WELCOME to the Edge of the Circle Newsletter. This newsletter has come about as an effort to reach out to the Pagan/ Occult community (particularly in Seattle where we are based) to inform the community of what events are happening at our store. Without further ado, welcome, and enjoy.
Regards, Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler, Editrix- golanv1@yahoo.com
WHO WE ARE: Edge of the Circle Books is Seattle's resource for Paganism & the Occult. This newsletter seeks to provide the Seattle community with a place to list events, post articles, and do a bit of networking.
Edge of the Circle Books strives to be your ideal Magical Pagan store.
Open 7 days a week, Noon 'till 8pm.
Call: 206-PAN-1999
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We are also now on Facebook:
Become a Fan, post your event on the discussion page!
Also on Facebook: THE SEATTLE PAGAN, OCCULT AND METAPHYSICAL RESOURCE BOARD has been created in order to facilitate networking throughout the Pacific Northwest. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000179343332589/
If you have a Magical Group, Ritual Group, Pagan Church or organization, Druid Grove, please feel free to post your events and classes here.
Meet-ups, talks, book signings, public rituals, etc—all are welcome here.
We'd prefer no advertisements for Professional Readers, Reiki practitioners, etc. However, if you are teaching a class, or giving a workshop or talk, feel free to post your event.
This group is specifically for sharing events of interest to the local community, it is not meant for discussing magical paths and traditions, or asking general questions about magick or paganism. Please remain civil, do disparaging posts about groups or individuals. Off topic posts WILL be moderated.
..and check out the Edge’s new TUMBLR Page!
REMINDER: We buy used Occult Books! Our buyer is in on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays!
CLASSROOM/RITUAL SPACE IS AVAILABLE-- PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS!
No charge if your class or event is free!
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Prices subject to change without notice.
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Goddess of Witches
by Courtney Weber
Paperback, 224 pages
Red Wheel Weiser, Weiser Books, August 1, 2021
List Price: $16.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
“Courtney Weber’s accessible workbook is a solid primer on ways to call on the well-known goddess.” —Publishers Weekly
"Hekate: Goddess of the Witches is the perfect crossroads where three different roads meet: historical, mythological, and magickal. Courtney Weber preserves the rich and often confusing history of this complex multi-named, many-faced deity, while also incorporating her into a practical and modern witchcraft practice. Throughout these pages, you will learn how to connect, honor, and petition the ancient torch-bearing Titaness of witchery with beautifully crafted and soul-stirring spells and prayers." —Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation
Learn the myths and legends behind this beloved goddess plus practices and suggestions for making Hekate part of your spiritual path.
Courtney Weber (author of Brigid and The Morrigan) offers an informed, accessible journey through the lore and history of Hekate, the ancient goddess of crossroads, ghosts, and witchcraft, and reflects on Hekate’s relevance today. Tools and techniques for incorporating this goddess into your personal journey round out the book.
Similar to her other works, Weber strikes a balance between the scholarly and the spiritual. Her exploration of Hekate combines solid research with practical, modern applications. The spiritual content is accessible to anyone with an interest in witchcraft, regardless of their faith or background.
Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Hekate, exploring original mythology, historical context, and contemporary connotations, concluding with spells and personal rituals. The final chapter is a grimoire full of rituals, offerings, and other practices designed to help readers align themselves with this extraordinary goddess. The book also explores magickal ethics, what it means to be a witch in the twenty-first century, and best practices for successful witchcraft.
Courtney Weber is a Wiccan priestess, writer, tarot adviser, and activist. A tarot reader with nearly 20 years’ experience, Courtney produced and designed Tarot of the Boroughs, a modern tarot deck set in New York City, composed of original photography. She is the author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess (Weiser, 2015). She has been published on Huffington Post, The Wild Hunt, in Circle Times magazine, and elsewhere.
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OCCULT BOTANY
Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants
by Paul Sédir, Translated with commentary by R. Bailey
Published by Inner Traditions
List Price: $55.00
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A classic text on esoteric traditional herbalism from one of the most influential herbalists of the Paris occult revival
• Includes a dictionary of nearly 300 magical plants with descriptions of each plant’s scientific name, common names, elemental qualities, ruling planets, and zodiacal signatures, with commentary on medico-magical properties and uses
• Explores methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian “transplantation of diseases,” ritual pacts with trees, the secret ingredients of witches’ ointments, and the composition of magical philters
• Explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis, plant physiology, and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures)
Merging the scientific discipline of botany with ancient, medieval, and Renaissance traditions of occult herbalism, this seminal guide was first published in French in 1902 as a textbook for students of Papus’s École hermétique and sparked a revival in the study of magical herbalism in early twentieth-century France.
