Monday Mutterings

Hellooooo, Monday!

What an amazing birthday weekend!  I was completely amazed and touched by the outpouring of birthday wishes on my Facebook account - over 800 messages!  Wow!!   Thank you all, once again!  That was really just crazy, lol!

On the home front it was a quiet weekend spent with the family.  My oldest got me the first Season 2 Glee DVD and I got two gorgeous leather bound blank books - really gorgeous!  I've already started filling them up, lol!

Not too much going on here, though.  Lots of writing, lots of experimenting with new oil and powder formulas - and even got a few new Voodudes™ sewn up this weekend (they'll be going up in the shop sometime today or tomorrow).

I can't believe that February is already coming to an end!  Spring is right around the corner - full of new beginnings and growth.  What will you be working on this coming season?



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*Sigh*

If you've read my blog for any length of time (and if you have, thanks for sticking around!), you have probably picked up on the fact that I work at trying to mostly post positive things.  I don't love confrontations, I try not to point fingers - though I do vent, just like everyone else, I don't post anyone's name.  I don't feel the need to "sick" my readers or friends on anyone, though I do have loyal friends who have stuck up for me in the past when they thought it was needed (thanks to you as well!).

Recently, though, a situation has developed and grown to the point where I can no longer ignore it.  I've been accused of things I have not done, been called names, been verbally attacked and denied the ability to even stand up for myself on the basis that I could actually prove my side.  And it's being dragged on and on and on and on.  So, here I am, giving my side to the story.  If you are aware of this situation, I hope that you will read through (it's going to be long, just to warn you).  If you aren't, well, be glad, lol!  You're better off not being involved in something that's gotten so nasty!

Happy Full Moon!

Today is the day of the Full Moon.   I hope everyone gets the chance to spend some time with it, even if it's just a hearty "Hail!" while walking the dog!  =)    And remember, the moon is always there, even when you can't see it - so if the only time you have to spend is during the day, go for it!  The power of the full moon doesn't just work at night.

You may have noticed that I put the Ostara tab up at the top of the page last week.  I'm hoping everyone's wishes for spring to get here will help hurry it along, lol!

Have a great weekend and a great esbat, my friends!





This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Feralia, February 21

Photo by Shizhao, via Wiki Commons

Shizhao

February 21st marks the last day of the 9 day festival of Parentalia, celebrated in ancient Rome.   Called Feralia, the day is somewhat similar to Mexico's Day of the Dead or the honoring of ancestor's during the modern Pagan sabbat of Samhain.  During Feralia, ancient Romans would travel to the tombs of their ancestors (called "Manes"), bringing offerings of wreathes, grain, salt, and bread soaked in wine; violets would be scattered around and in the tombs.  The wealthy families of Rome would prepare lavish public feasts at the tombs.

Unlike the rousing celebration of Day of the Dead, Feralia was considered a time of mourning.  Marriages were banned during this time and public worship of the Gods was stopped; no incense was burned on the altars and hearth fires were often left unlit.  One ancient story tells of a time when Fernalia was ignored during war time, causing spirits to rise from their graves and haunt the streets of Rome until tribute was made properly to the spirits in their tombs.

Though generally not celebrated today, Feralia can be brought into the modern Pagan home to honor deceased family and/or friends, especially those who have passed since the last honoring of the dead in October.  On February 21st, create an ancestor altar in the home, including photos or mementos of those past, a dish of salt, a dish of bread soaked wine, and a vase of violets if they can be found.  Cook a feast of the departed's favorite foods and leave a plate for them on the altar or set a place for them at the dinner table.  Offer the departed a prayer of thanks for sharing your life and the good times that they shared with you while still walking the earth.

Sources of information:

Vestal virgins, sibyls, and matrons: women in Roman religion By Sarolta A. Takács

This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Funny for today

Thanks to my friend Laurie for sending me this one!  And thanks to Jen for pointing me to the author of this cartoon.  A big thanks to the author for her permission to post this here!

You can find this and other nifty cartoons at Indexed.

