Greetings, fellow seekers,

As a witch and a Keybearer for the Covenant of Hekate, I navigate the realms of light and shadow not only in my spiritual practice but also in the broader landscapes of literature and ethics that inform our journey. Today, I delve into the deeply challenging topic of Marion Zimmer Bradley's troubling revelations and the implications for those of us who cherish her works, particularly The Mists of Avalon, a seminal book that reshaped many views on Arthurian legends with its powerful portrayal of female characters.

Marion Zimmer Bradley was more than a celebrated author; she was a figure who brought the stories of strong, mystical women to the forefront. However, her legacy was irrevocably tarnished by her deeply troubling criminal behaviors towards her daughter. 

These revelations compel us to confront uncomfortable questions about the intersection of personal morality and professional contributions. In my own experience, I've grappled with similar revelations about another author whose work initially guided me on my path. I kept their book, believing that owning it didn’t mean I condoned their behavior. Yet, after reading several accounts from Bradley’s victims, my stance has shifted. I've realized the significance of the symbols and energies we choose to surround ourselves with. This is something I will be remedying post haste, as I seek to realign my external influences with my internal ethics. What once guided me on my path now only flashes with negativity, hostility, and aggression.

The knowledge of Bradley’s actions presents a profound ethical dilemma. How do we reconcile the wisdom and empowerment found in her narratives with the darkness of her personal deeds? This question extends to the broader sphere of authors whose careers were launched or significantly influenced by her mentorship and patronage. Can the insights and breakthroughs facilitated by her support remain untainted by her personal failings? As a community, we must reflect on the ripple effects of supporting work tied to problematic figures and consider the full scope of their influence, both positive and negative. Do we continue to print her books, or should we allow her works to phase out of print? How do we weigh her literary contributions against her moral failings?

As a survivor of child rape, I know the trauma never fades. Even forty years later, driving past locations in my hometown where I was assaulted brings back vivid memories. I imagine Bradley’s victims feel a similar trigger when they encounter her works or hear how she changed lives as some sort of magical guru.

Owning a book by someone who has inflicted harm poses a significant moral question for us in the magical community. It compels us to consider the energy we emit when we keep such works on our shelves. What messages are we endorsing, and what energies are we fostering within our sacred spaces? Is there ever a time to "toss the baby out with the bathwater"? Sometimes, distancing ourselves from works that are overshadowed by their creators' misdeeds may be necessary to maintain the purity of our practices and the integrity of our environments. What is the impact of erasing these voices? Is our community better for not having learned of Bradley’s actions? Is it better to understand that perpetrators live among us from all walks of life and sometimes right under our noses, than to lie in denial and continue to support a work that could be a constant reminder of such horrible pain?

Moving forward, it is essential that we use these challenges as teaching moments. We must ask ourselves if the energies we invite into our lives align with the principles we uphold. Engaging in open discussions about the ethical implications of our literary and spiritual choices teaches critical thinking and ethical discernment to our community. Supporting creators who not only inspire but also live lives of ethical integrity is crucial in fostering a body of work that reflects our highest ideals. As a magical community I feel as though we should make it clear to others who may not have rooted much of their identity into the Mists of Avalon. Instead of coming with anger and fists shaking approach them with honest conversation and provide the facts. It's hard to argue alone; however, if we take this approach, I believe we can convey the seriousness of the situation without alienating the reader. 

As we advocate for change and ethical integrity, it's important to remember that the path to understanding and healing is long. Words hold power—'spelling' is not just about letters but about the energies we create and sustain. While I wouldn't recommend burning all copies, if destroying a book helps cleanse your personal space, then it may be a necessary step for some.

This path is not about easy answers but about the willingness to engage with complexity and make choices that reflect both the light of our wisdom and the depth of our integrity. Let us choose with wisdom and lead with courage, setting examples that future generations can look to as they navigate their own ethical landscapes. Ultimately, our goal here should be growth and healing. We need to learn from history and become better people because of it.

As we reflect on these complex legacies, how can we as a community support each other in making ethical choices that lead to real healing and growth?

Thank you for joining me in this necessary reflection. May our choices always be guided by light, even when made in the shadow of complex legacies.

 Hello, magical souls! I'm thrilled to announce an exciting evolution of a project very dear to my heart.

My Confessions of a Modern Witch blog is making a grand comeback, not just as a blog, but as a brand-new podcast!

Born from my original musings at Confessions of a Modern Witch, this revitalized platform will blend familiar voices with new formats. Hosted in a lively YouTube-style podcast, this venture aims to weave together a rich blend of discussions surrounding current events, holistic wellness, energy healing, deep-rooted paganism, and the essence of whole food plant-based living. I'll move from recorded sessions on to live events as the show progresses.

What to Expect?

Current Events: Dive into the latest happenings with a magical twist, where we explore the underlying energies and spiritual perspectives that shape our world.

Health & Wellness: Join me as we journey through the realms of holistic health, discussing everything from natural remedies to mental clarity and physical vitality.

