Beyond The Veil

 Beyond the Veil

Someday, when I have finished with this life, I shall live in Autumn, 

In a cozy little village with cobblestone streets and lanterns 

with a soft, golden glow instead of street lights.

There will be village shops that serve tea and simple meals any time one likes.

They will sell all manner of enchanting and interesting goods,

Book shops with all the books one could ever want.

Of course, a shop for fiber and fabric, needles, scissors, and hoops.

People will roam the village, 

out and about into the wee hours of the night, 

All kind, all safe.

In my little cottage I shall stitch with glorious colorful threads 

on fabrics of every kind, everyday, creating beauty.

I shall collect herbs and flowers, leaves and roots, from garden and woods,  

brewing potions and powders, vinegars and teas, 

to keep in colored jars on a shelf,  Passing them along as needed.

All the cottages will have gardens with glorious flowers 

in shades of orange, red, gold, and brown, 

Trees tall and thick with age.

The scent of the autumn earth, with hints of cinnamon and clove, 

pumpkin and apple, will waft on the wind.

And a misty, feral forest will surround my village, 

inviting one to roam, day or night, without worry.

I shall be able to see and speak to all the people and pets I’ve ever loved.

A witch knows that when she passes 

she goes to the place she has created, 

And so there is where I shall go. 

Copyright EA Kaufman October 2026

Many years ago I read Robert Cochrane’s works and was extremely influenced by them in my practice of witchcraft. In particular was something that made a most profound impression upon me. I paraphrase, but basically he wrote that when we die we will go to the place that we have created. We, being witches, I assumed. I have thought about this a great deal over the years, creating my place where I will go. I have been very careful in that creation, visiting it now and then, refining it. I knew then and more so now that it was something of great importance.

A friend recently sent me a link to a Halloween YouTube video, AI generated, Halloween themed. I watched, enjoyed, and then sat down and wrote the poem shared here. I hope it inspires you to consider Cochrane’s idea of beyond the veil.

Blessings dark and deep!

Image from YouTube, The Village Where It’s Halloween 

Invocation of the Triple Goddess

 

 

Invocation of the Triple Goddesses

By the owl and threefold track,

There is no want, there is no lack.

In Hawthorn thicket, softly glowing,

I come to honor all aknowing.

Bright One of the Waxing Tides, 

Standing at the Mother’s side,

Bright Moon Maiden to you I sing,

White Owl Maiden Your light bring.

Come now Maiden join me here,

Come now Maiden, come appear.

By the Oak and by the stone,

I the Ancient One have known.

My Full Moon Mother I here invoke,

By Sacred Water and drifting smoke.

Mother of Moon, Mother of Earth,

Mother of Night, She who gives birth

To the Full Moon and the wondrous world,

Whose tracks mark the hosts of heaven unfurled.

Come to me Mother, bless my rite,

Come now Mother, free my sight.

By the rock and by the crow,

I live my life by ancient flow.

Through spirit path, triple spiraled,

Comes the Dark Moon’s ancient herald.

Old One of the Waning Tides,

Of black feathered cloak at the Mother’s side.

I call the Old One of triple might,

I call the Old One of infinite sight.

Let the Old One my call hear,

Let the Old One now appear.

They have no beginning, They have no end,

They are the Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind.

I call by Earth Their bodies divine,

I call by Water, Their most holy sign, 

I call by Air to come and be here,

To cleanse my spirit and banish all fear.

I call by Fire, Their passion reigns here.

Their holy magick makes all at last clear.

Let the Three know my name,

To Them a daughter I remain.

Let the Three know my vow,

Let the Three be with me now!

- EA Kaufman, 2026 -

I cobbled this together after re-reading A Ring Around the Moon by Nigel G Pearson. He shares a number of rites and rituals. This invocation is created from various parts of three separate rituals, one for each of the triple goddesses. I did take some poetic license here and there to make one invocation. The book has wonderful and inspiring rites. 

Blessings dark and deep!

Art: The Art of History eBay.

A Protection Sigil For the Home

 

I regularly reward my home, it’s just part of my regular witchy maintenance magick. After all, those wards don’t last forever. And while I don’t obsess about protection work, I do my upkeep as I do anything else.

I saw this image on Pinterest and it spoke to me. I am working on various magickal artsy things and thought, ah, perfect to stitch or draw so…

Draw this sigil on paper or embroider it on fabric. While doing so imbue your intention, protection from harm, intruders, and negative energies, into it. 

You could chant something like:

Protection magick cloaks this home,
No harm, no bane while we are here or roam.
In the name of (your goddess)
It is made so!

Colorwise, black or red would be my preferred colors, but go with what works for you.
Hang on your front door.

Blessings dark and deep!

Autumn Tasks

 So I have been puttering and shifting my energies since the weekend. I spent time with my mom cooking and having some wonderful conversation, enjoying being with her. We made stuffed peppers together, chattering the whole time. I am blessed to still have her, she is 89 years old. We had a grand time.

On the way back home I made a stop at the Dollar Tree and nabbed a couple of witchy Halloween decorations that will actually be permanent decor at Toadstool Cottage! Both just $1.50 each. There really are some very nice seasonal things to be had there for witches, including some nice jars. Witches and jars, it’s a thing, isn’t it? I will be painting the witch stirring the cauldron black to make a simple silhouette. 

