Progress at Gym and Garden Flags with the Witches Tarot art!

Good Morning,
This is going to be a short blog as I have to go meet with my trainer this morning. Here's the update on my fitness progress. So far I have lost 2 inches off my chest, 2 inches off my shoulders, 2 inches off my arms, 5 inches from my waist, and 7 inches off my hips!

 I am down a dress size, a jeans size, and I am thrilled that this week I had to go return some summer tops I bought in March for smaller sizes- and best of all I was able to shop in the Misses department!


I was so tickled at finally being able to get out of the women's/ plus size department. Yesterday I went shopping for new bras and discovered that I am down a size and a cup size as well. I was grinning like an idiot in the fitting room. Fist pump!
At the moment I am sitting here in work out clothes that I would not dare be seen in last year- they were way too tight across the belly and bust. So if I am wearing them to the gym- its a real victory for me. Boo-yah! Take that menopause weight gain!

In other news the artist from the Witches Tarot, Mark Evans has graciously given me permission to make up some items using the art from our tarot deck "Witches Tarot" and to start I am having garden flags made up!
Here are the four cards I have chosen.

The Mermaid from the 5 of Cups, The Wheel of the Year, The Moon, and Karma!

5 of Cups Witches Tarot

Wheel of the Year- Witches Tarot

The Moon- Witches Tarot

Karma- The Witches Tarot

To begin these flags will only be available at my author events. The upcoming St. Louis Pagan Picnic, and Templefest in New Hampshire.

After those events I will see how the sales went and then discuss it with Mark before we decide if we will offer these garden flags online.

These were the four designs I have chosen and they will be the only designs I am offering this summer.

These are made locally for me by Naked Man Press- aka The Mickie Mueller Collection. Here is the information on the garden flags.

Printed right in their studio and hand pressed onto long wearing, mildew resistant polyester fabric, each garden flag has a channel in the top that allows you to display it outside using your favorite flagpole. The flag measures 12 inches wide x 18 inches long. I will be selling the flags for $15.00 and yes, I can take credit and debit cards at festivals. I have a iPhone and Paypal triangle to use now. 

I ordered my books for the Pagan Picnic yesterday, I will be making another big book order for Templefest next week. Now I need to go dash to the gym.

Hope to see you at one of the festivals this summer!
Blessed be, Ellen

Taking some "Down Time" & Gearing up for Summer Tour Dates!

Hello!
It has been some time since I posted a new entry in the old Blog of Witchery... the reason for that was pretty simple. I was busy finishing my 15th book Practical Prosperity Magick- and then catching up on other projects, Then just when I thought it was safe--I had to do some edits. But FINALLY the book is off my desk and I am taking some down time.

Yup, that's right. No writing for a while. I am going to take a month or two off and relax. (Something I should have done after the mad-dash-to-the-finish- run we had with the Witches Tarot last year.) I am giving myself a couple of months off. 

I plan to put in some time and work in my gardens, keep up with my work out routine and the session with my trainer- who kicks my ass twice a week....and just be.

In the next few weeks I need to prepare for FPG  (Florida Pagan Gathering.) That's fast approaching. And I am really looking forward to it. Plus my writing buddy Tess Whitehurst will be there and it has been a couple of years since we have had any time together-- besides chatting on the phone.

I am stocking up on sunscreen and starting to get organized after all I leave in just 2 weeks! Here is the link to the event if you want to check it out. flapagan.org/

May will be another month to rest up and relax as June is going to be intense!
Here is my tour schedule for May and June.

 MAY 2013

Florida Pagan Gathering- Beltane 2013
Dates: May 1 - 5, 2013
Place: Camp Ocala, Altoona, Florida

Ellen is a Special Guest at FPG for Beltane this year. Ellen will be giving three different lectures while at FPG-

Building a Circle or Coven: Adventures of a High Priestess
Description: What does it really take to build and run a successful Circle or Coven? Author Ellen Dugan has some down to earth advice to share, as well as some tips and ideas to get your group motivated and organized. Get ready to laugh and to learn in this fun and informative workshop.