Energy Healing: Discover transformative techniques to balance and energize your life force. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting, there's something to spark your spiritual journey.

Paganism: Reconnect with ancient traditions and modern practices that celebrate the magic of the natural world and its cycles.

Plant-Based Living: Embrace a lifestyle that nourishes not only the body but also the spirit. Explore delicious, soul-sustaining recipes and tips on thriving with a plant-based diet.

Special Celebrations!

To mark this exciting relaunch, I'm also thrilled to share a single card pull from my beloved River Witch Oracle deck. This card, revealed in today's episode, carries a message that resonates deeply with the essence of our new journey. Tune in to discover the wisdom it holds for us!

In celebration of this new chapter, I'm offering a special 30% off sale across all my products at By Her Fires. This includes all my handcrafted wire jewelry, personal readings, classes, eBooks, and my original oracle decks like The Crossroads Oracle and the River Witch Oracle. It's my way of saying thank you for your support and to help you bring a little more magic into your everyday life.

Thank you for walking this path with me. I am excited to embark on this new phase of our journey together, exploring the mysteries of life and the magic within us all. Remember, every day holds a little bit of magic; let's discover it together on Confessions of a Modern Witch.

Stay magical,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

Embarking on the path of spirituality has been a transformative and deeply personal journey for me. From my early experiences with witchcraft to my writings at "By Her Fires," my spiritual evolution has been marked by exploration, growth, and self-discovery.

My introduction to witchcraft began in my youth, spurred by a fascination with the mystical and the unknown. Growing up, I felt a strong pull towards nature and the energies that seemed to flow through the world around me. This innate curiosity led me to explore various spiritual practices, books, and eventually, the world of witchcraft.

In my early years, I struggled to find a spiritual practice that resonated deeply with me. Traditional religious paths felt restrictive, and I longed for something that allowed me to connect more profoundly with the natural world and my inner self. It was during this period of searching that I discovered the practices and principles of modern witchcraft.

The journey to embracing witchcraft was gradual and filled with moments of doubt and revelation. I immersed myself in learning about different traditions and practices, from Wicca to eclectic witchcraft. This period of exploration was not just about acquiring knowledge but about finding what truly resonated with my soul.

One of the pivotal moments in my journey was realizing that witchcraft is not a one-size-fits-all path. It is a deeply personal practice that evolves with the individual. This understanding allowed me to create a spiritual practice that was uniquely mine, blending elements from various traditions and incorporating practices that felt authentic to me.

As I delved deeper into my spiritual practice, I felt a strong desire to share my experiences and connect with others on a similar path. This led to the creation of my blog, initially known as "Confessions of a Modern Witch" and later moved to "By Her Fires." The blog became a space where I could document my journey, share insights, and build a community with fellow witches and spiritual seekers.

Through my blog, I explored various aspects of witchcraft, from spellwork and rituals to the use of crystals and sound healing. Each post was a reflection of my ongoing journey, capturing the lessons learned and the wisdom gained along the way. The feedback and support from my readers played a crucial role in my growth, providing a sense of connection and validation.

As my spiritual journey progressed, I began to see the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This realization led me to explore holistic wellness practices, which became an integral part of my spiritual path. I pursued certifications in sound healing, crystal therapy, and holistic wellness coaching, integrating these modalities into my practice.

Holistic wellness allowed me to approach spirituality from a more balanced perspective, emphasizing self-care and inner healing. It taught me the importance of nurturing not just my spiritual self but my physical and emotional well-being as well. This holistic approach has been transformative, helping me achieve a deeper sense of harmony and peace.

Today, my spiritual practice is a dynamic and evolving journey. I continue to explore new practices and deepen my understanding of witchcraft and holistic wellness. Each day brings new opportunities for growth and learning, reinforcing my commitment to this path.

Looking ahead, I aspire to expand my reach and share my journey with an even wider audience. Whether through writing, workshops, or personal consultations, my goal is to inspire and support others on their spiritual journeys.

My journey through spirituality and becoming the witch I am today has been filled with challenges, discoveries, and profound transformations. It has taught me the value of authenticity, resilience, and the power of community. Through "By Her Fires," I hope to continue sharing my experiences, offering guidance, and fostering connections with those who seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

For those just beginning their journey or seeking to deepen their practice, remember that spirituality is a deeply personal path. Trust in your intuition, embrace your unique journey, and know that you are never alone on this path.

For more detailed accounts and ongoing updates, you can follow me on this blog or on my various social media outlets. Be on the lookout for my single card pulls. I've started doing a monologue of sorts with a single card from my River Witch Oracle Deck each morning and sharing it across my various accounts. Be sure to check it out!

Blessings,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

aka - Neuse River Witch

byherfires.com

neuseriverwitch.com

An oracle is a person or a place regarded as a source of divine knowledge or prophecy. In ancient times, oracles were highly respected figures who were believed to possess the ability to communicate with the gods or divine entities and provide guidance, predictions, or answers to questions posed by individuals or communities.

