismo is an oral tradition), we need to listen to our "ubay" since they whisper to us old and lost rituals. All we need to do is listen and acknowledge them.

Perhaps it is time for us to reclaim this ancient Tradition. We need to be "Hedge Witches" that our ancestors were and be a Babaylan. Though my faith in my Gods will not waver and change, my blood sings the songs of my ancestors. It is leading me to the old forgotten knowledge of the Babaylanes, after all, I still am a proud Ilonggo and a proud Tigadluman.

I will leave with you guys a chant I made...

Akon ginapangayo sa akon mga ubay, sa mga kalag sang akon katigulangan

Sa mga espiritu sa katalonan kag kalasangan

Sa ulan, sa suba, sa mga tamawo sang duta

Hatagi nyo ako sang gahum kag kaalam sang huna-huna."

"I ask from my Guides, from the Spirit of my Ancestors

From the Spirits of the Forest and the Plains

Of the rain, the river, and the beings of earth

grant me power and wisdom of thought!"

Good Looks vs Big Brains

2011-08-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

All the time, we hear people ask us which do we prefer. Some would say good looks and others would choose big brains... why not have both?

Good Looks does not really mean that you need to look like Narcissus. It could also mean that you are taking care of yourself and you look neat and clean. You want to probably look for clothes that would fit your body structure, skin tone, personality, etc. Would you like to wear a see-through black mesh blouse over a bright red bra? Oh! did I mention that she's also short, morena and weighs 200lbs?

Looking good could also mean having the right color of makeup, right hairstyle etc. No one is ugly in this world. They just do not know how to enhance their beauty.

Big Brains? Yeah! You are not required to have 200 IQ to say that you have big brains. It could also mean that you are informed and well read. I suggest that you read all the time and read and read to equip yourself with the needed knowledge to interact with people. At least you wouldn't be caught off guard when someone will start a conversation with you.

We just need to look for our assets and enhance them. Without identifying them, we cannot do it and if we leave them unpolish, nobody would see the beauty of it. Assess yourself and change for the better... now who says that we cannot be both beauty and brains?

Picture is from: http://www.vivawoman.net/

Who am I?

2011-08-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

I am a follower of the Path of the Wise. A worshiper of the Goddess Hekate- Lady of Many Names and Ianus, the Lord of the Universe. I practice magick and I manipulate energies using Sigils, Seals and ceremonial trappings as my Foci. I have been a practitioner for almost 16 years (by Sept 21) and I follow my own version of Wicca before and I realized that if you will not follow the tenets and structure of Wicca, its better to leave it and look for something that would fit your belief. Right now, I am still looking for that "accepted" religion.

I believe that the world has many gods, with different personalities and portfolios. I believe that each of these gods govern a certain aspect of human emotions (love, etc.), nature (agriculture, waters), and some are personification of Forces (Time, Universe, Heavens). They are culture specific and would govern and guide the people in their territory, hence the different pantheons.

I believe Magick is both positive and negative and it depends on the person who wields the power for the outcome to be identified as such. Magick like nature is a neutral force that can be controlled and manipulated if you know how to.

I believe that we need both the light and the dark sides of ourselves to become fully whole. If one just dwells in all Light and would not acknowledge the existence of the Dark Forces, then that person is a hypocrite. For light to be acknowledged, one has to see the dark to fully appreciate the beauty of light. Now, Darkness is not equal to being evil. It is mainly something that is more primal, the human part of our personality.

I practice a more "real" form of Wicca. Something that acknowledges the existence of a dark side and embraced it. Our Tradition- Tenebraean Witchcraft is focused on the acceptance of the "Shadow" and aiming for "wholeness". We do not dwell in just love and light, we also acknowledge the existence of hate, discord, chaos and envy as part of human nature. Accepting these emotions helps us acknowledge our human part and after this, we aim to transcend.

I guess one doesn't really need a named religion to be accepted in the mainstream. That is one of the things that I feel uncomfortable with if I am asked about it, that's why I would tell them I am Wiccan since I am a Goddess Worshiper.

Now, I am in the crossroads once more... searching for the the "right" religion. I am a priest of Hekate and Ianus and I am looking at Graeco-Roman religions or Nova Roma. I will redefine my practice to follow the one practiced by the Flamines, and finally attain the title of a Pontifex- a high Priest of the Old Roman religion. Probably I will try to correspond with people practicing the Old Roman religion and are members of the Collegium Pontificum. I hope to find someone to apprentice myself with, as a Novus Sodalis if necessary.

And hopefully, I can call myself an acknowledge Collegia priest of Hekate and Ianus. Salve Hekate Pandeina! Salve Ianus Consivius!

Dilemma of a Witch

2011-08-14T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am a Witch. I worship the Old Gods of Rome- Hekate and Ianus. My introduction to Wicca was when I was 13 years old in the old musky room in UP High School in Iloilo. I spent time studying everything I need about the religion. In Wicca, I discovered the joys of worshiping the Goddess and the God and that I feel that this is the closest religion to my belief. The only "accepted" religion that accepts my faith in the Gods.

Wicca is really a great religion. The Thea/Theology of this religion is perfect for my belief since this allows me to worship the Goddess Hekate and the God Ianus in the way I see it. It is a religion of "Light and Love" and of the "Goodness and the White Light." However, my philosophy is quite different from the "Lightness" of Wicca.

The current influx of "HollyWitches- Hollywood Witches" added to the already criticized practice of Wicca. Traditional witches and other Pagan paths would scoff at the focus of Wicca to the "Love and Light" philosophy and would often label Wiccans as "Fluffy Bunnies". It is true that being positive is really good since we should not dwell in the "negativity" of life, however, not focusing on the negative side should not mean that we should ignore it. We often hear that Nature is neither good nor bad, it is both as nature is both destructive and caring. In nature, we often see death and decay as a prerequisite of rebirth and the continuation of life.

Even people are made up of two sides. We cannot exist without negativity because that would make us like robots- ever smiling, preaching of love and lightness. Isn't it creepy? According to the psychologist Carl Jung- everyone has a "Shadow" that he needs to embrace to become whole. The beauty of the negative part of the our personality is what makes us complex and unique. This negativity also makes us human. Everything is made up of two sides- Yin and Yang, Light and Dark, Good and Evil, positive and negative, left and right - God and the Goddess.

I recently read an article on this website, http://tracksinthewitchwood.blogspot.com , that made me think about the religion I am with right now. I know that I am a Pagan but the religion that I am following may not be the one for me. I have identified myself as a Wiccan for a very long time but as I have done my rituals and my "devotionals', it deviates a little from the normal Wiccan Way.

Here are some Wiccan philosophies that I usually do differently

1. we are told that practicing the "Dark Arts" is strictly prohibited- the idea of Dark Arts defer from person to person. Personally, I do spells to coerce spirits and gods to listen to my wishes and boons. I bargain with them and offer them incense, food and other stuff. I also communicate with spirits from the Idadalmon or the Underworld and the shades of the dead.

2. Majority of the Wiccan work is centered on the magick of nature and the natural energies- I work with the magickal formulas, seals and sigls, evocation of beings, sorcery and arcane forces.

3. The Wiccan Philosophy- positivity and the white light, love and light- as I have mentioned earlier, I believe that negativity in a person is needed to be whole. Love and hate should be felt as well as light and darkness.

These are just some of the philosophies/practices that I believe and do that deviate from the "normal" Wiccan practices.

The only thing that binds me to Wicca is my love of the Goddess and the God since this is the nearest "accepted" religion to my Faith.

My dilemma now is if I still want to be a Wiccan or look for other religions nearer to my Faith. I would search and search until I find a religion that I would be comfortable in. Something that would reflect my personality and faith.

From now, I will leave the Wiccan Path and search on... I am Pagan and if ever I will be in the Path of Wicca once more, only time will tell.

Hekatesia: Feast of our Lady of the Crossroads

2011-08-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my Ritual for the HEKATESIA this Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ Dusk.

Altar:

The altar should be black with only symbol/image of Hekate present at the center. The following should be present to represent the Goddess in Her many aspect.

Hekate's Circle:

N: Graveyard Dirt/Crossroad Dirt

E: Bell

W: Mint/Mugwort Water

S: Incense - mixture of Cinnamon/Anise seed/Cloves

- Black stone

- bowl of salt water

- towel

Feast:

-Hard cooked eaggs, halved on a plate and salt water in a bowl

-Fish

-honey

-pomegranate wine or blended berries

-crescent cookies/bread

-garlic bread

-almonds and sesame seeds

Offering:

Honey

Ritual Proper:

Have everyone pass through the smoke of the incense to purify them and asperge them (using stalks of mint/rosemary) and lead them to the ritual space. Once everyone is seated, have everyone meditate on the symbol of Hekate inscribed on an altar piece (drawn on Virgin Parchment, or drawn on the floor using a blessed chalk).

Say:

In this time of in-between

We move to this world unseen

Where darkness is light and light is darkness

This sacred hour's power we harness

Into the Otherworld we will cross

Betwee spaces where time's at pause

To honor the Lady of Power and Might

when night is day and day is night

Circle Casting:

Purify the circle using the 4 elemental symbols (dirt, water, bell and incense). Each participants should hold the symbol and move around the circle deosil three times. Each participants could hum the name of Hekate while doing this .

INVOKING THE QUARTERS:

East:

Hail Hekate Propylaia, the One before the Gate

She who comes with the wings of the owl

Open our minds to the wisdom of the Old

Grant us knowledge and Lead us to the Path of the Wise

South:

Hail Hekate Phosporus, Bringer of Light

She who ran with the hounds of night

Enlighten us with the brilliance of your truth

Grant us clarity and Lead us to the Path of the Wise

West:

Hail Hekate Khthonia, Lady of the Underworld

She who can be heard with the croak of the Toads

Transform and shape us to transcend limitations

Grant us adaptability and Lead us to the Path of the Wise

North:

Hail Hekate Krataiis, the Strong One

She with the Serpent Hair

Strengthen us to endure hardships

Grant us resilience and Lead us to the Path of the Wise

Center:

Hail Mighty Hekate!!!

She whom Zeus, son of Cronus honored above all

She who has the power over the heavens and the starry skies

She who controls the wind and the ever-changing seas

Goddess of Midnight

Mistress of Storms

Dea Triformis

Goddess of the Dark of the Moon

Lady of the Scene of the Crime

Goddess of Witchcraft and Sorcery

Great Mother

Holy One

Invincible Queen

Lady of the Underworld

Mistress of Magick

Goddess of the Lower Way

Opener of the Way to Death

Queen of the Crossroads

Queen of Death

Queen of Ghosts

Queen of the Night

Queen of Witches

She Who has Power Far Off

She Who works from Afar

The Distant One

Sovereign Goddess of Many Names

*** The Leader will say the Epitaph and the participants will say the name's meaning

Hekate Adonaea (Lady of the Underworld)

Hekate Agrotera (Huntress)

Hekate Antania (enemy of mankind)

Hekate Atalos (Tender)

Hekate Brimo (angry one)

Hekate Despoina (Mistress)

Hekate Enodia (of the Paths)

Hekate Epipurgidia (on the tower)

Hekate Khthonia ( of the Underworld)

Hekate Kleidophoros (key bearer)

Hekate Kleidoukhos (keeper of the keys)

Hekate Krataiis (strong one)

Hekate Krokopeplos (saffron cloaked)

Hekate Kurotrophos (Nurse of the children and protectress of the mankind)

Hekate Liparokredmnos (with bright headband)

Hekate Monogenes (only child)

Hekate Nyktipolos (night wandering)

Hekate Nocticula (Lady of the Night)

Hekate Pandeina (the All Terrible)

Hekate Perseis (Daughter of Perses)

Hekate Phosporus (the light bringer)

Hekate Propolos ( the attendant who leads)

Hekate Propylaia (the One before the Gate)

Hekate Prytania ( invincible Queen of the Dead)

Hekate Selene (the far shooting moon)

Hekate Skylakagetis (leader of the dogs)

Hekate Soteira (savior)

Hekate Trikephalos (three-headed)

Hekate Trimorphis (three-formed)

Hekate Trioditis (of three roads)

Hekate Trivia (of the three ways)

Ave Hekate, era quadrivium, Regina ventus via, Dea Veneficus. Is quisnam ingredior in Transitus semita gero lampas. Omnipotens, totus Atrox era Transitus audite mihi! Hekate Anteina, Abnukta, Triformis, Nocticula, Brimo Hekate Pandeina! Salve Pandeina, Antania, Trivia Hekate! (3x)

VISUALIZATION:

You could use any exercise on visualization that depicts Hekate. I will use that I found on the net.

The Trip to Tartarus:

Leader:

Now we will journey to the underworld to ask a boon of the chthonic Hekate. Sit comfortably, breathing in and out slowly and at ease. Close your eyes and feel your center.

"Three faced one, patroness of the 9 wild Muses, Torch bearer, Star-crown wearer. Mother of Ghosts who prophesize in the form of bee, serpent, mouse or bat. She of the 3-heads: mare, dog, serpent; or lioness, mare, dog; or lioness, dog, serpent; or yet; heifer lioness, serpent. Dog-star of summer, Brazen sandaled one, whose Magic mists are raised by Willow spells.

Thessalian witches, followers of Hekate, Cerdo the weasel, shapeshifters and spellspinners.

Turn West: There lies the opening to Tartarus, the Underworld, in a grove of black poplars, sacred to Her whom we honor. The purpose of the visit is to learn something, perhaps of the future. Often this was done through mantike, inspired prophesy through possession by the deity. enthusiasmos, the deity within us. Don't forget to give a coin to Charon, the ferryman over the river Styx (Pause)

We've reached the other show. Beware Cerebrus, the three headed dog; his job is to prevent hapless ghosts from fleeing and the living from entering. But tonight we are under the protection of Hekate Chthonia, Hekate Ourania, and he, Her servant, let us pass. Do not tarry in the cheerless Asphodel Meadows where weary shades wander, purposelessly, twittering like bats.

Look ahead: There lies Erebus, the palace of Hades and Persephone, she who was tutored by Hekate; now She is in the world above for it is summer.

Perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the three Erinyes, the Furies, who live in Erebus. There is no mistaking them, who punish those who break those of deservedly guilty conscience. They are aged, with snakes for hair, dog's head coal-black bodies bats' wings, and bloodshot eyes. In their hands they carry brass-studded scourges.