Mysteries of Beltane & Love Magick
Description: Join Ellen Dugan, author of "Seasons of Witchery", for a lively look at the sabbat of Beltane its history and lore- and the topic of Love Magick. 'Tis the time of year where romance is in the air. Learn what it takes to perform effective and ethical love magick. Come and find out for yourself what the strongest form of magick truly is.

Witches Tarot
Join award winning author and Tarot reader Ellen Dugan for a workshop on her newest release, The Witches Tarot. Learn how and why Ellen created the deck and the story behind the cards. This workshop also includes helpful hints and tips for performing polished readings for the general public, as well as techniques you can employ in your own readings. If you would like to gain a deeper knowledge of the magick and mystery of the tarot, please join us.

Please visit the FPG website for more details. The days and times of the lectures will be posted as we get closer to the event! www.flapagan.org

 JUNE 2013

St. Louis Pagan Picnic
Date: Saturday June 8 2013
Place: Tower Grove Park St. Louis MO.

Award winning author, Ellen Dugan will be attending the Picnic on Saturday. She will be on author's row selling and signing all fourteen of her book and tarot deck

Ellen will also be lecturing on the "Magick of the Witches Tarot"

Lecture description: Join award winning author and Tarot reader Ellen Dugan for a free workshop on her newest release, The Witches Tarot. Learn how and why Ellen created the deck and the story behind the cards. This workshop also includes helpful hints and tips for performing polished readings for the general public, as well as techniques you can employ in your own readings.

Time for lecture to be announced.
See you at the park!

TEMPLEFEST 2013
Date: June 15-16, 2013
Place: South Hampton, NH.
www.templeofwitchcraft.org/TempleFest.html

Ellen has been invited to be the Special Guest of The Temple of Witchcraft's Summer Festival. She will be lecturing on The Magick of the Witches Tarot and will be on hand selling and signing copies of all 14 of her books and the Tarot deck. For more information and to register for the event click on the link above. Hope to see you there!



Hope to See you at one of these events!
Blessed be, Ellen

Happy Spring! A Witch-Craft Project

Blessed Spring Equinox, Blessed Ostara!

Ellen's mantle all decorated for Ostara

I've been decorating for the sabbat at home and today I thought it would be fun to share my latest Witch-Craft project. These are decorated eggs dyed to look like real bird eggs. I have seen variations of this project on Pinterest and decided to try it out for myself.

To begin you are going to want to hard boil your eggs. The best way I have ever found to do this is to put the eggs in the pot, cover them with cool water and bring the eggs to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid, and remove it from heat. Allow the eggs to stay in the pot, covered for 12 minutes. Then remove them from the water and let them sit out on a towel to dry and to cool off.  (Perfectly cooked eggs- every time!)

Here we have the cooked eggs cooling on a kitchen towel. Also you'll see the supplies that I used to achieve the colors. Tea bags, plain old food coloring and vinegar- oh and HOT water.
I allowed the eggs to thoroughly cool (about 2 hours) and after I came back from the gym this morning, I hit the showers, got human, and prepared to start coloring the eggs.

To start you will need one cup boiling water and 2 tsps. of vinegar-- per each color that you want to achieve. To make the soft brown eggs,  I actually brewed up some plain Lipton tea and cut one of the bags open- then added the vinegar to the mug I used to hold the egg dye. The vinegar helps to set the color. I measured out the vinegar into the mugs first, then I carefully poured the boiling water into each thick mug

So then- 1 cup boiling water + 2 teaspoons white vinegar + 15 drops of food coloring. In each mug. (Or use two tea bags in a mug for brown).

