Counting Blessings

Counting blessings, you may ask, Gentle Reader, what can this be about? Well, I stumbled upon a stitch-along where squares are stitched on fabric, then within each a small design that represents a blessing in one's life. Now, you may also ask, how many witches will be participating in this little scheme and do those mundane stitchers have any clue that a witch has decided to stitch along? Probably no idea and I'm not sure how welcome a witch might be. I'm going to say, in the world of stitching, it won't matter. (No laughing ladies - you know who you are!)

In any event, I am adding this along to my other projects: The Nativity (the one being stitched by a witch who is married to a Jew for her Catholic mother) as well as the little anniversary stitch by Beth of Heartstring Samplery for our thirtieth (oh gods!) wedding anniversary - and... many other things!

Some ladies are stitching 100 squares - very adventurous indeed and I think I may follow suit - you know me, why not? It will stir my creative energies and the squares are only 1 inch square - can I actually fit my blessings into one inch squares? I'll keep going until my needle drops from my bloody, worn fingers!!! What is one more thing to do after all? Tomorrow I will choose a fabric from my vast stash and draw in the grid as suggested. Further info can be found here:  http://countedblessingsproject.blogspot.com/. I have no intention of starting another blog just for this project, as suggested. I am the Witch of Stitches and here it shall be documented!

In addition to the stitching, I have an article to prepare for Goddess Pages which I hope to see in the Summer issue - keep your fingers crossed everyone! I am also coming down to the last weeks of school - if I can get back ASAP. I took a fall at the shampoo sinks on Wednesday (wet floor) and injured my arm when I attempted to catch myself - which I did not do - I fell hard on my knees and my arm was pulled in such a way as my hand, arm, shoulder and neck are not in good shape. Knees are both bruised, one swollen and worse than the other, along with an ankle that is pretty tender and my back is pretty stiff. My dear chiropractor nearly ripped my head off adjusting my neck - but it needed doing however much I dislike the procedure. The  weekend will be spent in the same manner as yesterday and today: ice packs, Reiki, reading, tea and stitching - oh and of course, a little writing. 

One other interesting tidbit: my sister has been teaching cosmetology in New York for many years. Recently her school has been invaded by a movie crew - a remake of Mildred Pearce. The front of the school has been transformed into the front of a restaurant! The exciting part though is that her students are participating in the make-up and wardrobe for the movie. I know from my school, that many of the kids are doing their own photo shoots with make-up, hair and fashion, so I can imagine how Steph's students are feeling. Good for all of them, I hope they are having a grand time.

Anyway, a cup of tea awaits me, brewing away, and it is very late. A late nap this afternoon has interrupted my regularly scheduled bedtime. I will be up for a while yet listening to a collection of classical music that was offered free at Amazon.com - a very nice collection, if I do say so. Thank you Amazon, although, with all the money I spend there, it is the least they can do, LOL!

Blessings nine!   

Beauty This & That

“The fair maid who, the first of May,

Goes to the fields at break of day,

And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree,

Will ever after handsome be.”

This is an old charm, still used, for maintaining one's beauty. I thought this was appropriate for this post for a few reasons; May is almost here and I am very close to graduating from beauty school. I just passed my final exam (100!!!) and have about 140 hours left to go. 

Another reason for the beauty charm theme, I attended the esthetics show in Miami a couple of weeks ago and it was VERY inspiring, making me want to get back to work as an esthetician ( I have had that license for ten years) - doing facials and body treatments. I am considering joining a friend who is a massage therapist in opening a little salon for skin and healing with the hope of eventually adding a chair for hair. We would also include lovely products, including those of a metaphysical nature. With the economy the way it is, it remains to be seen whether or not we will be able to do this. In the mean time I am playing with my Eminence line of skin care products - these are TRULY divine!!! The scent, the results - heavenly, enchanting! I am also playing with Bella Schneider's Christina line - Bella's presentation was also very inspiring; it was the first program I attended and it set the right mood for the rest of the show.