Monday Mutterings

Why hello!  Yes, I'm still here.  After taking a week off to catch up on a few things (and catch my breath!), I came to the conclusion that I have to make a few changes in my online work schedule.  In case you didn't read it over on Facebook (You aren't over there yet?  Why not?  That's where you get all the good news first!),  I've signed a contract for the book I'm writing!  Very exciting stuff, when I'm not panicking at the very thought.

Thing is, to get this thing written in the time frame I have, I'm going to have to cut back a smidge on other things, like the daily correspondence posts,  posting every day, and clean clothes.   I'm working out a few things that will keep the blog interesting and keep me on top of what I need to get done, including asking a few of my favorite bloggers for guest posts, recycling some older stuff, and trying to get Tanner to do more photo-worthy antics (as usual, not getting a lot of cooperation from her!).

And there's one more announcement that I have to make, though it's on the "bad news" side of the fence.  As my book deadline looms at the first part of October..... I'm going to have to ditch this year's 31 Days of Halloween.  I usually start planning it 3 months in advance, and it's all I can do to get it up and running before October.  There's just no way to get it planned and executed at the same time I'll be (surely) pulling out my hair trying to finish up my writing.

I am thinking of doing some sort of Halloween In July type thing later in the year, though!  We'll just have to see how it goes.

Meanwhile, have a great week, and I hope you stay tuned to take this little book writing journey along with me!



This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Magical Correspondences for Feb. 4, 2011

Today is Freya's Day! 

The moon is in Capricorn, making it a great day for doing work on your career and/or business.  It's also the time to work on magic for things that will have long term results or for working on obtaining that one thing you want more than anything else.  Work on banishing depression or selfishness.  Now is also a good time to work on advancing yourself in social situations, getting recognition at work, and advancement in any situation.

Magical Correspondences for Feb. 3, 2011

Today is Thor's Day! It's also the Chinese New Year - Gung Hay Fat Choy! 

The moon is in Capricorn, making it a great day for doing work on your career and/or business.  It's also the time to work on magic for things that will have long term results or for working on obtaining that one thing you want more than anything else.  Work on banishing depression or selfishness.  Now is also a good time to work on advancing yourself in social situations, getting recognition at work, and advancement in any situation.

Clearing Your Sink and Magically Sealing It

Photo by Stilfehler via Wiki Commons

Is there anything worse than trying to do dishes and finding your sink full of water?  One of my biggest pet peeves is having a clogged sink (just ask my family how often they hear "You better scrape that plate before you rinse it!!!").  Nothing is worse than trying to rinse dishes and having the sink fill up with gross, dirty water because it can't get through the drain.  Blech.

A Simple Imbolc Candle Ritual

Photo: Richard W.M. Jones via Wikimedia Commons

Imbolc is a time of rejuvenation, new beginnings and purification.  Many Pagans will hold rituals to celebrate the season, but what's a busy domestic witch to do if she doesn't have time to break out all the tools and put on a full display?  Here is a simple candle ritual that can be done in a few minutes, or could be part of a more elaborate celebration.

Weather Divination for Imbolc

Imbolc is the perfect time for working with weather divination!  Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• In Gaelic folklore, Imbolc is the time when The Cailleach gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter.  As she does not wish to stay out in bad weather gathering wood for a long winter, tradition says that good weather on Imbolc is a bad sign.  Bad weather, accordingly, is a sign that spring is on it's way.

Magical Correspondences for Feb. 2, 2011

Today is Woden's Day.  It's also Imbolc, Candlemas, Groundhog's Day and the day of the New Moon!

The moon is in Sagittarius.  This moon phase is the perfect time for connecting with deity, holding rituals, starting traditions and divination (perfect for the sabbat!).  It's also a good time for working with publishers and legal matters in general, for learning or teaching or planning for the future.

February Magic

February is named after the Roman goddess Februa, patroness of passionate love and sex.  Her feast day in February was a part of Lupercalia, during which there was much making of hay (if ya know what I mean!).  Guess what day that was turned into?  Yep, welcome to the real background of Valentine's Day!