I used about 15 drops of blue in one mug,  and 10 drops of green with 4 drops of blue to get a soft robin's egg blue in a second mug.
See to the left one blue and blue green egg drying on a towel and the brown eggs being dyed in the mug.

To the right, here are the eight eggs I did, drying on paper towels and tea towels. Once they were dry I mixed up some non-toxic acrylic craft paint to a medium brown color and splattered the dyed and now dry eggs with the brown paint. That gave them a more realistic look.

And here are a few of the finished eggs in a cute little antique pottery bowl on my kitchen counter. I can't decide which color I like better, the blue or the blue-green. Of course I love brown eggs anyway- here in the Midwest brown eggs are more expensive than white eggs. So I thought this soft golden brown was pretty. But best of all these decorated eggs look more like the real birds eggs you would find in nature- they are just larger. Also don't forget to keep your hard boiled eggs in the fridge after you are finished decorating and dying them.




Finally here is a snazzy picture on the right my daughter took for me. One of these days I have to have her teach me how she uses filters and such on her iPhone. It only took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to get the picture from my facebook to the blog. (sigh). Damn you technology...

In closing, this year I wrote the Ostara ritual for the 2013 Sabbat Almanac for Llewellyn this year. If you would like some ideas for celebrating the sabbat, a ritual for Ostara,  and more information on the Bird Goddess- who I think I very appropriate for this sabbat anyway- check it out!

Don't forget my book Seasons of Witchery- for even more ideas and magick for your all of your sabbat celebrations! Here is a direct link to amazon.com to pick up a copy. http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Witchery

I wish you all a blessed and bright Spring and an enchanting Vernal Equinox!
Ellen 

Announcing the working title of my 15th Book!

Good morning,

Well after a marathon session of proofreading and polishing yesterday... It is all done. I started at 5:00am in my PJ's, fuzzy socks and hoodie. Stopped for breakfast and lunch but otherwise stayed at my desk until 2:30pm. Then I laid flat on the floor of my office to stretch out my back for about 30 minutes. (Still wearing my PJ's.)
I was wiped out but decided to go and work out anyway- especially after sitting still for so long- so I got up, pulled my hair into a ponytail, put on workout clothes and headed to the gym.

My trainer was so surprised to see me strolling in (okay staggering in) at 3:45 in the afternoon, I am typically a workout in the morning girl, that he walked over to me. As he got closer he looked concerned and asked me if I was alright. I smiled tiredly and said in explanation, "The book is finally done!"

This only seemed to concern him. He leaned in and said, "Ellen you have bags under your eyes. Are you okay?" I made a snarky reply about the glamor of being an author and he shook his head and told me to go easy today on the workout, and then to take a nap when I got home. Sweet talker.

I did a shorter workout, went home, hit the shower and made dinner. Because I felt celebratory I poured myself a half glass of wine. (Yeah I know, party animal alert!) While I was eating dinner I was inspired to go ahead and send the whole she-bang to my editor. So after I cleaned up the kitchen- I went back into my office and stayed there for a few more hours.
All sent in- officially done and off my desk! However, by time I was "done", I had trouble focusing my very bloodshot eyes, and I staggered to the couch and stayed put for the evening. Then gave up and went to bed early.

If you were paying attention to my Pinterest boards you may have clued in to the topic a few months ago....  Anyway, without further ado, the working title for my 15th book is...

Practical Prosperity Magick: Witchery for Success & Abundance.  

Now, that is the "working title". So while the main title should stay the same, the subtitle might get tweaked. That will be up to Llewellyn to decide.
The book is set up in a similar manner to Practical Protection Magick- and is the latest in my "Practical Magick" series. Release date for book 15 should be late spring 2014. Oh and before you ask- no I do not have any say over when a book will be released.

This book took me on an interesting journey. It has more advanced magickal techniques, fresh ideas and plenty of witchery to keep you busy and working towards success and prosperity.

In other news I will have a book coming out in Fall 2013. Sorry for the secrecy- but the publisher has asked me not to reveal what it will be until they give me the go-ahead.