To the Left is Lethe, shaded by Hekate's white cypress- do not drink of it's waters, for it is the spring of Forgetfulness, for common souls of the dead awaiting rebirth, and yet we live.

Instead, approach Mnemosyne, the Pool of Memory, shaded by white poplars of Persephone. This pool is for initiates. Kneel down and sip its cool waters and see a vision there.

*** Ask the participants what they experienced and take note of those. It might be a vision from the pool.

SPELL WORK:

Passing the Black Stone: We performed this ritual 6 or 7 years ago in Dumangas, Iloilo where the members of OIC (Ordo Intra Circularis-ILO) stored their negative energies inside a stone, sealed it and buried it afterwards.

Procedure:

Using the blackstone have everyone focus on what they think hinders them to achieve their goals- anger, negativity, frustrations, etc. After one participant stored his/her negative energy in the stone, immerse it in the bowl of salt water (1 minute) and wipe it dry with the towel. Pass this around widdershins until everyone is done with the same process. When the last participant is done, soak the stone in the bowl and pour the water to the ground (if inside the house, pour it in the sink/toilet bowl)

Say:

As the water seep in the earth, let all negativity be taken away. May the Earth absorb it and keep it until the energies become pure again.

THE ASKING OF THE BOON:

Great Goddess, bearer of the Torch and Keeper of the Keys

Lady of Magick and Great Sorceries

Queen of Witches and Guardian of the Threshold

Goddess of Transition and Defender of the Path

Hekate, fulfill the promise you gave to your priests and priestesses

Grant us a boon that you bestow your believers

Grant the wishes that your worshipers ask

Grant it to us tonight as we offer this honey

Grant it to us as we whisper Your Name

Hekate, Lady of In-Betweens

Guide us as we go through life's changes and transitions

You who are between life and death

Tenderness and terrifying Anger

The Outside and In

of the Heavens and the Underworld

the Ocean and the Earth

The Light and the Dark

The Open and the Close

In the darkness, in the Shadows

we look for your Light to guide us

In the coldness of the night

We yearn for the warmth of your embrace

In the face of adversity

We long for your protection

In our Weakness

We speak with the Power of Your Name

Ave Pandeina, Ave Anteina, Ave Nocticula

Ave Atalos, Ave Krataiis, Ave Soteira

Ave Trivia Hekate!

*** Participants whisper their wishes into the honey and this needs to be dropped into a whole in the earth without looking back at the hole. This could be a man-made hole at the crossroads. You could do this after the ritual.

FEAST:

Invitation to the Ancestors (Face the West)

We invite the Dead (name your dead relatives), our love ones who passed beyond the gates of Tartarus. Our dearly beloved who are in the Summerlands, we invite you to join us in this feast and honor the great Queen of the Underworld.

BLESS THE FOOD:

Oh Great Goddess Hekate, bless and accept our humble offerings. May these food nourish not only our bodies but also our spirits. We partake these in your honor and in your grace.

*** Have each participants mention the significance of the food served at the feast before partaking it. Assign a food to each participant and have them say something about it. Make sure to get a small portion for the Goddess and put it on a black piece of cloth. Tie the ends of the cloth so it would form a pouch and leave it at the crossroad.

FAREWELL AND CLOSING THE CIRCLE

*** Face the West and bow

Oh spirit of our dearly departed, may you continue to guide us and share your experiences and learning in life. Beyond the veil lead and protect us. May you rest in peace in the Summerlands with the Goddess of the Underworld.

*** Raise your hand in supplication:

Oh Mighty Queen of the Crossroads, we thank you for honoring us with your presence. This night where we are standing in the in-between of space and time, light and dark, night and day, we honor your name in this sacred circle. You our Goddess Divine, our Protector, our Guide and our Holy Queen, may you continue to shower us with your blessings as we continue to honor your name and your works. Grant us our boon as we dedicate our life to you. Remember the pact that exist between you and your priests and priestesses.

To the North we bid farewell- Hekate Krataiis, the Strong One

May you continue to strengthen us

To the West we bid farewell- Hekate Khthonia, Lady of the Underworld

May you continue to transform us

To the South we bid farewell- Hekate Phosporus, Bringer of Light

May you continue to enlighten us

To the East we bid farewell- Hekate Propylaia, the One before the Gate

May you continue to Open our minds to the Wisdom of the Old

Mighty Goddess Hekate of the Triple Path, the Keeper of the Key of the Mysteries, we bid you Hail and farewell. Thank you for attending our Feast. Go in Peace.

GROUNDING:

*** Sprinkle salt water around the circle Widdershins:

"Circle open but unbroken, power down to the ground (3x)"

*** Everyone must put their hands on the ground

"Down, down into the ground

Unneeded energies now unbound!"

***Trace the circle with the wand, widdershins

"From the air to above to the ground below, I open the circle that binds it!

***Trace the circle with the Athame, Widdershins

"From the world within to the world without, I seal the Veil that divides it!"

By Land and Sea, Moon and Sun

Return everything to where it began

In this world both seen and unseen

Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet again!

-End-

-pics from the net and my own collection

THE WITCH’S BREW by -bane-

2011-06-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Come now when the moon is full,

Where the earth is damp and the wind is cool

Outside the room, in open sky

Let’s cook our brew and then we’ll fly

Gather, gather all we need,

Fresh leaves, dried roots and powdered seeds.

No Dragon’s Blood or eye of newt

Just mint and lemon and ginger root

Put it all in a boiling cauldron,

Stir it clockwise with a wooden spoon.

Add some crystals and fragrant oils,

the brew is done, after it boils.

Now its ready, our healing brew,

Which will get rid of cough and flu.

With leaves and bark, roots and stones,

It’ll fix the muscles, then skin and bones.

Letter to the Hedge

2011-06-25T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here's my email to one of the Hedge Witch whose website I read:

Hey,

I stumbled upon your site in my search for some article in Hedge Witchcraft. I read some of your articles and I am amazed with some similarities of the philosophy and the beliefs we follow. Let me introduce myself. Just call me Bane, 29 from the Philippines. I have been a Wiccan for 16 years. I call myself Wiccan because this organized religion is the closest one to the spirituality I follow.

I totally agree with you when you said that all gods or goddesses are different personalities and beings. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ALL GODS/GODDESSES ARE JUST ONE. They are unique beings different from each other. That's why I do not really call on different Goddesses in rituals believing that they are the same- I stick to my Matron and Patron- Hekate and Ianus. In mythology, Hera and Artemis are 2 different entities. Aphrodite and Athena even took sides during the Trojan War, thus I do not believe that they are one and the same.

I could call my family as Hedge Witches- they perform folk magic- healing, mediating between the human and the elementals, or the sick and the dead. In the local magickal practice called Babaylanismo- they believe that the underworld and the world of men intersect in some points. The world of the Ibabawnon (Upperworld) and the middle world of men intersect too. My grandmother and some of my aunts heal people using herbs and chants asking the spirit of the ancestors for intervention. Or asking the elementals to forgive the man who offended them by offering gifts on mounds or trees. They also ask household spirits to guard our homes, pray for rain, leave food (with no salt) to the elementals (engkanto), whisper (hutik) prayers to the land before the planting of the rice, etc.

Now enter Wicca. As the "religion" that is near my spiritual belief, I embraced it siince this is the nearest Goddess/God religion to my belief. My family are Catholics by name, but the reason of this is because our country is predominantly Catholic. The old Animistic religion is now forgotten and it is difficult to even reconstruct it.

I really appreciate your articles and I hope we could discuss things soon. I would like to know more about Hedge Witchcraft as a practice and it's similarities to the one that I am doing. Since it is not really tied up to any organized religion, Hedge Witchcraft is one of the most curious practice I want to learn more about.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

In Beneficium pro Scientia,

Felyx Wolfsbane Serpentmoon, AP

Arcessitor- OICDVO, OICILO

http://felyxwolfsbane.multiply.com

Tales of Atreia- Book 1- The Shadows Cometh- The Journeyman

2011-06-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

Cold light from the skies of Asmodae enters a hidden temple in the barren city fortress of Beluslan. I have been studying the nature of Aether in this temple for a few years, rummaging through the damp and dark library of the Temple of Lumiel, the Lady of Wisdom and Protector of Mages. The temple stood since time immemorial, after the time of the great cataclysm, after the separation of our races, after the dark consumed us. Lady Lumiel is one of the five great Shedim Lords, Sorceress, protector of Asmodae and guardian of our people. Matron of Daevas like me.

I am Felyx Shadowsong, a Daeva, one of the immortal protectors of the Asmodians. I was once a raider from the outskirts of a small town of Ishalgen, I was one of the people who preys on the weak and steals money from the rich. I was an orphan, who lived off asking alms and stealing food from the taverns of Ishalgen. There was a time when I was trying to steal the purse of some fat guy on the streets of this small town. I did not know that a few pieces of gold kinah would cause me my life, and earn eternity.

I am skilled. My master told me that I am one of the gifted Asmodians, one of the few mortals who can manipulate Aether to a small degree.I could start fire and conjure ice through sheer concentration. My cantrip spells of course are nothing compared to the forces that can be manipulated by the immortal Daevas, who can call lightning and hail from the skies. These Sorcerers can make the ground shake and conjure portals to the capital. They fight the enemies together with the other school of Daeva magicians called the Spiritmasters, those who can command elementals spawn from the most basic elements of earth, fire, water, wind and magma. All under the protection of the great Lady Lumiel, the Shedim Lord I wish to serve.

It was a dark night, the only light illuminating the gray skies of Ishalgen are the dancing movement of the streams of Aether. Pulled in the middle of Atreia, an area called Reshanta, the core of our shattered world holds both of the planes in place. Now who does not know the story how our world was shattered into two?

During the time when the world of Atreia was still young, the Supreme Being Aion created the Balaur to be wardens of the young mortal race. In the beginning, these draconic beings followed the will of Aion and nurtured the growing race as mentors and protectors. However, as time passes, and with the eventual disappearance of Aion in his Tower of Eternity, the Balaurs decided to usurp the power of the supreme being. They started to enslave the human race, destroying towns after towns, corrupting others who joined their cause. They wreaked havoc and destruction in their path as they moved forward to assault the tower of Aion.

Aion, sensing the coming of the the Balaurs, selected twelve of his strongest and imbued them with his godly essence. These twelve became the Empyrean Lords and they protected the humans against the Balaurs. The Empyrean Lords were headed by the two of the most powerful of the group- Lord Israphel of the West, the Lord of Space and his partner, Siel, of the Eastern realms, the Lady of Time. From this group came five of what became our Shedim Lords- Asphel, Lord of Darkness and guardian of the North; the temperamental Zikel, Lord of Destruction; Marchutan, Lord of Fate; Triniel, Lady of Death and our Mistress of Magic, Lumiel, the Lady of Wisdom.

The other five became the hated Seraphim Lords lead by Ariel, Magister of the South and the

Lady of Light; Vaizel, Lord of Freedom; Nezekan, Lord of Justice; Yustiel, the Lady of Life and the wretched Mistress of Lies and Illusion- Kaisinel, the Lady of Illusion who withdrawn herself from her comrades because of her defeat in the hands of our Lady Lumiel. These beings became the gods of Elysea, home of the Elyos.

As the war against the Balaur continued, the Empyrean lords imbue the mortals with their powers awakening them to be Daevas, immortal soldiers against the assaults of the Balaur. The humans succeeded on driving the Balaurs out but with the constant skirmishes going on, the loses on both sides are increasing. The Empyrean Lords met and discussed talks of peace with the Balaurs, started by Israphel and supported by the Seraphims, they talked of coexisting with the dragons and this of course was opposed by our Shedim Lords, who wanted to defeat the enemies. With the vote from Siel, coerced by Israphel, the talks of peace pushed through.

With the Etheric Field turned off to give way to the passage of a dreadnought, the Balaur ship who carries the emissary who will attend the peace talks in the Tower of Eternity. When everybody gathered, the emissary fell dead to the floor (and we Asmodians knew who did it) and it sparked the hatred of the dragons. With rage and enmity, the Dreadnought and the Balaurs on it assaulted the Tower, shattering the physical manifestation of the God Aion.As the tower collapsed, the earth shook and the seas were divided. Mountains flatten and humans were swallowed the the great chasm.

The World of Atreia, split in the middle and started to drift away from each other. The Tower of Eternity who holds the planet together was no longer there. The Empyrean Lords were all alarmed, the planet is in the brink of destruction, the humans they swore to protect will be extinct. While the others think of what to do, Lady Siel sacrificed her essence to serve as an anchor, Lord Israphel did the same and they held the planet in place.

Our world was never the same after the Great Cataclysm. Those Atreians who were caught and forced to flee to the north became the Asmodians. In the cold and desolate region of the north we founded the city of Pandemonium, the capital. We adapt to the harsh climate of the lightless north and our bodies with it.

The Asmodians founded cities and expanded their territories. We were existing in peace knowing that we only are the ones who survived the chaos. Until the peace shattered with the coming of the Light.

Those who have survived and headed to the sunny south became the hated Elyos. They have founded cities too, and in Elysea, the Seraphim Lords rule their weak subjects. As light from the nearby star illumine the southern Atreia, the Elyos as they call themselves started to look ethereal. They are fair skinned compared to our dark shade, their fingers more human, compared to our claws. Their hairless bodies compared to our manes that protect us from the cold. They have attacked us and destroyed our towns, forcing us to create fortresses to protect ourselves.

The exploration lead us to the Core or Reshanta, here the world of Atreia is connected and is where the world is connected. The vain Elyos could try to invade us by going through the portals opening here in Asmodae. With the magic of Lumiel however, Primum Landing, the Asmodian Fortress in Reshanta was protected and the wretched Elyos and the Liar Kaisinel was driven from the place forever.

The Balaur territory of Gelkamaros and Inggison were also opened to us via portals connecting the planes. We have created the war fortress of Gelkamaros and we constructed gates to protect us from the Elyos menace. With the movement of the Balaur restricted outside the Etheric Field and the weak Elyos trapped in their blinding world, there are only a few menace on the list...or so we thought.

The Etheric field who we thought is strong enough to divide the worlds is also faltering. As I was chased by the guards of the fat man I robbed, I ran out of Ishalgen into the marshes, to the forests going to the big towns... I thought it was safe, and I was wrong.

As I am attuned to the movement of the Aether, I sensed a rift opening behind me, I ran and hid among the bushes and I saw a flicker of light. The air danced and spiraled, then a rift from Elysia opened and from it I saw a blinding figure. A Daeva fully clad in silver armor, wings as white as the snow in Beluslan, broadsword glimmering against the weak light of the dark sky.

