Witch's Book of Shadows Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to Deborah Cartwright! She's the winner of A copy of "The Witch's Book of Shadows, The Craft, Lore, and Magick of the Witch's Grimoire," by Jason Mankey and illustrated by yours truly! I'm including a 5x7 print of the chapter opener, signed and personalized just for you. You can frame it or add it to your own Book of Shadows!

Hey Deborah! Send me an email to mickiemueller@yahoo.com and give me your address, your goodies await!

Blessed Be~
Mickie

Book Giveaway! The Witch's Book of Shadows by Jason Mankey

Book giveaway time! UPDATE: The contest is over, Deborah Cartwright's name was drawn as the winner Congrats Deborah! If I don't hear from her with a shipping address by March 1 I'll choose another winner. Deborah, email me at mickiemueller@yahoo.com

Post in the comments and tell me "What is your favorite book of shadows from fiction, TV, movie, books, video games, etc."
I'll randomly choose a winner on Monday January 30.

Great News! 

I just got a package in the mail with two illustrator copies of my newly published illustration job The Witch's Book of Shadows!!!  Should I celebrate with a giveaway? Of course I should!  A copy of "The Witch's Book of Shadows, The Craft, Lore, and Magick of the Witch's Grimoire," by Jason Mankey and illustrated by yours truly! I'm including a 5x7 print of the chapter opener, signed and personalized just for you. You can frame it or add it to your own Book of Shadows!

This is the front of the book opened up to the two page spread of the magical bookstore. All the books in this series have a shop, I imagine the shops all exist on a magical street somewhere, want to shop there with me? 

A book about books, what more could any well-read witch want?!

This book is the latest in the popular The Witch's Tools Series from Llewellyn, I've had the honor of doing the interior illustrations for all of them, and I wrote one, The Witch's Mirror!  ...see the little name there...Mueller....that's me! eeee!

I did lots of illustrations of book pages for The Witch's Book of Shadows and hand lettered them, it was a challenge,  and I used a very tiny pen!

If you don't win, you get get your own copy here Llewellyn, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

How to enter to win this book and signed art print of the chapter opener:

In the comments below answer the following question,

"What is your favorite book of shadows from fiction, TV, movie, books, video games, etc."

That's all! Answer in the comments below,  I'll randomly choose a winner on Monday January 30.  Good luck!

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce on Bravo Had my Triple Goddess Statue on Set!

Jan 11 my Sacred Source Triple Goddess statue was seen on TV! 

You might remember back in August I received a clearance agreement from the set decorators of Bravo's "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" they wanted to use my Triple Goddess statue as part of the set decoration in Season 3, Episode1! Season 1 and 2 are on Netflix, it's not specifically a witchy or fantasy show, it's a dramady, pretty mainstream, so that's darned cool if you ask me. 

So after a couple of my prints appeared on SyFy's The Magicians, I knew the statue would be somewhere on the set, it could be seen right next to a main characters head while they're talking, or it could be a blur in the background, or even end up on the cutting room floor, the only way you ever know for sure is when you watch the episode. You can imagine how excited I was to see my Triple Goddess gracing the fireplace mantle at the elegant Goddess Ritual that Phoebe threw for her friends on the full moon night of the Summer Solstice! 

I first found it in a publicity shot for the show!

Once I got to watch the episode I was so excited! I was scanning every scene watching for it and then there it was...squeeee!

Of course I couldn't resist going back through the episode and grabbing a couple screenshots!

I zoomed in on this one.

Anyway, it was a lovely scene, the room was stunning, any witch (or Hollywood socialite) would be delighted to be welcomed to such a lovely celebration.

Thanks for sharing my excitement!

If you're looking for this statue to place in your own home, I designed it for Sacred Source, if you visit the website (Click Here) you can see it close up front and back and even order one for your own sacred space!  

"The Triple Goddess represents the divine feminine's connection to the cycles of nature. The Maiden is the spring, sowing seeds, new beginnings, and the waxing crescent moon. The Mother is the bounty of the earth, summer, fruition, first harvest, and the full moon. The Crone is the end of the growth cycle when the leaves turn, final harvest, the sleeping earth in winter, and the waning crescent moon. 

