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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

First Quarter Moon


We are in the second week of the waxing moon phase. The waxing moon phase is when the visible moon goes from dark to full again. This moon phase is associated with the Maiden and is a great time for doing positive magick.

Ideas for Magick
  • Increasing your wealth and belongings
  • Bringing love into your life (as long as this isn't directed at a specific person you're not conflicting with anyone's free will)
  • Anything to do with improving your situation (i.e. finding a new job/home)
Interestingly enough we signed the lease on our new apartment yesterday, perhaps Lady Selene had something to do with that.

The Move Is Upon Us

I can't believe it, in less than a week we'll be settling into our new apartment! There is so much to do between now and then that I'm feeling a little frantic. It doesn't help that it's an hour away from here so when we start transporting all of our stuff every trip is going to feel like forever.

Once we're finally in getting settled is going to take forever but that's going to be the fun part. First thing that needs to get settled is painting. We're allowed to paint the apartment and the previous tenant had.... interesting taste, to say the least. So we've got to pick out colors and get at least the two bedrooms and bathroom painted. Right now the master bedroom is dark blue and electric pink, not really conducive to relaxation. We also need to call the gas company and have the stove hooked up and call the cable company to have Internet set up. Some people need coffee, I need the Internet.

Despite all of the stress and responsibility it will be nice to finally spread out. Anywho the point of all this is that sadly I won't be able to connect with my readers much over the next few weeks :-( When I return I'll have lots to tell and pictures to share. Wish me luck that all goes smoothly.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Politics and Me

I generally try to stay away from political stuff. If I don't it not only makes me seething angry and incoherent but also makes me sick to my stomach. I don't know why but it really just gets under my skin. Me personally I try to support everyone's right to be happy, as long as that happiness doesn't directly effect the rights of others. The people I have the most problem with are the far right. The overly conservative control freaks who can't seem to grasp that they shouldn't be allowed special privileges above and beyond everyone else's.

They live under the assumption that they've figured "it" out, they're what should be considered the status-quo. Everything and everyone who challenges that is a threat to their peace of mind. They're secretly terrified that those who believe the LGBT community deserve the same rights as everyone else... are right. If those people are right that means they might be wrong. If they're wrong then what else in their life is wrong. Is every decision they've ever made wrong? I know them intimately I have them in my family, we all do. They're so insecure and unsure of their own beliefs they need everyone to agree with them in order to feel validated.

The same as the people that don't want women to have control over their healthcare and reproductive choices. The men are afraid of women and the women are afraid of themselves and resentful towards other women. Women are capable of giving birth so clearly that's what our role in society is meant to be, if we don't accept that fact we'll all die off, after all, who would actually choose the discomfort of pregnancy and pain of childbirth. How dare these women have sex purely for the enjoyment of it that's hedonistic and selfish.

They need to be normal, they thrive on it and they crave the acceptance of their peers. They work so hard fitting into this mold that they didn't even create. They deny themselves and those around them the luxury of exploring their own uniqueness for fear of finding something that doesn't quite fit. If you just happen to be okay with allowing bits of you to ooze outside of the mold then you're hedonistic, sinful, and dangerous. They're jealous of your free spirit and afraid of their own.

They can't understand that what's normal for one person isn't normal for someone else. If I woke up tomorrow and had a penis I think I would be in terrible shock. My whole self image would be shattered. I'm a woman and have always known of myself as a woman. Does that mean that having a penis is wrong? No. Does that mean that the men who are born into the bodies of women should just be happy with what they have because that's what they were born with? No. I was in a situation where I felt secure enough to carry out my pregnancy and give birth to my beautiful son. Does that mean someone else who didn't have the luxury of being in my situation is a disgusting slut? No. They just can't comprehend this.

They are so sure they're doing it right, that everyone else must be wrong. In their world there is a sliver of right and a whole world filled with wrong. Why can't they understand that there are just as many paths to being right as there are to being wrong. These people are to be pitied, but mostly feared. Their world is so narrow they barely have enough room for themselves.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Air

1. a. A colorless, odorless, tasteless, gaseous mixture, mainly nitrogen (approximately 78%) and oxygen (approximately 21%) with lesser amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, neon, helium, and other gases.
b. This mixture with varying amounts of moisture and particulate matter, enveloping the earth; the atmosphere.
2. a. The sky; the firmament
b. A giant void; nothingness
3. An atmospheric movement; a breeze or wind.

