The Holidays

I don't often write in my Book of Shadows. Truth be told I rarely use it. But once in awhile I write down poems, bits of information, and on the rare occasion a ritual. I do always write my rituals down, but they end up being burned most of the time so they can never be used again.

After I write, I usually end up looking at past entries. This one caught my eye not because it's all that important or particularly good (It's not really), but because it reminds me of better times. I'm not all that cheerful this year, but when I wrote this I was very cheerful and it made me feel a little better.

The Holidays
11/29/2003

Ah what a joyous day to be me,
The crisp winter air sinks down into your bones,
and soon the air will be filled with families singing a Christmas song.

To be a witch at this time is a gift.
A time to reflect, a time to relax,
A time to enjoy the gift we call family.

Now our belly's are full and we break out the tree,
Go shopping to buy that perfect gift for thee.

Oh how wonderful it is to be me.
A time to be a kid again,
The perfect medicine for an aged soul such as me.

Happy Holidays

SalemWitchChild

PBP: Yule & Family

Prompt: Winter Holidays and Family

This time of year, there are many different celebrations going on, most often ones that bring family close together. While it can be nice to see everyone again, it can also be stressful, when your family doesn't feel the same way about things as you do.

So, how do you deal with them? Do you simply avoid all talk of religion, even though the holidays can be very religious? Or perhaps it's just easier to avoid family all together....

If your family actually believes as you do, then perhaps these holiday gatherings aren't tough at all. Please, share with us how your Pagan winter family gathering go...

So my family is not all that religious. Though if asked they will tell you they are Christian. I think the only one that regularly goes to church is my Aunts and Grandmother. And I'm not on speaking terms with them. I have a live and let live approach. I avoid talk of the religious aspect of the season, and I let them pretend I'm celebrating Christmas. I just try to keep it as outwardly secular as much as I can. 





Magickal Graphics

Greetings, Love, and Light

So were getting down to the wire for Christmas/Yule. Man it doesn't seem like this year should almost be over. Wasn't it just yesterday I was a big pregnant whale eagerly awaiting our son? And now our son is 7 months old! He's getting big and doing new things everyday. He's such a precious little man. I couldn't be prouder!

This weekend I did a little bit more crochet work. I decided to get festive because honestly I'm not all that cheerful this year. I thought maybe it would help me get into the holiday mood. Plus it helps me learn more about crochet. Double bonus!

Santa showing off my crochet candy cane.

Here is Santa modeling my crocheted candy cane. Out of my huge stash of yarn I somehow do not have a good bright red. So I had to improvise and use a maroon. That's OK, after all they do make many different kinds of candy canes. It isn't perfect but it adds character! Somehow I got it turned wrong. Not sure where, but that's OK. I still like it. :) 

Crochet Candy Cane Tutorial 

Here is my wreath. I had this lovely festive yarn I just had to do something with. Isn't it pretty? I've also been working on a baby blanket for a very dear friend of mine. She just gave birth to her baby girl on the 14th. Congrats to BabyElephant! She is from the U.K. We are both members of the same dog forum. This year she sent me a lot of things for my son, so as a thank you, I'm making her a beautiful blue and white shell blanket. Though it's taking forever! The child might be out of diapers by the time I'm done. Thankfully I also have a back up. I've promised her my Moby wrap since I don't use it anymore.

Crochet Holiday Wreath

 

Well that pretty much wraps up my weekend. Speaking of wrapping, do you have those presents wrapped yet? Our daughter saw the tape left out on the counter and just knew I'd been wrapping presents. Do you put your wrapped presents under the tree? We do not because our daughter would forever be asking to "unwrap just one" every single day. So the presents get wrapped and hidden until the big day. 

Welcome to November

 I'd like to thank everyone who commented and participated in my 31 Days of Samhain. It was a fun 31 days but now I'm moving on. This month I'm doing Inspirational and Motivational quotes. As we move into November and December there are some people who become despondent. Especially if you do not have family to share it with. Well on the net your never truly alone. That's what I like so much about Networking!

So here is our first quote to start us off.

"I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet."
- Indian Proverb

First off, I love this quote. It reminds me of my childhood when we had very little and yet my mother made it feel like we had the world. Around the time I was 3 or 4 my grandfather kicked us out of the house my mother was renting from him. First lesson, never do business with family! Second lesson, how to survive Autumn in a tent! We camped in the back yard. 4 people in a small tent keeps pretty toasty. I never knew it at the time but we stole corn from a local farmer to survive those few months. Eventually my mother was able to save up some money so we could move. But all I remember of those days was being in the back yard with my family and having fun. To me, I didn't know that we were homeless. I didn't know to complain. I had what I needed. Food in my belly and a warm place to sleep. I didn't know my mother went without dinner, or her boyfriend gave his boots to my brother for warmth. Those are the sacrifices parents make to keep our children in a happy healthy home.

So a big thank you for those who make sacrifices for our children. A a huge hug to those going without this holiday season! This year has been hard for us. I don't know if we'll have a lavish Thanksgiving feast or exchange gifts for Yule. But we will have our family.

 

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Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Here's the list, snagged from The Pagan Blog Directory: and A Pagan Mothers Life

1. What’s your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favourite Goddess.
6. A favourite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favourite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favourite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favourite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favourite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favourite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favourite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!

Once I get Rabbit down for his nap, I think I'll be partaking in this challenge. I posted it here so I would remember all the topics for the 44 days :) I'm actually excited about having something new for my blog every day!