Magical works to concentrate on in February:  clearing obstacles, fertility, forgiveness, healing, banishing winter, banishing negative energy, spiritual purification, finishing projects.

February 2011's Moon Phases:

•  Feb. 2nd: New Moon
• Feb. 11th: First Quarter
• Feb. 18th: Full Moon
• Feb. 24th: Last Quarter

The Full Moon of February is called:

• Northern Arapaho: Frost Sparkling in the Sun
• Celtic: Moon of Ice
• Cherokee: Bony Moon
• Chinese: Budding Moon
• Choctaw: Little Famine Moon
• Colonial America: Trapper's Moon
• Eastern Comanche:  Sleet Moon
• Haida: Goose Moon
• Hopi: Month of Purification and Renewal
• Kalapyuya: Out of Food
• Omaha: Month When Geese Come Home
• Passamaquoddy: When the Spruce Tips Fall
• Pima: The Gray Month
• Potawtatomi: Month of Rabbit Conception
• Shawnee: Crow Moon
• Sioux: Coyote Moon

Other names for February include: 

• Ukranian: лютий meaning the month of ice or hard frost
• Finland: helmikuu, meaning "month of the pearl"
• Iceland: Gói

Zodiac signs for February: Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) and Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20). February's birthstone is the amethys.  It's birthflower is the violet.  The number of February is 2.

Consider working with the colors light-blue, aqua and purple in February.

If you are looking for stones to work with this month, consider amethyst, aquamarine, jade, jasper, pear or clear quartz crystal. Carry one or more on your person, use them in a monthly magic mojo bag, or set them out this month on a window sill to charge throughout the month. Choose one or more to research and add to your book of shadows.

February's animals: duck, eagle, otter, raccoon, wolf. To incorporate these animals, add a statue or photo of your choice of animal to your altar or read about how them can be used as totem animals. 

Mythical animals to work with: domestic fairies and the devas of house plants.

Plants associated with February include: alder, cedar, hyssop, primrose, sage, violet and willow.  Keep a small pot of one on your altar, add one or more to your monthly mojo bag, research them, plan recipes around them or make an infusion of them to add to your cleaning water.  Add a bowl of pine cones to your table as a centerpiece, or get the kids to smear peanut butter and seeds on some and hang them out for the birds!

Deities of February:

• Goddesses: Aphrodite, Atargatis,  Brigid, Demeter, Diana, Juno, Juno Februa, Kore, Persephone, Prosperine
• Gods : Dis Pater, Februus, Pluto,  Quirinus

Invoke February's deities for ritual.  Honor them on your altar.  Research them for your BOS or create an artwork in their honor.

Month Long Observances of February:

• Bake for Family Fun Month
• Library Lovers Month
• Marfan Syndrome Awarness Month
• National Black History Month
• Spunky Old Broads Month (for spunky broads over 50)

Sources: 

The Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Pennick

The Farmers’ Almanac 2011

The Spellcaster’s Reference by Eileen Holland

National Geographic, Full Moons: What's in a Name?

The Moon Book by Kim Long

This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!

Magical Correspondences and Moon Phases for the Month of February 2011

February is named after the Roman goddess Februa, patroness of passionate love and sex.  Her feast day in February was a part of Lupercalia, during which there was much making of hay (if ya know what I mean!).  Guess what day that was turned into?  Yep, welcome to the real background of Valentine's Day!

Magical works to concentrate on in February:  clearing obstacles, fertility, forgiveness, healing, banishing winter, banishing negative energy, spiritual purification, finishing projects.

Magical Correspondences for Feb. 1, 2011

Today is Tiu's Day.  Some celebrate Imbolc today (some on other days).  It's also the Egyptian feast day of Nuit.

Free Pagany Books

While doing research for my book, I've come across some free downloads of out-of-copyright books on Google Books.  Thought I'd share a few here!

• Gypsy Folk-Tales by Francis Hindes Groome
• The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland
• Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling by Charles Godfrey Leland
• Encyclopaedia of Superstition, Folklore and Occult Sciences by Cora Linn Morrison Daniels

Visit this page for more on free ebooks!


This is post (and photos) copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!