All three Goddess archetypes are known individually, but when the three aspects come together in the triple form their power multiplies, reminding us of the beauty of all the parts of life and the cycles of the earth. "
Check out the episode of Bravo's "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" Season 3, Episode 1 (Click Here) 
http://www.bravotv.com/girlfriends-guide-to-divorce

"Abby deals with the professional fallout from her gigolo scandal while she and Jake care for Becca's abandoned baby. Delia confronts Albert about sabotaging her wedding. Jo considers dating her baker, Scott. Phoebe holds a ceremony to celebrate womanhood, but not all the girlfriends feel like celebrating."

Blessed Be!

Mickie

Work in Progress: Hand Painted Altar Set

Ever since Sacred Source made this Altar Set from my designs, I've wanted to try hand painting a set. Well, I'm finally doing it, and they'll be in my Etsy shop as soon as the set is complete! I've finished everything except the God and Goddess statues/candle holders, so that's what I'll be doing next, but I wanted to show you the set so far...

These are the perfect size for tea light candles, although some people like to fill them with substances that embody the elements; salt, soil, stones, seashells, feathers, lava rocks, etc.  I'm really delighted with how this set is turning out.

East/Air

Air: inspiration, wisdom, potential. I used natural shades to represent air, blue sky, feathers, tree branches blowing in the breeze, billowy clouds, and I also included the traditional yellow. The Sylph air elemental has a golden  airy skirt her multicolored wings suggest iridescence .

South/Fire

Fire: will, passion, courage. In creating the flames I blended shades or fed, orange and yellow, there's a little hot blue at the base of the flames. I made the fire breathing dragon elemental a warm golden color. 

West/Water

Water: healing, emotion, cleansing. The water surrounding this candle holder has shades of blues and greens, the shells have layers of color to create a natural look. The undine water elemental has a supernatural purple skin tone and lovely blue/green hair like the sea.

North/Earth

Earth: nurturing, abundance, protection. I used many shades of greens and browns for the earth candle, a few mushrooms, ferns, oak, and ivy leaves cover this one. It has gray stones at the base, and the face of the dryad earth elemental peers out from an old oak.

Pentacle

I decided to paint the sky of the tree pentacle at dusk, the magical in between time, the sun has set casting warm colors at the horizon, the sky above has begun to sparkle with stars. You can either lay this pentacle flat on your altar, or use the brass hanger on the back to hang it on the wall.

The Horned God of the Forest

I still have to paint the Horned God. He is the spirit of the green forest, the power of the sun, and the Lord of the Wilderness, the colors I use will reflect growth and the woods.  

The Moon Goddess of the Night

I also have to paint the Moon Goddess. The Moon Goddess is the spirit of the celestial forces, the power of the moon, and Lady of the Stars.  I will choose colors to represent her nature as the deep mysteries of magic and the night sky.   

I'm grabbing some lunch and then I'll be working on the God and Goddess statues. I hope to have this set finished soon. Once it's complete I'll be offering it in my Etsy shop for sale. This hand painted set will make a very magical addition to someone's altar. I have one more set that I will be painting in a similar fashion later this year. When I hand paint these statues, there are no two that are ever alike, each one is brought to life with color, heart and soul and will soon become part of someone's sacred space!

If you're interested in the unpainted version of this set, it's available here: http://www.sacredsource.com/Votive-Set-Altar-Collection-by-Mickie-Mueller/productinfo/VS/#.V9rlXZgrLIU

The unpainted pieces are also available separately, so that if you wish you can collect the set one piece at a time as you work through the lessons of the elements and the God and Goddess.  

Blessed Be!

Mickie

Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac Giveaway

Whoo-hoo! I just got my author copies of the Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac! I had the honor of writing the "Crafty Crafts segments of this really cool almanac, so it's giveaway time!!!

Enter on Instagram, here's the link: Click HERE to enter!

Here's how to enter:
1. Follow @mickiemueller on Instagram
2. Repost this photo (above) on Instagram. 3.Tag#SabbatsAlmanacGiveaway and@mickiemueller That's all you have to do and you'll be entered into the drawing on Friday July 22! Make sure you complete all three requirements for your entries to be counted. 

More info about this awesome almanac and a couple sneak peeks...read on...

These are really fun crafts, I made them all to make sure I had the directions correct, I hope you enjoy them! This art is by Carolyn Vibbert.