You may wonder (or not) why a Dianic witch would even care about this stuff - how does it fit in with a feminist philosophy? Shouldn't I be encouraging women to give up make-up, forget the pursuit of beauty and eat chocolate? Absolutely not - unless that's what they want to do. This is all about caring for one's self with lovely blessings - be it relaxing music, encouraging words, a healing, soothing facial or just pampering one's self at home. It's about giving yourself a treat, a lovely gift and doing those things that make you feel good - just for you. This could be as simple as a couple of cooled chamomile tea bag resting on the eyes and listening to some relaxing music. These simple pleasures make us feel good - not for a man, not for competition with other women, but for ourselves. 

Of course most beauty charms were used to "capture" a husband, but so what? Let's be very Dianic and reclaim beauty and pampering for ourselves. We are not only worth it, we deserve it!

To Keep Beauty From Fading

When all your face appears most fair,

When comets and meteors gild your hair,

And in your eyes the moon and sun,

Contest, surrender, and burn as one,

When ivory Venus smoothes your brow,

And Mars recurves your lips' red bow,

Make haste to utter this binding verse

And hold the stars on their kindest course:

Figures of fire

That shift and change,

Planets that move

By heaven's hinge,

Be signed and fixed

Forever here,

And close my image

Within thy sphere.

Measure a yard of golden string,

Loose from your fingers let it swing,

Then tie it in thirteen sturdy knots -

Hide it among your scents and pots.

- Valerie Worth, The Crone's Book of Words -

Blessings nine!

Images courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Ritual to Honor The Muses

On Wednesday, the 24th, I celebrated and honored The Muses. I burned a sweet incense that I thought would please Them and lit a pure beeswax candle. I recited the new hymn that I wrote, spoke with Them and asked for continuing blessings for my creative work. After some other contemplative work, I took my offerings, an apple, a sweet, small tomato, nine walnut halves, some lavender colored sugar and a chocolate coin along with some mineral water for a libation, out to the hedge. I made my offerings in the usual manner, then walked away without looking back. This was followed with a little more contemplation. Why I chose the items I did for the offerings are a mystery to me. I just go with whatever comes to me lately and this technique seems to be effective and successful. 


As it was late - I had been out stitching that evening - the ritual was not overlong. Even so, it ended with a feeling of complete assurance that my offerings were accepted and my petition heard. Already the creative juices are flowing.


Tomorrow, no school for me - thank goodness as today was a day like no other - I wanted to slit my throat, LOL! I have planned a day of creative endeavors for myself along with a few lovely cups of tea, perhaps a nap and relaxation. The nap and relaxation could go out the window, however, if the Nine grant my petition and those endeavors take off - which I think they will. Just a feeling, but the juices are already brewing.


Just about recovered from what was either food poisoning or a very bad stomach bug. I have been living on boiled eggs and chicken broth. The broth supply has fallen drastically so tomorrow's endeavors will likely be accompanied by the scent of a new batch for the freezer. Of course the freezer is another story I will just skip - very little room, I'll leave it at that. 


And now, off to bed, it's been a long, long day!

Blessings nine!

The Festival of the Muses

Today is the Festival of the Muses, The Nine who are dear to those of a creative nature. I will make offerings and a libation to Them and have written the following hymn in Their honor. May They inspire us all!

A Hymn To the Muses 

Daughters of Mnemosyne, 

The Nine who inspire and empower creativity.

Beloved are You all, 

Calliope, Clio, Erato, 

Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, 

Terpsechore, Thaleia and Urania.
You birth the thoughts that stir my soul,
You nourish my soul and kindle the flame within,

You tend the flame that brings my art.

You touch me and I forget that which is not needed.

Instead, I create, I dance, I sing, I remember, I laugh,

I see the stars and gain wisdom and contentment.  

You have given sacred and mystic rites.

With these, I make magic.
Do come, Lovely and Blessed Muses,

Kiss the brow of this Daughter of the Artes,

Bless the hand that holds needle and thread, pen and brush.

Bless the voice that sings and the hands that strum the strings,

Bless the breathe that carries wind through wood.  

Come to one who is Your initiate, O Goddesses, 

For Your brilliant light of inspiration draws and holds me.

My soul longs for the touch of The Nine.

copyright Elizabeth A Kaufman 2010

Blessings Nine!

Sharing an interesting video

Be sure to turn off my playlist near the bottom on the side panel while listening to this video. Really interesting, haunting.

Blessings nine!

