Getting Incense

Cheapest: Dollar stores will probably be your best option for the cheapest price. You may not get the best quality or variety.

Quality: New age storefronts, head shops, and some department storefronts will have good quality incense for various prices. Many will have various types and some may be made locally.

Garden: A herb garden can be a low maintenance way of keeping herbs. Many can even be done inside, on terraces or balconies.

Useful herbs: Rosemary, thyme, dill, basil, sage, comfrey, camomile, ginger, hyssop, marjoram, saffron, turmeric, vanilla, frankincense, myrrh

In a pinch: potpourri and dried flowers can always be used instead of incense.

Muisc for your rituals

When looking at music there are general genres to look for. These include: classical, folk, folk rock, Celtic, medieval, chants, pagan, middle ages, Middle East, Russian, ethnic, world.

Online: When downloading music, it is best to look at the most ethical way to do it. There are various sites where you can purchase music of various genres and styles. Some sites are specific to the new age and pagan consumer. Some artists even will put their stuff online for free to download. Always check with the artists and be mindful of copy-write laws.

Great Sites for Music:

Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/+free-music-downloads/

Free music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/

Noisetrade: http://noisetrade.com/

Amazon Free Songs: http://www.amazon.com/Free-Songs-Music/b?ie=UTF8&node=334897011

Itunes Free Music: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/free/

Mp3.com: http://mp3.com/

Epitonic: http://www.epitonic.com/#/

Todd Alan: http://www.todd-alan.net/free-music-downloads.htm

Witchcraft Music- Pagan Music Resources: http://www.witchcraftmusic.com/paganmusicresources.html

Festivals: The best way to get some great music is to check out the local festivals in the area. You will be supporting local and newer musicians and get some great stuff.

Second-hand: Check your local thrift store for different styles and genres. Many will have great classical and folk music to buy. Also with the booming LP market if you have a player you can get some great stuff.

Getting Books

Electronic: a tablet, ereader or smart-phone can all be purchased so you can download books onto them. Many have apps with the ability to get free or reasonably priced books in down-loadable format. There are also various web sites with open-source material that are available. Where all that is needed is an ereader program of some kind. To get some ideas check out my page great websites for books

Best Bet: Many second-hand and local book stores will have a new age, wiccan or religious section where you can get reasonably priced books. Many times you can get some great finds. For a small list of books to buy check out pagan book resources

Exploring the warrior

I have come to know some warrior Deities in my experience of being a pagan. Each has come to me during a difficult time.

Athena: The first deity I every worked with. I felt her presence the first time when I was giving birth to my firstborn son. During that time I was just researching paganism in general. I was not fully on the path, but she knew I would have need of her. She came again when I was being diagnosed with mental illness. She knew I needed wisdom and understanding.

 

Kali: When I came across Kali I was studding the occult. She strode into my consciousness and never left. She is the one I use for spellwork. She helps me with my everyday battles.

 

Morrigan: I have used this goddess during rituals. I came to her as I was just beginning my path on Celtic-Wicca.

 

 

 



Using Statues

Many Gods and Goddess can be represented by herbs or flowers instead of statues. Many of those items can be purchased at local plant storefronts. You can also check antique storefronts for representations of your God(s). If artistic enough you can do a painting or carving of your God(s).

Tin-Foil Holders

In a pinch for candle holders? Don't have any to use? Try this handy idea to make a candle holder out of tin foil!
Follow these steps:

1. Take a piece of tin foil and wrap it in a circle shape. 
2. Take another piece and fold it into the shape of a saucer.
3. Poke a hole in the saucer form to allow the second piece to fit.
4. Glue in place for extra security.

Honoring the Ancestors

During Samhain it is the traditional time to honor the ancestors. The veil between the worlds is thin. Some say you can even commune with relatives from beyond.  Here are some simple ways to get in touch with those relatives.

1. Light a Candle-You may wish to use a natural made candle. Have it burn all night
2. Leave an offering-a favorite food and drink of a relative. Place it on a plate and leave on a table.
3. Say a prayer-say something to remember your ancestor. It can be a song, a poem, chant, or just words.