This almanac runs from Samhain 2016-Mabon 2017. It was so cool to flip through the pages and see the illustrations that Wen Hsu did for my articles, she really nailed them perfectly! I've always admired her work. I illustrate a lot of articles and books for other authors, so it's really cool to be on the other side of that, I must tell you, they really are beautiful! Carolyn Vibbert created the other interior illustrations and the clever cover art is by Ellen Lawson. I've got two books, but I only need one...I think it's time for a celebratory giveaway!

One of Wen Hsu's awesome illustrations for my articles, this one is for the Samhain article! "Magic Divination Witch Bottle"  I think this illustration is my fave!

This essential guide offers fun and fresh ways to celebrate the eight sacred holidays. Enrich your spiritual life throughout the year and discover powerful wisdom and ideas from a wealth of popular this is a great guide with fun and fresh ways to celebrate the sabbats, more than 50 articles for both new and experienced witches, great ideas on marking the sacred points of the wheel of the year with great contributors:

Linda Raedisch, Melanie Marquis, Mickie Mueller, Michael Furie, Elizabeth Barrette, Suzanne Ress, Kristoffer Hughes, Dallas Jennifer Cobb, Sybil Fogg, Kerri Connor, JD Hortwort, Stacy M. Porter, and April Elliott Kent

"Sand Cast Crystal Grid Candle Holder" the illustration and the actual crystal grid project that I made!

The almanac includes creative, low-cost arts and crafts projects that I wrote just for you. There are also ideas for celebrating the sabbats as a family, simple recipes for delicious appetizers, entrees, beverages, and desserts. There are super helpful section on astrological influences with full and new moon rituals as well as extended rituals for groups and individuals. There are handy journal pages for keeping track of your festival plans and memories, and fascinating Pagan folklore and customs too!

My "Harvest Abundance Braid" and "Wheat Pentagram Wall Hanging" with my actual Abundance Braid in the background!

If you want to enter to win, click HERE and follow the easy instructions on the Instagram post!

Good luck!

Just in case you don't win but want a copy so that you can use my crafts and all the other great sabbat ideas too, here are links where you can get your own copy:

Llewellyn: https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738737706

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Llewellyns-2017-Sabbats-Almanac-Samhain/dp/0738737704

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/llewellyns-2017-sabbats-almanac-llewellyn/1122705364?ean=9780738737706

Or shop at your local bookstore, check Indiebound for sellers near you: http://www.indiebound.org/indie-bookstore-finder 

Blessed Be!

Mickie

Presenting: The Witch's Mirror Book Trailer

About a week ago my talented kiddo Tristan, who just got an award for directing and acting in high school, got out the video camera, I dressed in my witchy black, we loaded up every mirror we could get our hands on, and traipsed into the woods near a local park to shoot scenes for a book trailer for my upcoming book The Witch's Mirror, The Craft, Lore, & Magick of the Looking Glass. We had a blast, the woods were lovely, green, and full of magic!
This kid is so creative! We also filmed some scenes right in my studio and even included a cameo appearance of the previous books in Llewellyn's The Witch's Tools series. I never stop being amazed at Tristan's talent, it's no surprise that my kid has aspirations to be a film editor and director, after working so hard to hone these mad skills so far, I have no doubt that their work will be entertaining us all in the not too distant future.

Without further adieu, I present The Witch's Mirror trailer by the amazingly talented Tristan Prefect! Be sure to "like" and "subscribe" on Tristan's YouTube Channel.  Enjoy!



You can own some of the mirrors in this video! The scrying mirror and the hexenspiegel sun catchers that you see hanging from the trees in this video will be for sale in my Etsy shop this week, mickiemuellerstudio.etsy.com  ALSO...I'm having a giveaway that ends on May 20 2016 and the prize is the actual book, bookmark, cover flat and compact mirror that appears in this video trailer! Click here to enter!

You can also get a copy of The Witch's Mirror from Llewellyn, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

Behind the scenes director and editor Tristan Prefect on the job. This young director has a great eye, spied a spider web dusted with pollen and stopped to get a quick shot while we were on location in the woods.

The Man Who Made Mirrors

To celebrate National Astronomy Day today, I wanted to share the story of the man who you’ll see in the dedication of my upcoming book “The Witch’s Mirror, The Craft, Lore, & Magick of the Looking Glass," my grandpa and mirror-maker William M. Vaughan, but if you're his friend, just call him Bill. If you wonder why I dedicated the book to my grandpa, read on...

