There is one in particular I believe is worth pointing out and that would be the Percy Jackson series which had two films produced by 20th Century Fox.

I wouldn’t call either of these films successes. Hell, neither would the author of the book series who is hilariously unapologetic over how much he hates these things.

Any-who, regardless of their mediocre box office, the rights to the Percy Jackson series now belong to Disney! Why should this matter? Well, interestingly enough the publisher for the books is none other than Disney-Hyperion…

Some might be thinking, why would a Disney published book have a movie made over at Fox? Well, publishing rights and film rights are different things! Also, just because a studio buys film rights to a book doesn’t mean they ever have to do anything with the IP. Yes, I wish they had just left this alone in a closet until Disney got it…

Though the films didn’t capture it, the Percy Jackson books are filled with all the ingredients that would keep kids insanely entertained. There’s greek gods, there’s monsters, there’s twelve-year-old warrior children KILLING these monsters, there’s a good chunk of that coming-of-age stuff, the humor is GOLD, oh and did I mention all these kids are demigods with F#$^# demigod powers? Yeah it checks all the boxes!

Not only is a great action series for kids, but good old Rick Riordan has been at the front of bringing in characters from all walks of life and showing all kinds of representation. Yes it’s for kids, but give a skim of the Trials of Apollo series; what I wouldn’t have GIVEN as an eleven year old to read characters like that!

With the acquisition, the already established publishing relationship, AND the recent announcement of Disney+  I think it would be fair game to anticipate a new Percy Jackson series for the streaming platform. I mean, The Golden Compass is getting a second shot over at HBO with the newly announced His Dark Materials series! Why not this?

I know Disney has its eye on bigger properties at the moment for the long-haul I would keep the demigods in mind.

Another day, another reboot. Except the timing of this planned reboot could prove interesting, against a current backdrop of  rising white supremacy in America, neo-Nazism and general fascism.

It’s being reported that New Line Cinema is teaming up with Netflix to launch a new Shaft movie. It’s understood that Netflix will pick up the tab for half of the $30m budget in return for international rights and the ability to stream the movie on their service two weeks after it’s released in cinemas.

As for the plot the reboot will star Samuel L. Jackson, who will reprise his role of John Shaft the nephew of Shaft, who will once again be played by Richard Roundtree from the orignal 1971 movie. The pair will also be joined by Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence), who is slated to play Shaft’s son, who will be the main focus of the new movie.

Son Of Shaft is scheduled for release later next year

Temporary Work Space

Welcome Spring!

As if on cue, the cold weather and rain of the last week seems to have shut down completely. The City is still cool and foggy, but much warmer than previous weeks, with the sun threatening to peek in at every cloud turnover. Hopefully soon, we will have a bountiful sky full of sun, warmth, and joy.

Things are coming together very well on the creative end for Candlesmoke Chapel. Our Candlesmoke store should be good to go very soon. We’ve been buried under roots, essential oils, and incense for the last few weeks. We decided that we would rather get things pictured, posted, and shipped more than getting actual sticker artwork for each of the items, at least for the time being. We are going to go with a more classic look, one that we enjoy, and in the future get feedback from buyers and friends and slowly start to add the artwork we have ready.  After discussing packaging with a few people and doing some research we have decided to offer the price of the glass jars off the item if anyone prefers their stuff just ship in just a plain plastic ziplock bag.  It’s not as pretty, but would be easier to recycle the baggie. I’m happy to report that we have tried to use bottles that can be reused for other magical workings, such as our bath salts coming packaged in honey jar style bottles. These, too, can be recycled, but would be better used as a conditional honey jar.

Final oil blends are revealing themselves slowly, but surely. I don’t mind the pace, as I’d rather have a solid and useful oil, rather than a ton of ready-to-sell oils that are not the best we can do. Two oils have been finished and are almost ready to put up. The fact that to make an oil I have to start with one EO, add other EOs to that, then blend them all, is fun, but if I make one false action with it (add a non-harmonious EO) it must be dumped out. Add the fact that oils will change their scent within a few weeks time of blending them, well, these factors make the journey rewarding, but slow going. I’m happy to say that we have 4 more oils on deck for final testing and tweaking, as well as 3 more being started from scratch.