It was a Gladiator, master fighters and followers of Nerzakan. I lay still, afraid to be seen and fearing for my life, I crouched in the underbrush. As they are trained, they are very keen in sniffing mortal Asmodians like me. With a few spells I know, I prepared an incantation from the sacred book of Lumiel. As I prepared the spells of Ice- I stepped out and focused all my will to the Gladiator in front of me.

I directed Aether from the surroundings and muttered the incantation. I traced a sigil in the air and shouted--- "Conglacio Aeris... Flaminis". The air around me gathered itself and froze. I directed it to the gladiator who I caught unaware, however I heard a shout behind him "Ignem Conglobo Provolo". I felt a heated gust of air gathered together as the aether around a woman ignited and formed into a ball of fire. It smashed through my puny ice spell and rebounded back to me... I do not have the power to defeat a sorceress, a Daeva follower of that wretched Seraphim Kaisinel. I was thrown back in the thicket and fell into the gap, a cliff on the other side of the path... I felt the heat brushed through me as I fell into the dark ravine, burning as I plummeted, I heard a whisper telling me to open my mind and embrace power and wisdom, and my memory ended there.

I woke up in the monastery of Marchutan in the care of the Clerics. I was told that a month has passed since they found me dead in front of the gates of the monastery. They prepped my corpse for cremation in the morning, seeing that half my body was burned. That night as the aether shimmered brightly against the dark skies of Asmodae, I woke up renewed, healed and oozing with power. On my back was a dark feathered wing, a symbol of the Shadow coming, my transition, my awakening into an eternity of struggle against the Sorcerers of that weak Seraphim Kaisinel. My journey began the next day. I need answers and the best way to get them is to seek for wisdom, seek Lady Lumiel.

I prepared myself for the travel to Beluslan. To the biggest temple of Lumiel. To study and learn the wisdom of the ages. To be strong and fight the light bathing Elyos and their sorcerers. The hated magicians of the weak Kaisinel.

The Gate opens... "Azphelumbra"- in the Shadow of Azphel... My journey begins...

pictures from the internet.

Matching the Seasons

2011-06-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last 2009, my BFF Marcel Milliam and I were talking about the adaptation of the Western Wiccan practice to the culture and magickal practices of the Ilonggo people. One of the topics that we discussed were the Sabbats. Marz is not really into practicing them, he said that there are only 2 celebration that he really takes time on practicing- Samhain and Imbolc.

Anyway, We started brainstorming on the Sabbats. We coined names for them and match them with the existing climate and cultural celebrations of Iloilo City. We came up with the following...

Tigtulugnaw (Yule)- December is the start of our "Tigtulugnaw" (Tag-lamig) and true to its name, this is the time that the wind starts to become really chilly and cold.

Pangalayo (Imbolc)- as this festival coincides with the feast of Candelaria "Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria" (Our Lady of Candles), patroness of Jaro, we find this necessary to include this on the list. We named it "Pangalayo", derived from the vernacular word "Kalayo" which means fire.

Tigpanalingsing (Ostara)- This time is where seedlings starts to grow... I really can't explain why, but during this time there are a lot of obvious changes in the world... the seeds and plants grow faster and in numbers. You could feel the energy of the world bursting out, that's why we call "Tigpanalingsing", which means sprouting in the Hiligaynon Language.

Tigbalangaw (Litha)- Litha is a very confusing festival, anyway, since we are trying to adapt the celebration for Iloilo, we named it "Tigbalangaw"- from the word "Balangaw" or rainbow. It's translated as the "time of rainbows".

Panubason (Lammas)- the time of harvest. "Patubas" means harvest and we can really observe this during this time. The crops are harvested and storage is full.

Tigkalanay (Mabon)- From the work "Makanay" or calm. So this translates to the "time of Calm".

Paghanduraw (Samhain)- "Paghanduraw" means "to remember" from the Hiligaynon word Handuraw or "remember".

As a Wiccan, the Sabbats are not just applicable to the Western countries where there are four seasons. I respect friends and fellow practitioners who are not observing them. My practice, however, dictates that I need to celebrate all since it is the Earth's natural cycle, we are in one way or another affected by the energies that these changes bring. I am not looking at this in a geographical way (Directional Elements/Correspondences will be discussed soon) since the Sabbats (especially the Solstices and Equinoxes) are global phenomenon and it affects all. It does not mean that we wont be affected by the Summer Solstice or the Vernal Equinox because we too are a part of the Earth. We need to talk about energies here, and thus look at the larger picture. We need to remember that Solstices and Equinoxes that we celebrate are not really bound to any location, right? These are part of the cycle that the world is constantly experiencing- Summer and Winter Solstice, for example happens when the sun reaches its northernmost and southernmost extremes and these movements still affects us whether it's summer here or not.

I would still love to integrate the Sabbats with the cultural and magickal practices of an Ilonggo. =)

Just my opinion...

pic from http://www.complete-herbal.com

Annie- Verse-Harry Mee-Gy

2011-06-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

It was February 16 when I first saw you. I was really in Bisaya "Maulaw!" since you are young and obviously good looking- Two adjectives which I am not. After a few months corresponding on FB and 2 days after we met, we were together.

We've been through a lot of things... and sometimes I would really think that we are the exact opposite. You are childish, I am too- but now I am forced to act mature since only one in the relationship is allowed to be childish. You are care free, I am the responsible one. You love to eat and you don't get fat. I don't eat much and I get fat. I like Ice Cream but you love them- especially Selecta Hersheys' Reese. I love to read books, you don't. You love Willie Revillame, I don't like him. I love to eat veggies but you despise them. You love fish, I don't eat it so often. You love ROSE, I love AIon (but now you like it too). You love your hair, well, I just lost mine.

Though we have a long list of differences, we have similarities too. We both love to stay home and watch Naruto and X-men Animated. We both love anime. Both love movies- I love 3d but you hate the 3d visor. We both want to travel and explore new things. One thing really binds us though, we both love Coco Bread and Coke.

We had a lot of bumps along the way too, we argued almost every week and we reconcile after that- I think this makes the bond stronger... I think. I always ask for your explanation- you just mumble and most of the time skulk and keep quiet. You always interrogate me- where I am? Who's with me? You always check my phone and it's one of the things that I am not really comfortable since I don't let anyone touch my things, I suppose it is one of the burden of a relationship...you don't really have a choice.

Sometimes our discussion becomes so intense that we always ended up crying on each other's shoulder. Remember the first "Physical Argument" we had last week. I promised not to do it again. I rarely do that and If I do that's when i am really, really angry. I apologize.

We discussed about our future too and you have a lot of plans. I don't. I am happy and contented here in Davao, yet you wan't to explore. That's also one of the perks of being young.

It's the 18th of June- exactly 2.24 AM- (checked the clock as I type this line) and I want to thank you for being there for me. Four months is exactly not that long, but for me it is. I know we experience turbulence in this relationship, but hey--- that's normal right? I needed the support and an ear to listen and you provided it. I really appreciate how you care for me (especially when i got sick) and your being honest to your parents about us- that is way beyond my expectation... so I promise to meet your parents on July 2 or 3.

I really thank you for the support and love you shared with me... Love you Bhebhe Koko!

Celebrity Witches

2011-06-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

There are lot of Witches in literature, on TV and in movies. We have Samantha from Bewitched, Nancy from the Craft, the Owen Sisters from Practical Magic, Willow from Buffy, the Halliwell Sisters from Charmed, Merrick from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. Lately, we have Bonnie Bonnet from Vampire Diaries, Cassey Blake from the Secret Circle and Moira Bryne from Sweep and Hermoine Granger from Harry Potter. Though these characters are merely fictional, we cannot deny that one way or another, it also influenced some of the witches to even step on the Path of the Wise. There is one thing that we need to remember though- how to differentiate reality from fantasy.

Some of the neophyte witches maybe drawn to the allure of witchcraft because of what they see in the movies or on TV and what they read on novels. After all, who doesn't want to move things with their minds, shoot lightning from their finger tips, stop time, control the weather, and even just stirring their coffee with magick.

However, this is too far from reality. Though there are people that can possible control fire, this act alone would take a lot of energy. Weather work would also take a lot of time to even move a cloud or make rain fall. Twitch your nose to make the entire kitchen clean, is that even possible?

Magick is not as simple as waiving your hand, shouting something in Latin and *poof you'll get what you want. Magick would take more than that. For me working a spell requires study and preparation. It requires correspondences- proper hour, moon phase, herbs, stones, candles and incenses. Though a lot of people might disagree with me and would probably say that weaving a spell does not require all of these tools and would only need their mind, planning your spells are quite important. If doing a spell without tools can be successful, how much more with proper and correct materials and correspondences. This fuels the spells to be more effective as it gives more energy to the spell. The more energy to fuel the spell, the easier for a trained mind to mold these energies and concentrate them to achieve your goal.

Everything holds energy and if these energies blend with each other for a common goal, then it is a better way to achieve our goal. If using your mind without other tools could give you an 80% result, how much more if we use the additional energies produced by the herbs, the time and the planets, the moon... then probably we could raise the success rate of our spells to 100%.

We need to remember that the abilities of the TV Witches are exaggerated. It takes more than a flick of finger, a Latin word, a twitch of your nose to alter reality. We are talking about energies here. Each ingredient, material and tool hold their own energy and contribute something to the entire picture. We just need to understand that bending reality to the will of the witch is quite difficult. To untangle the weave of "normalcy" and insert our own will would take a lot of focus and concentration. Though there are some ways to make things easier, it still needs training and experience to perfectly cast spells.

If you are interested to study magick, you need dedication and perseverance. Calling yourself a Witch does not make you one.

- photo from the internet-

Which Witch is Witch?

2011-05-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

With Wiccan websites, books, "high Priestesses" offering the key to the ancient knowledge of the Path, many kids and adult alike are drawn to the Craft of the Wise. However, the type of Witches that we have in the recent years are more or less "scattered" compared to the genuine Seekers of the Old Religion in the past. The types of Witches that we have has now a very wide scope. Now which Witch is Witch?

We have a lot of Witches that are coming out- we have Catholic Wiccans, 15 year old- High priests and priestesses of the Mysteries, the Grand high Poohbah of the Winding Way and the list is endless. We have seasonal witches, hereditary witches, native witches, eastern witches, Feng Shui Witches(?) and sandwiches?

Now which of these Witches are the true witches? I would say that all their practices and beliefs are very valid since each of us has our own Paradigms that we use. We each glimpsed the Truth and we only practice things in ways we perceive them. Though seriously speaking, the idea of having a flock underage teenager High Priests and Priestesses indoctrinating other teens to follow the Craft under the pretense that Wicca or Witchcraft would solve all their problems- from Parent issues to lovelife to skin blemishes.

The more alarming thing is these kids would mix and match traditions, get bits and pieces of information from different religions, beliefs, practices to develop untested rituals and spells suited for their needs some if not most with terrifying results. The Craft that we practice right now is indeed a mix and match of all of these that I mentioned above, however its how we choose the right information and how we use it. The most important thing is how we use our religion as our way of life.

In the Philippines, the Traditions that exists are mainly a mirrored version of the Western Wiccan Traditions. The one that we have here originally are remnants and/or bastardized amalgamation of the shamanic and Catholic practices, hence the Latin incantations that our albularyos are using. The original fertility practices of our elders including the harvest practices are quite lost to us now. In some parts if the provinces especially in the highlands though, the practices still exist. The chantings under the full moon before the first stalk of rice grains is even cut, the libation of milk and honey to the tilted land and the setting aside of the first harvest on the altar of the spirits and elementals (now on the altars of saints). These are some of the practices that still exist and someday I yearn to observe and document as a scholar of the Old Ways.

Picture Source:

Witchcraft

WRITER: James Robinson ARTISTS: Teddy Kristiansen, Peter Snejbjerg, Michael Zulli, Steve Yeowell LETTERER:Starkings/Comicraft COLORISTS: Daniel Vozzo

I Support the RH Bill

2011-05-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

These are the collection of my FB rants... I thought of posting it here too...

According to this dumb-ass politician "Those who are Pro-RH Bill are implying that we are poor because we are many"... I say YES WE ARE...how can a country with a meager budget (majority of it goes to corruption) support the needs of people way beyond its capacity to assist... DUMB...

Catholic church to withdraw of support to the President because he is pro family Planning... Go right ahead you foolish old Bishops... clinging to the Old Patriarchy and the old bible Verse "Go forth and Multiply"... This is not applicable... YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY RELIGION IN THIS COUNTRY... I say TO HELL with you all...wherever that HELL is...

The Catholic Church is just scared na lumiit yung population ng bansa na to...Takot lang silang lumiit yung collection nila sa Binyag, Confirmation, Kasal etc... If you think that this is still the 16th century, you are Goddamn wrong... Go on and ruin the lives of people you can fool, your definitely not gonna ruin mine...

For crying out loud, avoid using the name of "God" to threaten people who are wise enough to understand that this country is over populated... The Christ is probably ASHAMED of you... trying to act like you are holy and all (tell that to all the boys that your priests molested)... you do not have the ONLY Line to God... I dont even know if the Church still possess the Holy spirit that they claim they have!

To make the long statement short... I am 125% in favor of the RH Bill!

Affirmation to the Path

2011-03-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

I am a childe of Hekate, a son of Ianus;

a walker of the Olde Ways and a Priest of the Mysteries.

I tread the path of the in-between...

between the Shadow and Light, between the hedges of life and death;

between the skies and the earth, between time and space.

I am eternal, seeking perfection in all the imperfections of my mundane life.

I keep the spark of Wisdom of the Old and New in my heart,

trying to sustain the fire so I could light others who walk the Path...

Blessed Be!

- Bane-

My Goddess... your Goddess

2011-03-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

In the beliefs of Wiccans, we view the Gods in different ways. There are some of us who view the Gods as a reflection, an aspect of the encompassing All. Some view the Gods as aspects of the God and the Goddess, the dual force that moves everything in the universe. However, since Wicca is very dynamic, our beliefs are as varied as the flowers in a garden.

Personally for me I believe that every Goddess and God are aspects of Nature that they represent. They are as different as every people you see on the streets, each with a different portfolio, a different personality. They can be as flawed as the aspect they represent or as erratic as the forces they manifest. Some of us are manifesting "Eclecticism" in a very liberal way that we call or summon the Gods carelessly in our rituals. One day you call on Athena to help you with your studies and the next day call on Hestia to help you with your cooking. The Gods are not help lines that you can call on anytime, especially different ones every time.