Grandpa with one of his magic mirrors that he painstakingly ground to the perfect shape and curve himself...what's so magic about it? You can use it to see the stars!

On January 4 1970 The Columbia Missourian Sunday Magazine published an article about my grandpa, and I thought sharing it here on National Astronomy Day would be a cool glimpse into a few of the mirrors that inspired me in my childhood and the master craftsman who made them, my grandpa. While I have posted the article here, I’ve also transcribed it as well as it was written to make it easier to read from my blog. I did take the license of spelling his last name Vaughan instead of Vaughn as it is spelled in the article, I just didn’t have the heart…LOL 

This is the original article as it appeared in The Columbia Missourian, Jan 4, 1970, Either my grandma or grandpa wrote in the name of the paper and the date there at the bottom.  The copy my family still has doesn't include the name of the writer of this article and I haven't been able to find in online. If  I can ever find it,  I will add the attribution.

Giant Eyes

January 4, 1970 Five years ago, Attorney W. M. Vaughan retired from his job as a claims director for an insurance company and hung-up a new shingle in the basement of his home on Route 2 east of Columbia. The shingle reads: “The Meridian Company; Bill Vaughan, President.”

Not only is Bill Vaughan president but vice president, master craftsman, and janitor as well. The Meridian Company makes telescopes, or more accurately, the concave mirrors which are the hearts of reflecting-type telescopes.

Bill Vaughan has been interested in telescopes and astronomy most of his life. Over the years he has read most of the books on telescope-making and optics. Eight years ago he built his first telescope. Since then he has built many. He became so good that he decided to make a business of it.

With the aid of unique contraptions fashioned from washing machine motors, he grinds and polishes mirrors ranging in size from 4 1/4 to 12 1/2 inches in diameter, which are corrected to within one-millionth of an inch. If you ask him how long it takes to complete an mirror, he will say, "It takes as long as it takes," explaining that each glass mirror blank has a personality of it's own, much like a diamond.

Bill Vaughan is proud of his optics. He guarantees them unconditionally. In the past five years he has sold at least one of his mirrors in each of the 50 states and Canada. He has yet to have a mirror returned. 

In pictures, Bill Vaughan works on a six-inch mirror, which eventually becomes part of a Cassegrain telescope (lower center).

Can you believe how thick this mirror is?! I can remember his workshop off the house, there was a little door off the back yard, it was a magical place to be, on the occasions when I went in to see it, I remember being amazed by all the wild looking equipment, and I was always careful not to touch anything!

We still have one of his telescopes in the family. I remember getting it out to see the Hale-Bopp comet when it came past our planet. Everyone in the neighborhood wheeled out their telescopes to get a closer look...can you imagine their faces when a big ole monstrosity like this came trucking out of that garage?!  Everyone's jaws just dropped! Those are shower caps on the ends to keep the inside dust-free!

So that's my grandpa, the master mirror maker. I knew him as that, but also many other aspects of the man. Grandpa, my sister Robin and and I went fishing and ate fresh tomatoes from the garden with salt and pepper. He played the ukulele he kept from his years working and living in Hawaii. He also had one of those electric organs which always made grandma roll her eyes when he played it.

Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day!

There were several big quartz crystal clusters around their house which I often regarded with great awe. Grandpa was also a 33 degree Freemason which I always found quite mysterious and interesting, all the sacred secrets! I once did a calligraphy page of a poem that he wrote. He performed feats of closeup magic with playing cards, a few of the tricks he taught me, which I have long since forgotten after having practiced them so often in my childhood. He took in a funny little stray dog that he named Boo. Boo earned his name because it took so long for Grandpa to befriend the little foundling. That dog ended up being loyal to Grandpa even through his last days. There are family stories about him being an honest and true man, even in the face of difficulty doing what was right even when it was hard. He was a dreamer, a thinker, and a doer. He was respected by everyone who knew him.

Bill Vaughan as a young man, love that smile!

He was a really cool man, and even though he crossed over to the Next Big Adventure before I even graduated from high school, I made sure my kids all knew him through stories and memories. I imagine he looks down from the stars he loved so much and maybe he has even read the dedication nestled within the pages in my humble little book about magical mirrors.

If you've had the good fortune to see the stars through a telescope made in the late 60's through the 70's there is a small chance that the light from stars millions of miles away was reflected into your vision by a mirror lovingly ground and polished by the hands of my grandfather.

Blessed Be!
Mickie