Author Paul Sédir, pseudonym of Yvon Le Loup (1871-1926), explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis (the esoteric origin and evolutionary development of the plant kingdom), plant physiology (the occult anatomy of plants), and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures). Unveiling the mysteries behind planetary and zodiacal attributions, he provides readers with the keys to make their own informed determinations of the astral properties of plants. Moving from theory into practice, Sédir explores various methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian “transplantation of diseases,” the secret ingredients of witches’ ointments, and the composition of magical philters.
In the third section of the book, Sédir offers a dictionary of magical plants that covers nearly 300 plant species with descriptions of their astral signatures, occult properties, and medico-magical uses. Compiled from an array of rare sources and esoterica, this classic text includes a wealth of additional materials and supplemental charts and diagrams drawn from Sédir’s occult colleagues, all of whom adopted and expanded upon Sédir’s pioneering system of plant correspondences.
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PRACTICAL ALCHEMY :
A Guide to the Great Work
by Brian Cotnoir, James Wasserman (Introduction), Foreword byRobert Allen Bartlett
Weiser Books (July 1, 2021)
Paperback, 160 pages
List Price:$16.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A concise guide to the history, theory, and practice of alchemy (the “great work”)—the art of working with the energies of nature for spiritual development, healing, and transformation.
Alchemy is a means of understanding and working in concert with the energies of nature for spiritual development, healing, and transformation. In this book, Brian Cotnoir offers a step-by-step introduction that explores alchemy’s mysteries while illustrating its use as a modern spiritual system of attainment.
He provides an overview of the history of alchemy, from the first meldings of Egyptian technology to the Middle Ages—the golden age of alchemy—to contemporary techniques. He demystifies the relationship between alchemy and chemistry, and provides evidence that alchemy is much more than a medieval form of psychotherapy. The guide also includes practical laboratory experiments that safely and intelligently lead readers to an understanding of this ancient art and spiritual practice.
Provides step-by-step instruction for beginning a practice in alchemy
Explains the theory underlying the art and science of alchemy and how it works
Demystifies the relationship between alchemy and chemistry, while going well beyond the “psychological interpretation” advanced by nonscientists
Introduces the practice of alchemy to students of the Western magical arts
This book was previously published as The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy. This new edition includes a foreword by Robert Allen Bartlett, author of Real Alchemy.
Review:
“The famous Swiss physician and alchemist, Paracelsus, said that Alchemy is the art of separating the pure from the impure, the true from the false and that is what Brian Cotnoir has done for us concisely. If you are new to the study of Alchemy, or even if you’ve been around it for a while and need some additional guidance or inspiration, this is a book for you.” -- From the foreword by Robert Allen Bartlett, author of Real Alchemy: A Primer of
About the Author:
Brian Cotnoir is an alchemist, artist, and award-winning filmmaker. He was a contributor to Frater Albertus’s Parachemy and has presented workshops and seminars around the world on various aspects of alchemical theory and practice. He is the author of Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter and translator of The Emerald Tablet.
James Wasserman is a lifelong student of esotericism. His writings include The Mystery Traditions and Aleister Crowley and The Practice of the Magical Diary. He lives in New York City with his wife, Nancy.
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Pagan Portals
ARTIO AND ARTAOI:
A Journey Towards the Celtic Bear Gods
by Andrew Anderson
Publisher: Moon Books (July 1, 2021)
Paperback: 120 pages
List Price: $10.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
'Andrew Anderson leads us on a pilgrimage into the wild forests of our Ancestors in search of the ancient Bear Gods of the Celts. With some fascinating historical and cultural references, plus useful modern resources and tips for ceremony, this fabulous little book is a wonderful introduction and guide to working with Artio and Artaois.' ---Philip Carr-Gomm, author of 'Druid Mysteries'
Out of the Forest of Time come two Gods for the Twenty-First Century. Join Andrew Anderson as he makes a pilgrimage to discover more about the ancient Celtic Bear Gods. Weaving together archaeology, folklore and spiritual practice, this book pieces together the evidence to create a clearer picture of who Artio and Artaois were and how they can be honoured today. The journey will take the reader from the medieval city of Bern to the depths of an English forest, from the Rothar Mountains in Germany to the Highlands of Scotland, from the slopes of Glastonbury Tor to the rocky headland of Tintagel. With voices from an array of practitioners and experts, this is a journey back to the very beginning of human belief.
