Welcome Back!

So, it's been almost a year since I last posted. Where the hell did I go, right? Well, it's a loooooooong story that involves starting a small business, moving, and, because things weren't crazy enough, finding out we're expecting our first child this January.
Ya, like I said, I've been a wee bit busy. Now that the insanity that is moving, husband getting a new job, finding out we're pregnant is mostly over, I finally have time to spend on this blog and talking to people about what I love.

Finding your path

Like most pagans that live on the interwebs, my devotion to reading and updating myself on the thoughts and feelings of others is almost an obsession. Books are also another way for another person to put out their thoughts on the matter of magic and relay that information to the curious. As a solitary witch, though, a grain of salt is added to every suggestion.
After reading countless magic books, although I admit that I have trouble even glancing through any pagan related books that claim to have love spells in them, and discussions with fellow witches, my path on this spiritual journey has developed substantially in the past few years. Prior to sitting my butt down and completing the research needed to develop a faith that is all my own, my rituals and spells were what had worked for other people. One day after finishing a ritual, I plopped myself down on the floor and felt rather...unfulfilled. The beginning of my development occurred shortly after this. With the few dollars in my pocket and a desire to learn, to have my rituals be so much more than they had been at that point, I spent the last of my money on books at a local used book store. If you can't manage to buy books (Times are tough.) libraries are amazing resources as well. During my development time, my reading list was exceptionally long. There were books that caught my fancy, Scott Cunningham and Starhawk were a few of my favorites, but there were also terrible books that warranted the term "fluff pieces". While everyone is entitled to their own faith, love spells and magic through inheritance only manages to annoy me rather than inspire me. While I read through numerous books, my work on my Book of Shadows (To take a look at my BoS, click here!) started to payoff. My first real accomplishment was completing the entire Rituals sections. Nothing is more difficult than pouring your heart into the creation of a ritual and then hating everything about it, but with dedication and some prodding from my husband my rituals were finally completed. Recently, after eight hours of writing and designing, the completion of the reference section was finally finished.
Imagine you have a to-do list and imagine what it feels like to scratch off some of the biggest, most important things. That's how I felt after the reference section was completed.
Each step in dedicating yourself to the craft is in of itself a little initiation. Whether it's compiling your tools (I promise to post pictures of mine soon enough), creating your Book of Shadows, or just doing a ritual or spell. Each step feels like a giant accomplishment. Like I should get an award, but as a solitary. There aren't any awards.

Black Friday Madness!

So, I heard the madness of Black Friday has occurred/is still going. Thankfully, my husband and I decided to sit out this Black Friday as we couldn't find anything we really needed or wanted for a good price. Except for a vacuum cleaner, but even those were not worth being trampled over for.

The most interesting thing about this holiday season is that people tend to forget what it's actually about. It's not about buying a 50" TV, saving money on that DVD player, or outfitting your entire wardrobe. It's about spending time with loved ones and making wonderful memories. Not about saving money on a crock pot that is bigger than the one you already have.

For my Black Friday, my husband and I are planning on going on a ten mile walk to our favorite puppy park in an attempt to wear our sweet puppy out.

All in all, please remember that there is so much more than some cheap clothing or electronics to life.

Blessed Be.

Being Thankful

Today is the day that people all over the United States drive miles to be with loved ones and celebrate what they're thankful for with a feast. It's not the most pagan holiday that is celebrated by the masses, but it is probably one of my favorite holidays.
In addition to getting a four day weekend, we spend time actually being thankful for what we have, rather than wishing for so much more. Thankfully, as pagans we're reminded to be thankful as often as possible. Always offering thanks to the goddess and the god as the days and months progress.
Despite all of this, though. Be thankful. Be thankful for your families, despite their crazy. Be thankful for your health, as we're all well enough to live each day. Be thankful for love, wherever you may find it in your life. Be thankful for the beauty that is around you. Everyday, be thankful.

Blessed Be.

The (In Progress) Book of Shadows

Every witch has a Book of Shadows, but each one is different.
An ex-boyfriend's mother taught me how to scrap book a while back, and the entire time all I could think was that this would be a great way to make a BoS. Of course, she was Baha'i s that thought would have offended her very much, but it still inspired me.
A few years ago, I started the scrapbook and then worked on it more this last year while I was at college. Last weekend I managed to get quite a lot done for it. It's nowhere close to done. Then again, life is a lesson on it's own and we're always learning. But, I would like to show you my Book of Shadows.

The Cover. Also covered in cat fur

A Book of Shadows is a very personal thing, so it's always fun to give it special touches that very few people will have. Like I said before, this is still a work in progress. If you have any thoughts on the BoS or thoughts on your BoS, please feel free to share them!

Blessed Be!

Welcome Witches, Pagans, Heathens and everything in between

This blog is intended to be my thoughts on the subject of Paganism, how it relates to modern life and how to apply to our family lives. My test subjects are going to be my loving family. Currently, it's just my (very) understanding husband, puppy and cat. We're hoping to expand our family in the future, adding a couple of little ones.

My intention is for my beliefs and religion to grow with this blog. I will discuss how magic and everything about it impacts our lives and our family.

Thank you for everyone that reads this!

Blessed Be.