Book Review: Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

So its taken me longer to read this book than it normally would have. That's not to reflect on the book but rather my busy life chasing around a newly mobile baby. I finally was able to finish it today and of course like any good book its left me wanting more.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series is one that's been on my top list of favorites for a few years now. When I was employed doing Data entry for EDS I always checked out audio books from my local library. Upon discovering this intriguing series I rented, borrowed and bought every release, starting from the beginning.

Retribution didn't let me down and I'm happy to see that Sherrilyn diverges from the Greek pantheon for this book to focus on Native American mythology. Some of it is her own creation, other parts are stories she was told from her family, which I would love to read more about!

If you have not read the Dark-Hunter series I highly encourage you to do so. You'll fall in love with each dark-hunters story and jump for joy each time they find happiness in a woman's arms.

Macmillan audio has graciously provided this audio clip of Retribution just to entice you with Jess Brady's sexy voice. Click here to listen.

If you would like to purchase the complete audio book, visit Macmillan's website.

I'd also like to thank Magaly from Pagan Culture for sending me this book! In the words of the Tsalagi people (Cherokee) Wa-do (Wah doe). Thank you.

Goddess of the Rising Sun

For this weeks Pagan Blog Project, I'd like to talk about a Goddess well known for her image. She's the daughter of Ra and is said to have protected Ra from the serpent god Apep on his ride to bring the sun everyday. Therefore she is known as the Goddess of the Rising Sun and the All seeing Eye. If your a cat lover, perhaps you already know who I'm talking about.

She is Bast. Other names associated with her are Bastet and  Basthet. I simply call her the Cat Goddess. To the ancient Egyptians cats were protected, probably because they ate vermin which in turn kept the level of disease down. She's said to have great night vision and is associated with both the Sun and the Moon. 


In mythology Bast kills Apep and is then associated with fertility since her deed insured Ra would bring the sun which in turn helped fertilize the land to grow crops.


Bast is seen as a household protector. Her motherly instincts are often called upon to help with fertility, childbirth and protect the young. 


Bast has a reputation for being sensual. She's is said to be the partner of both men and women. (She had three acknowledged husbands) She's associated with the color red, dancing, and music. 


Bast teaches us to dance to our own beat. Just like a cat who comes when they want, not when called. Our beliefs should be decided on our own, not by what others tell us we should believe. I think every Pagan can learn something from her. In a world where we are pressured to fit in, Bast teaches us how to be comfortable with being ourselves and being proud of that fact. 








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A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.

Hands down it is Samhain (Oct 31-Nov 1) that is my favorite Pagan holiday. It is the last of the Harvest celebrations and one I'm always looking forward to. It is a time to mark the death of the God and the coming rebirth. Samhain is a time to honor our ancestors. They say this time is the thinnest between the veil of this world and the next. Divination is often done at this time to see what the winter might bring and commune with lost loved ones.

Some of my favorite past experiences at Samhain have been a re birthing ritual. Until I moved, we joined up with Linda Tipton and her coven Circle of the Blue Moon to do a Samhain celebration. We were made to walk along a path lit by tea light candles alone. This walk was very spiritual for everyone. In the end of the path was Ms Linda doing one reading for each person. You could ask one question of her. At the end you were "reborn" to the new year. I loved doing this. And I think it really marked a changing point in my spiritual life. I'll keep what I asked to myself. ;)

But we've had our fun times too. I remember several members drinking a little too much homemade mead. My husband played the designated friend and made sure no one fell into fire pits. He picked up quite a few people passed out in the bushes!

One year, it was so cold at Samhain (We always camped out) that we had to leave. It really isn't smart to camp out at the end of October. That year it was bitter cold. We got to a point where Lance and I could no longer feel our feet even while standing next to the open fire. So we left, found a hotel and came back the next day. I got pregnant that spring, so we never did another camping in October; especially with the baby around. We did visit for the days however. When we returned to work we were laughing at ourselves and quite a few people heard the story. To this day there is a UPS worker who reminds us of camping in October when he sees us.

Samhain is just a great time to celebrate family, the death and rebirth of life, and the changing of the seasons. Its a favorite of many Wiccans and its not hard to see why. We dance, we laugh, we sing and praise the Lord and Lady. And we remember those who have left us this year.

Blessings, Love, and Light

A favorite mythological animal.

Do I have to name just one? That doesn't seem fair because there are several that I love! You know in some books how they have the old style map with creatures in the sea? Well instead of reading the book I'd study that map just to see where they placed all the interesting creatures.

I guess my all time favorite mythological creature(s) I love are the Pegasus. Add Unicorn and Centaurs to the list too. I grew up with horses, so it was only natural that any equine like mythological creature fascinated me. I mean who wouldn't want to have a hunk of a man that you could ride right?




 Some others I like: Griffins, Mermaids, Dragons, Minotaur, etc.. Hell just say all of them! 

I often wonder if these creatures may resemble dinosaurs or early mammals that died out. I'm sure there have been a lot of fossils our ancestors saw that have been lost to time. When the history channel runs programs dedicated to anthropology and mythology I just have to watch! I can't help it I'm a junkie for these kinds of programs. I know it may all be BS, but at least part of it is true IMO. I think most myths have some truth behind it however small. I can see someone coming across an odd fossil and it creating a few myths.