Inmate Sues Prison for Wicca Supplies

There was an article posted on the International Business Times website concerning an incarcerated prisoner suing prison officials to obtain items he has stated are required to practice his faith. Among them are herbs, essential oils, view of the moon for rituals, and a piece of jewelry commonly known as "Thor's Hammer." His crimes aside, I must admit having conflicted feelings on the rights of prisoners and what they do and do not have access to.

The fact of the matter is that Daniel LaPlante was convicted of murder by a jury. I agree that even prisoners should have the right to practice their faith without ridicule or harm, and that if something is truly necessary for a faith, it should be provided if at all feasible. My question is, if you are being punished for committing a crime, where do you stop at what is provided and what is not? Should prisoners be able to request specific meals if their religious beliefs prevent them from eating certain items? Should prisoners be allowed to request specific clothing, such as robes, or access to books and music? If they are entitled to anything they deem fit, who is responsible for paying for it?

The way that I see it, prison exists to serve two purposes: as a means of punishment, and to provide an opportunity to provide rehabilitation for those that are going to be released. The request that this inmate made irks me because the items requested are not required to practice Wicca. Yes, they help one develop their spirituality further, but they aren't things that a person couldn't practice Wicca without. On the opposite side, he isn't asking for steak at every meal, a bottle of wine for each ritual, and a sword to cast a circle with. Even if the requested items aren't necessary, does an individual's freedom of religion extend into the prison population?

What are your thoughts on this subject? Please comment to share your opinion.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes - Where Have I Been?!

Have you ever noticed how your life seems to go from bad to worse right about the same time you realize that every aspect of your life is finally fitting together and starting to work? It is some weird combination of Chaos Theory and Murphy's Law. The past few months started out exceptionally well and have slowly diminished as time has gone on.

I no longer live in Mid-Missouri. It was a difficult decision to leave but considering my personal struggles with depression, it seemed like the right choice to make. Having no money and no ability to move any of my stuff, I bought a plane ticket and stuffed my suitcase and carry-on full of as many of my clothes as I could fit. And my iPad, of course.

I'm now a resident of Washington state.

I'm still getting accustomed to the time difference and the cleaner air, though I don't think I'll ever get accustomed to looking out of my window and seeing Mt. Rainier off in the distance. The abundance of trees is almost purifying in a way and I think that if nothing else comes from my change of circumstances, at least my connection to the natural world stands to improve.

Sometimes it is difficult to look at where we are in life and find the blessings that are present, but it is times like this where it is the most important to be able to do so.

Negativity Knock-Out Spray

Hello everyone.

I've been working on modifying the recipe for Hibiscus Moon's "Negativity Neutralizer Spray." It isn't that her recipe is difficult or the process too time consuming. I simply wanted to add my own personal touch and amp up the energy a little bit. In fact, my first batch probably won't even be a spray at all!

It's looking like it's going to be more of an anointing "oil" meets cleanser that comes in a bottle with a dropper. This will make it perfect for putting a small amount on your crystals (those that can handle water, of course!) to soak up all the gunk they may be collecting. I've been telling you all that great things are on the way, and this is only the first of many!

Once I have the recipe perfected I'll be selling it via my Etsy shop.
Keep an eye peeled for that. Since my shop is currently on hiatus, signing up for an email alert by clicking the link above is a great way to get an email announcement to known when I'm back in business.

If you're interested in making your own Gem Elixirs (it really is easier than you think), check out this handy guide by Hibiscus Moon. The guide contains video instructions and even contains recipes, such as her "Negativity Neutralizer Spray."

Online Witchy Shopping? Yes please!

I don't know what it is about my relaxation routine that gets me in the mood to shop, but I've done it again. I placed an order for a variety of items last night, and now I'm forced to wait for the USPS and UPS to deliver my items. We all know that's really the hardest part, because spending money is the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. I'm pretty sure I learned how to do that when I was 2 years old.


I have a nice variety of crystals and herbs headed my way. I'm excited to get back to creating and looking into restocking my Etsy shop to get it functioning again. I haven't forgotten about the Crystals for Neophytes series either. I've been sidetracked by a few things, but these next few days should get be caught up and back on schedule.

I'm also going to be uploading a review of a shipment of crystals I received over a period of two weeks. Maybe it's a good thing my debit card is about to expire?

Until next time.  
(C:5

4) Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate is a soothing stone. Often corresponding with the throat chakra, uses include anything relating to communication. I have only two tumbled pieces of BLA because I have found that they work so well for me that purchasing more of them isn't necessary. I especially like using this crystal when working with my throat chakra. A few weeks ago I felt a cold coming on and I knew a sore throat was sure to follow. Deciding I had nothing to lose, I grabbed one of my crystals and placed it on my throat for twenty minutes as I caught up on the week's television shows that I had DVR'd.

I ended up getting a cold that lasted just over two weeks. What's amazing is that I didn't get a sore throat at all, which always accompanies a cold from my experience. Some would find this a coincidence, but the fact that Blue Lace Agate is so closely tied to the throat gives me the confidence to know that this wasn't a fluke. Crystal healing is real, and we can use it to enhance our health and being about the change we desire.

The Next Crystal Is....

Blue Lace Agate!

3) Selenite

Some people find this crystal impossible to hold for extended periods because of it's extremely high vibration. Selenite, one of the three forms of Gypsum, is readily available and at moderate prices. It is water-soluble, so keeping it dry and away from dampness is paramount in ensuring that you have it for quite some time.

When used in conjunction with other crystals, Selenite has the ability to strengthen the power of others like a battery. It is also a powerful aid for clearing blockages from the aura and during meditative sessions in which one is trying to receive messages from Spirit.

When I first started out on this path, I had difficulty sensing the energies of crystals. Holding Selenite changed me because as soon as I touched it, whatever was blocking me was cleared and I felt it's energy almost immediately. I suggest this crystal because of that reason, as well as it's amplification properties.