We all say that it is the Gods who choose us, therefore we must create a connection to the Gods we wish to work with. Calling on different Gods every time is very disrespectful to the deity, worst it is offensive. Its like you are in a mansion with different rooms, each room is a realm of a God. When you call them, "summon" them- is like knocking on their doors and asking them a favor. Some of them might open a peep hole, intrigue on who called, thus giving power to the spell. Some will just ignore you as they do not even know who you are.

Our connection to the Gods is a relationship that we build overtime. It would even take years to have the Gods take interest of you unless one specific God/dess took interest of you, then it will be Them who will reach out to you. If it is you who seeks Them out, it takes years of devotion and reverence for Them to even look at you and consider to bring you into their wing. Think of the monks and the priestesses of the old ways, they spent decades of their lives to seek the favor of the Gods they serve. It would even take them very long to hear their reply. The belief in the Gods is not like a catalog that you choose who will work the best for you more likely it is the other way around. We do not summon the Gods and we do not force them, it is Their will if they choose to answer us when we call.

I watched an episode of Supernatural, then the war of the Jewish Gods affected the entire world and the Gods of the old world are drawn into the conflict. They needed to meet and discuss that they need to do in order to stop these two Powers from destroying the world. I really was amazed with how Supernatural presented it (even though it has a very Christian undertone), when the Gods met to discuss what is needed to be done to finish the conflict. We always think that we are doing the right thing, without thinking about the feelings of beings other than us. Maybe we need to be sensitive to everything around us and start respecting these forces that move the world.

Respect and be respected.

image from the net

A year or So...

2011-02-27T22:41:00.000-08:00

I have been in Davao for more than a year... almost a year and a half. I have experienced excitement and boredom sometimes on the same day. I have meet a lot of people, magickal and otherwise and I found some of them pleasant...most however, are not.

I have been looking for some friends here in Davao that can fit in my life. A lot came and most of them disappeared that fast too. I have met to some of the most talented and most mundane individuals that one can think of. Some gave me really bad experiences, but most (thankfully) gave me pleasant memories.

Another year has come and I am still optimistic that everything will work well. Especially with my baby Miggy. This is a very scary stuff for me since this person is really young and painfully cute. The kind which a lot of people (women and otherwise) wants to have. There is some fear that bothers me since I know that there are a lot of people that wants us to part, probably so they can take their chance, hence FB Comments and text messages commenting about how we are not "Bagay" and he looked too cute for me. I am very worried with such comments and "observation", self confidence is not one of my strengths.

I am still hoping for the best though, hoping for better things to continue and better opportunities to come. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Pull the Curtain Back

2010-12-01T23:11:00.000-08:00

To a lot of people, it is a belief that this world is not just made of this physical/material plane that we see. Majority of us believe that there is a hidden world, hidden away from mortals by a curtain invisible to most. This world (or worlds- depending on who you talk to) sometimes overlap on this reality on certain spots and on certain times. There's the world of the spirits which is the world of ghosts of the dead and there is also the world of the "Shining Ones" and the elementals. All of these are hidden behind the nigh-impenetrable barrier called the Veil.

Some people are gifted with natural abilities to pierce this Veil. Some just trained hard to look to the Other Side. Vision is not the only sense that can be enhanced to look beyond this reality. There are people with the ability to hear, smell, taste and feel these entities from beyond. We Filipinos are rather gifted with the ability to feel these beings from beyond since I think we are just so connected with the Natural/spirit world. We have a lot of Filipino "Espiritista", "Albularyos" and "Mangkukulam" each claimed to have connections to the Other world.

I think the ability to pierce this Veil is enhanced by our awareness that this world outside our own exist. With our natural affinity to sense these worlds beyond our own, training our senses to feel these beings would really help people who are into this field to effectively communicate with them. With the ability to communicate with these beings, a psychic/medium can learn a lot of things from beings who are not bound by the laws of time and space. They can give us information about things that we won't normally know. However, we must be very careful as some of these entities are also capable of lying.

*** pic from the internet

Arcana: Davao

2010-10-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

It has been a while that I am practicing alone here in Davao. So many things to share to people interested in the study of Metaphysics and Esoteric. Last September 21, 2010, together with some of my friends from work we created Arcana here in Davao. It is an organization that yearns to train and educate people who are interested to walk the path of the Mysteries. We live by the rules of Knowledge, Magick, Camaraderie and Truth above all. We are still looking for members here in Davao though since a lot of practitioners here are solitaries...

A Time of Disbelief...the Waning Goddess in the Philippines

2010-09-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

What makes a person Wiccan...?

Is it a plastic covered 500+ peso book from National Bookstore penned by a shady author of ill-refute? Or probably a 1000-peso silver Pentagram from a stall in SM City? Or probably bottles upon bottles of dried herbs for potions and concoctions.... I say all of these might be a slice of the pie, but this doesn't make you a Wiccan.

The last time I was in a place surrounded by a lot of Wiccans was in Manila. Where there was some of the most "devout" brothers and sisters of Faith congregate and held festivals to honor the Gods in their grandeur. I have also experienced in Cebu a gathering to discuss spirituality and a trip in the outskirts of the city just to gaze at the majesty of the Moon while sitting around a bonfire expressing our thanks to the Goddess. I was awed by the response of fellow Wiccans in my hometown once they have heard of a plan to have a Coven in our small but Catholic dominated city.

But this was a time in the past, as the worship of the Wiccan Goddess here in the Philippines is waning. How can I say this, when there are a lot of kids and teenagers alike claiming to be a Brethen to the Old Ways? It's simple, they are drawn to the Craft by the mystical allure of magick. In Davao where I am at right now, I have known some Wiccans in the city and for the past year, we have gathered, shared some insights and celebrated some rituals during Esbats and the Sabbats. However, the pull of power diverted their attention to the more "visual" power that other practices can give, in a span of a month or two, they have changed their religion as easy as they change their clothes.

A lot if not majority of the new Wiccans in the country are in the Path just because of the power that they can get out of it. Instead of asking me about a certain Goddess or God to honor and dedicate themselves, the normal first question that I get is "How can I make my crush fall in love with me?" When you tell them that they need to "Know themselves first." and ask for a sign from the Goddess that calls them- they would randomly pick a name from any mythology book they could find (the more unique, the better) and claim that they are a follower of the Deity. And when you ask them to know more about that Deity, they would often scoff and then vanish probably on the 4th meeting. That's a better reaction that you will get though- try to tell them that they are not allowed to cast spells for a year and a day and they'll be gone faster than a free sandwich in the pantry during break time.

A few years back, I met a lot of practitioners. Each claiming to be a part of the grand design, a mystical tradition and a potent bloodline. Sad to think though that these people would vanish as the years go by. Probably they are still thinking that Wicca is a thaumaturgy-based practice thus "low magick" compared to the more strict and codified theurgy or "high magick" of Kabbalah, Enochian Magick and other Ceremonial Magick path. Wicca in its primary sense is a religion, a our faith to the Gods give us the ability to influence reality via our manipulation and sending of energies. These effects are done with harnessing the ambient and neutral mystical forces of the elements, the moon and other celestial bodies, the elements and the Gods Themselves. The Craft of the Wise can be codified and utilized in a myriad of ways too, it is just as powerful as any Mystical systems, can be as complicated and elaborate as any ceremonial Paths. The key in achieving this primarily rely on your connection with your Gods, that is why I teach my students to embrace the will of the Gods first, connect with the Divine and everything will just follow.

It is sad to see promising Witches move away from the Path of the Wise. It might be possible that their higher selves are calling them elsewhere, that is understandable knowing the nature of seekers. However, the event that makes me feel bad are those potentials who stop and rebuke the Path all together. They will just be there, test the waters and then evaporate altogether after their "Thirst for Knowledge" is placated.

I know there is a grander design in all of these events. Probably the Gods are just waiting for an auspicious time to call Their Children into the Fold once more. If that will happen anytime soon, I will be here waiting as always ready to impart my minuscule knowledge in the Craft to help them start their journey in the Path of the Wise. I hope this will happen soon enough.

by: Felyx Wolfsbane Serpentmoon, AP

Pontifex of Hecate and Ianus

Mystae- Tenebraean Tradition of Wicca

Pic: from Mage: the Ascension, Tradition Book: Verbena'

Devotion to Her who is All

2010-09-01T01:08:00.000-07:00

The Goddess they said is ALL. Nothing yet everything. Faceless yet with many Faces.

The Goddess religion, Wicca is one of the fastest growing religion in the world. Even here in the Philippines, a "Christian" country, Wicca is slowly showing the Filipinos the Path of the Old Ones- the Path of the Wise. This could be attributed to the animistic nature of the Filipinos whose pre-Hispanic beliefs are shamanic in nature. Here plays the Babaylan practices of the Filipinos whose beliefs in the existence of spirits residing in everything can also be found in the basic beliefs of the Craft.

My devotion to the Goddess Hekate is a lifetime commitment. It is probably even a devotion that spans multiple lifetimes, a lot of them I don't even know. Devotion to a deity, a Divine persona is very evident in all civilization since time immemorial. Even early humans has a divinity that they believe in. The sun was at one time viewed as God in some culture, even until today it is still viewed as a personification of the God in paganism. Believing in the Divine is the way early humans tried to explain those unexplainable things in Nature. Those things that they cannot explain is done by a God or even is God.

In my 15 years of practice, I have met friends, witches, pagans who walked with me in the Path of the Goddess, but sadly left the Path for a different one. Not that I would question how the Divine would sway them or how they would view the face of their Gods, I would still wonder why they would not stay in the Path.

Religion is truly a choice and worship is indeed between you and your God or Goddess. It is a personal connection between you and your God/dess which no one could really understand or fathom. It is also an expression of your beliefs and connection to the Divine aspect you wish to follow and revere. The expression of religion may be different but it is still operating on the basic practice of expressing your appreciation and belief in the God/dess that answer your prayers. May it be in the trappings of a Catholic Mass, a Wiccan Ritual or a Egyptian worship- everything is the same- it is reverence to Yahweh, to the Goddess and to Isis or Ra.

Devotion is really a choice. It stems from the work "devote" meaning to give your time and probably life to someone. Devotion to the Goddess and the God should be the center of the life of a Wiccan. Wicca should not only be a practice of magick, nor it is a "quick fix" like a lot of Wiccan authors imply. It is not even a "stepping stone" to other practices and religion. It is a unique and a legitimate religion and practice where the "Divine Duo" is the center of the Craft. It is not Magick who is the center of Wicca, it is the Gods who are the center of it- and as a Christian Song stated- "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and everything shall be added unto you..."

I understand the reasons why Wiccans transition to other Paths or beliefs. It might be possible that they are not comfortable with the practice of Wicca, they are not contended with the things they see or they feel that they do not belong. However, I still believe that your connection to the Gods is just a matter of devotion. It is as grand as a Ritual with perfect Ritual regalia and a fully marked Circle with perfect correspondences, to as simple as whispering a blessing over a plate of food. It can be seen too in the lifestyle of the Witch. We just need to remember that the Gods must be revered and worshiped. They are beings that we need to connect on a daily basis. Remember that they are not shrinks that we visit whenever we just have a need.

Devotion is a process, a very slow one and it really takes a very long time to connect to one Goddess or God. It takes years, a lifetime or a several lifetimes to get a favor of a God. Some of us feels that when a God or a Goddess will not answer our petitions, we change them- which is erroneous. How would someone open a door for you, if in the first he or she does not know you?

Picture from: http://luna-noire.livejournal.com/tag/hekate

Lughnasadh by the Sea

2010-08-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

Its August 1, Lammas or Lughnasadh- one of the four major Sabbat celebrations for Pagan everywhere. It is the time for Thanking the Gods for our "Craft" and since it is also the time of the first harvest- we need to harvest the magick that we planted for the entire year.

Here in Davao, I have met some Witches and even though we have different Paths we meet together celebrating Sabbats and Esbats. We went to Toril, a place here in Davao by the beach called "Blacksand". Here, we started to prepare for the Sabbat.

We gave our thanks and respect to the Gods, Craft spells and celebrated our bond.

Litha and my 15th Year Anniversary

2010-06-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Litha or the Midsummer, a Sabbat which happens during the Summer Solstice- June 20-22. This is the time when the God reached the peak of His manhood. The sun reached its peak and the power of the God is at its highest. This is the time when the Sun is at its strongest and the day is at its longest.

Fifteen Years ago in Iloilo, an aspiring Wiccan dedicated himself to the Gods. It was just like yesterday when I started to "formally" walk the Path of the Gods. I have collected knowledge and skills along the way and I have followed the Gods in every way I can, without doubting and stopping my practice.

Today, June 21st 2010 I am celebrating my 15th year as a Witch. During this time, I rededicated my devotion to the Craft and to my Matron Goddess- Hekate and my Patron God Janus. I promised to continue my work to honour the Old Ways, collect Secret Knowledge and to devote my life in the Practice of the Craft.

Litha and my 15th Year Anniversary

2010-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

How to be a Wiccan in the Philippines

2010-06-02T02:42:00.000-07:00

Wicca, a religion that originated in Europe is now being practiced here in the Philippines- a predominantly Catholic and Christian country. As a revival of a pre-Christian nature religion, Wicca is closely tied to nature and has practices and beliefs like our pre-Spanish animistic Babaylan practices. But how does one practices Wicca here in the Philippines? That is the topic that we will discuss here.

1. The Sabbats- The Wiccan Sabbats or Holy Days are tied up to the seasonal cycle in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring, Autumn and Winter are all seasons that we do not have here, however we must remember that wherever we are in this world, we are still affected by the natural cycles. We still can feel the changes in nature as the season arrives, so even though we do not experience these seasons first hand, we still are affected by the ebbs of power that moves the Wheel of the Year.

2. The Gods- The Gods that we normally believe and worship are beings from different European and or Asian pantheon. Though we have Deities here in the country, it is difficult to look for materials that record the Filipino Gods' information- Feasts, Sacred Days etc because the pantheon that our Ancestors worship vary from island to Island. When it comes to the foreign Gods, there are a lot of materials written by ancient scholars about the worship of their Gods, while here in the Philippines it is mostly practiced in islands and localities and are the worship is mainly transfered by word of mouth. However, I believe that no matter what name we Worship the God and Goddess or whatever image we picture them in our minds, these are just aspects of the same Divine Mother and Father we are worshiping so it is not much of an issue.