I’m truly settling into life here after almost a year, enjoying the area, the trees, the energy. And… I’ve begun creating and crafting after a bit of a hiatus, I spent today creating some simple witchy pendants, some to give as gifts and some to perhaps sell. It felt good.

And now in the wee early hours I decided to draw a card from the Moon Temple Oracle. It certainly gave me guidance for myself as well as to share so here it is. I hope it inspires anyone who reads it.

Moon Temple Oracle:

19: Rhythm, All Moon Phases, Flow, Synchronicity, Pulsate

Our lives, energies, moods, bodies are like the moon cycling through seasons of our lives. It’s all ebb and flow, as cliche as that may sound.

Right now, in accordance with the new moon, doors are opening on many levels,  Let’s not overthink this opportunity. Instead, we allow ourselves to go with the flow, move in rhythm with how the Goddesses are guiding us, our guides, ancestors, even the spirits of the land around us will assist in the dance.

Keep things simple, don’t force anything. Let go and it will happen. Move fluidly, bend like a willow in the wind, allow it all to unfurl in Nature’s time. Our own intuition knows the fruitful way forward so we can flow with our own guidance too. Things are happening, step through the gate, the door, or onto the stage. Now is the time. 

I hope you are settling into this lovely time of year, nourishing yourselves on all levels and creating magick all around you.

Blessings dark and deep!

The Autumn Goddess

 

Art designed by adorwardartist

I will dance

The dance of dying days

And sleeping life.

I will dance

In cold, dead leaves

A bending, whirling human flame.

I will dance

As the Horned Goddess rides

Across the skies.

I will dance

To the music of Her hounds

Running, baying in chorus.

I will dance

With the ghosts of those

Gone before.

I will dance

Between the sleep of life

And the dream of death.

I will dance

On Hallow’s dusky eye,

I will dance.

-  Karen Bergquist, An Autumn Chant (adapted for my goddess-centered practice.)

Blessings dark and deep!

An Autumn Oracle For the Week

 

Oracle for the Week:

Mother Earth and Summer: I chose a card as usual, but another fell from the deck so I go with that flow!

We have further entered the waning of the year and while Summer is behind us Her energy is not. We have fallen into the fiery energy of Autumn with Her reds, oranges, and golden colors, leaves like flames surrounding us and reminding us that Mother Earth is mature and wise. She reminds us to stay connected to Her, be with Her. That connection will bring us fulfillment, and we are still blooming and radiating the sacred fire from within. 

We are guided to go outside, breathe the air as it refreshes and inspires us, allow the Sun to energize us, firing up our creativity, allow rain or ocean, lake or stream to restore and bless us, and from the Earth Herself, collect gifts of sticks, stones, leaves, shells, bits of bark, whatever is offered. Gather the special autumn veggies, fruits, and nuts. Then we shall take the preciousness and create sacred art, objects for rituals, gifts, or objects to hang or place in our homes, foods to nourish as delicious meals, treats, and medicines, sharing as gifts to ourselves and others. These may even be offered back to Mama. 

My husband recently brought me a collection of sticks and a couple of lovely branches, all fallen, as well as a few acorns. I am reveling in creating, but one particular branch, with a tiny acorn cap has been placed as is on my altar. My home decor includes more red and orange as well, the inspiration and need for those colors coming to me late in August. My creative juices have been flowing as well. So… these cards give validation that I need to return to my artistic and culinary endeavors after a dormant and stressful period of transformation and change of life circumstances. 

Celebrate the fires of inspiration and creation, embrace that fiery summer energy that can be found within, bringing it into our autumnal endeavors.

Blessings dark and deep!

Stitch A Little Goddess

 

A little goddess to stitch. She’s perfect for a treasure or charm bag, a small picture to hang on the wall, whatever you like. Choose any color you like. Stitching this will be an offering in honor of She Who Is our great Mother.

Blessings dark and deep!

It’s October, Witches!

 

It’s October, my dear witches! There’s something about this time of year, I know you feel it too. How I wish I could live in October! Well, maybe not always, every season has its beauty, its celebrations… but still, there is definitely something about October.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Savor every day. Make magick, dress in black and orange, make comforting casseroles, soups, and stews. Brews some Fire Cider and Elderberry Syrup. Be sure to bake and make cinnamon and clove simmer pots. Fill your cottage (house, apartment, motor hom) with the scents and sights, the feelings of October

Oh, and don’t forget your daily devotions to the dark goddesses, it is their season, after all. Honor the crones and elder wise women. Honor yourself and your journey, you path. Count your blessings even if you think there are only a few, there are more than you know.

Blessings dark and deep!

Autumn in the Garden

 Join me in a dream where we sit around a fire, the cauldron swirling, an herbal brew scenting the night air. We sip a steaming, earthy beverage that takes us deeper into ourselves and each other. Here we are greeted by the Great Mother Herself… and She bestows upon us a knowing of our most precious need and how to bring it into being.

Will you sip Her medicine, Her Wisdom? Will you sit outside your homeplace tomorrow under the fullness of Her lantern and let its power infuse you with healing, knowledge, and dreams? I will meet you there. 

Blessings of Light and Dark!

- from Dreams in the Garden Patch by E A Kaufman c 2026

Art by Sibencraft on Etsy