Calling All Pagans!

[Lady_Kit]

I want to give my daughter, who is a practicing Pagan, a Yule gift. I want it to be something special, appropriate to the season, and inexpensive. I can cook, sew, and do various forms of needlework. I draw, paint, and am great with photo editing programs that allow me to make loverly pictures. In other words, I could craft something myself, if I only knew what to craft. And yes, I've left this very late, I realize, but who knew time would fly past the way it has?

Buying a gift is ok too, though never my first choice, and I have cruised through some of the crap on the net looking for something suitable. But honestly, I can't tell authentic Pagan from new-age Wiccan. I don't want to give her something that is the equivalent of a Virgin Mary car dash ornament or a t-shirt that says, "Kiss Me I'm Pagan" and yes, those kinds of "gifts" are out there. Anyone could do that, and it really doesn't say I care, just that I can spend money.

My daughter means a lot to me. Anyone able to guide a loving Mom and help me show her just how much?

Thanks!

Kit

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Make her a Book of Shadows? My first Love made one for me 15 years ago, and I still use it every day. Basically, you need a good, empty note book - preferably with blank white or black pages inside - then design and create your own cover for her, using pagan symbols etc.

If there is anything specific you would like to know, I'm a pm away

 

[3113]

Make her a Book of Shadows?

Oh, what a lovely idea! Yes. For whatever kind of Pagan, a notebook to write down anything and everything from rituals to recipes to thoughts to prayers is a wonderful gift. You can use a mix of photo and needlepoint for the cover.

As for what to put on the cover: you should go with symbols that suit her path (Egyptian? Greek?), but if she's pretty much going down the Celtic road, than a wonderful Yule emblem (i.e. reminding her that this was a Yule gift) would be a holly and oak leaf wreath (with apples and pomegranates?) encircling an image of Stonehenge.

In addition...do you have a fireplace? If so, buy a log and decorate it with things like cinnamon sticks, dried orange and apple slices, holly, green paper ribbons. (If you don't, get a large candle and do the same). Then you can join her in lighting the yule log (candle) at solstice.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Make her a Book of Shadows?

I go with Vana on this one, i made my best friend a BoS a few years ago, it wasnt fantastic but she LOVED it, and i know she uses it religiously.

I used a Pentacle on the front, but i reason that the pentacle or pentagram is Wicca-specific (i dont know?)

I don't know if you'll be able to get one of these where you are, but i bought a medium sized ring bound art workbook with black pages inside and modelled the pentacle on the front.

 

[FallingToFly]

I'm with them- a Book is a good way to start. You also may consider getting her a workbox to keep all her supplies in- I have one, as do a couple of my friends. The nicest one I've seen was purchased at Pier One and is just a small chest that latches on top and opens outward. You can Google The Broom Closet in Salem MA for inexpensive herbs to actually start her supply.

I make my own candles, but I know several people who buy theirs from various supply shops, and although they prefer mine, the ones they buy are perfectly adequate.

And if you want candle-making recipes, etc, just PM me and I'll send them to you. That way you can pass them to your daughter, no matter what you decide to give her.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I'm with them- a Book is a good way to start. You also may consider getting her a workbox to keep all her supplies in- I have one, as do a couple of my friends. The nicest one I've seen was purchased at Pier One and is just a small chest that latches on top and opens outward. You can Google The Broom Closet in Salem MA for inexpensive herbs to actually start her supply.

I make my own candles, but I know several people who buy theirs from various supply shops, and although they prefer mine, the ones they buy are perfectly adequate.

And if you want candle-making recipes, etc, just PM me and I'll send them to you. That way you can pass them to your daughter, no matter what you decide to give her.

You make candles?! And you're only telling me now?!

Goodness! A fine witch friend you are . . . I import mine from a coven in Ireland.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

If its not a problem would you be able to pass the details of candle making on to me? my best friend would love that.

It was her birthday on the 10th and me being me, didnt get a chance to get her anything. i'm seeing her 2mo so i'l probs treat her to something of her choice

*eta* Vana, a coven in Ireland? how did you manage to start that then?

 

[shereads]

I don't want to give her something that is the equivalent of a Virgin Mary car dash ornament or a t-shirt that says, "Kiss Me I'm Pagan" and yes, those kinds of "gifts" are out there. Anyone could do that, and it really doesn't say I care, just that I can spend money.

<scowling, blushing, wondering if it's too late to return twenty-five Virgin Mary car dash ornaments for a refund>

Well Merry Christmas to you, too.

 

[cloudy]

A Book of Mirrors would work, too....or make them both, so that they complement each other.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

A Book of Mirrors would work, too....or make them both, so that they complement each other.

Wouldnt the usage and value of a BoM rely heavily on how practiced she is? (forgive me- i ask questions a lot...i like being educated in the arts...my best friends practice )

 

[Lady_Kit]

What wonderful suggestions!!