3. The Tools- Vervain, Asafoetida, rue, Dittany of Crete, Lavender and other herbs are used for spells as written on Wiccan Books sold in bookstores around the country. Normally these herbs are found only in the US or in Europe and it is very difficult to get hold of the plant here in the country. These plants thrive in temperate climate and since the Philippines is a tropical country, we are lucky to find a plant of the same genera here. In my practice as a witch, I would normally rewrite spells and dissect rituals to match the materials and tools that we have here. For a Witch that stays here in the country, there are some occult shoppes that sells imported herbs for a high price. Or, we could just go to the groceries and grab jars of McCormick to use for spells. The best thing to do though is to look around us, for there are herbs and plants that are even more effective than what is written on books.

4. The Rituals- A Wiccan Coven in the US could just celebrate or do their rituals in parks near their vicinity. Since they are an accepted group in their country, they are protected by their laws under Freedom of Religion and are allowed to practically worship everywhere. In my experience as a Wiccan here in the country, we would normally travel hours outside the city to celebrate Sabbats and Esbats. We would go to some secluded beach or mountain just for us to Worship the Lady and the Lord under the guise of an outing. It is very difficult to do rituals in open especially if there are a lot of people passing since they would just label us "Kulto (cult)" without even trying to know what we are doing. To avoid this kind of hassle, you could do rituals in your own backyard or in your room and if you wish to really do the rituals outside, go to a secluded part of the beach or on the mountain top to worship.

5. The Religion- Since we are technically born and bred Catholics or Christians since birth, it is a struggle to practice a religion that is "condemned" by the Christian faith. No matter how we distance ourselves from the Christian/Catholic belief we cannot just shove it away. Majority of the people around us are Christians and they are not entirely open to a son/daughter-brother/sister who worships the Moon and the Sun. Now how do we explain it to them that we are Wiccans and we worship Old Gods- well for in my opinion- you don't. Now some may react violently to the things that I wrote here, but we need to remember that even though we need to be very proud of our Practice and Faith, Wicca is also the Path of the Wise. We must be wise enough to discern people that we share our beliefs with. If you are an open Wiccan, you must be able to explain and defend the Craft, should you be asked about it. The more people knows about it, the more we need to explain, so I think it is better to keep it- To Will, to Know, to Dare and to Keep Silent. Just respect their Faith and in time they will also respect yours. Again Wicca is not a religion for people who are angry with Jesus and God the Father. This is not a religion that will serve as a sanctuary to those who hate Christianity and is disgusted by its practices. It is a different religion with different belief structure and structure. So if you decided to be a Wiccan just because "Papa Jesus" did not give you your crush, better stop now.

There are still a lot of things that needs to be discussed here but I think these five are the most important topics to talk about. However, here are some tips I can give you to make the Path easier to tread in this Christian country.

- be Proud that you are Wiccan, but do not attract attention. If you want to wear a symbol of your faith, make sure that it will not attract attention. It is okay to wear a Pentacle, or any pagan symbol but it is not okay to wear a Pentacle the size of a saucer.

- Share the faith only if you are asked to and not broadcast it to anyone you just met. If people are asking why are you wearing that symbol (ex. a Pentacle) tell them that it is a symbol of your faith, and when they ask answer.

- Wicca is not synonymous to wearing Black. We are common people- tax payers, workers and the likes. If you are a Wiccan, it is not required to wear Black however, if that is your "Fashion Statement" you are entitled to do it just try not to over do it and tell people that you are a Witch that is why you wear Black.

- Lastly, study and read books about the Craft. The more knowledge you have about it, the more respect you can get. Then the people around you will acknowledge that you are really serious about your Path and it is not just a "phase" in your life.

Live and Learn, Know More and Seek. Vivere, Scitor, Discere!

Picture from the internet

5 Reasons why Teens want to become Wiccan...

2010-05-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

In our society today, there are a lot of teenagers (13-16) who claim that they follow an ancient Path of the Goddess. These teens sports around their black outfit, dark make-up and a plate sized Pentacle telling people that they Witches and a high priest/priestess at that-after reading a book on Witchcraft.

When I was younger, Wiccans are not that many in the country. There are a few people who follow Wicca as their religion since the internet is confined on internet cafes at 60 pesos per hour. I could still remember a phase in my life where the Gothic fashion enticed me, however, I did not relate the Gothic fashion into my Wiccan faith. For me, there is always a distinction between the worship of the Gods and the fashion statement.

Times really changed, with the advent of information technology and easy access to online materials more and more teenagers are lured by the call of the magick and the fad that the movies and TV series created.

Now lets list down five possible reasons why teenagers nowadays:

1. They are fascinated by magick- Teenagers experience a lot of problems; from love, school, their parents and peers etc. to make one's problem disappear is a lure that is really hard to resist. If one is able to do everything with a snap of his or her fingers, then it is something that these curious teenagers would like to try. Even though they do not have enough knowledge about the operation spells and magick they would be very glad to summon whatever god from the pits of Tartarus to get what they want.

2. Peer Influence- Teens nowadays are very sociable age group. They operate by packs and think using their own collective consciousness. When one dresses up with one style, everyone in the pack follows. That is the reason we have teenagers who develop their own pop culture- fashion, hair style, tattoos and piercing as well as interests and "practices." If one in the "collective" expresses the interest in practicing magick, almost everyone will follow without even knowing the consequences of their actions.

3. The IN Thing- Over the internet, the television and the movies, Witches and other magickal practitioners are always depicted as people who has control over the elements and the forces of both creation and destruction. Most of the time though they are portrayed as crazy (Nancy from the Craft) or just outright evil ((Morgan Le Fey). For teenagers, being a popular is also a concern especially during high school, when only the pretty and the popular "exist". These teenagers probably thought that being a Wiccan would make them fit into the crowd.

4. Power- With magick comes power. The power to control people, the elements and the best thing of all, destiny is perhaps the greatest lure of all. Many of the "Wiccans" that I knew before are into the power. To get even with their enemies and punish their foes. With the knowledge they learned, they can fend for themselves against those people who offended them. The control people with Power is a very tempting to ignore.

5. an Act of Rebellion- Though not always the case, some of the teenagers who are into Wicca are doing it as an act to rebel to the system, parents and religion. While exploring different spiritual paths is always a very rewarding experience, to do this out of rebellion doesn't really make it fulfilling.

While not all teenagers are into Wicca for the reasons mentioned above (because there are always sincere Seekers), majority of these teens who "practices" the Craft would tire out of it after a few months or years at the most. The reason for this is they have explored the practical side of the religion, the spells and the rituals rather than the spiritual side of it. Some of them are also unguided and would continue with their practice without a mentor or a teacher to assist them therefore "dabbling" into the Sacred Arts.

Without the foundation of belief, the philosophy that governs the practice, and the reverence and worship of the Goddess and the God all "Wiccan" practices that they do would eventually vanish. When the need is not that great or the magick does not work anymore.

Seek first the Path, tread on its crossroads and brave through it in Darkness and in Light. In the end of the journey, you will see the Goddess and the God welcoming you in the Mysteries...

Art by: Jillian Atienza, Concept by R.F Rubin- Mysterium Philippines

The Rites of Her Sacred Fire...

2010-05-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hekate is the Goddess that fascinated me since I was younger. Not just that She made Her presence known but there was this one time that I actually "heard" Her tall me something. This 27th of May on the night of the Full Moon, Witches and pagans around the world who revere and honor Hekate will light the Sacred Fire in honour of the Great Goddess.

During this night, we will light the fires to declare our Devotion to the Goddess. I will make sure that this will be a "big event" even though I will salute Her myself. For the Goddess, I know that my prayers and supplication will reach Her.

Lustful Month of May

2010-04-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Beltane, one of the major Sabbat in the Wheel of the Year. This is a fertility and fire festival where the lines of power are renewed with the powers of fertility. During ancient times, the priest and priestess will celebrate the Great Rite in magickal power centers to charge the lines of power with fertility.

In the Old Days, fires are lit and the great rite is done. During this celebration, able men and women look for their partners to spend the night with. This night is also full of revelry as dances, drums and songs are evident in all Beltane celebrations.

This is also the time where the maypoles are erected. As a symbol of fertility, the maypole is traditionally carried by men to the venue where the hole is located. The women would then guard the hole and attempt to protect the maypole from entering the hole. After a few moments, when the maypole was successfully entered to the hole, they will secure the maypole in place and the participants will grab a ribbon and dance around the maypole for fertility.

This time, the Virgin Goddess and the Horned One will make love and when they do, fertility will explode in an orgasmic show of life. During this month too, where we can observe the explosion of life and the blossoming of flowers around us.

This is also the time of the faeries since the flowers are blossoming and it is said that the faeries could be seen dancing in the faerie rings under the light of the moon.

In the Philippines, this is the start of Flores de Mayo, where kids venerate the "Virgin Mary" by honoring her with chants and a shower of fragrant flowers. Ladies in the municipalities and cities compete to the title of the Reyna Elena, where only the most beautiful woman can get. It is like the battle between the Spring Queen and the Winter Queen in the olden times.

I would celebrate this by honoring the Goddesses and Gods of Nature by offering them flowers and wine plus nuts and food. I hope I have someone to celebrate this Blessed night though.

Dayang Dayang

2010-04-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to enjoy my Davao stay, well I have travelling to thank since it removed some of the boredom I felt a few weeks ago. I have enjoyed my trip and with some co-workers, it was one of the best trips ever...here in Davao.

We left for Talikod Island (where the resort is located), Saturday April 17 at around 1PM, We rode one "lantsa", a ferry boat and travelled for about two hours going to Dayang Beach resort. It was remarkable- blue waters, white sand beach and small but private resort. We occupied one duplex unit in the resort. The resort is very nice- electricity, 2 electric fans per room, a sala and a mattress for a bed.

For 50 pesos, we had the caretaker cook our viands and for 30pesos per kilo, the rice. We had a very good time during the remainder of the day as we swim, and relax while listening to the waves. I took a lot of pictures during that trip and the pictures I took reflected the magnificent scenery of the place.

That night, the members of the team had the Miss Bora-cat Dolls in which the girls talents and beauty were judged. It was really fun and the booze really got me. Early that morning, I went to the beach to capture nature's beauty with the soft morning light. Around 1PM we traveled 13 kilometers on a motorbike to Isla Reta, a resort located on the other side of the island. It was a perilous journey for 20 minutes where we tread on cratered dirt road. After we arrived in Isla Reta, we waited in the pumpboat that would take us back to Davao. around 3PM, we traveled for two hours on wavy seas to the port of Davao.

Till another day...

Check the pics on my Multiply and Facebook Albums...

Thinking about Things...

2010-04-09T00:26:00.000-07:00

Thinking of what is happening here in Davao... in our company and our account, makes me think really hard... The city is becoming more and more interesting because I have some people that I can go with everywhere. My plan is to go to towns outside Davao City. Just to travel and take pictures.

I hope I get to meet other people here in Davao that are really interesting. Especially those people who has the same interest with me.

soon...

From Samal with Love

2010-04-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

After 6 months of staying here in Davao, I finally got to go to Samal Island. It is a tourist destination here in the area with white sand beaches and fancy resorts. It is an hour ride from the city via ferry.

Last Easter Sunday, I finally decided to head there. Without any plan or anything, I just went to R. Magsaysay wharf and purchased a ticket. The ticket to Kaputian is 50 pesos one way, and the "lantsa" that we rode left after an hour or more. There are specific time that the boat will leave for the island.

At around 1PM, we arrived at Kaputian wharf. The place sad to say did not really met my expectations since I have been to a lot of really beautiful beaches- Boracay, Guimaras, Bantayan island and some others I cannot remember. The sand in Kaputian is not really "maputi" and the place is also dirty with plastic bags scattered around the beach.

The resort that we went was cute though. It has a lot of cottages (huts) and the place is really affordable. The water is also great, however the problem was the depth. It is really very deep even if it is just a few meters from the shore.

There were also some people selling souvenirs inside the resort and at a very affordable price. it's cute and really inexpensive.

Around 3PM, the vendor told us that if we wanna go home we need to register and buy tickets because the ferry boats are quite limited and would leave for Davao at a scheduled time. We failed to get aboard the boat that leaves at 3:30 but we managed to get on the 4PM special trip.

The 4PM special trip went to Sta. Ana wharf in Talikod Island and we dropped by Isla Reta. This is nice since we have the chance to see other resorts, the thing is, the trip took a lot of time though,

The trip was fulfilling since I took a lot of pictures and I was also with some friends. A very memorable trip indeed.

Pictures of the Samal Trip here:

Bad Day... Bad News!!!

2010-03-24T03:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a bad day. I am tired and I cannot sleep because of the news that I received. One of my friends from my former work was KILLED... Killed not out of hate or revenge, he was killed out of nothing... Sometimes I really appreciate criminals being found dead on street sides. I cannot really take this out of my system because he was a friend for almost 3 years. To learn that he died out of another man's or men's tripping is too much to accept.

Another bad news??? One of my trainees in PCCI before was just diagnosed with a Stage 1 Leukemia Tuesday. I was really surprised because this trainee is very close to me. She is also a single mom who does not have anyone to support her. Get well soon April...

I am really bugged by these news. making me think that life is too fragile and fleeting that anytime it'll just leave you... I need to find ways to avoid this, at all cost.

In Memoriam:

Wildy T. Tidula

June 9, 1984- March 20, 2010

We will Miss you Tids...

Haunted Places in Davao

2010-03-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

I have not heard of any haunted houses or places here in Davao. One of my officemates told me that the there was a haunted house in Matina, I want to do some investigation to really prove that the place is haunted or it is just some gossips.

I was told by some of my officemates that there are ghosts in our office, though I have felt some presence I haven't seen them in action. I will start my documentation of haunted or "mari-it" places here in Davao.

I looked online and I got an address- Juna Subdivision on Champaca Street. This I will check!

Ostara's Blessings

2010-03-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

After my Sunday Shift, I went to San Pedro to have dinner in one of the food courts located on that place. I discovered that there is a night market on San Pedro beside the Davao City Hall. I bought some pants on one of the stalls and tasted some Kwek-kwek in one of the "cleaner" food carts there. I also bought some of the offerings for the ritual there.

I went home and prepare for Ostara. I put the straw

mat on the floor and did the ritual. I asked for healing and prosperity as well as protection and fertility.

