Webs of Woven Words, Threads, Stitches and Enchantments

Monday, October 31, 2011

A Hallows Journey

Hallows Journey

The rain falls down and down,
running, rivulets racing,
spattering leaves and windows,
patter, patter, whoosh!
Sheets of droplets scatter across the hedge.
The lake moves across itself.
Something opens, somethings calls.

I am weaving, casting threads,
clack, clack, the loom calls.
The threads move on their own,
twining about my fingers, wrists and arms,
dancing through my hair.
I am of the threads, their magick embraces me.

The dried corn on my door
knocks, knocks, knocks in the tireless wind.
Like a skeletal hand, bony and white;
Like a grandmother from the grave,
Holding high a lantern light.
Knock, knock, knock.
The Hallows bones… they are here.

I've lit the candles and sang the song,
the ghost roads appear before my eyes.
I've opened the portal, time to pass through the gate.
This road before me is earthy in scent,
tickles my nose with the aroma of the old and long gone.
Roots, like threads, all around me hang, 
stones and bones lay sleeping in the earth;
I grasp those roots as they reach for me,
and pull myself along.

On to the river I glide across.
Beside me, a companion who does not speak 
yet I can hear Her.
The shore is dark, but the way is lit,
The grandmother's lantern guides me.
I follow to the knocking of those bones,
trailing threads, leaving snips and bits as I walk.

Another gate and then a door,
I pass through hoping for what awaits.
Yes… they are all there,
Ancestors of blood and ways,
pale white, glowing and iridescent.
They are chatty and welcoming, but I am not surprised.
They touch my face, they take my threads.
They offer white seeds, milk and bread.
Willingly, I partake.
Like Persephone, I am aware of what I do.
For a time I am home, this Hallows Night.

copyright E A Kaufman
Early Hallows morning, 2011



Hallows blessings to you, my friends!


Sunday, October 30, 2011

Home Again!

I have just recently returned from a trip to North Carolina and a wonderful visit to a couple of old friends. I spent long hours looking at buttons and antique sewing tools, talking and visiting various locations and events. I also had my other half take some playful, fun photos - such as above, I couldn't resist. The weather was chilly - mid thirties at night and only into the forties during the day. I was pretty comfortable though, participating in that time of a woman's life known as perpetual summer! In the above photo, which was taken on the road back from Hendersonville to Brevard after some antiquing, I wrapped up in my wool cape and posed appropriately - in my opinion! ; )

A too short meeting at the arboretum with my MoonMaid herbalist friend, Cynthia. We had a long, lovely chat, discussion of goddess and witchy issues and just generally caught up. She gifted me with a beautiful book of flower lore while I presented her with a Jim Shore Garden Fairy and a little silver pin of gardening tools. She lives on a mountain, growing a wild garden and preparing her products, mainly for women, but her ouch ointment in quite famous; my own husband is a great fan. We are hoping for a visit again in the late spring or early summer which will include a trek to the MoonMaid's mountain abode. (see moonmaidbotanicals.com for more info about her products.)

My other friend, with whom we stayed, is a close, close friend of many years. We met in the eighties when she and her husband owned an antique shop at Miami's historic Cauley Square. The four of us became very close and  spent a great deal of time together; we were partners in crime, so to speak. Bill passed away some years ago and we certainly miss him. They moved to North Carolina almost twenty years ago, got out the day Hurricane Andrew hit Miami-Dade County, but it always seems like no time has gone by and we pick up where we left off. We stayed up to too late talking, but it was a warm and wonderful visit.

I attended the Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival and have finally obtained a rigid heddle loom - yay and thanks be to Athena! I also picked up tips on my drop spindle spinning and hopefully, next year, will add a spinning wheel. Right now I will focus on my weaving. There were lots of wonderful like-minded folks at the festival, all friendly and willing to share information and tips. Needless to say the fibers and other goodies were gorgeous. My husband enjoyed himself tremendously and carried goods back and forth to the car. We found the soap maker we bought soap from a few years ago and laid in a good supply. Plenty of holiday gifts were purchased too. The following day we were off to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville. Beautiful art! Added a few handmade wooden spoons to my collection including a very long, large spoon and ladle that will be very helpful to my apple butter making this week.