These are the first 3 definitions of the 11 definitions that describe air as a noun. That's a lot of explanations for something that keeps us alive and is one of the 5 basic elements of life. Like all of the elements there is a dark and light side to air. It can keep us aloft and fill our lungs with one delicious breath after another, or it can crush and destroy us with its pressure and vastness. Just think of all the trouble one tiny little bubble of it can cause in an IV or a syringe.

Everything in life can be associated with one or multiple elements. It aids us with scent, sound, our breath, and even our blood contains oxygen. Air is the element associated with intellect, communication and travel. Some other air correspondences are:

  • Color Association - Yellow
  • Zodiac Associations - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
  • Tarot Associations - Swords
  • Deities of Air - Monai, Quetzalcoatl, Stribog, Addad, Nuit, Aditi, Zeus, Vayu, Thoth, Shu, Mercury, Enlil, Ariel, Paralda, The Sylphs, Raphael, Chassan
  • Magickal Creatures of Air - Angels, Fairies, Pegasus, Griffins, The Sylphs
  • Animals associated with Air - Birds, Butterflies
  • Planetary Associations - Mercury, Uranus
  • Sensory Associations - Scent, Sound
  • Symbols of Air - Blades, Incense, Music Boxes and symbols of music, Fairies, Clouds, Winged Creatures, Feathers
Many Pagans have alters displaying each of the 4 elements as well as their deities. Another way to honor the elements is by having elemental alters throughout your home. These can be placed wherever you feel the energy of a certain Element is needed. For example. If you have a study corner or work desk somewhere in your home you may want to keep an Air alter nearby to encourage clear thinking. You can use any of the examples above to help build your alter or you can come up with your own.

If you're looking to introduce your children to the elements something you can use for Air is bubbles. Air is thought to be a combination of wet and dry. The soap combined with a deep breath creates the bubbles.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Gemini

When I was younger I fancied myself an amateur astrologer. I had a big black binder filled with all of the information pertaining to each of the astrological signs. I had charts and and keys, and horoscopes that I made up myself. I loved learning about my own sign (Capricorn) and my friends signs to see if their personalities matched up, they usually did. Amusingly enough I always learned that Capricorns made perfect mates to Cancers and surprise surprise, hubby's a Cancer (totally unplanned by the way. So as the time of Gemini started yesterday and I was looking for something to post I thought I'd share some basic info on the Twins.

Happy Birthday Geminis!
 
May 21st through June 21st is ruled by the astrological sign of Gemini, The Twins. Gemini is the 3rd sign in the astrological calender. This year the beginning of Gemini also coincides with the New Moon. It is ruled by the element of Air and the planet Mercury. Both of these lend to a Gemini's quick wit and social nature. A person born under this sign is often fickle and quick to change their minds.

For more information about The Great Twins

Monday, May 21, 2012

Weekly Round Up

From May 13th - 21st

From: Witchy Woman

From: Witch Kitchen

From: The Sault Star

From: Kitchen Witch

From: About.com Paganism/Wicca

From: Spiral Goddess

Shopping

From: Margaret Cho

From: Pagan Culture



New Moon


We are currently in the phase of the New Moon. At this time the moon is not visible or just barely visible giving the illusion that there is no moon in the sky. This moon phase lasts for 3 days, the day before, the day of, and day after. 

Our current New moon is coinciding with a Solar Eclipse, the rule of the air sign Gemini, and Pleiades alignment. Exciting times we're in here.

The phase of the New Moon is a time of rejuvenation. Take this time to create inner and outer peace and harmony.

Activities for a New Moon
  • A ritual to designate sacred space
  • Take a ritual bath
  • Go for a walk
  • Meditate
  • Garden
  • Nap

Sunday, May 20, 2012

New Blog

If you've ever taken a peek at the left side of my page and noticed the "Check Out My Other Blogs" list you might have noticed my natural cooking blog. I started it a few years ago but I've never really had the same kind of fun with it that I've had with Witchy Woman.

So I've decided to start an entirely new blog, as a sister blog to this one combining the fun witchiness of Witchy Woman with my love of cooking and all things kitcheny. Don't worry Witchy Woman isn't going any where, but all the fun Kitchen Witchery really deserves more than just a page, it deserves a whole blog!

In the days to come I'll be transferring stuff from my old Natural Cooking blog, I tried just redesigning it but well.. that became too frustrating a project so I decided to start fresh. So check out Witch Kitchen and follow along. I'll post recipes and spells and fun little bits of kitchen witch folk lore.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Vaccinate!!!

I don't know how many of you know this, I don't even remember whether or not I've ever mentioned it, but my son has a rare blood disorder. This disorder is called Diamond Blackfan Anemia which essentially means his bone marrow doesn't produce enough red blood cells. This particular gene mutation is incredibly rare, there are currently only 700 cases of it world wide.

