Laura Perry's Blog, page 10

Musings on the Minoan Threefold Goddess

There is no Maiden-Mother-Crone triplicity among the Minoan goddesses, but that doesn't mean we can't find some meaningful threefold divisions within the pantheon. Here's my exploration of the triplicity of Land/Sea/Sky, the Great Mothers of the ancient Minoans:The Minoan Threefold Goddess: The Great MothersTo join the conversation about the ancient Minoans and Modern Minoan Paganism, head on over to our welcoming community atAriadne's Tribeon Facebook.In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.

A different kind of dragon story

A while back, I had the pleasure of reading a friend's first novel, what I would call a different kind of dragon tale:Dragon's Treasureby Maya Starling. If you're like me, you get tired of reading the same story over and over again, with just the names and maybe the setting changed. Well, this one is different, for sure. A princess who can bloody well rescue herself. A prince you'd rather not meet alone in the dark woods if you can help it. A dragon who isn't the bad guy, and who has a great secret bound up in a century-old curse. Good stuff.Now I have the pleasure of announcing the publication of the sequel toDragon's Treasure:Dragon's Prize.Maya was generous enough to answer some questions for me about her writing in general and the Dragons Awaken books in particular:How did you begin writing?I began writing in 2012, prompted by a Wattpad author friend. I was reading a lot, escaping the everyday depression of unemployment, and I started suggesting some edits for a Wattpad author. We soon became friends, and I became her Wattpad first round editor. She then encouraged me to try write something as well, and in the end, it became a way for me to fight off depression.Was it something you intended to do or was it by accident, so to speak?I started writing by accident. I never thought I would become a writer someday, because I was a really late bloomer when it came to reading as well. But, as I learned, it’s never too late for anything if you put your mind to it.What are your favorite books?This could be a really long list, so here are a few I have been suggesting recently:Sharing KnifeTrilogy by L.M.BujoldMoirin Trilogyby Jacqueling CareyShadows of the Aptseries by Adrian TchaikovskyAfter the Golden AgeandDiscord’s Appleby Carrie VaughnLud-in-the-Mistby Hope MirrlessChronicles of Amberby Roger ZelaznyWhich authors and stories inspire you the most, both in your daily life and in your writing?It would have to be L.M.Bujold. HerSharing KnifeTrilogy inspired me to write, but there are generally many authors who provide inspiration and hope for my writing.What do you think makes a book worth reading?Believable characters, characters that make you involved in their story, a unique story or at least a twist on an existing trope. I am mostly all about the characters, and character driven stories.What do you think is the hardest thing about writing?From my experience, the challenges depended on where I am and what was currently happening in my life.In the beginning, as a new writer, the start was the hardest part. Actually sitting down and getting those words to flow. And not editing as I write. It was hard to give that up.Once everything was going smoothly, the self-doubt would set in.Now, when I finally have some experience and confidence in my writing, the hardest part is finding the time. I have a little boy now who keeps me preoccupied during the day, and I miss those late night writing sessions.What’s your favorite aspect of the writing process?Living the lives of my characters and letting them lead the story. They sometimes surprise me. And, who just doesn’t like to imagine being them, our heroes?If you could co-write a book with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?I never actually thought about it. I have some ongoing co-writing projects and it is a learning experience. It would be really hard to choose someone because I would most likely be intimidated by the ones I would choose, by their skill and would probably be mostly star-struck. I would prefer my favorite authors read my books than co-write with them. Maybe one author comes to mind strictly out of curiosity to see/learn their thought process and bringing their imagination to life: Hope Mirrless.What inspired you to take on the dragon-and-princess theme? After all, it’s been done so many times before. What were you trying to accomplish withDragon’s Treasure?I felt bad for the dragons. Why do they almost always have to be the bad guys? Why does the prince have to win the maiden? I wanted to read about the what if, so I wrote it. And also, a little secret, the maiden gets to save herself in the sequel. I wanted to give the dragon a chance at love and the maiden a chance to save herself.If you could be any character in theDragons Awakenbooks, which one would you be?Oh, that’s a tough one. Based onDragon’s Treasureonly, I want to say Olivia, but I put her through so much that I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes. Probably Theo or Damien, I just love those two and the love they share, so close to my own.FromDragon’s Prize, I’d love to be Bast even if for a day.If theDragons Awakenbooks were made into a movie, who would you want to play each part?Well, I did think and dream about that like any other daydreaming author, and I did base my descriptions on some characters, so here is my cast:Olivia … Rose Byrne (some CGI to make her fit the age;) )Kaden … well, a blue dragon drawn by artist Ben Wotten (if spoilers are allowed, Aidan Turner)Magnus … Josh Holloway (again, with a little bit of help from CGI, I really need to brush up on the younger actors)Charlie… Rachel Hurd-WoodCassiel … Chiwetel EjioforDelilah… Amanda Seyfried or Elle FanningLiltih… Michelle PfeifferAaaand, I’m gonna stop there, or the list will get too long. I really haven’t thought much about who would play the other characters.Do you have plans for more books in theDragons Awakenseries?Yes! Many plans! There’sDragon’s Prize, that’s just been released. I plan on one more book to round up the trilogy,Dragons’ Queen, and then two spinoff books that continue the story with new, younger characters.Where can people find you and your books online?You can find me many places! If you like to read blogs, book reviews, free short stories and be up to date with new releases, follow me onwww.mayastarling.comIf you prefer the social media:https://www.facebook.com/StarlingMaya/https://twitter.com/MayaStarlingAnd you can find all versions ofDragon’s Treasurein its eBook form here:https://books.pronoun.com/dragons-treasure/and paperback here:https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Treasure-Dragon-Maya-Starling/dp/9535936603/AndDragon’s Prizehere:https://books.pronoun.com/dragons-prize/

