Dec 28, 2012

Recycle Reuse Renew Mother Earth Projects: how to make a Calming Jar

Recycle Reuse Renew Mother Earth Projects: how to make a Calming Jar:   You will need:    Mason Jar  Craft glitter - 3 pouches (roughly 1/2 tbsp each)  Glitter Glue – 1.8 fl oz.  Hot Water  Directions  1.Boil ...

What a great idea! Looks fun, easy, inexpensive & happy!!!


Dec 25, 2012

Yule Ritual 2012-Smelling Like Christmas!

Making all the Christmas morning goodies tonight. Ok, just one goodie and one lunch fixin'. Candied yams at my son-in-laws request *lol* And the Clayton coffee cake!! Then at my daughter's house I'll whip up the cinnamon pull apart bread! woohoo!!

Left (Goddess area):
silver candle for my Goddess Isis, color of the moon and symbolic to the Yule season. The all Goddess, triple Goddess, creator of all and everything.
Chalice with water to represent the element of water.
One of my faery figurines to represent the fae and the element of air.
:::
 Center (both Goddess & God area):
my working candle is always at the Spirit area (top of the pentagram), my offering to the Lord and Lady (orange/clove pomander), my main altar decoration to Yule is the center area with pinecones, stones (citrine, tigers eye), herbs scattered about-sweet cinnamon stick, 2 laurel bay leaves, dried rosemary, dried juniper berries, myrrh, frankincense. My circle of pinecones is closed with a little Goddess medalion, and my bell.

:::

Right (God Area):
Sun God candle, bowl of salt & my california white sage stick that I used to 'clear my space of all negativity for my magickal work to take place'.
Cauldron with red rock that I normally use to burn charcoal with loose natural incense. But I am out of charcoal discs for incense. So I used it to burn a red candle symbolizing the Sun (called for by Scott Cunningham's Yule Ritual in Wicca for the Solitary Practicioner).

(above)
handmade autumn magic candle (smells like melting honey). I made it last autumn trying out a technique where I smear candle dye with a q-tip on the inside of a votive candle mold. Pour the wax. When I removed the candle it looked JUST like a cat! lol

The candle was orange in color, so I used it to represent the Sun/Sun God, return of the Sun! In the Egyptian pantheon the Sun God is Ra.

My herbs that I had gathered on my altar during my ritual, I later used my mortar & pestle to pulverize those herbs. Making them into a loose natural incense & sprinkled them all over my Sun candle and continued with  my ritual. Excellent wonderful aroma!!!
(juniper berries, rosemary, myrrh, frankencense, sweet cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cloves)

I had also previously sprinkled pine pure essential oil around on my altar and pinecones. That too was a wonderful aroma to have wandering through the air as I perform my ritual. It was a very long ritual too. =)

The orange (orange/clove pomander) in the back left is my gift offered to my God & Goddess Osiris & Isis; that I made on the eve of Winter Solstice.

The cinnamon stick particles are really catching fire & taking off.(on the right side)

Anyone reading through any of my rituals for the 1st time, who does not follow the same or similar path might be scared of wicca, paganism, witchcraft, magick, shamanism, or the like... I am an open minded person. I had been curious about wicca and ancient teachings for many many years, and even I had some things wrong about paganism. Just because of the symbols we are fed by society. Heck! I thought Pagans/Paganism in general was something that did not even exist anymore. I had always heard that the Christian traditions were Pagan to start with a long long time ago. Such as May Day. I grew up with May day and it is a very special and sentimental day to me.

Now take the rituals that we perform. They have nothing to do with putting evil onto someone. That is laughable to me now. The sabbat (holiday) rituals have to do with giving thanks to the earth and universe for gifts recieved.

Curious what the use of herbs and oils are all about?
Herbal Grimoire

  • Juniper Berry Properties - purifies the aura, clarifies thought, and protects from negativity
  • Bay Leaf Properties- is a sun herb. Yule is a celebration of the Sun returning. December 21st (Winter Solstice) is the longest day of the year. After that night every day the Sun stays up a little bit longer, gaining in strength until it is at its most powerful. (summer) http://www.alchemy-works.com/herb_bay.html
  • Cinnamon Stick Properties- also linked to the Sun. It is a fire herb. Associations include protection, abundance, love, hearth, home.
  • Clove Properties -  Associated with the Sun, warmth, prosperity, protection. Encourages action, and its scent encourages confidence.
  • Rosemary Properties - protection, love, clearing, purifying, Place under pillow to repel nightmares, inhale as an oil to improve memory. Use at both funerals and weddings because of its is benevolent associations. Associated with the planet Mercury.
  • Pinecone Properties - Male, associated with the planet Mars. Elements: air & fire. Prosperity, birth, fertility.
  • Frankincense (resin) Properties - Associated with fire and the Sun. Good for centering yourself for meditation, chakra cleansing (the third eye), purification of negative energy. Relaxing
  • Myrrh Properties - purification, martial protection, healing of heart, spirit, or body. 
Stones and Gems I used ~ 
  • Citrine Stone - citrine is a grounding stone. yellow in color. Relieves anxiety, depression,  promotes positive energy. Yellow is symbolic to creativity, the element of air, intelligence. Boosts self esteem. Aids digestive problems.
  • Tiger's Eye - Associated with Ra the Sun God of the Egyptian pantheon. Encourages bravery.Elements: Earth, Fire. Grounding, helps energy flow freely through the body. Prosperity, reduces cravings & addictive behaviors.