When he was born he was gray, his color was actually gray. He wasn't breathing and for the life of them they just couldn't figure out why. They whisked him away from me after my C-Section after I barely got to even give him a kiss. From there he was transported to a larger hospital that could better care for him and diagnose what was wrong. I was transported behind him so we could be in the same hospital.

He had to have blood transfusions every 4-6 weeks just to keep him alive until he turned one, that was when they started him only the steroids. As of right now the steroids are the only way we can treat this disorder. Hopefully one day he'll grow out of it as some do, or at the very least hopefully we can wean him down to a reasonable level of steroids. If not him getting a bone marrow transplant is a very real possibility.

Now to the purpose for this little rambling. Due to his need for chronic steroids he can only be vaccinated with strains of the virus that are not live. The live vaccines basically just would not work on him. The steroids wouldn't allow it. So we can't protect him against things like chicken pox. Illnesses like this aren't necessarily life threatening but they are more dangerous for him. He has a higher risk of contracting these things and once contracted they would affect him more severely, including but not limited to affecting the effectiveness of the steroids which he so desperately needs.

I used to be terrified of vaccinating him, worried what they would do and how dangerous they would be. After long discussions with my husband however we finally decided that it was safer to vaccinate what we could rather than not at all. After working through my fear I realized that maybe it wasn't so scary. Even though it's good to have a strong immune system that can fend for itself there's nothing wrong with having a little help. In years past people died from small pox which is now non existent due to vaccinations.

It is not my job to tell other parents what to do with their children and ultimately a parent has to put the safety of their child first over everyone else. However if you happen to be on the fence on whether or not vaccinating is a good idea think about my son, or someone else's. You could be saving the life of a child who's parents don't have the luxury of making a decision about their vaccination.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

New Beginnings

We put a down payment on our apartment!!! I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. We won't be able to move in until at least the first but I'm okay with that. It's ours and it's waiting for us. I have a lot to do over the next two weeks. I'll be packing and paring down all of our stuff, trying to get rid of anything we don't really need or use anymore. No point packing up and saving useless junk.

I've always had a problem throwing things away. Broken nic-nacs and old toys become ageless companions. Clothes that don't fit are a promise that I'm going to fit into them again. Body spray bottles with broken tops can always be fixed and if I save the rest of that lotion I won't need to buy any for a while, let's pretend it's not 6 years old and incredibly cheap. 

One of the reasons I love moving is the cathartic clearing out of old belongings. I always feel like I'm planning for a new life when I move, and when I'm about to have a new life I have the freedom to get rid of stuff I never could before. I love new beginnings the same way I love the turn of the wheel. It's magickal, it's new and familiar, like remembering a past life, you've been here before but it was in a different time and you were a different person.

How do you feel about new beginnings, do you welcome them or are you afraid of them?

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

Since today is a special day I'm postponing the Weekly link round up until tomorrow. My men got me a brand new very nice camera, a lovely card signed by both of them, and a surprise gift traveling towards me at this very moment. In honor of Mother's Day I thought I would share a little info about all of the Mother Goddesses I can think of.

Bast
  • Bast was one of the most highly honored feline gods
  • She was a goddess of sex and fertility
  • Also called Bastet
  • She guarded rural fold and nobility alike
  • Also seen as a goddess who protected mothers and their newborn children
Brighid
  • The classic triple goddess (has two sisters also called Brighid)
  • The patron of poets and bards as well as healers and magicians
  • Especially honored when it comes to matters of prophecy and divination
  • Honored during Imbolc
  • Goddess of hearth and home, known to watch over women in childbirth
  • associated with healing and crafts
Cybele
  • Cybele's Lover was Attis, her jealousy caused him to castrate and kill himself (he is resurrected)
  • Associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth
Demeter
  • A goddess of grain and of the harvest
  • When her daughter Persephone is abducted by Hades Demeter's grief caused the crops to die and go dormant
  • Persephone escapes only after eating 6 pomegranate seeds and is doomed to spend six months of the year in the underworld
  • Each year Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter for 6 months (the dark have of the year)
Freyja
  • A goddess of love, fertility, war and wealth
  • One of the Vanir (a Norse deity of earth and water that lived in Asgard)
  • Could be called upon for assistance in childbirth, conception, to aid with marital problems, or to bestow fruitfulness upon the land and sea
  • She owned a magickal cloak of hawks feathers, which allowed her to transform at will, a famous necklace named Brisingamen, and a chariot driven by large cats
Frigga
  • Frigga was the wife of Odin
  • A Goddess of fertility and marriage
  • Associated with prophecy
Gaia
  • Gaia personifies the Earth
  • She is born of Chaos
  • Brought forth the Sky, the Mountains, the Sea, and the God Uranus
  • She is paired with Uranus to give birth to the first race of Divine beings (The three Cyclops [Bronte, Arges, and Steropes] the three Hecatoncheirs [each had a hundred hands] and the twelve Titans [led by Cronos became the elder Gods of Greek mythology])
  • Uranus forced her offspring back inside her and she persuaded Cronos to castrate his father (who is later overthrown by Zeus, which she predicts)
Isis
  • Goddess of magick
  • Wife and sister of Osiris
  • Mother of Horus
  • The divine mother of every haraoh of Egypt
  • Gained power over Ra by learning his true name
  • Used her power to bring Osiris back to life (who was killed by his brother Set)
Juno
  • Watched over women and marriage
  • The month of June was named for her
  • With Vesta (the protector of virginity) these two goddesses were sacred to Roman women
If I've missed any please fill me in!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Last Quarter Moon