Author Interview: Wendy Steele

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with talented author (and friend)Wendy Steele, who has written several series of magical, pagan-y books. Her latest work,The Naked Witch, will be released tomorrow.The Naked Witchis part of a new genre called Witch Lit, stories that showcase magic and humor in the lives of strong and interesting female characters. Here's what Wendy had to say:Tell us a little about yourself and your writing.I’ve always come home from days out and holidays and written about my experiences. I dabbled with children’s stories and poetry in my twenties, was inspired by a writing workshop in my thirties and spent three years writing my first novel. My first published novel,Destiny of Angels, the first book in the Lilith Trilogy, was in 2012. Since then, I’ve published a further novel, three novellas, had short stories published online and in anthologies and read my stories on my YouTube channel,Phoenix and the Dragon. My first Witch Lit novel,The Naked Witch, is available to pre-order.I live in mid Wales with my partner and cats and am a member of theCwrtnewydd Scribblers. I teach tribal style belly dance and perform withTribal Unity Wales.What is Witch Lit?Borrowing the basis from the genre Chick Lit, heroine-centred narratives that focus on the trials and tribulations of their individual protagonists within a modern world, coping with work and home life and with a soupçon of humour, substitute ‘witch’ for ‘chick’.What isThe Naked Witchabout?Lizzie Martin lives in Romford with her fourteen year old daughter, Rowan. She enjoys her job as a receptionist and typist at an old established, family run company. She clothes herself from charity shops in vibrant, joyful colours with matching headbands she makes herself. Colour is Lizzie’s armour and she uses it to hold at bay the emotional angst of her ex-husband, Josh, whose girlfriend is barely out of her teens, her mother who has the sensitivity of a crocodile, and the big bad world from which she tries to protect her daughter.But today Edward Brown – her new boss – has asked Lizzie to ‘bare all’, and become more corporate. For Lizzie, swapping paisley for pin stripe is like asking a parrot to wear pea hen.Meanwhile, as Edward Brown retakes his position as head of the law firm, Lizzie has to choose between her job and her integrity, cope with an unexpected stay in hospital, continue seeking the truth about her father’s death and juggle two new men in her life.There is hope though.At the bottom of the garden is a little wooden shed that Lizzie calls Sanctuary. Within its warm and welcoming walls, Lizzie surrounds herself with magic...Why Witch Lit?Women read more fiction than men, so why not? Who wouldn’t want to read about a female protagonist who can destroy three coconuts on a shy… on a bad day? The basis for the genre may be borrowed from Chick Lit but you won’t find witches pining for love, though they’re not averse to a shapely buttock and a chiseled jaw line.For the past decade, magical realism has showcased vampires, werewolves and a popular school for witches. Now it’s time for real magic and real people.Are there five things a witch should carry about her person?I can’t speak for every witch, of course, but a bottle of good lavender essential oil, safety pins, a notebook and pencil, a ginger sweet and a stone or shell from the beach are always in my handbag.Do you have to be a witch or a pagan to enjoy Witch Lit?Not at all! It’s always the story first for me and Lizzie’s battle with her head and heart is a compelling one.You describe yourself as author, wise woman and goddess. What does that mean?Though the labels overlap, these three words sum me up as a person. Author is writer, story teller, inspirer and teacher. Wise woman is dance teacher and witch, treading her own magical path. Goddess is woman, mother, writer, dancer and healer.Where can we find out more about you and your stories?My website is a great place to start:www.wendysteele.comTwitter:https://twitter.com/WendyWooauthorFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/destinyofangelsnovel/More Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/WendyWooBooksEven more Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheStandingStoneUS Amazon author page:http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/refUK Amazon author page:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/refLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-steele-91257660/Goodreads author:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548666.Wendy_SteeleYouTube channel: The Phoenix and the Dragonhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3ee9CuNdek9ZC1Im8I_iA