Vana, I like the idea of a Book of Shadows. But what if she already has one? Would she typically use more than one?

3113, my guess is that she is following a Celtic path, but I say that only because I don't think its either of the other two. How would I know?

Fallenfromgrace, I know she uses Pentacles in her decorations and symbols. I bought a silver one for her just a few months ago. I like the idea of using one on the cover, I could shape it from something...wire or cord. Would one be better than the other?

FallingToFly I imagine that she has a workbox, though I'll find out and keep it in mind for her birthday. She does make candles, for herself and for friends. She made "Maid, Mother, Crone" candles for awhile. I think a new candle recipe would be a great addition to the book though.

Thank you all so much! This is not only very warm, but very educational.

 

[Lady_Kit]

A Book of Mirrors would work, too....or make them both, so that they complement each other.

What is a Book of Mirrors?

 

[cloudy]

What is a Book of Mirrors?

It's a journal, of sorts. Some use the Book of Shadows for both, but others use the one for spells and rituals, and the other for results, thoughts, feelings, etc.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Wouldnt the usage and value of a BoM rely heavily on how practiced she is? (forgive me- i ask questions a lot...i like being educated in the arts...my best friends practice )

I know that she has been studying for years, or so it seems to me. She has several close friends who practice as well. I think your question is valid, and appreciated. Is there anything that might indicate to me, without giving up the surprise, if the book would be appropriate?

 

[Lady_Kit]

<scowling, blushing, wondering if it's too late to return twenty-five Virgin Mary car dash ornaments for a refund>

Well Merry Christmas to you, too.

Nothin says Chiristmas like a plastic ex-virgin for the dash of a Nash.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

What is a Book of Mirrors?

from the little i know it is used to go into the intetions and purposes of the magical acts, relfection on emotion, intent, outcome, and the like. Google for it

Also, i made my BoS for my b.friend out of a modelling material called 'modrock' im not sure if thats a universal name or even if it means anything to you i just know thats what its called where i am. It is basically bandage like fabric covered in plaster of paris, you wet it in either warm or cold water to model it or cast it. I use it for casting mostly, but i have had success modelling it too.

Here is a picture of the BoS (not very pro but my best mateloved it and i was informed a few minutes ago that she took it away to uni with her and uses it often)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/FallenFG/art/pentacleBOS.jpg

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I know that she has been studying for years, or so it seems to me. She has several close friends who practice as well. I think your question is valid, and appreciated. Is there anything that might indicate to me, without giving up the surprise, if the book would be appropriate?

Perhaps speaking with her friends might help you with this?

 

[Lady_Kit]

Perhaps speaking with her friends might help you with this?

My daughter is 26, single and living on her own. So, unfortunately, I no longer know any of her friends. But thats a great idea.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

My daughter is 26, single and living on her own. So, unfortunately, I no longer know any of her friends. But thats a great idea.

ahhh, i didnt know this, well if you CAN somehow get in touch with her friends then its an idea

 

[Lady_Kit]

ahhh, i didnt know this, well if you CAN somehow get in touch with her friends then its an idea

I'll see what I can learn from the places I know that she freqents on the net. Though doing so feels a bit like invading her privacy. I'll have to think about that.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I'll see what I can learn from the places I know that she freqents on the net. Though doing so feels a bit like invading her privacy. I'll have to think about that.

Don't do that if it makes you feel odd...

Did my picture ^^ give you an idea of the BoS i made for my best mate?

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I'm not a Pagan, but it's always exciting to get tassle pasties for the nipples.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Don't do that if it makes you feel odd...

Did my picture ^^ give you an idea of the BoS i made for my best mate?

Yes, it did, and I think that I can manage a book quite easily. I like this idea

As for what to put on the cover: you should go with symbols that suit her path (Egyptian? Greek?), but if she's pretty much going down the Celtic road, than a wonderful Yule emblem (i.e. reminding her that this was a Yule gift) would be a holly and oak leaf wreath (with apples and pomegranates?) encircling an image of Stonehenge.

 

[Lady_Kit]

I'm not a Pagan, but it's always exciting to get tassle pasties for the nipples.

I sooo cannot do that! Naughty woman!! Though it would be more shocking for me than her, I'm sure. ....How're you doing Lovely?

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Yes, it did, and I think that I can manage a book quite easily. I like this idea

Like i said, i got a hard cover art book A5 sized...not sure if that means anything to you (i think its british paper sizes only...and i dont know where you are ) id say about 20cm high 12/15cm across it had a black hard cover, was ringbound and had black pages. I think the black pages suit the 'visualisation' i hold for a BoShadows...

if you can mould that idea, then that's great, you could try air dry clay, plasticine, modrock if you can get any...the like. good luck with it all