Today's plans are pretty simple. Rest up, relax and re-charge.I think I have earned it.
Blessed be, Ellen
pinterest.com/ellendugan/

Progress and Witches Discussion Group

Good Morning,
Today is our St. Louis area Witches Discussion Group here are all of the particulars

Witches Discussion Group
Hosted by Ellen Dugan and Charlynn Walls
Date: February 16, 2013
Time: 2:00- 3:30 pm.
Place: Kathryn Linnemann Library (Meeting Room)
2323 Elm Street
Saint Charles, MO. 63301
Library Phone Number 636-346-6294
Ages 18 and up are welcome.
FREE!
A new discussion group for the Witches, Wiccans and Pagans of the St. Louis area.
Topic for December: Imbolc- to Ostara Welcoming the Light!
We will be meeting monthly to discuss magickal topics of interest. This will be a friendly exchange of ideas, magick and the discussion group will allow for attendees to have the chance to network and meet other magickal folks from the area. Ages 18 and up are welcome.
Please note: Due to work on the Blanchette Bridge, please consider taking 370 or the Page Extension to come to Saint Charles. We look forward to seeing you there!

 In other news, after a month at the gym I am starting to see some progress. Which considering I had the flu a few weeks ago, and then I went overboard and strained my knees last week, and have been doing only upper body workouts... isn't too bad. I am hopeful that by Wednesday I can start working out my legs again. In the meantime I want toned arms. I can build a bicep fast but the triceps are harder... and I want sculpted arms. I also need to start working harder on my core.

Last summer I dieted and worked out at home- hard for 6 weeks and lost one stinking pound. After a month at the gym I lost 3 pounds. One inch off my waist, 1 inch off my arms, and 4 inches off my hips! That explains why my jeans are feeling so different. So I am pleased.
I am also learning (the hard way)  that at the age of 49 I need to pace myself and not go balls out when I am at the gym because of the endorphin rush. Oy! that's how I strained my knees and got the IT band all aggravated. Lesson learned. Back to daily IT band stretching....
I still get confused by all the weights and machines. My trainer wrote down homework for me on the days I don't work with him, but I need like stick drawings of people to figure it out. I told him to break out the big crayons for me. Cause I just didn't get it. How do you hold you hands? Palms up or down on the barbells, how do you adjust the machines? Aaack! Very confusing. But he spent some time with me yesterday and I'm starting to feel less like a moron when I am at the gym on my own. With my sheet of paper filled with my stick figure drawings and directions.

Book# 15 is getting closer to completion. I am making good progress on the final chapter and this chapter ended up being deeper and more advanced than I had originally planned on and I am running with it. Actually this whole book is going to take it up a few notches. So I am pleased. I expected it to be done by now but you know what they say about best laid plans.

Okay I need to go hit the gym, then get home and get some work done on Chapter 9 before the discussion group this afternoon. I also hope to go see the movie "Beautiful Creatures" this weekend with the Hubs. I really liked the book- curious to see what they do with the film adaptation.
Blessed be, Ellen

Mardi Gras Magick!

Hello,

Happy Mardi Gras.
Just for fun here is a spell I wrote for the 2009 Spell-a-Day Almanac. It has been adapted slightly to work with our current moon  phase. 
Please remember that the spell is copyrighted material and may not be reproduced in any form electronic or print without the written permission of the author, Ellen Dugan.
And now Happy Casting! 

Here is a spell that incorporates the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple for justice, green to represent faith, and gold for power. For this spell you will need a purple, green and gold candle (any size or style) and three candle holders. Line the candles up and drape Mardi Gras beads and coins around them if you wish. Once you have things arranged as you like, light the candles and repeat the charm.

*“This year, Mardi Gras falls on a crescent moon night,

Now I cast this spell, by magick and candlelight.