About the Author:
After trying a number of spiritualties, Andrew discovered Druidry in 2013. He is currently studying the Ovate grade with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Andrew is a freelance English and Creative Writing teacher, and is training to be a celebrant. His passion lies in working with the spirit of place, and he spends a lot of time in the nearby Cotswolds. Andrew lives in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
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ITALIAN MAGIC:
Secret Lives of Women
by Karyn Crisis
Publisher;Golden Bough Books, October 31, 2020
Paperback, 406 pages
List Price: $39.99
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Looking for the meaning behind your Italian grandma's rituals?
Curious about their source and wondering if there's more to the story?
Seeking magic beyond what the Romans wrote about in fragments?
Wondering why no one can seem to find the mythical witch cults?
This book will answer all these questions and reveal a groundbreaking view into the hidden world of rural Italy
the ONLY pervasive holistic system of daily sacred magic indigenous to Italy and her islands, whose traditions existed in all rural communities regardless of cultural influences.
In these communities:
magic was the daily medicine - women were the sole operators of magic
people lived an entire way of life in accordance with the cycles of nature and the energetic laws of the universe.
the spirit world was as real as the earthly word
psychic language was spoken in parallels
shamanic inheritances received from spirits were handed down for generations between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons.
This lifestyle, whose threads of connection go back to the domestic goddess temples of ancient Europe, began to die out in what Italians call the deculturalization of the 1950s. Here, midwives and healers took care of their families and communities.There were no hospitals nor medicine. Romans wrote about these traditions existing before them, and they live on in fragments among most Italian families.
This is the source of masculine conceptual magic that became popular in the middle period.
Astral travel, cord-cutting, psychic illness and physical symptoms, fertility trees, euthanasia, spell-breaking, birth and death rituals, amulets and more can be found in these many pages, keeping in mind that this collection is only a small glimpse into a much more detailed way of life.
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SPINSTRESS CRAFT:
Magick for the Independent Witch
by Leslie J. Linder
Llewellyn Publications (July 8, 2021)
Paperback: 304 pages
List Price: $19.99
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Rise Up and Reclaim Your Feminine Power...
This inspiring guide is a rally cry to find your true, unbridled voice through magickal practices and modern spirituality. Written for all womxyn—a term encompassing those born biologically female, transgender women, and nonbinary people—this book shows you how to rock your identity and unleash the magick that comes with it.
Leslie J. Linder presents the spinster archetype in a brand-new light, transforming her into the spinstress—a strong and confident figure who has evolved beyond the expectations of the patriarchy. This rousing guide gives you an arsenal of meditations, spells, rituals, rites, and blessings. Discover potent magick for boosting self-esteem, beauty, love, and money. Explore techniques that empower your passions, nurture creativity, and inspire activism. With Spinstress Craft, you'll be confident enough to call the shots in your life and share your feminine power with the world.
Review:
"What is the place of 'the Goddess'—a concept of deity described exclusively as female in nature—in today's multi-focused world? In this delightful book, Leslie Linder emancipates our understanding of the Goddess from the gender-locked metaphors of the past, and sets readers free to explore, reimagine, and most of all, reconnect with Her. Spinstress Craft is an energizing, revolutionary, yet gentle and affirming read for all Goddess-loving witches."—Anne Newkirk Niven, editor and publisher of SageWoman magazine
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SO POTENT ART:
The Magic of Shakespeare
by Emily Carding,Foreword by Caitlin Matthews
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD. 07/08/2021
Pages: 360
List Price: $24.99
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Shakespeare's plays and sonnets are steeped in magic and esoteric lore. This book deeply explores fascinating examples of Hermeticism, astrology, and alchemy as well as instances of prophecy, herbalism, witchcraft, hauntings, and divine intervention. Additionally, So Potent Art delves into the sacred architecture of the historical theater space and examines the archetypal structures of the plays themselves.
Author Emily Carding, a Wiccan initiate and theater professional who specializes in staging Shakespeare, goes beyond just exploring occult references. In this book, she suggests myriad ways that you can adapt these works and use them for your own spells and rituals. The exercises within are designed to help you invoke Shakespeare's archetypal characters and speak his words with spiritual intent as powerful practices for self-development and the magical manifestation of desired outcomes.
Working with the Faery realm is not about escaping from reality—it is about engaging with it on every level. Prepare to embark on a spiritual journey unlike anything you've ever known!
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FIRE MAGIC
(Elements of Witchcraft)
by Josephine Winter
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (July 8, 2021)
Paperback: 336 pages
List Price: $17.99
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Help Your Magic Burn Brighter with the History, Lore, and Uses of Fire…
Bring the passionate element of fire into your practice with this captivating entry in Llewellyn's Elements of Witchcraft series. Featuring spells, rituals, recipes, and folklore, Fire Magic shows you how to fully harness the flame and add new meaning and energy to your life.
