Just a reminder: the pre-order period for the hand bound copies of the forthcoming Worshiping Loki: A Short Introduction closes at the end of the month! There are still a few copies left but I’m not expecting them to be around for long. If you’re interested in owning a copy of your own, I’d suggest getting on this month rather then waiting till August when the price will rise a bit.

I’ve purchased the first batch of supplies. Above you can see a fresh roll of premium Japanese bookcloth; it has a lovely silk moire-like texture and a rich berry color. The glue I use has a neutral pH, which helps preserve the quality of paper in the long term. It’s a little more expensive than standard paper glue but for a project like this, archival glue is the right tool.

Here you can see the first stack of cut cover boards. The books I make have two primary portions, the text block and the cover assembly. Since all these books are going to be the same, I can make a stack of prepared covers ahead of time. I’ll prepare twenty cover assemblies, cover them with the decorative paper seen above, so that when the manuscript is ready and printed, all I have to do is make the text blocks. After that, each one will be put together before being signed and consecrated in a special ritual.

As stated in the pre-order post, I’m anticipating mailing the books in mid-August. Everyone who purchased a copy will be alerted when this takes place.

I’m also making progress on the general release of the book. I’m working with a print designer with an occult/pagan background, so we’re sure to get a really nice looking volume.

Other than working on the book I’m busy preparing for Many Gods West, finishing an article draft for Witches & Pagans, and might even pick up a manuscript that I’ve been neglecting. I’ve also been busy adding new items to the Etsy shop so be sure to check that out.

I expect things will keep being quiet here for a little while. Summer is a busy time for me work-wise, which is great. Unfortunately that means less time for things like blogging. You’re all in my thoughts though, and I appreciate you sticking with me.

I’ve been so busy with preparing for Many Gods West, handling orders for Worshiping Loki, and keeping up with work that I haven’t had time to do much with my Etsy shop lately. Not long ago I thrifted a large lot of beads, so I’ve been making lots of little necklaces for deity statue adornment. You can see additional pictures here.

Here’s a brief look at the six new necklaces. Click any of the pictures to be taken to their Etsy listings. Hades is the best model!

If you’d like a necklace made for one of your icons, I’ve got a selection of beads in just about every color. I’d be happy to make something custom for you!

I’ve gotten a few new readers in the last couple weeks. Nice to see you; thanks for following.

For those who don’t know, I’m currently organizing a pre-order sale for a short book called Worshiping Loki: A Short Introduction. The 20 hand bound volumes are just over half sold. The proceeds are helping get me to Many Gods West, a polytheist conference I’m presenting at in late July/early August, and will also help fund the publication of paperback and ebook versions of the same volume. This is a special presentation that won’t be duplicated; I promise it’s lovely. The book covers things like altar building, the whys of Loki worship, writing prayers, and deepening personal practice through discernment. I’ve also included a section of material on the feminine Loki in particular. (And yes, international shipping is available! Contact me for an estimate if you like.)

I also make and sell a number of items of interest to pagans and polytheists. My Etsy shop, Coffee At Midnight, has several sets of handmade prayer beads that are excellent for using in meditation, during Reiki or distance energy healing sessions, for worry beads, for counting breaths or prayers, or for dedicating to a particular deity or purpose. Many of these strings include vintage beads and findings. Most are glass, some are pearl, and one currently available is made with coral.

I also sell small necklaces that are designed to fit altar icons and statues. These can be used to adorn saint’s figures, deity figures, homemade statues, and even abstract icons. They’re designed to fit figures from popular lines such as Sacred Source and Dryad Designs. A lobster clasp at the back lets you easily place them on any figure you have.

I also sell hand bound devotional volumes. Right now I have volumes for Odin and Loki; Odin’s contains an English translation of the Havamal and Valkyrie’s Song (Darra Tharlioth) and Loki’s contains the Lokasenna and Lokka Tattur (Loki’s Tale). Each of these books are also available in custom versions (you choose the font face and size). I also sell hand bound collections of devotional or ritual material you provide. This is a great way to showcase your work in a highly personal way.

My Etsy shop also has hand bound blank books, magnetic scarf “pins” to secure headcoverings, tarot readings, and the occasional vintage item.

Thanks for reading. I’ll try to remain interesting. 🙂

Today is a most auspicious day for the release of a new book. Worshiping Loki: A Short Introduction contains guidelines for building a fulfilling practice of Loki worship in a polytheistic context.

Presenting material derived from experience and practice, this book sets aside arguments of historicity to provide today’s curious practitioner with practical, applicable information that can be put to work right away. Extending hospitality, building an alter, making offerings, saying prayers, and deepening practice are all covered. Discernment exercises are also provided to help enrich one’s contact with the divine. This slim 18 page volume is comparable to the devotional volumes I offer through Etsy, and extra special book making materials have been chosen to further distinguish this edition.This very special volume is being released in limited numbers. 20 signed and numbered volumes are being issued for sale at $45 each. This batch of books will also be empowered and dedicated in a special ritual. Ebook and paperback editions of Worshiping Loki will be released in late summer though this particular presentation will not be duplicated. Velvety black paper with rich gold printing wraps the front and back covers. The spine is covered with a berry red moire texture Japanese book cloth. Signatures are fully stitched by hand with linen book binding thread. 