A Witch

I came across a poem on a blog somewhere that, while cute, didn't give, what I consider, a suitable impression of a witch. So... I revised it a bit and present it here for your review - along with the original!

A Witch

I just adore being a witch,

Especially on Halloween,

To ride upon a bushy broom

Before a full moon's gleam.

No wart upon my pretty nose,

I'd bring my big, black cat

And on my long and lovely hair,

There'd perch a pointed hat!

I brew up potions, neat and sweet,

Then deliver magic treats.

I get by stopping house to house

Astride my broom's ash seat.

And when the night is over

And morning streaks the sky,

To my enchanted cottage

With contentment and a sigh!

Revised by E A  Kaufman from a poem by

Den & Martha Roback 

A Witch

"I’d never like to be a witch

Except on Halloween

To ride upon a bushy broom

Before a full moon’s gleam

A wart upon my crooked nose

I’d hold a big, black cat

And on my long and shaggy hair

There’d be a pointed hat

I’d drink no potions, no, just eat

Those gooey trick-or-treats

I’d get by stopping house to house

Astride my broom’s rough seat

And when the night is over

And morning streaks the sky

I’d leave my haunted mansion

And broom rides wild and high

Authors Den/Martha J. Robach

Really, who doesn't want to be a witch???

Blessings nine!

Early Wednesday Musings

I am that merry wanderer of the night.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream - 

A Card Drawn

Ten of Coins

Successful manifestation, wealth, prosperity & abundance on all levels of being.

With creative endeavors, healing & communication, riches await.

For me, this card is an indication of good things to come on many levels.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

The night,  the waning moon

I am thinking...

about my ritual celebrating the Lesser Mysteries this weekend

I am thankful for...

teachers & friends who encourage & support

From the kitchen...

the kettle heats

I am wearing...

a nightgown with polka dots

I am creating...

a ritual for the Mysteries, stitches, as always, music

I am going...

to do what needs to be done

I am reading...

everything about Eleusis that I have

(a considerable amount of resources, I assure you!)

I am hoping...

always for the best

I am hearing...

Satie's Gymnopedies (most favorite music)

Around the house...

the Schmoodle chases a catnip bundle, Mike sleeps,

all is right and cozy here.

One of my favorite things...

a silver fern leaf I am wearing on a necklace

A few plans for the rest of the week:

stitch, study, work on the ritual for the weekend

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Please stop by and visit Peggy the host of

The Simple Womens Daybook

I have succeeded because I have seen the sacred actions in Eleusis.

- Herakles in Euripides' Madness of Herakles -

Blessings nine!

International Women's Day

WOMEN 

 Wonderful, observant, magnificent, extraordinary, noble!

Be who you are! 

Be proud of who you are! 

Know you are powerful, wise and capable of anything!

To all women everywhere:

Blessings Nine!

How many scissors???

I was curious about how many pairs of embroidery scissors I actually have. After all, I just displayed my newest pair in yesterday's stash update and I await the arrival of my spiderweb scissors. Gentle reader, thirteen pairs, soon to be fourteen! Should I hang my head in shame? Should I admit to an addiction, obsession or madness? Certainly not!!! I know that in the world of embroideresses everywhere, there are many just like me!!!

So much for wallowing in scissor madness. I am going to try this little blog thing from The Simple Woman's Daybook - so here goes!

Please stop by and visit Peggy the host of

The Simple Womens Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

The dark of night, a chilly wind

I am thinking...

peaceful thoughts

I am thankful for...

my wonderful life, my loving husband & the Schmoodle, my great friends.

From the kitchen...

a cup of Sleepytime Tea is brewing

I am wearing...

a soft pink nightgown with satin trim.

I am creating...

stitches, a bracelet & music

I am going...

to sit in my Queen's chair and sip tea.

I am reading...

Athene, Virgin & Mother In Greek Religion - Karl Kerenyi,

Emma & The Werewolves - Jane Austen & Adam Rann

The Hills of Home - Peggy Poe Stern

I am hoping...

for a glorious week

I am hearing...

music from various Jane Austen movies

Around the house...

is my favorite place to be.

One of my favorite things...

that cup of tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

finish the bracelet, dinner and stitch with friends on Wednesday, homemade meals every night.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Blessings nine!