Magus Books and Herbs – 19 years of Service – Interview

Magus books is celebrating 19 years serving the Twin Cities this month. Join them tomorrow, Saturday Sept 17th from 10am-5pm for Customer Appreciation Day at Magus Books & Herbs.  FREE BBQ’d Vittles catered by Standing Stones Coven , Tea Sampling, Door Prizes, Grab Bags, Tarot, Aura Photos & other fantastic specials. Talks & Discussion will be happening through-out the day.

I talked to Roger Williamson about the history of the store. Provoking Thoughts and Expanding Horizons since 1992! is your website tag line, what does that mean to you?

 We feel that in society a lot of people aren’t encouraged to go out and pursue their dreams. They may not be aware of all the opportunities open to them. I would like to think Magus helps promote that idea, magical philosophy, that you can be anything you want to be. We try to appeal to open-minded people, who feel all belief systems are valid. We should respect all points of view, even if they happen to be contrary to our own.

Magus Books Storefront - Google Earth Streetview

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Green Phallus tours TC Pagan Pride – Photo Essay

The Green Phallus toured Twin Cities Pagan Pride on Saturday.  The story of his  origins may be found here. He touched many people, was rejected by some, caused some to drop to the ground in awe, and offered his experience to those who opened themselves to the Green Phallus.

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Jill - “ One wonders if one is worthy to embrace the Green Phallus, but I do so with no regret. I like the realistic testicals, one is slightly larger than the other. I like it around my neck , it feels sweaty yet cosy.”

Green Phallus at his country estate :

The Green Phallus welcomes companionship at the Minnesota Ren Fair, and friendship on facebook, where any comments can be directed regarding his TCPP visit.

Nels Linde

Labyrinth, a walking prayer at TC Pagan Pride – Interview

Labyrinths

Paul Eaves, and often Teri Starnes, are found creating, tending, and dismantling outdoor labyrinths around the Twin Cities. I talked to Paul at TC Pagan Pride on Saturday.

How long have you been making labyrinths?

The Farm in the City Labyrinth, Concordia College

Nine years, well actually it started way back in 2000 with a kids group, and we created a labyrinth at a university as part of a summer gardening program. It was there for two years, and then the university decided they wanted to build a library on top of it. While I was bust traveling around the world, a group of volunteers dug up all the plants and moved them to the other side of the university. Now it is a perennial flower garden labyrinth. Continue reading

A Senior Festival Experience – Interview

Larksong is a new Sacred Harvest Festival festivant and joined Harmony Tribe last February. At age 70 she is possibly the all time senior in both categories. I asked her about her experiences.

Larksong

Have you camped before?

When my kids were little we camped, but this is the first time we have camped in quite some time! At least twelve years ago, and then we had a pop-up camper.

What does it feel like to travel 600 miles from Michigan to be with people you don’t know and spend a week?

Great! It really has been great. We brought our three nieces, so that they could have a drama free week and we have just been having a ball. They have been having a ball. The only problem for me here is everything is so far away. I’m in the middle, but it is a long walk either direction. After two or three trips I need to take a nap! Continue reading

Pagan Sweats – News? No, an Interview!

Jim Esralian, and Karen have been leading Sweat Lodge ceremonies at Sacred Harvest Festival (SHF) for many years. He is so unassuming many don’t know his connection to this ceremony. I interviewed him at SHF.  He first off declared proudly he was Armenian, “A conquered people as well”.

Traditional Sweat Lodge

You have a pretty deep connection to Native American traditions?

Back home I live in central Michigan, near the Saginaw Chippewa reservation. In addition I have become friends with folks from Turtle Mountain reservation, and other places, that have brought traditions from that area, to Michigan. They are actually mixed traditions themselves. They are combinations of Metis, Cree, Ojibwe, Ashinabe, and Lakota. A lot of the medicine that was passed down was already fairly multi-national. Turtle Mountain is in North Dakota, in an area where several tribes border each other and their cultures inter-mingled. People came from that area bring with them what is called the ‘Thirsty Dance’, very similar to a “Sun Dance”. They also brought some of the Lodge traditions, as well as some of the songs. Continue reading