The Davao Night Market:

The Feast of Ostara:

When your Watchtower of the West is the Atlantic and mine is Mount Madia-as

2010-03-20T02:57:00.002-07:00

The Cardinal Points of the Wiccan Circle, one of the most important part of casting a circle for magickal purposes either for protection or containment. This has been very puzzling to me since in the traditional sense, the summoning of the Guardians of the Watchtowers calls upon the elemental guardians of the directions.

As you’ve noticed the traditional elements that correspond to the directions are; Earth for North, Air for East, Fire for South and Water of the West. However, I am very confused about this since when I looked around our city the East is not the rice plains or the South are the mountains; we have the beach in the East, a volcano in the West, the North are the rice fields and the South and mountains in the South West. Does this mean that I need to call the elements in their “traditional” directions or will I work with my surroundings and the energies that they are emitting?

Wicca is and will be a Nature religion, and the Craft always coincides with the energies that the place is giving. The traditional Wiccan elemental directions were created due to the positioning of the elements in relation to their specific directions in the place where the Craft originated (Wicca for that matter). This does not always apply; see for example the elemental direction created by the Chinese, in which they have five elements- Earth, Wood, Metal, Water and Fire and its corresponding place in the directions. If you will observe, the elements correspond to the placement of an elemental source (mountain, seas, forest, etc.) in China.

Still I would suggest that as Wiccans we need to be a very keen observer of our surroundings and not just a follower of the books. The Goddess speaks to us in a language that we only understand, and sometimes She speaks to each one of us in different voices unique to each individual. Do not limit yourself, always believe your instincts. Remember that the Wiccan Path was created for the practitioners in the West, that is why some of the herbs and plants in recipes in the books are alien to us… (foxglove, henbane, belladonna, lavender anyone?). The Goddess always provide, ask Her what you need and look around, the herb that you need for casting your luck spell might just be around the corner. Be aware of the plants properties and energies. Trust the Goddess and believe.

-photos from the internet

When Lemon Peels turn Yellow then Black

2010-03-20T02:57:00.001-07:00

Is there such a thing as coming of age in this time? I believe that young people’s sexual awareness during this very liberated times are very active especially when porn and other adult materials are easily accessible on the internet and almost everywhere. This is why teen sexual “revolution’ happens too fast and the result of this is a steady increase in the number of teenage mothers with no capacity and ability to raise their own kids.

Being sexually active is not really the problem. I think the problem is the understanding of the consequences that comes after the act. Remember that we are beings which urges and those urges when suppressed will not really cause a very good result. That is also the reason why we need to give teens things to do, distract them from the calling of their “libido” so they can redirect this amazing source of energy into something else. This would make the very creative and they would really accomplish a lot of things.

There are also times when a child would do a mistake and the parents would then condemn this teen to the cage of marriage. I do not think that parents should force their daughters to marriage just because she has a baby. They should not confront the problem with another problem. Parents should let their kids decide, because even though they are minors they should be asked what they want to do with their lives. After all it would be the daughters who will stay and live with the guy and her mother-in-law and not the parents.

As early as now we should inform our kids about sexuality and sexual responsibility. This is not the 70’s or the 80’s where the mere mention of sex would send shudders to the spines of parents. Do not under estimate your children because they are more intelligent than you think. They can understand and grasp the information you are telling them. Tell them about all of these as frankly as you can and as simple as you can. Do not tell them about storks that carry babies down the chimneys or of God sending babies on clouds… do not insult your kid’s intelligence.

-photos from the internet

Of Power Failures and Facials

2010-03-20T02:55:00.000-07:00

My Saturday was really messy and chaotic. I was planning to go to the gym this morning; however I was having this what I call a “lazy fit” where I am just too lazy to go somewhere. I opted to stay in my room and just write some stuff in my blog. It was about 1PM when I was getting ready for my scheduled facial appointment in HBC NCCC Mall, when suddenly everything turned dark and hot. There was power failure again and since my room is an oven especially during lunch time, I went into the restroom , took a bath and hurried to the mall.

The mall’s air conditioning is a welcoming feeling especially in a very hot day. That is why a lot of people go to the mall today not just because of the hot summer season but because of the rampant power failure as well. I went straight to HBC to have my facial. After 30 minutes or so, the facial was done and I feel clean.

The next place that I visited was Booksale. I was still looking for occult books and some pocketbooks, however as it is scarce and difficult to find. I saw one of the books that I took interest in, one of the old books from the Babylon 5 series that tells the story of the PsiCorps-anyways it’s not really that interesting however, a nice book for 15 pesos is not a bad deal.

I am writing this entry in the foodcourt of NCCC Mall, while watching the Wiccan Documentary called G1 Witchcraft. It is a documentary created by Bathara from the coven Tribu Majika Eclectica. I saw some familiar faces and heard some familiar answers like Wicca is a way of life. I hope that some of the Wiccans stay in that way of life their entire lifetime and the next. The documentary about the Craft though some of the people in the documentary gives a verbatim answer from books and from the internet. I really applaud the answers given by Marangan, one of my friends from the group.

Wicca or the Craft again is a personal religion, though there are pre-existing traditions and schools of magick it is still up to the witch or the Wiccan how he practices his Craft and how he communes to his Gods.

photos from the net and tribumajicka.multiply.com

Glee Forever

2010-03-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Maris asked me to watch this series. This is called Glee, a series that shows the story of high school outcasts who found friends in the Glee Club. I could really relate to the story of the series because I too was a high school outcast. Not belonging to the "IN" group- not with the varsity players, the socialites, and the uber intellectuals.

The story of this series talks about high school students who are always the focus of pranks by the "popular" crowd. They would be humiliated by receiving splashes of frozen soda on the face, thrown into the dumpster, trapped into a portable restroom and others...just because they are either paraplegic, fat and black, gay and fashionable, Asian and stuttering and an over acting Jew scene stealer.

This series tells us that if you have the talent, show it. Do not be discouraged even if people would look down on you. They are just doing that because you have something that they don't have.

I am waiting for the second season of this Series. Glee rocks!!!

As the Stars move, the Rice Stalks sway in the Breeze

2010-03-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

"We all come from the Goddess and to Her we shall return,

sand and sea, sea and stone. All that died shall be reborn!"

-Goddess Chant

When I was younger, I was really fascinated by the stories told by the old people from our hometown. The practices of the Craft is again very different in the perspective of the rural farm folks especially here in the Philippines. It is rather different compared to the practices of the witches of the west, even though the basic concept is the same it is quite different in the point of view of the Filipinos.

The magick in the Philippines is more shamanic in nature. Where Persian magi looked at the skies for portents in the movement of the stars and planets, our babaylanes listen to the chirps of the crickets in the fields as well as the whispers of the wind. I have experienced this "mystery" when my grandfather told me that the wind can tell you if rain is coming. We were walking one day on a dirt road going to our house and suddenly he told me that rain will come tomorrow. I asked him would he know that rain is coming and he told me that the wind told him.

As the ceremonial magickians of the West calls upon the powers of the angels and the demons, my grandmother who is a farmer and an oyster harvester would ask the assistance of faeries and the "tag-lugar" or the "Tamawo". These unseen folks are a part of the daily life of the people in Dumangas, Iloilo- my hometown. We normally offer food without salt, fruits and rice in small caves and mounds that can be found around our place.

As clergies wrote their observation and rituals in the books and grimoires, our old folks would transfer their knowledge through stories and lullabies. They would do this not in classroom or in any alchemical laboratory but tell their wisdom to the younglings under the mango tree by the ricefields as they drink "tuba" or coconut wine or "anisado" or rice wine they call vino.

The magick that they practice could be called thaumaturgy or low magick since they practice the Craft for everyday use- blessing the food, healing, fertility and abundance in the harvest, safety in fishing, growth of the fruit trees and protection from malevolent "tag-lugar" and "aswangs". Though the real "Babaylan" tradition has been infected with the Christian belief, some of the rituals are still in its pure form-without the Latin incantation to the Holy Trinity or the Holy Spirit. It's just a call to the wild- to the spirits of the forest and caves and the master of the place.

As a follower of the Wiccan faith, I could still connect to the old Ways since its a part of my being. I may worship a Goddess or a God from a different pantheon, very far from our country but the magick that I follow is still our own. I am a Wiccan since I think it is the nearest religion that coincides with my Goddess centered belief. I think my embrace of the Old Ways, our Old Ways could help me connect to the forces and beings that live in our sacred land. however, it is very difficult to do this since the Craft of the Filipinos are fragmented and almost forgotten. I hope i will have the strength and patience to endure, and i ask the Goddess to give me more of these.

Pictures from TravelBlogs and Negros-Occ.gov.ph

In The Coming of the Spring...

2010-03-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

"On the either side the river lie,

long fields of barley and or rye.

That clothe the wold and meet the sky,

and thro' the field the road runs by

to many towered Camelot."

-Loreena Mckennit, The Lady of Shalott

Spring is coming, well in some countries where there are four seasonal changes. Here in the Philippines there are still debates whether a Filipino Wiccan needs to celebrate the coming of the Vernal Equinox. Some of the Wiccans here in the Philippines that I have talked to or associated myself with would tell me that they do not celebrate the coming of spring since we do not have spring in the Philippines. I understand their concerns about this and since Wicca is an evolving and a very dynamic religion it varies from place to place and time to time.

Spring can be felt everywhere, whether you are high in the mountains of Nepal or down south in the Antarctic. Life stirs in the bowels of the Amazon and in the sand dunes of the Sahara, as it is the same whether you are a Witch from the US or a Wiccan here in the Philippines. The energy that is brought about by the coming of the spring is constant and IS felt anywhere you are in the globe.

The Vernal Equinox is called Ostara or the Feast of Eostre. It is traditionally celebrated on March 20-22, depending on the actual coming of the equinox. For Wiccans, we celebrate the coming of the spring by thanking the Goddess for the coming bounty. Fertility abounds during this time as the Earth releases the energies of growth and creation which were frozen when the world hibernates last Winter. Normally the appropriate celebration during this Sabbat is welcoming the coming of the first light of the sun. In some parts of the world where ancient giant observatories like the Stonehenge and the Tor, pagans celebrate the coming of the spring by visiting these sacred ritual sites.

Here in the Philippines, since we do not have (or have not yet discovered) ancient observatories which mark the movement of the planets and the stars, we celebrate our rituals of spring by offering flowers and painted or colored eggs to the gods.. I would normally design boiled eggs and give it to friends for prosperity and fertility. I remember when I was in Iloilo that we had this celebration in the cafe of a friend, where we colored eggs and offered it in one of the magickally active part of his arts cafe.

A Philippine Wiccan would either be seen celebrating this lesser Sabbat under the crescent moon (well the moon is crescent last night) or inside his room (like in my case) infront of his altar and in the presence of the Gods.

In a country where Wicca and other alternative religion gives you a one-way ticket to Hell, it is difficult to be yourself and practice the faith that everyone should be entitled to. However, as I have always said- the Gods are everywhere, be it in the wide wold, in forest and glens or even in a cramped room where urban witches live.

In the Carnival

2010-03-19T09:03:00.002-07:00

Friday, it is my restday today and all I do is just stay at home. I needed to go to the office to get something and after I did all the things that I need to do I went directly to the mall. NCCC Mall is one of the biggest if not the biggest mall in the city. I ate my favorite meal which is noodles and mongo sprouts with shrimp siomai and watermelon-pineapple-apple shake from Thirsty. I looked around the mall and went into HBC and bought some vanity products- a bath soap, Grid Zero Lightening Starter Set for men, OHM Heat Cologne Spray and Body Recipe Calamansi Roll On and Sunflower Facial Cream Stick... with these I get a free facial treatment tomorrow at 1:30...yey!

I went into the grocery and bought some things for my daily consumption- tuna, Coke Zero, Skyflakes Fit, some peanuts and cheese. I was going out of the mall when I was attracted to the lights of the nearby carnival. I see the rides almost everyday on my way to work and I haven't really checked the place. I paid the 20 pesos entrance and with my camera, I took some pictures of the rides which I posted in my Facebook. There were stalls with games like the Color Game, a Shooting Range, a couple of videoke machine and some of our all time favorite rides- Ferris Wheel, Rollercoaster, Bumpcars and some others. I did not have the guts to ride probably because I have a bag full of groceries with me or just because the rides are expensive at 50 pesos per ride.

After staying there for 15 minutes, I went home eating the Nestle Yogurt that I got from the grocery.

Carnival Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=155203&id=737442522

Time Moves Fast...

2010-03-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

The first few days that I arrived here in Davao, the place seem to be great. I was really excited to roam around in the largest city of the country, however after a few months of being here and moving here and there everything became so boring and all the same.

It's been six months that I have stayed here in Davao. So far so good and I am regularized here in the company that i am working. Though I am not really satisfied with the scores that I got because i feel that I deserve something higher, it is okay just to have the perks and the privileges of a regular employee.

Will I stay here in Davao or will I leave? I will probably stay here in the meantime...

Thirsty for Thirsty

2010-03-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

I'm not into buying shakes and all especially if it costs more than 20 or 30 pesos. However, there is something that I really like to drink and that thing is Thirsty. You see a lot of Thirsty stalls in almost every mall around the country and it is really easy to spot them because aside from their signature green theme, you will see a lot of fruits in their stalls.

There are a lot of flavors to choose from too... the first one that I really liked was Watermelon-Carrot. It was a very hot day and I dropped by NCCC Mall in Matina, Davao.I want to try putting in watermelon in my shake because i really loved the taste of Fit and Right Watermelon. Carrots are really nice in a shake because of vitamin C and its beta carotine which is anti cancer.

The next thing that I tried was Apple and watermelon which is as refreshing as it is yummy. I also tried their Pineapple-apple and watermelon which is a very good combination which cleanses your kidney and your bladder. This is the one that I really want and I am having every time I am in the malls.

They sell diet shakes too for an extra 5 pesos. Really nice.... hehehehehe!

Araw ng Dabaw 2010

2010-03-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! At last a "major" festival here in Davao. I heard that it is not as grand as the Kadayawan Festival but in this city which is very "silent" this is a huge event. I will go out tomorrow and take some pictures if i can find anything good to photograph. i know there are some actors and concerts here, however I'm not really into it. I would rather see some cultural events instead of watching these overly sensationalized actors and actresses being soo cheezy with each other.

What is really the celebration all about... I got this from the official Araw ng Dabaw website- www.arawngdabaw.com. This is an article from Macario D. Tiu, Author of Davao: Reconstructing History from Text and Memory and a Winner of National Book Award 2005.

