Magickal Meetings: Debra Silverman

     Last week I had the pleasure of meeting one of my favorite astrologers, Debra Silverman. If you follow my Facebook page then you've seen her astrology videos there since I share them regularly. She recently released her first book, The Missing Element and as a birthday treat for myself I went down to NYC for her book signing. Not familiar with her work? Neither was I until a few years ago when she released some videos on YouTube that she'd been hiding away for a while and they went viral. These weren't just run of the mill, ho-hum astrology videos. She performs the traits of each member of the zodiac with hilarious accuracy (to find the videos go to YouTube and search for her name along with your zodiac sign).  

I'm a Taurus and she kicked me right in 

the ass with this. In a funny, holy hell that's so true, kinda way.

     There have been a few astrologers over the years that I've followed (don't worry, I'm not literally following anyone.... unless your name is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson). Reading the monthly forecast, watching the videos, reading their books etc. But it wasn't until I came across Debra Silverman that I discovered an astrologer that talks how I talk (including dropping the f-bomb on occasion), explains things in a way that I get, is friendly, relatable and delivers brutal honesty with a smile.  All this coupled with a trip back to my favorite NYC bookstore (Namaste Books, good luck leaving this place without a new tarot deck, 5 books and a sack of crystals) and some time with a best friend meant I was going.

     The trip wasn't easy. First of all, the event was scheduled smack in the middle of Mercury retrograde (which Debra acknowledged with a joke "Who scheduled this? What astrologer does that?) I had to get up early which is incredibly difficult for me since I work nights. Then I drove an hour to the train station, parked a mile away, took a two and a half hour train ride to the city only to be smacked in the face with all things New York when I got there. I lived in NYC for almost 10 years and I moved out of state to the burbs in 2014.  This was my first time back and it was overwhelming. The crowded streets and subway, people everywhere rushing around, my overpriced lunch at Whole Foods....  I had to find a bench and spend some time grounding.  By the time I got to the bookstore I was spent. Then, Debra walked in, greeted the group of people in a room filled to capacity (folks were sitting on the floor) and she began to speak and I knew that battling to get there was worth it because I needed to hear what she had to say.  

     Truthfully, I didn't know much about her book and surprisingly it's not about astrology at all. 

"Using personality types that are based on the four elements, she reveals that whatever pain you experience is specific to your personality and that your issues will repeat themselves again and again until you see yourself and others from the compassionate vantage point that unites all of us."  - from the back cover of The Missing Element

At the beginning she had each of us fill out a questionnaire (it can be found on page 46 of her book). Using our answers she explained the elements and helped us discover what elements had a strong presence in our lives, what elements were lacking and broke down the traits, both good and bad, of each element. She described how our souls want to experience everything and our stupid egos get in the way. No one is normal, everyone is delightfully weird and falling in love with yourself is incredibly important. 

"What did your soul sign up for?"

"Can you fall in love with you?"

"Normal is a setting on the dryer!"

"There's no one here that's not weird!"

"Your soul is a slut!! It wants to experience everything, the good and the not so good."  - Debra Silverman

     She spoke for over an hour and the quotes above don't do it justice. I left there thinking about how I can better understand the effect the elements have in my life. I left there knowing that I'm not even close to being in love with myself but wanting to discover that love and my purpose. I left there with the realization that my Earth element is a bit to strong and I need to find ways to reel it in and explore the other elements. The day in its entirety taught me the important lesson that nothing worth it is easy and even the smallest goal (like getting to a book signing during NYC rush hour) takes patience, perseverance and a SCREW YOU, I'M DOING THIS attitude. I left there with a new book signed by my favorite astrologer and some new crystals (I couldn't help it). She also confirmed that yes, I am a little extra crazy because so many planets were retrograde when I was born.  

Me: (fangirling hard) So am I extra crazy because so many planets were retrograde when I was born? There's 5 or 6 that were retrograde.

Debra: Yes, absolutely.  (Remember that honesty I mentioned earlier?)

     I've just started reading her book and I haven't been able to put it down.  Things have really exploded for her since she had the courage to hit the upload button on those zodiac videos. Her laid back approach to astrology makes a wildly complicated subject feel less daunting. And don't let her laid back, feisty, bigger than the room energy fool you, she knows what she's talking about.  I can't wait to dig through the rest of The Missing Element and I'm sure this is the first of many books for this down to earth astrologer. 

Debra Silverman and I

If you're looking for Debra you can find her on Facebook or visit her website.

Brightest Blessings, 

~A


UPDATE: I just came across this video and had to add it. Wanna know what Sting thinks of Debra's new book The Missing Element?? Watch the video below. (I LOVE him)

     

Beltane

     I'm sneezing uncontrollably.... HUZZAH, Beltane is here!