We are aiming to make all items as affordable as possible. It may seem like we must have a lot of disposable money to be starting up this kind of work, but we definitely do not. All spending on anything non-shop related has been suspended for months and months. Any money in the bank is going to the big move (see here) with any extra funds immediately going into ordering more supplies for the shop. We understand the struggles of wanting to use well crafted materials, but struggling to afford “Top Shelf” deemed products. We’ve been there. All products we have lined up will be within the purchase range of most everyone looking for supplies such as these, while still retaining the top notch ingredients we insist on using. We will be making money, yes, and hope that any funds generated from all future sales will, in turn, fund further magical product research and allow us to acquire a pagan meeting place in Florida. Basically, I want everyone to know that we won’t be selling $30 dollar oils and $15 incense. Unless you want that much of any one product…which would be a serious amount!

Condition Oil Mixtures

In move news we are happy to say that we are excited and have finally starting to slowly remove all non-necessities from our home and lives. At times it may be hard, but when we think of having a full, large, blooming garden of herbs, roots and flowers, it makes it much easier. To be able to grow, and show pictures of, the actual bushes and plants that our materials come from has always been a big goal for the both of us. Extra beer mugs be damned, we want our garden! Books have been gone through, lists are being written, things have been sent to friends. This spring season will be the perfect time to continue our purge and cleanse.

One of Many Book Stack Piles

In our down time we have been busy doing a myriad of magical things that have not stopped surprising us. The last week has brought many open-eyed glances and happy clapping in the Candlesmoke home. Pendulums were used in a most valuable way, leading with directions and giving guidance. Tarot cards have been employed to back up some pretty heavy situations occurring and shed light on these occurrences. Lights have been faithfully lit and honey jars continue to light the warm altar room. Even the vinegar jar got some re-worked energy thrown at it and the bathroom smelled of pepper and smoke for a few nights. It’s making me hunger for an entire out-building (or more) to dedicate to on-going works.

Two Honey Jars Fully Candled

While on the general subject of magical yummy-ness, I would like to include a link here for anyone that loves reading occult and magical books as much as I do. The particular book in question that I have been enjoying is entitled “Saint Cyprian: Saint of Necromancers” and was written by ConjureMan Ali. I keep meaning to write an entire post on this book, but never seem to get around to it. If you are curious about Saint Cyprian and quest to learn more, then please get a copy of this book. It is published in the UK by Hadean Press. They are a fantastic publisher and really, all of their books are worth getting. I hope to be able to make another purchase within the first few months after we move. The book is 20 pages long and costs about 6 dollars USD. Well worth it, and they shipped my order to me within a week. From the UK. In perfect condition, too. Support your occult publishers and authors people, I cannot stress this enough. Especially those over the pond, as they seem to be steady printing out some of the most informative tomes out there.

ConjureMan Ali’s Saint Cyprian book published by Hadean Press

In personal news I have been recovering from the Great & Powerful Sickness of 2011, and after a quick relapse I am happy to say that the rest of my 2012 should be illness free. I am recovering quickly and am almost at 100% again. The ear needs a wee bit more unclogging and my vision is slowly beginning it’s return to normal…from seasick spin-around! I have been busy working at the tattoo shop, getting more products tested and made, and catching up on reading. A few of the titles (which may get a review blog-post about) are, “The Magic of the Horseshoe” from 1898, “Magic and Husbandry: Folklore of Agriculture” from 1905, and “Witch Stories from Around the World” published in 1861. I find myself exclaiming out loud at some of the great things these old books contain. Beautiful peeks into yester-centuries. Food for thought. Kindling for the fire circle. Er, the ideas, not the books themselves!

Spring Cat Stand-Off

Look for book review posts, store and item details, blog updates, and general giddiness to come in the next few weeks. Much to do, much to say… I’m off, but I hope you all have the most amazing opening to Springtime possible and that you continue to plant the seeds that will grant your future selves. C’mon sun, let’s get this going!

According to the newest predicted figure of ABI Research, move news to develop like a raging fire in all parts of the world, by 2013, its income will increase to 2120 hundred million dollars.

This advisory company will move news to divide into five classifications: SMS (message) , MMS (Multi-media Messaging Service) , voice mail, instant communication, E-mail / unified message delivery. This company still predicts, new input mode and access capability, and fixed net and integration situation of the mobile network will influence moving the playing and developing the tide of news greatly.

Analyze a teacher Dan Shey says in ABI seat of honor: “The innovation on the input mode of information will reduce using the threshold of mobile communication greatly, for instance: Touch-sensitive screen, pronunciation are transferred to the text, advanced keyboard and designed etc.. No matter which kind of MSGSER message service, use these input methods to simplify the communication between mobile platform and fixed net platform greatly synthetically. The communication service provider can well meet the customer’s demand in two major fields of consumption and commerce. ”