Who should control Davao, the Japanese or Filipinos?

This may sound a silly question today, but this was the hottest issue that raged in Davao in the 1930's that eventually led to the creation of Davao City.

During this period, the then undivided province of Davao, which had a capital town with the same name, was the biggest producer of abaca in the world. Abaca as well as coconut plantations sprawled all over Davao Gulf, with the Japanese practically controlling the entire industry.

Despite laws restricting foreign ownership of land, the Japanese managed to become the largest plantation owners in Davao. They were able to achieve this by using dummies to buy land for them, by marrying local women, particularly with datu lineage, and by renting land from local landowners.

By the 1930's, Davao was completely under the control of the Japanese. Their economic clout made them politically influential. They had their own schools, hospitals and road networks. The biggest concentration of the Japanese was in Guianga Municipal District, centered around Mintal. Their population continued to grow, reaching 17, 900 by 1939.

As Japan was a growing world power, having defeated Russia in 1904 and annexed Korea in 1910 and Manchuria in 1931, fears were raised as to the real intentions of the Japanese in the country. During the 1934 Constitutional Convention, Davao delegate Pantaleon Pelayo Sr. denounced the control of Davao by the Japanese and their unlimited acquisition of land. The presence of the Japanese in Davao had now become a national problem.

On March 16, 1936 Davao Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo filed Bill No. 609 or Commonwealth Act No. 51, An Act Creating the City of Davao. The City of Davao was to be formed by combining the capital town of Davao and the municipal district of Guianga. This made Davao City the largest city in the world with a territory of 2,244 square kilometers or 244,400 hectares.

As the creation of Davao City was intended to break the control of the Japanese, the Act stipulated that its officials would be appointed by the President of the Philippines, instead of being elected. It was believed that in elections, Japanese-supported candidates would win, thus entrenching Japanese power in Davao.

On October 16, 1936, the bill was signed into law by President Manuel L. Quezon. The following year, on March, 1937, Executive Proclamation No. 132 was issued that formally organized the City of Davao.

It was during the term of Mayor Elias B. Lopez that the celebration of the foundation of City of Davao was made a week-long celebration that culminated on March 16.

Today, Davao City is the most progressive city in Mindanao and is considered the most livable city in the country. Foreign investors and visitors are all welcome, but the city is under the firm control of Filipinos as its founding fathers had intended.

Photos from: www.arawngdabaw.com

Gadget Freak...

2010-03-19T09:00:00.002-07:00

Who says people with less money cannot collect and buy gadgets.... gadgets are not just for people with a lot of money. If you save and be wise enough to look for things that you need, I think you could get the gadgets-affordable enough with very good specs and would fit your needs.

I collected some gadgets ever since I started working. I bought stuffs not very expensive but are very useful. I remember the first phone I actually bought was a Nokia 5110i at a whooping price of 7k. After that I have bought a lot of mobile phones, gave it to my siblings and them losing it.

The latest things that I have are the following... and I am really proud of myself getting them, out of the blood and sweat of working all night.

One of my students stole the P990i that I purchased last 2008 and since I do not have enough cash to buy a very nice phone last year I settled for something inexpensive and classy looking. I bought a Motorola A3200 which is a china phone. It is a touch screen phone with dual sim and 2 megapixel camera. The sound is really nice too and it is equipped with a 2-gig memory card for music. The worst thing about it is the moment it has a problem, it's difficult to have it repaired. Right now, its broken because the touch screen is not functioning. I only use it to listen to some music and take some pictures. This one has to go...

The next one I got of the stuffs I have with me now is my notebook. Its an Acer Aspire One which I got from a family friend. She swiped it for me and I am still paying it. I like it coz it is small and compact as well as having everything that a laptop can offer. It has USB Ports, large Hard Disk, a 1.3 built in webcam, Intel Atom Processor, built in microphone and it is fast enough to process everything. The thing I don't like about it though is its battery life because it just battery life is just about 4-5 hours and it's dead.

Since the Motorola phone is out of commission, I need a smart phone to use and it should have all the things that I need of a smart phone. It should have a very nice camera, can connect to WiFi, touch screen and the music should be good. I got this Ericsson P1i, which is one of the best Smart Phones ever. Maybe that is the reason why it was phased out of the market because of it's reasonable price and functionality. It has a 3.2 Mega Pixels camera with a flash, touch screen with a fully functional QWERTY key, WiFi capacity, easy data exchange, PDF Reader, Excel and Word, Infrared and Bluetooth and a lot more. This is a great phone and I am not willing to give this one up. I am really satisfied with it's performance.

Next on the list was my SUN-Phone since I gave my N3230 to my sister Mimi for her Birthday. It was an old phone since I bought it in Cebu when I worked with People Support last Sept 2006. Since I don't have a phone to house my Sun Cellular Sim Card, I need to have a phone that is affordable and easy to use. I bought my Nokia 2650, a colored Flip Phone which is handy and efficient. It is easy to use and I used it for texting and calling. I bought it from one of the booths in one of the malls here in Davao and I believe that it's one of those re-conditioned one. Anyways, the only thing I do not like about it is the batteries, which are drained very fast. it only lasts for 2 days.

I got another phone from Globe which was included in their Plan 800. It was from a booth in the office by Globe Telecoms because I think they have a partnership with the company that I work with. Another reason why I got this plan is to have a billing statement here in Davao for future use. It is a Samsung M3510 Music Ed Phone. It has a very nice 2 Megapixel camera, easy access to you're music files and volume control. It comes with a 1gig memory card, however, I purchased a 4 gig memory card to accommodate my music which ranges from World Music like Loreena Mckennit, Enya, Blackmore's Night to musicals like Evita and Glee. I believe that I really got a good deal for this phone and I am really satisfied of it's features and functions. The texting part is not that good though...

I have been longing to have a fully functional camera especially a DSLR since one of my dreams is to be a Magazine Writer and Photographer. DSLR has a lot of features and is used by amateur and professional photographers. You can easily manipulate the pictures, focus and zoom in and out. The price is a whooping 20k and up and i do not have enough cash to buy that now. I went to SM City Davao and i found out that there are some pretty good camera's on sale. I was thinking between Samsung and GE Digicams. The Samsung cam has 10.2 MP, 3x Zoom and well a "Beauty Shot". The reason I got this GE A1050 is because it has a panoramic shot which is very useful especially because I really love to travel. It also has a decent 10.1 MP and a whooping 5x Zoom. It is also easy to share the pictures and it has a 2 gig memory card. The only thing that I do not like about this is it's battery which is a Double A. Luckily it has a battery charger included for free.

I am constantly upgrading the gadgets that I have and probably I will have more of them in the future. For now, I am really contented with what I have... For now!

Twitting with Twitter

2010-03-19T09:00:00.001-07:00

Hi! Boring day today, I just stayed at home and i am trying to rest. However, I am still wide awake and I have work later at 1AM. Having nothing to do, I am really intrigued by Twitter so I decided to have an account. I dunno why I registered. Maybe I am just curious and I do not even know how to tweet.

I'll try it though...

Japanese Food...

2010-03-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Since I was bored with my life here in Davao, and I thought that it was really time to change it. I decided to watch a movie in SM City. I was thinking of watching Daybreakers, but after reading the reviews saying that it is just another Matrix Movie, I decided to watch Percy Jackson and the Lightning thief. It was good, though not really as good as I expected it to be, I saw a film that I think will be worth watching- Clash of the Titans!

After the movie, I felt really hungry and since I miss eating Japanese food since Mau and Mike left Davao- I entered Rairaiken without even thinking. I ordered a Kantomen something and California Maki. The Kantomen (merienda size which is big) costs Php. 99.00 and 4-pieces of California Maki cost Php 67.00 and when you order this combo you get a free small iced tea.

The food was fine, however it does not have the taste that I was looking for. Since i was eating Tadakuma Ramen since I arrived here in Davao, I could really say that there is a huge difference in the taste of the food. The Ramen was blant, you really need to mix some spices to make it suit my taste, unlike the food from Tadakuma which is just right-taste and all.

They also gave me the California Maki without soysauce, which I think is an ingredient to make the sauce of the Maki. Rairaiken's service stinks too, you need to really stand and look for the waiter to ask for the soysauce. One thing that I also hate about their service is, they remove the plates from your table even though you're still not done.

Here are the food from Rai Rai Ken...

TADAKUMA'S FOOD:

Sick Again

2010-03-19T08:58:00.001-07:00

Waah, I'm sick again. I dunno what is happening to me lately, I am getting sick most of the time. Is it stress or just the result of working late at night? Lately my blood pressure has been very erratic since last week it was very high-150/110 and this week it was very low-90/50. I also take vitamins and rest if I can, taking naps most of the time.

Is it the effect of the change in climate and the coming in of the year of the Tiger, since I know this lunar year, my health will be affected by the influence of the planets and the stars. anyway, I just need to rest.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

2010-03-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

2010 is Year of Tiger and it will arrive on February 4, 2010. Many people must be eager to know they have better luck in the coming year than 2009. Here, we want to use Chinese Astrology Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) theory to explain people fortune in 2010 and foresee what will be happening to them in year of Tiger.

According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2010 is the Year of Metal Tiger . Gold is related to Metal and money. People who like to talk about wealth will say that 2010 is a Golden Tiger year. In Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) theory, the color representing metal is White. Therefore, we also can say that 2010 is the Year of White Tiger. The White Tiger is connected to the symbol of jinx in China history. Some Chinese might consider that 2010 White Tiger is a bad year.

Chinese Astrology is a Balance Theory of Five Elements. Each animal can be converted into Five Elements. Tiger contains Mainly Wood, Fire and little Earth. Wood and Fire together will make Fire stronger. Metal is afraid of Fire and Metal is also against Wood. That means Metal and Tiger together will fight each other, which implies 2010 won't come quietly and peacefully. We can image that 2010 is a Tiger wearing armor. This Tiger doesn't like armor on the top its body and keeps jumping around. For safety, we should keep our distance from it. That's why many Chinese don't like White Tiger.

Tiger has the potential to become vigorous, ferocious and cruel. So Tiger is a symbol of power and authority. This kind of personality is good for the leadership. With the inflexible and destructive personality, Tiger has very poor people relationship, especially, with family members. In traditional customary, Chinese family don't invite people born in year of Tiger to involve private wedding ceremony.

From the Chinese Astrology theory, Tiger has Fighting and Hurting Relationships with Snake and Monkey. Therefore, people who were born in year of Snake or Monkey will have unpleasant events happening in 2010. In Fact, as long as your Chinese Astrology Birth Chart contains Snake, Monkey or Tiger, you will have the same issue.

Before predicting your luck in 2010, you have to know what Type of Element you are and what your Lucky Element is from your astrology birth chart. The Lucky Elementis the major factor to determine people's fortune. 2009 is the Year of Brown Earth Cow. Cow contains mainly Earth. Therefore 2009 is a very strong Earth year. If people's Lucky Element is Earth, then they should be very lucky in 2009. If Earth is the unlucky element, then they might be miserable in 2009.

2010 is the Year of White Tiger, which contains Metal, Wood and Fire. If your Lucky Element is Metal, Wood or Fire, then 2010 will bring you some degree of luck. However, Wood can help Fire to burn, and Metal and Fire are opposite elements. If your Lucky Element is Metal, then Wood and Fire will be unlucky elements. If your Lucky Element is Wood, then Metal should be an unlucky element. This tells us that most people will gain some and lose some in 2010.

Reposting from: http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com

Imbolc 010

2010-03-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

One of the most Sacred Time in the Wheel of the Year, the feast of the flame in honor to the Fire Goddess Briga or Brighid- a warrior Goddess and the Matron of the arts.

For us Filipinos, this Sabbat is best associated to the Feast of the lady of the Candles. In Iloilo, it is one of the biggest feast in our city and perhaps in the entire country. It is the celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Mary in the aspect of the Lady of the Candles.

For the Filipino Pagan Community, we often celebrate this by making Brighid's Wheel and lighting up candles and bonfires. We would also burn spells this night and would dress candles and do candle magick.

Here in Davao though, it is difficult to look for people that you can work with. Since, there is no group that I can celebrate with last Imbolc, I did a simple ritual to honour the gods.

FIVE MONTHS and counting

2010-03-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Davao, in almost five months of staying here is beginning to bore me to death. The lifestyle is really simple, not that I do not want a simple life but I have tried my best to look for things that would interest me. I have spend some time in looking for books, one of the hobbies that I haven't let go and I would continue on doing perhaps in the coming lifetimes.

Its just like yesterday that I got off from that airplane from Iloilo City. I could still remember the revulsion that I felt when I inhaled the scent of Durian in the fresh Davao air. How I giggled when I mispronounced the names of places like Sasa and Mintal.

I still think that I have not fully enjoyed my stay in Davao, since the only places I've been to are the malls and the office. I haven't even been in the bars (except for a couple of times with my officemates), haven't watched the movie except New Moon in one of the theatres here in the City.

One of my disappointment is the ever-postponed trip to Samal Island, the island that Davaoenyos is so proud of. It is their own version of Bora. I have plans to go to this island and it is as always postponed. One reason is I hate to go there on my own and probably the other reason is I'm just to lazy to even attempt to go there.

The Davao stay is not 100% boring though. I have met a lot of people and made some friends with most of them. That is one of the things that I would cherish in almost all the places that I stayed and visited so far.

Till then...

Another Boring Month

2010-03-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

January is supposed to be a very good month for me. First it is my birthday month (and that does not make me very happy) next it is the start of the new year, hence a sacred month for my Patron Deity-Janus.

I am quite enjoying my job, except for some people that I do not really like (they're almost everywhere). In my job; the environment is really great, the pay and incentives are quite fine, the schedule is okay even though it changes as often as i can remember. The consolation though is training. If I handle a training class, it really fulfills my desire as a teacher, even it is just that simple.

January just passed and I feel that my spiritual practice here is so lame. I haven't even done any major rituals since I'm either beat or just do not have the time. The magickal community of Davao is very silent-or it is just because I am oblivious to it.

My new year's Resolution is to be healthy, more healthy. I am currently back at the gym and since I started I lost about 6 lbs already. I also want to grow root here in Davao and connect with some practitioners from this place.

I hope I can keep up with my resolution...

