How To Host A Summer Solstice Gathering

     Spring is here, meaning summer is on its way and thus the droves of Bohemians are about to come out of the woodwork to partake in the festivals, make music, and host gatherings. Since Bohemians usually bypass regular, commercial holidays, a pagan celebration such as the summer solstice, or Litha to Neopagans, is likely to be on their list of reasons to have a party (not that they ever need a reason, but still). 

     First off, the summer solstice will fall on the Saturday of June 21st. According to The Witches Spellbook by Cerridwen Greenleaf, Saturday is a day of protection, duty, and family; its corresponding stones are amethyst, black onyx, obsidian, and the darkest garnet; the corresponding incense/plants/herbs include ivy, oak, moss, myrrh, mandrake, and hemlock (since many of these are toxic, please exercise caution).

     Now, if you wish to build a summer altar, the proper elements to include are the colors of yellow and green, shells, and stones. 

   Typically, the central activity of a summer solstice celebration is a bonfire. If you are going to do this, make sure it is in a fire pit of has been cleared by your local fire department.

     For food, there is "Litha cake" (angel food with lemon curd and strawberry layers). The main ingredients for your dishes should be citrus and spice, fresh vegetables, and delicious food cooked on the grill.
     Just a small side note: I am not a pagan, so I don't exactly make the rules here. Feel free to come up with any creative additions to your celebration!

Credits: A Witches Spellbook by Cerridwen Greenleaf, Running Press.

100th post!

Just published my 100th post today! Thanks everyone!

5 Myths About Thrift Stores, Debunked

Myth #1: Thrift stores are dirty places

Actually: Thrift stores are just like regular stores, the only difference being that everything in the store is meant to be recycled by handing it off to someone else. I have yet to go to a thrift store and find a diaper in the dressing room or a bunch of wrappers on the floor, which I have seen at regular outlet malls. 

Myth #2: Thrift stores are full of clothes that are out of style and damaged

Actually: Sure, many of the clothes have a few rips, or are missing buttons. This just means that you'll have to put in a bit of work in order to fix it. Regarding whether or not the clothes are out of style: there are a lot of horrible and dowdy clothes people just want to get rid of, but a lot of times you can find very fashionable items that a person either never got around to wearing or couldn't see fitting their personal style. 

Myth #3: Thrift stores have no high-end or designer clothing that I can wear to work

Actually: Then you obviously haven't looked far enough. There are plenty of designer clothes in thrift stores. Not usually recent styles, but designer nonetheless; you just have to be prepared to dig for them. I have a pair of Liz Claiborne dress pants I bought at the Salvation Army for $6 as well as a practically brand-new cardigan for $4, same label. 

Myth #4: Thrift stores are only for poor people

Actually: First, define "poor". Second, I had no idea that people were only allowed to shop at certain stores based on their income. I prefer thrift stores to regular stores, and I would not refer to myself as poor. 

Myth #5: It's too hard to find things

Actually: On the contrary, I find thrift stores to be better organized than other stores. While outlet stores group clothes together by outfit sets or similar style concepts, thrift stores seperate the shirts, pants, and dresses and organize them by color, which I find very helpful. It is not hard to shop at a thrift store: you just have to be prepared to dig!

10 Modern-Day Bohemians

1. Johnny Depp

He was the first Bohemian I ever truly encountered, years before I even heard the word "Bohemian" come up in a conversation. With over 20 years of doing offbeat and indie films (in between some big-budget ones), while also making time to do a bit of music on the side and score some wild tats, it is no surprise that Depp has earned the title of being a Hollywood maverick. Savvy?

2. Florence Welch

This musical goddess burst onto the scene with her first album, "Lungs", paving the way for a new wave of ethereal singers first started by people such as Enya and Björk. Her voice is strong enough to bring a skyscraper to its knees, yet gentle enough to pull the tears right out of you. Only one question truly remains: will she ever admit that she is the reincarnation of Aoide?

3. Lana Del Rey

Who says that Americana can't be Bohemian? Ms. Del Rey has shown that she is full to bursting with artistic vision, from Born To Die to the amazingly powerful short film "Tropico". While her voice is not as high as Björk or Enya, she still has a range that will lull you to sleep...if you aren't dressing up in fluorescent crop-tops and smoking on the porch.

4. Laren Stover

The self-proclaimed Bohemian who wrote the book The Bohemian Manifesto has lived the life: she grew up in NYC in a cold-water flat as her writer father and actress mother introduced her to their wild friends, who ranged from offbeat musicians to alternative psychologists. Plus, she loves thrift store shopping, which is always a plus.

5. Julia Butterfly Hill

Two words: Tree hugs! Ms. Hill created a spectacle in 1997 when, in an effort to protest the logging over redwoods in California, she stayed in a tree for 738 days. Her actions resulted in the Pacific Lumber Company agreeing to protect all trees within a 200 foot buffer zone. Since then, she has created the Circle of Life Foundation, wrote a bestselling book, and become a motivational speaker. Power to the planet!

6. Neil Young

When the US was facing the threat of Vietnam, the band called Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young was using their power ballads and protest songs to help create change. They quickly rose to the top of the charts and became an inspiration to the hippies everywhere. After Young left the band, he continued with a solo career and has since found success. He has been cited as a major influence to artists like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, so you could say that Young has acheived full prominence among the counterculture movement. 

7. Thom Yorke

Sure, he's in a pretty mainstream band, and he even wrote songs for the first two Twilight soundtracks, but there is plenty to love about Yorke. Having been inspired by artists like Neil Young, his music can reflect mellow atmospheres or intense, uneven experiences. He is an anti-war activist, campaigns for human rights, and is even a vegetarian. Though I am at a loss as whether to categorize him as Zen or Beat...but fuck it, he doesn't need a category!

8. Patti Smith

A friend of Johnny Depp and pioneer of the punk movement, Patti Smith has continued to be an inspiration for eccentrics and oddballs everywhere. Her entire career started out as a Beat poet and evolved into lengendary rock credentials, so this woman has been to the moon and back when it comes to living the offbeat dream. She even inspired Michael Stipe of R.E.M: who knew?

9. Björk

Ah, Björk, is there anything more to say? Her angelic voice has elevated the world to experience a transcendental form of music that continued to captivate and enchant millions. Quirky and bright, she is a ray of sunshine in a troubled world. Not to mention how awesome it is that she wears crazier clothes than Lady GaGa.

10. Enya

Often seen as a sort of celebrity "ghost", as everyone has heard her music but nobody has really put a face on it, Enya has sold millions of records worldwide with her hauntingly captivating voice. She has arguably brought New Age to a wider audience than Yanni. Listening to her music is such a deeply spiritual experience that anyone who pays attention is sure to get chills!