Oracles could be individuals with special abilities, such as priestesses or priests, who acted as intermediaries between the mortal realm and the divine realm. They would enter a state of trance or altered consciousness through various methods, such as inhaling fumes, chanting, or performing rituals, to receive divine messages and insight.

Oracle sites, such as the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece, were also places where people would seek divinatory guidance. These sites were often associated with a particular deity, and individuals would visit the site and pose their questions or seek guidance through rituals, offerings, or direct interaction with the designated oracle.

The information provided by oracles was considered sacred and highly influential in decision-making processes, such as matters of state, warfare, or personal affairs. The guidance of oracles was sought for a wide range of topics, including the outcome of battles, the success of ventures, or advice on personal matters.

Oracles played a significant role in ancient societies, and their pronouncements held great weight and influence. While the prominence of oracles has diminished in modern times, the concept of seeking guidance or divinatory insights from spiritual or intuitive sources still persists in various forms today.

I often call on Hecate before and during my readings. However, She is primarily known in Greek mythology as a goddess associated with magic, witchcraft, and the night, rather than specifically as an oracle. While she possessed knowledge of hidden things and was believed to have prophetic abilities, her role as an oracle is not as prominent as that of other deities, such as Apollo or the Pythia at the Oracle of Delphi.

However, Hecate was considered a powerful and mystical deity who could grant visions and insights into the future. As a goddess associated with the crossroads, liminal spaces, and transitions, she was believed to have knowledge of the hidden paths and could guide individuals through uncertain times.

Hecate's connection to prophecy and divination is often related to her role as a mistress of magic and the occult. She was sometimes invoked for guidance and assistance in receiving prophetic dreams, visions, or messages. Her association with witchcraft and mystical practices suggests that she may have been consulted for divinatory purposes by those seeking her wisdom and guidance.

While Hecate is not specifically identified as an oracle in the same way as other figures in Greek mythology, her powers and insights were recognized, and she played a significant role in the realm of magic, mysticism, and the hidden knowledge of the supernatural.

What do you think? Do you call on her powers for your readings? Do you work with her as a messenger goddess? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Keybearer to the CoH

Founder of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo.

Over the last few months I have been sharing about my work with sound therapy.  I have completed my Sound Healer Certification and practicing my bowls. I felt I was well on my way to developing a wonderful practice. People often ask me, does this really do anything?  After this last two weeks, I can say absolutely yes!

About two weeks ago I switched the music I have playing in my house from a 528hz DNA Healing Repair to one I used about 20 years ago. The old one was called Merlin's Magic. 

I listed to this many nights while fighting massive rapid cycling bipolar episodes. I was on a 1/2 gallon Ziplock bag of medications and was for all accounts pretty much unable to function in the real world. I had massive anxiety and this music helped me pull through it.  Or did it?

This is an excerpt from the track: Merlin's Magic.

This past week has been a little challenging. Since switching back to Merlin's Magic. My anxiety has increased. My daily meetings in my mundane job have become more challenging and most importantly my communication with Elijah had plummeted. We were snapping at each other, feeling unworthy and unable to communicate.  Finally yesterday, I thought, this music is not ok. I'm feeling so bad. 

I quickly switch back to my 528Mhz and it was like a cloud was lifted from our space. We both felt the changes in the mood and energy in the space. This solidifies my believe that Sound Therapy is one of the most power ways to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression and provide a solid foundation for spiritual and holistic wellness. 

This is an example of what I use as a background music everyday, all day and all night.

Sound Therapy uses sound, music and specialist instruments played in therapeutic ways, combined with deep self-reflection techniques to improve health and wellbeing. It is what I believe, a cornerstone in any holistic wellness treatment program.

As I continue learn and grown in my craft, I can honestly say that this experience has confirmed what I felt all along. Sound is power. Sound can be healing or destructive. It can be all the difference between a wonderful experience and a living nightmare. If you haven't had the opportunity to listen to sound healing I highly recommend it. 

I'll share a couple more of my healing sessions below. Take some time, close your eyes. Listen to the energy and allow this energy to join with yours. Feel free to provide feedback or open up a discussion with me. 

Namaste

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

Singing bowls have been around since the 1980s. There is some thoughts that maybe our ancestors worked with crystals and more recently science has shown that these crystals resonate a sound that has proved beneficial to human cells.

Singing bowls can be used for meditation and just a relationship to the sound waves has shown positive impact on the human body. 

I have been working with the bowls, using the sound to help welcome relaxing and create a release in my body.  Excess energy seems to float away. 

This session was extremely helpful for me.  Even the dog let out a little call to let me know he was enjoying the session.  

I hope you enjoy.

 This was a pretty amazing session today. I wanted to share it.  This was a intention healing session for the lumbar area or back area.  It is recommended to listen to this with your headphones on and just allow your body to merge with the energy of the sounds being played.

Apologies for the road noise, I'm working on a better place to record.

Feel free to leave feedback.

 Daily Draw - The Survivor

This card comes with the message, "Things might not work out as planned, at least in the short term. Remember all you have endured and how resilient you have proven to be."

 Daily Draw - The Witch