Another Boring Month

2010-03-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Another Boring Month

Samsung Corbyville

2009-12-26T10:17:00.001-08:00

Samsung Corbyville

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Starting Again

2009-11-24T01:46:00.000-08:00

Im here in Davao for almost two months now. The place is great and right now I am looking forward to start a new group, not an entirely new one but just a branch of the Iloilo group. I have been looking for Wiccans, Pagans, Psychics and other Metaphysical Path students that I can work with. I have scoured all the online sites that could lead me to the practitioners here in Davao or even just the interested folks that are dedicated in studying these things. I hope i can find people that share the same interest with me.

A Simple Samhain...

2009-10-31T15:40:00.000-07:00

October 31st, the highest Sabbat of Witches and Pagans alike. The All Hallows eve or called Samhain is the celebration of the final harvest. It is the final transition of the world, from a fruitful and bountiful Autumn to a cold and frozen Winter. For Witches, this is the time where the realm of the spirits overlaps our reality, especially in some places that the Veil between the Worlds is relatively thin, the spirits of the dead and faeries alike are free to meet up with the mortals on this very special eve.

Magick is known to be very powerful on this sacred eve, that is why rituals and spells are done this night. A lot of Filipino pagans would either head to the mountains or beaches to celebrate the Hallows Eve.

The burden of transferring to another place is the fact that you wont be able to move everything from your old home to the new location. This is the problem that I faced since I moved to Davao. Most of my books,my tools, my robes are not with me. It's also hard to celebrate the Sabbat without a circle since this feast is usually celebrated outside the house and under the light of the silver moon. Since we are witches, we then would improvise things and since I have a lot of things that I cannot do and gather here in Davao, I celebrated the Sabbat alone in my room, skyclad.

Bane, what's with the name???

2009-10-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

Since I was young, sad to say I really don't like my name. It sounds simple and common that I am expecting to see an NBI Clearance a month after I applied for it since there are just too many hits. When I assumed my Craft name, I was happy since in this way, I was able to get away from the name that my grandmother gave me.

Michael means "He who is like God" from the rhetorical question "Who is like God?" implying that there is no one like God. This name came from the bible of course, from the Archangel Michael leader of the Heavenly army and Patron of the Warriors.

Now why Cael?

This is just a shortened version of the name my Grandmum called me which is Mikha'el... she uses the German pronunciation of the word.

Since my name is so common as it is a derivation of a lot of names in the world- Mike, Mikhal, Mikhail, Miguel, etc. I want it to be different...thus Cael...which in Irish means slender...

Faeries Crossing

2009-10-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Weird dreams have been plaguing my mind lately, some are meant to be forgotten but others stick to your mind that you could still recall them moments after you wake up. Others are retained even to the entire duration of the day. Lately, I was informed by friends that there are people who are pulled to the dreamscape often and were presented by dreams too weird that we can't give explanation to them and accept them as what they are.

I had one of these weird dream episodes last night. The first dream that I had, the scene was in some island near the sea, where I was with a guy friend (who among them, I don't know) and there was an elemental hunting us, the dream was not clear but I remembered riding a boat and jumping into the water and swimming to the safety of the shore.

The next dream that I have was with a girl friend (I knew that I know her, but I can't remember again who) and we were walking along a forest path. There we saw faeries four or five of them. I told her that silver can protect her from them (and I know that Iron can, but silver...I don't know) she told me she has a silver ring given to her by her mom or boyfriend (again, I can't recall). I told her it was not silver then she told me she has a silver necklace but then, I saw that it was a fake silver. The faeries saw us and then attacked us (they are elves-tamawo in our language which makes them human like- size, features and all) then there was an old man with a staff who appeared before us and warded them off. He burned one of them who looks like the leader (all of them are women) and she was incinerated and the others scattered. The old man took a silver necklace from the faerie (ironic because I told the girl silver would protect her) and gave it to the girl. He told us to go on our way and I looked at the Path and saw weird symbols, gylph that are colored purple (light reddish, purple) and the old man was doing something to it (retracing or erasing it...I can't distinguish but I think he was retracing it to keep them in) he asked me if I know the person who laid the glyphs, I said I don't know and he said that the symbols are very old. I had this realization that the place was Davao...and i really don't know why... maybe because I am in this place now.

We continued to walk in the path and the girl wore the necklace. We passed by a house that was just ordinary, single story, wood and cement, bamboo fences- but there was a guy there that was standing by the bamboo tree and suddenly he sniffed the air and went after us. I told the girl to remove the necklace given by the old man and then reality shifted and we were in the real world. i don't know how I could go back and forth in the Other world but I can still see the guy standing near us sniffing but he was unable to see us. The girl then wrapped around the necklace on her left hand and it coiled and burrow through her palm. We walked out the road (it is in the real world now, not the forested path anymore) and we saw jeepneys passing on the main road.

I really don't know what these dreams are but it gives me a strange feeling that there is something going on in the Other realm. I do not know if it is a war or a battle against other Faeries or them against us since a lot of them have been crossing over by using the break in the Barrier and we don't know where these passageways are. Maybe sooner or later the Other Realm will overlap on the Real World...who knows.

**Picture taken from wetcanvas.com- a watercolor painting called Elves Chasm, depicting the elves chasm in the Grand canyon National Park...a Passageway maybe?

Depressed and Longing...

2009-10-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

Is this what you call homesick? I was working earlier and suddenly I felt depressed. I really don't know what happened. I know I have mood swings and everything, however the thing I felt earlier was weird. I felt pity for myself for the things that I am currently doing. Now don't get me wrong I really enjoy what I am doing. I even love the place I am in now that is why I am wondering what's happening to me.

I know that I haven't written that much in my blog. Im quite busy and I am always tired after work and all I do is sleep when I get home. I was in Jack's Ridge last Saturday night, the place is very good and it reminded me of Tops in Cebu. I was with Maris and her family and they really accommodate in their house.

Right now I just finished eating and I am listening to a wonderful song entitled "Lady of Shalott" by Loreena Mckennit and while listening it reminded me about the life in Arthurian times and how unfortunate the Lady of Shalott, cursed and locked in her tower.... but she dared and she went out of the tower and followed her love Sir Lancelot. This action lead her to her death...

I will definitely settle here in Davao, am just waiting for the right things to reveal itself to me. I hope I could still endure these feelings I am feeling sometimes....

My Sutherland Experience...

2009-10-03T04:14:00.000-07:00

Going back in a call center is a refreshing experience. It's been a couple of years since I left People Support in Cebu and I have been in the academe ever since. Sutherland Global Services is a new experience since I will not work there as an agent but a Communications Analyst. Technically, the work that I will have will focus more in supporting the agents in their jobs.

I started working Sept. 21, my orientation was from 11PM to 7AM. It was kinda hard at first since I am not used to working at night, I am sleepy come 3AM. However, my body adjusted to the job and right now I am functioning well.

I am glad to be here in Sutherland, even though it is in Davao.

First Davao Day

2009-09-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Davao 9:15 AM via Cebu Pacific where I paid an extra 1000 for my baggage. I was fetched by Michael, Gyudon's hubby. I was brought to the office and then transfered to my dorm. Luckily my dorm has a Wifi connection so I can stay here and log in.

I was invited by Mike for lunch in their restaurant, Takaduma. I was offered gyudon, which is very delicious. The food was very affordable and delicious, since it is really authentic Japanese cooking.

I went next to the the malls near our place. Gaisano Mall, or the G. Mall. It is a big mall where there are four floors. I also visited my friend's dorm, which was a hotel-like house. Too bad it is far and without cable and wifi...hehehehehe...

This is my first day in Davao...

Hello Davao...

2009-09-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

This is it.... September 18th. Finally the day to fly to Davao is here. I am very excited to go to Davao. It is my first time to travel south.

I heard a lot of good things about Davao: a very big city, with a lot of good sites to explore, great and inexpensive food, very good peace and order, and beautiful people. I was just so lucky to get a job there and I am planning to stay. I am just hoping that everything would go fine... Hello Davao...Iloilo you will be missed!

My Last Few Days...

2009-09-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

Iloilo has been a wonderful city and I am enjoying my last few days here in the city of love. Things have been memorable in Iloilo. Meeting people and enjoying their company leaves a very nice experience in my mind. Some people worthy of remembering and others not worth mentioning.

My last weekend here in Iloilo was worth mentioning. I spent time with my class, my bestfriends, my students and other people who could actually make me stay in Iloilo however they do not. They know about my wanderlust soul and my insatiable hunger for travelling.

Friday is coming and the Davao trip is fast approaching. I feel scared as well as excited. Scared since this is a new place to explore and I'm excited for the very same reason... I hope that this will be a great experience and a great adventure as well.... Cyah!

An Ode to Iloilo City

2009-09-09T13:49:00.001-07:00

I'm leaving Iloilo City again. I have been in Iloilo all my life and I have stayed in Cebu and Bacolod for quite some time as well. Being in Iloilo is quite OK, I mean I have my parent's house here, food is quite cheap and you can be anywhere in the city within 15 minutes.

Uloilo is quite boring nowadays. I came back from Cebu two years ago and I have worked here in the city since then. However, right now since alot of my friends moved to Manila the city is becoming boring and boring.

I will fly to Davao for a job on the 18th of September. I hope the city is as exciting as people told me it will be. Still, Iloilo ang banwa ko...

An Ode to Iloilo City

2009-09-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hekate's Supper

2009-09-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

Hekate, one of the most ancient and powerful Goddess in Classical Mythology. She is the three-headed Goddess of the Crossroads and Transitions. Hekate have been my Matron Goddess since before, as the Lady of my life She revealed Herself to me in a lot of ways.

Hekate has many aspects- the Terrible One, The Three-Form, The Lady of the Pathways, the Lady of the Night, Mistress of Magick, Queen of Witches, etc.

Hekate's sacred day is the Dark of the Moon, the end of the Month and August 13. As a Childe of Hekate, I prepared the Supper for the Lady. I prepared round cakes, honey, garlic, egg, cheese, and the apple added to symbolize the Goddess. I left this Supper at the crossroad where three roads meet, gave thanks and say my supplication to my Goddess.

This is a personal Supplication I want to share to all who walks the same Path as I am...

Gradiano Hekate, Nocticula. La signora della notte, Ill Camminatore dei percosi, mistress del saggio. Li imploriamo in supplication humble, camminata con noi nella strada trasversale. Conducali nella strada di magia. Autorizzili nella nerezza e diaci la resistenza...

Boring... again!

2009-08-26T20:24:00.001-07:00

Life is really boring, sometimes that it makes you think about spending your life elsewhere, away from this reality and world. Boring could be defined as the absence of something good to do. Something exciting and challenging to do, luckily I have friends that support me in times of these boring visitations.

The school is quite boring now, since a lot of students are gone. A lot of batches are done and the other classroom is empty, echoes now are present in the hallway. The classes that I handle right now are okay, aside from the few normal "pain in the ass" students, overall it is fun.

Sometimes, I think about running elsewhere again, dreaming of working and staying in Manila with friends or maybe fly to Thailand or Malaysia with former classmates. Iloilo is becoming boring and boring- no new exciting activities and relationships. Meeting friends too often also makes the relationship sour.

I'm planning to stay in Bacolod, or Cebu or Manila and Baguio with some of my friends, more and more friends moved to either Cebu or Manila, and here I am staying in the backwater town of batchoy.

I will just watch things unfold, Fate is planning something for me, something exciting and new.... and this I gotta see... Ciao!

Journey to the Veil... In Memory of Winton Lou Ynion 1981-2009

2009-08-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

Doing the catwalk just outside of the I-Pula room, with a pink fan and a shrill voice he would walk like a beauty queen...back and forth. I watched in amazement as this young guy solicit laughs from his classmates and would bow to the applause of the crowd.

Nong Winton as we called him before was a year my senior in UP High School. He was a bubbly character that would really call attention whenever he will pass by our room. That's the Manong Winton I knew and I remembered.

Its been a long time that I haven't heard a thing about Winton, the last time I saw something written about him is a streamer outside a university here in Iloilo City congratulating him about an achievement he did.

I heard from a friend that he won the Palanca Award. His writing prowess was known throughout the country as he collected citations and awards for his writing abilities.

It is now twelve years since I graduated UP High School, fifteen years since I last saw him. I heard on the radio that there was an Ilonggo living in Quezon City that was stabbed inside his apartment. It never occurred to me that it was Winton. I just heard the news that night when a friend from UP High informed me that it was indeed Winton who was stabbed and tied and killed inside the security of his house.

This bothered me very much since the crime happened inside the house and in a brutal way. If this is a robbery as the police said, then what is the reason why he was treated that way- butchered! There were also speculations that this was the serial killer who kills "gay men", if that is the case then the police should do something to solve this crime-fast.

I'm never really very close to Winton, all I remembered was the greeting "HI, Manong Winton!!!" that I used to say to him in highschool. I never knew his family, his friends, college classmates, boyfriends, lovers, exes or even the name of his pet if he has one. I don't have anything to say now that he is gone. I can't say that he was a good son, a good friend, a faithful partner just like his close friends would say. All I can say to the world about him is - JUSTICE for WINTON LOU YNION!!!

Rest in Peace Manong Winton... May the Gods carry you to the world beyond the Veil safely... Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!!!

The Rainbow Colored Parrot Squawked no More
by:Myke Parcia Pinto

Laced fan in your hand, swishing
You Slap your face with your breath
Giggling your signature laugh
while posing like a teapot

Walking back and forth, swaying
under the shadow of the kalachuchi tree
striding like a cat on the wall
head tall like the beauty queens on TV

Hair parted in the middle, gelled
wearing an oversized polo with the UP badge
you were a teacher's favorite
these are my memories of you

You are a parrot, a talker
showing your multicolored feathers proudly
Vocal with your feelings
you wrote with your soul

The Free Spirit, tied
mercilessly butchered and its breath taken
and After two decades and eight
The rainbow parrot squawked no more

Losing important things!

2009-08-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

August is a bad month... I lost my P990i and I really loved that phone. I got that from working my ass out, however it was the first Saturday of August my phone was stolen from me by a student. One of the people I actually trusted. The thing that I really don't like about it is the fact that all my contacts and business correspondences.

Today, I lost something valuable again to me... its my allowance for the entire 15 days... hayz, this is really a string of bad luck. The thing that I am doing now is to think that these things happen again for a reason...it is possible that the person who found it needed it more than I do!

Being in a state like this feels awful. The helplessness and the frustration that you feel, the sadness and self pity... however in everything that is happening, there is always a reason and normally it is a good one.... lets wait and see then.

Still...