     Raise your hand if you went to catholic school... I did and in high school I remember the May Crowning was always a pretty big deal. I think this day was given special attention because my high school was girls only and the day was all about Mary. A choir geek, I still remember all the songs we'd belt out during the liturgy. (Sweet Mary we crown thee with blossoms today, queen of the angels, queen of the May...) I knew from a very early age that I wasn't christian like the rest of my family and felt no connection to the symbols all around me at school.  However, I loved and looked forward to the May Crowning. What pagan kid growing up surrounded by christian but not christian symbols wouldn't? The large marble chapel was filled with different flowers, spring air wafted through open doors and windows and every statue of Mary on campus was crowned with a wreath of flowers. Those moments were when I felt closest to my inner spiritual home and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy Mary getting some attention and gratitude. Every year around this time I'm swept back to that choir loft, to that marble chapel and the statues dripping in flowers.

Then I grew up, cracked a book, met a few witches and discovered that May crowning-esk celebrations were common place all over the globe and had been for years and years.... and years....

Erect the maypole and hand me some ribbon. Witches it's time for Beltane!!

     Beltane celebrates the weaving together of masculine and feminine energies and the most widely known symbol of the day is the maypole. While some anthropologists believe the maypole was just a general part of celebrating the return of summer and the abundance of the land, pagan folks have a different view of the symbol. The maypole is a phallic symbol, representing the God. The wreath at the top and ribbons represent the Goddess. When the maypole dancing begins and the ribbons are wrapped around the pole, the Goddess and God are "joining" (keeping it PG folks), thus creating and giving new life. The Goddess receives the fertility of the God and together they create abundance in the land, among the animals and bring forth new life in general. 

Ways to celebrate:

• Shake your tail feather and do a little maypole dancing
• Find a garden and plant stuff
• Go for a walk/hike and pick flowers and collect herbs 
• Decorate your home and altar with flowers, hang herbs to dry
• BONFIRE 
• Volunteer. Clean up a park, work in a community garden etc
• Feasting
• Make garlands 
• Build a fairy garden
• Get hitched!!  LOTS of handfastings happen on or around Beltane

    Above all, enjoy the day and practice safe maypole dancing. As above, So below. As within, So without. Beltane Blessings to you all and Blessed Samhain to the Pagan folk in the Southern Hemisphere!!  

I'm Just Gonna Leave This Here....

Don't Call It A Comeback....

    It's pretty inevitable that at some point during the day you'll fall down the rabbit hole that is Youtube. That was me a few hours ago. I tripped and fell into the Youtube vortex but this time, instead of finding kitten and prank videos, I discovered this gem from the people at Vice. It's fascinating and worth the watch. Also, check out Vice when you have the time. They're offering great new programming and there isn't a Kardashian in sight.

  The Greeks Who Pray to Zeus: VICE INTL (Greece)

"Even though Greece is a predominately Christian Orthodox country, there are some people in this country who still believe in the 12 Gods of mount Olympus, deriving from Greek Mythology. According to unofficial sources they amount to a couple of hundreds and present themselves as members of the unofficial so-called "Greek Religion". This is a mixture of beliefs that combine paganism, the idea of spiritual connection with nature and a kind of fixation to the Ancient Greek ideals. Over the past decades they have founded various different groups, the oldest and most popular among them being the "Greek Nationals High Commissioned Council (GNHCC) - Υπατο Συμβούλιο Ελλήνων Εθνικών," founded 30 years ago."

Happy Spring!!!

Blessed Ostara/Spring Equinox and Happy First Day of Spring!!!

     Ostara is a time of renewal and rebirth.  Mother Earth is beginning to awaken and shake off the cold of winter.  Plants begin to push their way out of the dirt and the animals get frisky. Also the Vernal Equinox is going on. Today the light and dark are equal and the days will continue to get longer leading up to the Summer Solstice.  It's a time for new beginnings, renewed commitments, and putting plans into action. Spell work pertaining to fertility, abundance, balance, and new endeavors are done around this time. 

Ostara Activities:

1. Stop pretending there isn't a monster living in your closet.  Do some spring cleaning.  De-clutter your home, give the place a good scrubbing, organize the closets and show the monster to the door.
2. The yard looked o.k. during the winter because the snow was kind enough to hide the weeds. Do some yard work, plant some flowers and get good and dirty.
3. Yes the Sun is up and no you can't go back to sleep.  The time to hibernate is over. Go for a walk or hike and say hello to nature. 
4. By the Gods, what is that smell?!?!  Open the windows and let some fresh spring air in...please. Smudge with white sage and/or burn a little incense. 
5. Fill the house with fresh flowers. If you snag them out of your neighbors yard make sure no one is looking. 
6. Give Oomancy a try (divination using a raw egg). If you don't receive any messages at least your halfway to an omelette.  

Loreena McKennitt ~ The Mummer's Dance

May an abundance of joy spring forth into your life!!! Blessed Ostara!