Thanksgiving & Gratitude

 Thanksgiving has become a political bone of contention. Not for me. I honor this day by being grateful for all blessings in my life. It isn’t anything to do with history, it’s about my gratitude. 

I have very fond memories of Thanksgiving through my life. I realize that is not the case for everyone. However, if someone had a bad mother, should all of us not celebrate Mother’s Day?

I do not celebrate the Pilgrims, I celebrate joy, family, friendship, good food, laughter. I acknowledge the good in my life even in these times of chaos. 

The Goddesses have given us so much, some more than others. Okay. I am still grateful for what I have, the beauty I see everyday, friendships, my own harvests and those of friends.

If you choose not to celebrate as I do or many others, I honor that. I am grateful for the freedom to do so. And that is a very good point. Freedom of spiritual belief, freedom of religion, freedom to be grateful in our own ways.

So with that said, I share here a prayer I was inspired to write as a blessing before meals. And whatever and however you choose to celebrate on Thursday, May it bring you the blessings of that which you need.

Prayer Before Meals

Great Mother, Mistress, 

Governess of all the Elements, 

Queen of the Universe, Creatress Divine,

To You we give our gratitude 

for all blessings and lessons 

You bestow upon us.

Our honor and love is Yours.

For this meal we now partake of, 

receive our unending thanks.

May we never hunger, 

May we never thirst, 

May we always thrive with 

Your blessings upon us.

So mote it be.

Copyright EA Kaufman 2021

An Oath to Mother Earth

 Despite having Sun and moon fire signs, I am so deeply of the Earth. The feel of soil in my hands or beneath my feet is comforting. All plant life, animals, stones, rivers, lakes, the seas, I find beauty and connection to all. Mountains call me, plants talk to me as does the land itself. And… I do what I am able to help this world.

So… I saw a prayer today that started out With a Wiccan heart and a witch’s might. I am not Wiccan so it wasn’t right for me, but the prayer was to honor and protect Mother Earth, an oath. It inspired the following which made my heart and soul feel so good. I share it here with you.

Oath to Mother Earth

With a Witch’s heart

And a Witch’s might,

I swear an oath 

Of magick bright,

To honor and protect

Our Mother Earth.

To believe in Her magick

With all my worth.

To love and protect

Her children of all kinds,

To Plants, animals, 

To Her’s I am entwined.

From air, fire, water, earth,

I bind myself to all She births.

For I am Her’s and She is mine,

This oath i make,

In blood I sign.

EA Kaufman c 2022

The Spirit of Autumn

 THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN 

I am the burnished leaves of gold

The early morning mist, your breath of cold

The tiny toadstools in the grass

The crunch of leaf-laiden, woodland paths

The breeze that carries, the leaves away

And causes the branches, to rock and sway

The sleep so deep, of hibernation

As animals rest, in cosy havens

The shine on conkers, the spiral of pine cones

The brown shades and hues, and yellow tones

The flick so quick, of the squirrels' tails

The pumpkin harvest, the thinning of the veil

The magic and mystery, of the stag

The buried treasure, the squirrels' swag

The flicker of, your warming fire's flame

Call upon me, by my name

The Spirit Of Autumn, I have returned

As the wheel of nature, once more turns.

 Joanne Kavanagh c 2022

Full Moon Blessings

 Full Moon Invocation

Mother, Goddess of moon and star,
Bring your presence from afar,
Manifest on this Your night,
and bless me with Your sacred sight!
Grant the knowledge and clarity, 
to understand Your words to me.
Lend Your power, send Your light,
Aid me in my work tonight!
With love and wisdom please embrace,
All within this sacred place.
Mother, I now call to You,
Bring Your message clear and true. 

- unknown author -

May all you wish to manifest

Come into fruition!

Blessings dark and deep!

Full Moon Money Spell

 

Tomorrow, November 8, is the Full Moon. Everything seems to be getting more and more expensive as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Here’s a money spell for that full moon.

Gather a green candle, nine coins, a green or gold pouch or piece of fabric with red ribbon or yarn, some dried basil, dill, and cinnamon, a small cauldron, some blessed water. A small towel.

Charge your candle for bringing money, then light it. Add water to the cauldron until about half fill, now add your nine coins. If you can’t be outside, go to a window where you can see the moon and chant three times:

Oh Great Mother of the Moon,
Please bring to me money soon.
Let money come, forever flowing,
Plenty and more, forever growing! 

While the candle still burns, take the coins from the cauldron slowly and carefully placing them into a cloth 

as if something being born, and dry. Now place them into your pouch or cloth, add the herbs after you have charged them to awaken and bring money. Close your pouch or gather up your cloth and twist. Tie nine knots 

to close pouch. Go back to where you can see the moon, and repeat the chant three times more Let the candle burn out on its own. Take the cauldron outside and pour the water onto the earth, dry and place the pouch in the cauldron, repeat the chant three more times, then leave over night. In the morning, place the pouch in your handbag or the place where you keep

your financial things.

Blessings dark and deep!

Protection

 Today I chose the 9th card after shuffling Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle, Number 29, Protection was the card.

There are always things in this world… and the other, to frighten us, make us feel uncomfortable, cause us anxiety. It is, after all, a frightening and cruel world. However, as witches, healers, and just women in the mundane world, we’ve experienced our share of this throughout our lives. 

As this card informs, despite all of that, we are protected. Within us is a place we can retreat to, a place to heal, find comfort, be restored. In this place, we cannot be harmed or shaken. We are well armored, we just don’t always remember it.

This card reminds us that we need only retreat to this space and step through the veil into the arms of our Ancestors and guides, those who love us.We need only to remember They are there and speak to Them, ask for there guidance and support. We have the power and Their additional assistance whenever we need it.

Once we know our own power and that of our Ancestors, really know, we will know protection is there. We must see the world and our lives as they are, warts and all, yet find the blessings and strengths. And there are more strengths in us than anything else. Stand strong, wild, and knowing. We are protected.

Blessings dark and deep.

November

"I am the ancient Apple Queen,
As once I was so am I now.
For evermore a hope unseen,
Betwixt the blossom and the bough.

Ah, where's the river's hidden Gold!
And where the windy grave of Troy?
Yet come I as i came of old,
From out the heart of summer's joy."
-   William Morris, Pomona