Join author Josephine Winter on an illuminating exploration of fire and its many uses in witchcraft. Discover candle and bonfire magic throughout history, how fire is depicted in mythology, and fire-related celebrations for the sabbats. Learn about correspondences, sacred herbs and woods, and how to stay safe while honoring this element. Featuring guest contributors, fire deities, mythical beasts, crystals, and more, Fire Magic inspires you to reignite your passion for magic.
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THE EARTHCRAFT ORACLE:
A 44-Card Deck and Guidebook of Sacred Healing
by Juliet Diaz, Lorriane Anderson, Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné (Illustrator)
Publisher: Hay House Inc.
Publication date: 06/15/2021
List Price: $19.99
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Reconnect with the healing wisdom of Mother Earth and to yourself with this diverse, brightly illustrated oracle deck from the author of Witchery and Plant Witchery.
The Earthcraft Oracle is a tool to help you reconnect to Mother Earth and to your highest self. Each card message is an invitation to listen to Mother Earth's guidance; each spell, ritual, or invocation an opportunity to bring these lessons off the pages and into your daily practice; and each illustration a reminder that we are part of nature, not outside of it. With bodies of every shape, size, skin-tone, and hair texture represented, this deck affirms we are all Mother Earth's children.
Mother Earth is our sacred home. We rely on her for everything from the air we breathe and the water we drink. She gives us so much and yet we take her magic for granted. We squander her gifts and ignore the results. But it is not too late. We have stopped listening, but she has not stopped communicating.
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SYMBOLIC TAROT OF WIRTH
by Oswald Wirth (Author), Mirko Negri
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (June 8 2021/LoScarabeo
List Price: $24.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The original Wirth Tarot was a deck of majors based on the Marseille Tarot, but with the addition of many more overt occult symbols. The Symbolic Tarot of Wirth completes Wirth's original project with the addition of a carefully researched and compiled lower arcana that completes Wirth's occult system of Tetrads. This beautiful deck is a treasure for readers and collectors alike. It is printed in five colors; the fifth color is a special golden hue that gives the cards a truly unique visual essence.
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TAROT DE EL DIOS DE LOS TRES
by Javier Navarro
Boxed deck (2¾ x 4¾) includes a 78-card deck and instructional booklet
Fournier/Llewellyn Worldwide, May 2021
List Price: $24.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lively and exciting, this Rider-Waite-Smith-style deck invites you to experience tarot symbols and meanings in vivid color. These illustrations encourage readers to live out loud and embrace the bright opportunities around them. Each card is a feast for the eyes with dynamic movement and energy. Brilliantly imagined and developed with the boldest of choices, this deck brings unsurpassed energy to any reading. Whether you are a seasoned reader or just beginning with tarot, the cards in this deck are an invitation to a lifetime of transformative practice.
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DANCING IN THE DARK TAROT ~
By Lunea Weatherstone and Gianfranco Pereno
Llewellyn Worldwide/Lo Scarabeo
Boxed deck (2 5/8" x 4 6/8")
78 full-color cards and Instruction booklet
List Price: $24.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Dynamic poses, exquisite details, and compelling contrasts define this scintillating tarot deck from accomplished artist Gianfranco Pereno and popular author Lunaea Weatherstone.
These cards offer a refreshing look at traditional Rider-Waite-Smith imagery and symbolism, helping you uncover new answers and perspectives in every reading. Pereno's stunning artwork encourages you to take fate's hand and dance your way to greatness.
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GOETIA :
TAROT IN DARKNESS
Art by Fabio Listrani
Lo Scarabeo
78 cards, 70x120 mm.
Instructions. Multilingual edition.
List Price: $26.95
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The new deck of Fabio Listrani, after the overwhelming positive Kickstarter campaign, has finally reached the wider public. Goetia is a deck about Demons, extracted from the esoteric lore of the Lesser Key of Salomon, but seen in a modern psychological way. As darkness is none other than a path to light, the unconscious is just a mirror of the conscious.
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REMINDER: We buy used Occult Books! Our buyer is in on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays!
We also have classroom/ritual space-- please call for details.
Need Spell advice? Just ask!
We have Seattle's best Psychic Readers, in house, 7 days a week, from 2pm—8pm.
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This concludes our Newsletter for this month.
Look for us again SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2021!
Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler, Editrix, Edge of the Circle Books Newsletter
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