The purple candle brings justice, with all possible speed

While the green candle renews my faith, in my time of need,

The golden candle is burned for power, may it shine so bright.

Let the good times roll, with harm to none, on this Mardi Gras night.”

Allow the candles to burn out in a safe place. 
*Written by Ellen Dugan

Let the Good Times Roll and Blessed be!
Ellen 

Ellen Dugan 2011 STL Witches ball

Transformation and The Magician

Hello,

I have been working away at finishing up book #15, and I also had a little writing assignment to work on for a surprise book project that is supposed to be released in autumn of 2013. (Or so the folks at Llewellyn tell me). I turned in that assignment on Friday. Now it's down to the final chapter of book 15 and the big push is on! Anywho, its been a crazy couple of weeks.

I am still working out hard 6 days a week and I got a little over zealous on the treadmill on Friday and apparently strained my back. Who knew? I texted my trainer and checked in with him and he grounded me from the gym for a day and the treadmills for a few days. Then he sent me motivational quotes on my cell phone. Aww bless his heart. That was so sweet... and then I turned around and sent him a silly and slightly snarky training quote back- and he laughed so hard that now he wants to send it to other clients. I told him to feel free.

Today I am allowed to go in and do the weight machine circuit he has set up for me. I was pushing myself really hard as weigh in/ measurements are this week. Its the one month mark since I started with the gym and I am curious to see if I have lost any weight and how much. I have started to see a change in my body. At the waist, my jawline, neck, and weirdly the shape of my hands. I'm nervous as hell to see what the "official" measurements say this week.

Last summer and fall I worked out on my own and dieted hard and lost only one freaking pound in 6 weeks. I had been told it would be an uphill battle due to menopause and hormone fluctuations. But seriously? It was very discouraging results for all of that work, and that's when I started plotting and searching for a local and affordable gym. I also decided to shake things up and go ahead and hire a trainer. Someone who would keep me motivated and also keep me on my toes. I can honestly say I have never been as sore in my life since I started working with a trainer, but its a good sore- the kind that tells you- you are working hard and starting a personal transformation.

The Magician -Witches Tarot

Speaking of transformation....
Here is one of my favorite cards in the tarot deck "The Magician" To the left you see The Magician from my Witches Tarot deck http://www.witchestarot.com/  
This major arcana card is all about working with the four natural elements of earth, air, fire and water, and then adding your own personal power to achieve transformation and to bring about the manifestation of your goals and dreams.

If you look closely you will see four faeries in the card, one for each element and the tools of the magician on the table also aligned to the four elements. The pentacle for earth, the sword for air, the hawthorn wand for fire, and the cup for water. The illuminated lemniscate above the Magicians head is an infinity symbol and it is a way for the Magician to focus his intention and reminds us that everything we think is in fact, creating our own future.

In my Witches Tarot Companion Book- these are the "Key Words" that I have to help readers quickly remember the core meaning of this Major Arcana card. "Key Words: As above, so below. Skill, determination, connection and confidence. Strength of will, and working magick with the four elements and the elemental spirits. The Hermetic principle of correspondence,  elemental magick, and personal power."- Ellen Dugan

When this particular card appears in a reading,  it is a message to tap into your own witchery to find the answers you seek. Work in balance with the elements and the powers of nature to create your magick and to bring about a positive change.   Remember- As above so below, as within so without.
No matter what your challenge, no matter what type of personal or magickal goal you have, you CAN achieve it. Add in your personal power, some hard work and magickal energy and nothing can stop you. 

Blessed be, Ellen

PS: My Online Class sale ends February 20th!  Take advantage of the sale prices while you can. To check out all of the affordable and work-at-your-own-pace online classes that I offer, visit my website and the online class page. Here is a direct link. http://www.ellendugan.com/10.html

Oh and if you were wondering just what I sent to my trainer... here it is.

 Gotta love Pinterest! Follow me at! http://pinterest.com/ellendugan/