Every Witch Needs One!

Ha, look what I've got! This is very cool, at least I think so and I am quite delighted, but then I usually am. One of the customers at the shop had this and naturally I asked where she got it; she was happy to tell me she found it at a local shop. When I called that shop, they didn't have it anymore so off I went to Amazon and thanks to Prime, I had it in two days... and for about $5.00 less.

OK - my former wallet just bulged with all kinds of stuff; no way with this one! A few credit cards and some cash. License and car stuff is now in a cute little card holder with a jeweled owl. Misc. change and various business cards - another little wallet. But... it's so adorable I don't mind it's limited capacity. And, after all, while my iPhone can do so many things, this has communication skills no iPhone has! Just kidding... sort of. In any event, you can tell I am happy as a clam with it.

32nd anniversary for the witch and her consort today. I am feeling old... 32 years married, feels like yesterday. I can remember sitting with the DH and prepping the antipasto trays the day before while my mother and aunts made lasagna, baked ziti, sausage and peppers along with other goodies. We had a houseful and a yard full that day. We were married by a justice of the peace whom I had known since I was a child, in our backyard. A witch and a Jew - we weren't getting married in a church! Well, it has all worked out just fine and we've both learned a lot of lessons, which is as it should be. Most of all, we love each other more than ever and that's just good.

Speaking of witches and such, there's been a great deal of magickal and healing work that was needed this month; it has kept me busy. Luckily, all is resolved with the exception of one issue that is still in the works. Such is the life of a witch.

I am preparing for my annual Vestalia rites. I celebrate this June 7th through the 15. You can read more about what I do here: http://witchofstitches.blogspot.com/2009/06/vestalia-june-7th-15th.html , as well as here: http://witchofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/06/vestalia.html and here: http://witchofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/06/vestalia.html
I will likely post about this year's rites as well, which I hope will be shared with most of our students.

My Divine Feminine discussion and meditation group has brought me wonderful new women friends as well as reconnecting with old ones. The group has really come together and we are accomplishing a great deal. I look forward to our monthly meetings.

I have also been at the shop every Wednesday evening for our Reiki circle, leading the meditation. Last night, my boss's DH and I did a joint meditation that was quite interesting and well received. I have had some folks suggest I record my meditations, so that is another item on my to-do list. I am putting together some of my powders, potions, charms, and artwork to sell and hope to have that going by July. You can find my FaceBook page, LadySpell Designs, here:
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/LadySpell-Artes/201958023209323 - if interested.
There isn't much there, just my chapbook, Enchanted, right now, but, if inclined, please do like my page.

Well, I'm off to brew some coffee and put some cornbread in the oven. My old dude loves cornbread and he's done a great job as witch's consort so it is the least I can do.

Blessings nine!

The Greening & The Flowering

For those celebrating Beltane, many blessings. For me, I celebrate the Greening of the Land and the Blessings of the Goddesses, most especially Persephone and Demeter, who, reunited, bring all that is fruitful back to our lives.

My ritual tonight will honor both of these goddesses to whom I am dedicated, as well as Hekate, of course. I feel a very strong pull from them at this time. My creative endeavors have been at a standstill and I think my Ladies are telling me to get busy. So... a calling upon them, honoring, along with special libations and offerings to celebrate the season and, this weekend, the Full Flowering Moon.

I very much enjoy brewing up libations for the goddesses. It is a very creative process for me; wine, cider, teas; which herbs and spices; what other special additives. This can take days or minutes, but it is always from my heart and that is exactly where it needs to be from. It is the same for offerings - bake, cook, meat, barley, fruit, chocolate, etc. - what will it be? Again, the ideas come as they will and they are always just what they need to be.

The full moon on the 5th is known as the Flowering Moon, for me, and perfect for this time of year. Demeter is back to Her normal self, blessing the Land with growth and plenty, greening and flowering. Persephone inspires Her Mother and adds Her own magick to the Flowering, for without Her, it would not be. She has left behind, albeit temporarily, the songs of the Dead, their need for Her, and returned to us, the living, to bestow Her blessings and get Her Mother back to business! She may be Queen of the Dead, but we need Her too. Persephone is the Sacred Daughter, the Flowering One. Demeter Herself needs Her daughter in order to go on about the working of the Land, the magick that makes all things, including us, grow and create.

As a Dianic Feminist witch and priestess who does not follow a Celtic path, I have had to make adjustments and create ways of celebrating the seasons along with my sister priestesses. It all works out as we honor, not only the Goddesses, but ourselves and each other.

Whatever you celebrate, may the Goddesses bless you and bestow growth, greening and flowering in all you do.

Demeter, Lady of Fruits and Grains,

Of Ripening Sun and Harvest Rains,

I call to You, Mother, to hear my plea,

Bestow Your blessings here upon me!

Beautiful Lady, whose love runs deep,

Who banishes growth during Winter's sleep,

And causes the seeds to stir in Spring,

Attend my circle and blessings bring!

by AutumnRose

Blessings nine!