CastleSolitudeArts Pagan Toplist

Here, at CastleSolitudeArts, we are involved in many areas of pagan interest. As we grow, we also help others to grow. This is done in several ways now. From providing free original pagan graphics to the community to assisting pagans in their artistic endeavours, (art, writing, etc.), to providing good information whenever possible.
In our small efforts to help bring the pagan community together on the internet, CastleSolitudeArts has started a top 100 pagan listings site. The site will be pagan specific, and hopefully grow into listings of the broad base of pagan beliefs. Be those interests of art, graphics, writing, resources, social communities and networks . . .if a website is pagan, or another toplist is mostly pagan in nature, we will be working towards bringing all this together into one listing for pagans.
There are numerous toplists available on the internet, many of which are pagan based and some of which CastleSolitudeArts is a member of. (you can find some of these on CastleSolitudeArts links page) With our new toplist, we hope to bring forth just as broad a range of sites for pagans as there is within the wide range of pagan beliefs.
The list is new to the internet, some sites have already "signed on" for listing. So stop by and check a few out. If you own a website which is pagan, (or wiccan or druidic or witch or...), submit your site for listing. Mainly though, the site must be of a pagan path and "family orientated" in nature.
You can find the pagan toplist with this link:




Blessed Be Thy Steps,
Solitudeone

Musings of an Old Witch

"Witch of Old" . . . A brief writing in repetitive history
(musings of an old witch)
It is often said that history repeats itself. That what once was, will be so once again. There are relative truths in this. People, cultures, empires, theologies, rise and fall throughout time. This includes lifestyles and "religious" beliefs.

Many have often heard me say of myself that I am a "witch of old" though very few really know of or understand the meaning of this. This is simply due to the reality that these things of the "old" ways are taught. Passed on from one to another either through "apprenticeship" or legacy. These ways are not written in any how-to books like so much is in this day and age. Just a simple truth of the matter. As far as the point of this commentary is concerned with history repeating itself: long ago witches were quite numerous and the lifestyle was known as one of great knowledge and powers of many secret things. This knowledge, wisdom and powers were also greatly sought after though few ever gained them. Which reminds me of certain old lore which is now called myth or fantasy due to the powerful rise of certain religions. Some would recall the stories of Merlin, there were many, some true some not. Anyway, Merlin accepted an apprentice who sought the knowledge, wisdom and powers of the old ways. Over the coarse of time Merlin fell in love with his "apprentice", and for quite a time all seemed well and good. Merlins' apprentice on the other hand though secretly desired to become greater and more powerful than her mentor. Knowing that she would never be as powerful as long as Merlin lived and breathed, she devised a plan to entomb Merlin. Well, for those who know this little story, you know she succeeded in her plan, and history repeating itself was satisfied. (Merlin was not the first to be "over-thrown" )(and yes, some female witches also suffered in simular manner) And so goes this little part of a repetitive history example.

The main part is about this current mortal time period. It has been known for quite a long period of time that witches of old would walk once again. This is much more than a current, becoming popular, saying. Truth be told, for some years now christianity has been on a down hill slide which it cannot seem to recover from. More and more people are turning (returning) to paganism in one form or another and christianity is finding itself losing its' choke-hold of power over society. The time is coming when it will no longer be the "mainstream" religion of choice. Those greatly familar with a certain prophetic "calendar" would probably know that the fall of christianity was foretold about four thousand years ago, and that a certain other lifestyle would become the mainstay leader (so to speak). Now then, opinions about all this vary as greatly as the number of mortals in existance.
( I would remind all readers that this writing is a "commentary" )

Anyway . . . as a "witch of old" I have watched and studied this progression of history repeating itself for a pretty fair number of years and it touches my spirit to see these things coming about. For the last two mortals ages I've watched with interest christianitys' responses to all that is happening, their rebuttals, downplaying and outright public rejections of the rise in paganism. Including papal attendance to numerous international conventions preporting "religious freedoms of choice" towards paganistic practices. (another story altogether). One high ranking papal official even publicly stated that the seven papal representives at one convention were definatly there not in support, but to voice their disapproval. Although this has been an accepted practice of the church for many many years, I found this quite amuseing in the reading. Reminds me of the old papal bulls who spearheaded the witch hunts. Only now they can't quite get away with the burnings and public executions. ( I can feel the fires still )

Yes, it greatly touches my spirit to be able to see all this coming about. To know that witches of old will once again walk and work their magyk. And that paganism in its' many forms will also return to its' mainstay acceptance amidst the many cultures and societies. More than forty mortal ages I have practiced, watched and waited for this time to come, and yes it does deeply touch my inner spirit. To know that the ways of old will walk again. It will walk again in those of practice, of the lifestyle. In those who were "taught", those very few "apprentices". For after all these centuries and thousands of years, that is the very reason why the knowledge, wisdom, powers and secrets were always kept close and made known to few.

So, as I lay my head to rest this early morn, (within protective circle), it is with a comforting thought of knowledge that the old ways will carry on.

From the musings of this old witch . . .

None really!

Yes, it has been some time since the last posting. Things with the website have been very busy in the background, behind the scenes so to speak!

Coming soon to CastleSolitudeArts another new castle chamber will be open. It really don't have a title as yet although "Decos Chamber" is under consideration. This chamber will feature decorative graphics for use on personal websites. Little bars, tags and thingies. We kind of expect this new chamber to be open by Wednesday the 25th of this month.

Also new at the Castle.

We have grown and expanded into another area of interest to pagans. In its' early stages, just opened this week, CastleSolitudeArts now has an online pagan store. There is a small offering of products available now and the list is growing almost daily. Being a new store amidst thousands of others we have chosen to keep our prices quite low and reasonable during our "grand opening". The products feature many of our original graphics, and there is a 30 day return policy. So stop by some time and browze around!
Here is a link to the store; and in case I muffed up the link thing as I sometimes do, here is the addy:
http://www.cafepress.com/castlesolitude