Minoan Epiphany: Come on Down!

Epiphany isn't a word you typically hear in relation to modern religions. It means the appearance of the deity - god or goddess - to the worshipers. Epiphanies show up in Minoan art, suggesting that the Minoans experienced their gods "close up and personal" during their rituals. I've shared some details and several examples from Minoan seal rings in thisMinoan Path blogpost:Minoan Epiphany: Come on Down!If you'd like to join the conversation about the ancient Minoans and Modern Minoan Paganism, head on over to our welcoming community atAriadne's Tribeon Facebook.In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.

Books for Africa: A Worthy Cause

My daughter is taking a sociology course that requires her to put in some volunteer time at a local nonprofit organization. She choseBooks for Africaand I decided to tag along with her and put in some volunteer hours of my own.The experience was eye-opening. I didn't realize that most children in Africa have never owned even one book, and in some regions (thanks to political purges and the like) the younger children have never evenseena book before. They have to be taught how to hold them, turn the pages, and so on. Some schools have one textbook that all the children share, and libraries are few and far between. Illiteracy and poverty are inextricably linked, and Books for Africa is working to break that cycle.I'm an author. I write books. I read books, lots of them. I've always been surrounded by books, at school and at home. But that's because I'm a middle-class American. I think maybe I've been taking the idea of literacy for granted, since it's such an ordinary thing here. But that's not the case everywhere.The Books for Africa employee who did our volunteer orientation talked about the "book famine" in Africa, and that phrase really struck me. The books that Books for Africa ships out go to rural communities, to the schools that are desperate for books, in places where the "school" may simply be an empty building with no furniture or supplies and a Peace Corps volunteer teacher. And boy, do they ship a lot of books.My daughter and I spent a solid day sorting and packing books to be sent to a school that teaches grades 1 through 8. Publishers and libraries donate textbooks, storybooks, and more. Individuals candonate booksas well, but please pay attention to the guidelines. My daughter and I spent a lot of time separating out books that the organization can't use, and that's a waste of everyone's time and resources.More than books, though, Books for Africa needs funds. It costs 50 cents or more to reliably ship each book to its destination (they place an emphasis onreliably- there's no point in sending stuff that's not going to reach the people who need it). We saw row upon row of boxed, palleted books in the warehouse where we were working. They load those pallets into giant metal shipping containers that are then shipped (literally, across the ocean) to ports in Africa and then delivered from there to rural schools that need them. All of that costs money.You candonateto theorganization in general, to aspecific project(pick an African country and see exactly which school or library the books are going to), orin honor of a friend or family member. I encourage you to look through theBooks for Africa websiteand consider choosing them as a charity you donate to. If you live in the Atlanta (Georgia, USA) or Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota, USA) areas, please considervolunteering with them. It takes a lot of time to sort and pack the books that will be sent out, and many hands make light work.I'm going to get back to my writing now, and maybe read a bit this afternoon if I have time. I'm surrounded by books on shelves and words on a computer screen. I'll do my best not to take that for granted anymore.

