Author Archives: ToilandTomes

Book Dragon: New Year, New Reviews

Its a new year, and I’ve got a new reading challenge under my belt.  🙂 So here’s to all the books sitting in my “to-read” pile, and here’s hoping I actually read most of them. PS… Not going to the … Continue reading

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Book Dragon: Fall into Reviews

*Please note that the following blog post may contain some spoilers in relation to book plots.* I’m at the finishing line for my 2018 reading challenge.  The goal was 45 and as I write, I’m sitting pretty at 44. Score … Continue reading

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Toil & Trouble: 5 Ways to Fall into Mabon

“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

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

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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