Sigh! I didn't want to leave North Carolina. Miss it and my buddies Helen and Cynthia already.

Well, life moves on and Hallows is a day away, followed by Pomona's Day when the apple butter making shall commence! I celebrate Hallows over a number of days - from the 31st through the 11th this year. Honoring the dead and spirit contact are a priority, readying myself for the introspective time of the winter and making certain charms only done at this time. There is a ritual to put together yet and getting my dear other half to drill hazelnuts, incense to make along with offerings and the libation brew.

Oh.. and of course I'm gearing up for a little give-away so keep in touch as it will be announced on Hallows with the drawing on November 11th!

Blessings nine!

All photos copyright E A Kaufman 2011

Saturday, October 29, 2011

My Favorite Witch!


(Be sure to turn off my playlist below)

Blessings nine!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Pumpkin Baby!

I see a witchlet!


So... we are all getting ready for the great day, I'm sure. I will have an interesting post toward the end of the week and a Hallows give-away - stay tuned!

In the meantime, gathering apples for my apple butter making which will commence on Monday. I also bought a loom - yay!!! Finally! She's a 25" rigid heddle loom and I can't wait to get started working on her. More about this and other interesting adventures of the Witch of Stitches later on!

Blessings nine!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Friday, October 7, 2011

Inspiring, Good Stuff!


(be sure to turn off my music at the bottom of the page)

I saw the link to this video here, which you will probably have to copy and paste:

http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/inferior-superiority-complex-a-rant/

 - a blog I started reading a short time ago. Ragen, of Dances With Fat, writes about fat acceptance, being healthy at any size, body image issues and... she's a dancer! Read the blog post. it will be good for you, no matter what size you are. Really. You'll likely go back and read her other posts too.

Ragen is SO inspiring, not just for big gals, but for everyone. Now, when I practice my ballet routines, I just think of Ragen and I dance joyously, without feeling self-conscious. I see the beauty of my movement, the lifting of arms and legs, the gentle turns and twists of my flowing, moving body. What a great thing! Now I'm making choices without obsessing, based on what is healthy for me. The need to be thin to be anything worthwhile has disappeared like smoke from a snuffed candle - wisp and away. Now I can take care of myself just because my life is worth it, because I want to care for it without thoughts of becoming an impossible to achieve size. I don't have to be anyone's image of beauty but my own. My mindset seems to have shifted with the reading of her words and the thoughts they provoked. I have cast a spell with Ragen's help.

What is my image of beauty? Someone who is happy, voluptuous, perfectly, pleasingly plump, abundant and beautiful with confidence and self-worth, full and satisfied with herself - myself.

Like Mayal Angelou, I still rise - I rise on my toes, I rise in my thoughts and my whole being... and I will keep on doing so.

Blessings nine!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

October, October


Flying in to say Happy October! Things have been hectic with Rosh Hashanah, preparing charms, stitching, trying to teach myself to play the bowed psaltery, practicing the dulcimer (found a little three string to add to my instruments) and brewing potions. I haven't gotten out of the kitchen much with brisket, matzoh balls and eye of newt. Oh... and I decided to try to organize my desk - my motto - a tidy desk is the sign of an empty mind - so you get the picture.

A few Goddess celebration dates that I will be honoring:

October 4    Leiunium Cereris - a fast to honor Ceres (Roman.) Those who are unable to fast can just honor Her in whatever way feels appropriate.
October 5    Day to Honor the Manes (Blessed Dead) (Roman)
October 6    Purification of the Priestesses of the Oracle - a special cleansing for those who do divination or oracle work.
October  9   Day of Felicitas, Goddess of good fortune, prosperity and peace.
October 10  Day to Honor the Fates
October 11  Meditrinalia - Meditrina is a goddess of good health, longevity and wine - raise a glass to your health and wellbeing!
October 11  Winter Nights, sacred to Freya
October 12  Festival of Fortuna Redux, goddess of successful journeys and safe return.
October 11  Full Moon 10:07 PM EDT
October 26  Dark of the Moon 3:56 PM EDT
October 31  Hallows!
Nov. 1         Feast of Pomona, also known as the Apple Mother, She is goddess of fruit trees and their orchards.

That should keep us busy for a bit!

Blessings nine!