The Magic of Nature Oracle: A Review

Like most people who use Tarot and oracle cards, I have quite a collection and am always finding new decks that I love. Well, here's another one. My talented writer/musician friendSheena Cundyhas also created a beautiful oracle deck along with her artist friend and fellow "crafty crone" Tania Copsey.The Magic of Nature Oracleis a set of 39 cards plus a book, and they come nestled in a hand-sewn burlap pouch for safekeeping.I couldn't wait to start playing around with these cards as soon as they arrived, and I wasn't disappointed. The cards are all based on animals, plants, and seasons in Britain, but I found myself connecting strongly with them even though I live in the US. The hand-painted artwork on the cards is evocative - I really get the feeling behind each one as well as the image. I immediately found myself comparing this deck to one of my long-time favorite Tarot decks, theSacred Circle Tarot. Though the art style is different, the vibe is similar, a strong connection to the energies of nature and the seasons through the filter of British animals, plants, and mythos. These cards are read right-side up (no reversed meanings). I especially like that the card meanings are divided into three sections: Experience, Lesson, and Gift. Finding the gift in various situations is especially hard for me, and having that aspect spelled out right in front of me is helpful. There's also a simple mantra to go with each card, a phrase to focus on to get to the heart of the matter and find grounding and peace. Good stuff.The purpose of this deck isn't so much to predict the future as to tease out our own inner workings, find our own truth, and ground that in the healing world of nature. The companion book includes several suggested spreads for these cards. The three-card Past-Present-Future spread is pretty standard, but I really like the Wake Up Rise & Shine Spread for its insight into how I'm blocking myself and what I can do to fix that. That's valuable information, even if it's sometimes hard to face. The five-card Crafty Crone Spread is useful for figuring out the details of specific situations and deciding how to move forward with wisdom and grace.I'll definitely be adding this deck into my stack of favorites. It's different, in a good way, and has a focus that I think we all need these days: grounding ourselves in the wisdom of nature so we can find the healing and nurture that we all need.In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.

Book Review: The Seas Come Still

It's an overused term, but it applies here: This is an epic tale. Author J.P. Jamin has woven together two disparate times and cultures with two strong uniting threads: magic and the sea. The One Ocean that encircles the world also twines through the lives of Luyan, a Hittite slave whom Fate has tossed among the ancient Minoans at the time of the Thera eruption, and Arima, a Basque woman entangled in the lives of an 18th-century British family. The sea is a character in itself, a primal force that molds the destiny of those who dare to engage with it.Magic flows through the threads of this multifaceted tapestry as well: the magic of the Minoan priestesses and the Basque witches, the secrets passed from initiate to initiate in whispers, bearing the traditions down through the centuries one fragment at a time. This is the story of women of power fighting against a world in which men dominate by force and brutality, fighting to preserve the magic, the ancient ways that whisper always to those who can hear.The Seas Come Still is fiction and the writer has the freedom to fill in the gaps as desired. But this tale is based on sound and thorough research, so the historical framework rings true. The clashing of cultures and egos, of politics and religion... love and jealousy and conflict and loss... these are human experiences we can all relate to. The characters are believable, both the sympathetic ones and those we "love to hate." The plot twists toward the end really turned my head and added an element of surprise that only deepened the story. This is, indeed, a saga, one you would do well to wrap yourself up in.

Minoan ecstasy: filling the empty spaces

One reason the modern world can feel unfulfilling is that it's based entirely in the mundane, the material. But if we allow ourselves to open up to the numinous, that which is beyond ordinary consciousness, we can find a deep satisfaction and contentment that isn't available through the physical world alone. The ancient Minoans knew this and practiced it in their religion. In today'sMinoan Pathblog post, I offer some suggestions for safely achieving these states in our modern Pagan spirituality:Minoan ecstasy: Filling the empty spacesIf you'd like to join the conversation about Modern Minoan Paganism, head on over to our welcoming community atAriadne's Tribeon Facebook.In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.

Minoan Coming of Age: The Akrotiri Frescoes

The ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, on the island of Santorini (a.k.a. Thera), was home to people of all ages. Among them were girls and boys who were honored during coming-of-age rites. We can understand some of what they experienced through the beautiful frescoes on the walls of the building where the ceremonies were held:Minoan Coming of Age: The Akrotiri FrescoesI feel this is something we've lost in our modern society, something we need to bring back to honor our young people as they move from childhood into adulthood.In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.

The Sacral Scarf: Minoan Symbolism

Some time ago I offered a few thoughts about thesacral scarf. Since then several of us inAriadne's Tribehave worked with the sacral scarf and have come up with some ideas about what it represents and how we can use it in ritual to connect with the divine. Check out my recentMinoan Pathblog post for all the details:The Sacral Scarf: Minoan SymbolismHow do you connect with the divine in your life?In the name of the bee,And of the butterfly,And of the breeze, amen.