We've reached the midpoint of the Waning Moon. In just 8 days we will encounter the New Moon. This moon phase is associated with the Crone and is a perfect time for doing banishing magick.

Ideas For Some Magickal Workings
  • Magick to eliminate negative people and influences from your life
  • Rituals to banish bad habits
  • Spell to smoothly end a job or relationship
  • Magick to remove or reduce anything such as health, financial, or relationship problems

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Night

We're finally looking at apartments and if everything works out we may have found just the right one. We're even allowed to paint if we want to, which is a plus as we're still in the stages of trying to break our son of his coloring on the walls habit.

My witchy brain is all a-flutter at the prospect of a new living space. I will finally for the first time in I don't know how long be able to set up my sacred space! My kitchen will be all my own, something that I have been missing deeply. Not to mention the mountains of stuff we've been trying to cram into our bedroom for the past 3 years will finally be able to spread out through out an entire apartment! I'll finally have space to work on my jewelry.

Over the past few months I've been trying to get my Etsy shop up and running. I started it about a year ago and for whatever reason I just fell flat. When it comes to selling product I'm just to damned professional lol. I've been scratching my head trying to find the right words to inject some of my personality into my shop. Something that's less needy and less formal and more me.

I found a new book, It was the Food vs Me and I won by Nancy Goodman. It deals with food issues and it's really good. I found it for free on my kindle and it deals with more than just eat this not that and exercise more. It encourages you to deal with the emotional issues behind the food. Something that a lot of people with weight issues often overlook.

Any who, that's what's going on with me and my life. Oh and Yay Obama for supporting gay marriage!!! It's about damned time lol.

Happy Friday all

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Sunday Round Up

It's kind of a short Round up this week, but full of goodies anyways, enjoy!

From: Witchy Woman


From: The Witch of Howling Creek


Health and Fitness
How To Quit A Soda Habit


From: Smithsonian.com


From: International Pagan Coming Out Day - May 2


Entertainment
Hymn to Herne

Beltane Fire

Beltane Fires


From: About.com Paganism/ Wicca


From: Pagan Edge Magazine


Saturday, May 5, 2012

May's Full Moon


~The Flower Moon~

The Flower Moon. What a pretty name for the Full Moon of May, also known as the Hare or Full Pink Moon. Obviously May's Full Moon is known as such because of the abundance of flowers coming into full bloom at this time of the year. This is a good time to check in on yourself with some divination. After starting to put into action all of your progressive plans of last month it is important to make sure you are on the right track and being true to your goals.

Color Associations: Red, Orange, Yellow
Gemstone Associations: Ruby, Garnet, Amber, Apache Tear
Tree Associations: Hawthorne, Rowan
Gods and Goddesses Associated with this Moon: Kali, Priapus, Cernunnos, Flora, Maia
Herbal Associations: Cinnamon, Members of the mint family
Elemental Associations: Fire

Moon Meditation
~May erupts with blossoms on every flowering tree. The full moon rises above the tree line, bathing the fragrant jewels of the bough as she climbs through the sky. The diversity of new growth and the mother of Mercury. Her voice is the buzzing of the hive, the frenzy of activity and cooperation. She branches out in all directions; it is she who inspires insatiable curiosity. Ingenuity and skill are her hallmarks. Let Maia remind you of your connection to all things; all creatures and people are in harmony with the miracle of her matrix.~

** Special Note**
This years Flower Moon is a Super Moon!



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