Dec 23, 2012

Passion Parties 19th Annual Convention 2013

I've been looking online here there and everywhere at glitter high heels, cocktail dresses, gowns, earrings... Trying to find free & the best inexpensive deals for all my things I will need for convention. And figure out how to fit it all into 1 small carry on suitcase. I guess my husband thinks I'll be wearing shorts or something... It's all so extremely exciting! My very 1st convention.

Passion Parties Annual Convention is held in Las Vegas, Nevada every year. This year's theme for convention is 'Bringing Passion to Life'.
My sister Jenny & I will be there together this year. I've heard her talk about it over the years & can not wait to experience it myself. She is an executive director in the company and runs an amazing business. She has been a consultant for 7 years. And this past year was her most amazing year to date.

Here are some pics of things I'm considering online.
Passion Parties signature colors are purple and hot pink. I want to attend convention in clothing that I'm comfortable in. I want to be able to be myself, in the styles that appeal to me. I've met a few pagans in this company in the past year. The fact that there are so many like-minded people in this company makes it all the more exciting and comfortable for me. 



I especially luv luv luv the wine colored dress! Kinda struggling between going with company colors. EVERYONE will be wearing purple. Which sorta makes me want to go with a different color. I've worn purple all of my life. I always buy purple or lavender. *lol* 

And we can't forget the oh so pretty nails! These are some designs I found online that I like. I often bid for things at www.listia.com and sometimes I can send in a pic of a design I like, to get something similar... For Passion Power in Seattle last summer I wore really cute pink cupcakes *lol* 







  

Dec 22, 2012

Winter Solstice Pomanders

I made orange & clove pomanders w/ my daughter & grandkids Evey & Dante on December 20th this year. fun & rekaxing!

Dec 20, 2012

Thoughtless or Normal?

 Merry Winter Solstice to one & all! 

I feel very drawn to write today. I have found it increasingly sad in the past few weeks that there seems to be much thoughtlessness around me. I have heard people obsessing over facial creams and upset that they can not get the one they wanted, as if it is life or death. I have been sick for months & have to go out of state to start getting medical tests done. By which is making me loose out on work and let down my clients. Which I feel like a complete heel anyway when I let people down. But really? You think that housekeeping is more important than my health?  I've already lost 20 lbs from being sick. I have been throwing up for months and I would have expected people to be more understanding... *sigh*

I guess I am just especially surprised  that at this time of year the real lack of caring for others...


What are your thoughts? Are you too experiencing any of the same feelings? Have you seen a lack of caring lately in your community?


Now, off to read in my books to find a Winter Solstice Ritual ;) I'm sure Ann Moura or Scott Cunningham have something that I will like.

Blessed Be xo Yule & Winter Solstice Blessings 


*signature tag by me*
*Graphics by K4U* 



Dec 14, 2012

looking toward Yule

Wishing everyone a merry Yuletide!
Yule or by whatever name you call it - Christmas, Christmastime, Yule, ... It all has much the same meaning and symbolism. The Gift of Giving and Sharing. New Beginnings. Thankfulness. Love. Being thoughtful of others. Sharing our blessings...
I have been trying to learn more about the old traditions. I think of Yule / Christmas a time of being together with family. That handmade gifts are the best. The less is more, because its not about how much material things you have. It's about the time you spend with ones you love. And oh! Those homemade feasts! Cinnamon pull apart bread, real and creamy coffee cake made with real cream! Ham, dinner rolls, homemade chicken and noodles! oh my!!

I do not have much to give this year. Because of my financial status in work. (compared to years past) - which doesn't make me feel very good. So I am making my gifts this year. I just learned about making orange and clove pomanders last night. I had no idea that they take weeks to be ready. I still may take a bash at making them. I think it would make a really fun family project to do before Christmas. I think my grandkids would enjoy it too. Just thinking of the scents of fresh oranges, and clove, and cinnamon oh my! love those scents so much! In ancient times people made these as air fresheners.
 
The last 2 years that I've been following a pagan path, I've wanted so badly to make a yulelog with candles and decorate it with sprigs of pine branches, holly, and pinecones. As well as a bake a yulelog cake. Maybe my kids can help me to make this come true. I don't have a drill for the candles. Or really the log. *lol* A yule log cannot be purchased or bought in any way. It has to be your own, traditionally from the year before's wood harvest. Or it can be a log that is a gift. Ash wood is the traditional wood that is used. But in modern times pine has been substituted. I'll have to get together with my daughter and son in law and see what we can come up with. They have pine and juniper trees in their yard. *giggles*!!!
 
 
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