Significantly, Worshiping Loki includes a close look at this Power’s feminine aspect. The feminine Loki encompasses roles like healer, ally, and chthonic queen. A rite of contact is provided to help practitioners gain personal insight into this elusive side of a beloved divinity.

The pre-order periods begins today, June 26, and continues through July 31. After that, the price on any remaining volumes will rise. Shipping in the US is $3.50; international shipping is available and can be calculated upon request; insurance is available for an additional $1. A delivery date of mid-August is anticipated.

To order, please email salinespirit@gmail.com and provide your shipping information along with the quantity you wish to purchase. A Paypal invoice will be generated; these invoices can be paid with Paypal balance, credit card, or debit card; please include your Paypal email address if you wish to pay that way. If you have questions, just ask.

Thank you for welcoming this book into the world.

I’d like to share a friend’s personal fundraiser. This Indiegogo campaign addresses the costs associated with attending Many Gods West, the Heathens United Against Racism (HUAR) campout, and potentially other events, too. From the campaign:

The story is simple: get me places.

The backstory is slightly more complicated. I recently left a steady full-time gig in order to do some much needed work in the pagan community at a conference I am very emotionally invested in. From there, I have been looking for work and trying to keep up with schoolwork (getting those letters really does lend legitimacy!) and at this time find myself being asked and hoping to go to a couple of places.

If you’re inclined check out the rest of Xochi’s write-up and consider donating. Thanks!

The drawing has taken place and the winner has been notified. Thanks again to everyone for sharing and participating in this first giveaway; I look forward to having another one very soon.

I’m going to go back to that initial contest post and hide all comments containing an email address. I appreciate people’s willingness to share that information openly. I know it’s not the most elegant solution to contest organizing and I understand hesitation regarding sharing such personal information. I asked for preferred email addresses because even though WordPress provides me with the email address of commenters (this information is hidden from public view), these addresses are not always the preferred contacts. I will probably try something slightly different next time to help ensure a greater degree of privacy for everyone.

Hand bound copies of the Loki devotional are always available through my Etsy shop; I also offer Odin devotionals as well as the option to create a custom book with your personal devotional material. Both devotionals can be printed in a large typeface for greater visibility or using the OpenDyslexic font; just look for the custom Odin/Loki devotional listings.

A portion of all sales of the Loki devotional go into a fund to sponsor these giveaways. Though as some of you are no doubt wondering – yes, Odin has been pressing for His own devotional fund to sponsor giveaways. I’ll have to sit down and try to organize that, too. With rising postage and materials costs I may have to adjust the price in the not-too-distant future but it should only be by a few dollars at most but that has the potential to affect the grand total any giveaway fund has to achieve.

At any rate, I’m off to run morning errands before work. My presentation for Many Gods West is coming along nicely. I’m finally adding some art to the PowerPoint presentation and I’ll begin chopping my notes into digestible chunks pretty soon. My personal writing projects have stalled for the time being; I’m very focused on work right now because I’m looking at some burdensome medical expenses that sadly can’t be avoided. I’m putting off both a much-needed eye appointment and the neurologist appointments until I can pay down some of my existing medical debt. (Buying something from the shop or simply sharing the items you like would really help me out right now.)

I can’t wait to share some of my newest writing projects with everyone. Thanks for sticking with me.

Thank you so much to everyone for your overwhelming support in my first Loki devotional giveaway. As of 11:59pm on Saturday, entries are closed for this drawing. A random number generator will be used in the morning to select the lucky recipient and the book will be mailed out just as soon as I confirm with the winner.

Making devotional books like this has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing this work for a long time. I’m working on a new volume that I’ll announce soon and I have others planned. I’m also getting close to finishing a new Loki project that, with any luck, will be done in the next couple weeks.

Thanks again for entering and sharing this little contest. The giveaway fund will continue to grow and another drawing will be held in the future. I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

The icon necklaces I listed the other day received such great support that I made a few more today. Thrift store luck was with me this weekend I had the chance to rescue this lovely icon of Hades from a second hand shop for just a few dollars. He’s just lovely (and I’ll write more about this interesting new acquaintance soon!) and He’s generously allowed me to use Him as a model.

These first two necklaces are just a preview; their listings will be live in the morning but if you want one set aside for you, just let me know!

This third necklace is currently available. Do you see that little flowery charm in the center? I’ve been saving this one for myself because it reminds me so much of a fruiting mandrake plant. Alas, it looked so good on an icon necklace with green glass beads that I couldn’t keep it for myself.

Each of these necklaces has a silver tone lobster clasp so you can easily place and remove the jewelry whenever you want to. This feature allows you to use these necklaces on all kinds of icons and figures, including homemade ones, like my knit Mother Laufey doll. Thanks for supporting this new and exciting venture!