Author Archives: ToilandTomes

Toil & Trouble: 5 Ways to Fall into Mabon

Posted on September 13, 2018 by ToilandTomes

“And I Jack, the Pumpkin King, have grown so tired of the same old thing…” Tim Burton- The Nightmare Before Christmas If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, you may be preparing for the Autumnal Equinox, or Mabon.  The second of … Continue reading →

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Toil & Trouble: Guide to a Book of Shadows

Posted on July 21, 2018 by ToilandTomes

Where do you start? When creating a Book of Shadows, it’s important to determine what format works best for you and your practice.   Your Book of Shadows will change as much as you do, and its beneficial for your BoS  to … Continue reading →

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Toil & Trouble: Summer Celebrations

Posted on June 30, 2018 by ToilandTomes

While there is something wonderful about celebrating with a ritual during the solstice itself, bringing those energies into your home for the entire Summer can have lasting effects. Depending on your Wiccan sect or calendar, Litha either passed on June 21st … Continue reading →

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Book Dragon: The Good, the Bad, and the WTF…

Posted on June 13, 2018 by ToilandTomes

Not all books are created equal. Any reader, avid or otherwise, is well aware of this fact.   Shades of Fury series (Kasey MacKenzie) Red Hot Fury, Green-Eyed Envy, Blackhearted Betrayal I grabbed these books solely due to its premise: … Continue reading →

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Toil and Trouble: Authors du Jour

Posted on June 12, 2018 by ToilandTomes

So, you found Wicca. Perhaps you’ve gone out and purchased a few items. Attempted to build an altar or two? Except, where do you go from there? Which path do you choose? Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Faerie, Georgian, Eclectic… Wicca, like … Continue reading →

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Toil and Trouble: Solitary Beltane

Posted on April 30, 2018 by ToilandTomes

Beltane, or May Day, is celebrated about halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. This is one of those times during the year when energies, especially earth energies, are at its strongest. Which makes it an ideal place … Continue reading →

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Book Dragon: Soul Soothing

Posted on April 27, 2018 by ToilandTomes

I needed to move recently. Which unfortunately, means that the majority of my belongings are in storage, neatly labeled in boxes.  Naturally, this includes the book hoard.  The dragon has been a little more vocal in the last week or … Continue reading →

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Adventures in Aprons: April Challenge

Posted on April 10, 2018 by ToilandTomes

I don’t know about others, but it is unbelievably easy for me to get into what I like to call the “dinner wormhole.”  This is where I end up making the same meals over and over for various reasons. They … Continue reading →

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Toil and Trouble: Easter Revelations

Posted on April 9, 2018 by ToilandTomes

While I myself do not celebrate Easter, my boyfriend is Lutheran.  He had a tough week leading up to Easter and needed to attend church services to help get his mind to calm down. He wanted me to attend services … Continue reading →

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Toil and Trouble: Imbolc

Posted on February 19, 2018 by ToilandTomes

The essence of Imbolc lies in the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  We are celebrating life, all life, as it transitions from one season to the next.    Imbolc is a great time to think about … Continue reading →

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Book Dragon: Another Year, Another Challenge

Posted on February 16, 2018 by ToilandTomes

Well, as I predicted, I didn’t quite make it to my 70 book goal for 2017.  (October to December were especially tough months during a family crisis).  However, 61 out of 70 still has me feeling successful regarding my reading … Continue reading →

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Toil and Trouble: A Personal History

Posted on May 18, 2017 by ToilandTomes

My extended family are a fairly religious bunch, and it is a wonderful mixture of different beliefs.  My father was raised Lutheran, my mother Baptist. I’ve got one godfather who is Presbyterian and another who is Mormon.  Friends occupy the … Continue reading →

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