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

Mabon Blessing

 Mabon Blessing

Goddess we thank you
For the bounties of spring and summer 
For the powers of creation, 
which challenge us and 
fill us with breathtaking awe.
Goddess we thank You!
For the earth with its sunrises and sunsets, ocean tides and mountain peaks,
For the Humanity, our shared pasts and futures, 
our oneness despite all differences.
Goddess we thank You!
For our hopes and dreams, noble causes and understanding of views not shared,
For all who have worked and 
fought for a fairer universe and 
a life of dignity and freedom.
Goddess we thank You!
For the opportunity to learn and grow, 
the knowledge to teach and make choices,
For the wisdom to live by hope and 

not fear, and by our deeds not our words.
Goddess, we thank You!
For all that we have overlooked and 
taken for granted in the our daily life,
For being, and letting us be blessed by that being.
Goddess, mighty and powerful, tender and charitable, we most gratefully thank You now!

By Zoey

Hallows Everyday 8

Joy, Rejoicing in the present

from The Halloween Oracle by Stacey DeMarco

I am standing here, now, in the present.

While my spirit is within, I am in this body now,

I am on this Earth now.

Here is where I belong at this time.

Here is where I can find pleasure, joy, wonder,

Simply if I choose to do it.

Ah, another interesting card today, but then this oracle is always interesting. This subject is a little pet peeve of mine. I listen, most days, to people who are on a serious spiritual path, they are working toward "ascension", being in the Universe. They all seem to forget how important THIS life, THIS planet, THIS time, is for them. I remind them. And so... I will remind you too.

You have no doubt read that sentence, "I am a spiritual being having a human experience." True, we are spiritual beings and that that seems to be everyone's focus, being a spiritual being. The part where we are having a human experience gets lost. A lot of people are way out there, off the planet. Honestly, many times I have no idea where there heads are.

Here's the deal, real simple: you are in this body, here on this earth, at this time, make the most of it. Be here, now, in the present. There is so much to experience, enjoy, learn. Yes, there are tough lessons, bad days, but the truth is, it is up to you, YOU can make the difference about how you experience life. 

Everyday I wake up with two choices, I can be happy or I can be unhappy. I choose happy; not fluffy, out of touch with reality, but just appreciative of what is here, now. You may see a trend with the cards that have been turning up so far in the Hallows Everyday divination. Look outside, there is always something beautiful to see, hear, touch. Look inside, there is plenty there to appreciate and find joy in. Hey... you woke up this morning!  All around us is everything we need.

When this card is presented to us, it heralds a time of more happiness and joy in our lives, a very good omen, indeed! Actively seek out that which gives pleasure, build more of that which gives joy and laughter in our lives.

It isn't complicated. A dear friend brought me a bag of acorns from her trip to New York. Each was perfect with its little cap. They were a bit damp in the plastic bag she put them in, so I put them on a plate and dumped salt over them; in a couple of days they were dry. A couple of the caps fell off so I glued them on. I look at them each day and find such joy in them. They remind me of my childhood in New York when I always collected acorns; the memories of autumn. A simple thing that brings pleasure. Then, I have a glass of apple cider, another very simple pleasure. Sometimes I make mulled cider, other times I drink it straight, but it always brings me joy. A cup of tea in the evening while I stitch or weave or read. A chat with my hubby or a friend, or just listening to music, or the quiet, or the purr of Sterling B. It's all good. I can always find the good even when I am experiencing a bit of depression or anxiety, I work to make it so. And so, my advice to you is... do the same, make your joy.

Blessings dark and deep!

Weekly Oracle

Gratitude

Vintage Wisdom Oracle by Victoria Moseley

It has been clinically proven that a thankful life is generally a happier life. We are usually receiving much more than we give, but don't realize it. Instead, many times we focus on what we don't have instead of how very rich our lives truly are.

The Gratitude card presents itself to us today, inviting us to unearth the bounty of our daily lives by remembering to be grateful. This is a favorable time to express thanks to someone who has helped us in some way, or just to count the blessings in our lives.

The continued practice of this alchemical virtue, gratitude, can animate forgiveness, heal the past, and bring about a daily sense of wonderment and peace. From a cosmic perspective, to become unconditionally grateful for the adventure of life, with all its ups and downs and regardless to outcomes, is to merge with the Divine, the Goddesses.

Naturally, being human, we may not achieve this everyday, but the days we do, in my experience, brings a deep peace. And there is always something to be grateful for. Yesterday was a very raining day where I live. An acquaintance was complaining about the rain, saying she hated it. I looked out and said, "Oh, but think of how green everything will be. The plants and trees are having a shower and a good drink, everything is flowing, everything is being washed clean - Mother Nature cleansing the Earth." She thought for a moment, smiled, and agreed. Off she went, without opening her umbrella, dancing in the rain. In that moment, she chose to be grateful for the deluge of rain, letting it wash her clean, seeing it as a gift from Mama Earth.

Blessings nine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Happy Thanksgiving 

to you and yours!

May you never hunger, may you never thirst.

May the Goddesses bless you with all you need

to sustain you in good health and happiness.

Blessings dark and deep,

The Witch of Stitches

Raise Your Vibration

The suggestions in this video are so simple - sort of. Most of us involved in metaphysics have heard them before, but do we consistently practice them?

I have been going through some very extreme changes spiritually over the past few months, good changes, changes that are making a difference in my life. Sometimes, these changes are hard, they make me work on myself, they make me look at things I would rather just walk by without a glance. Of course, the Goddesses and Gods rarely take no for an answer, we are given tasks to prove ourselves, to test us, to help us elevate ourselves spiritually. And this spiritual elevation... or whatever one would like to call it, makes life better.

Take a look at this video, stop it and jot down the suggestions, then have at it. Simple?



Blessings nine!

Hallows Blessings!

Hallows Blessings,

Blessed Hallowmas,  Happy Samhain,

Happy Halloween!

Whatever your tradition, May the blessings of the Goddesses and Gods be upon us all and may we remember those who have passed to the Otherworld. Tonight, they come again to be with us once more. Let us light a candle in our windows to guide them home. Let a place be made at our dinner tables for them. Let us think well and give thanks for all we have harvested this year and begin the journey within that Winter brings.

Blessings nine! 

Dark Moon & The Coming of the First Crescent!

Ah, the Dark of the Moon, a very favorite time of mine. I like to wander around the lakes and by my hedges, speaking to the Spirits of my land, gathering whatever they offer me and making offerings to Them as well. The darkness envelopes me, a spiritual cloak that has become part of me.

This is a time when I renew certain wards; it has always seemed, to me, just the right time. Near our front door hangs a cauldron of fairly good size. Within this cauldron are various items of magick, one of which is a bowl filled with herbs, barley, pasta (dry!), three garlic cloves, a few worn, well-used needles and some pins, bits of thread, as well as coins. This is for protection of our home and it is renewed every third dark moon. I also offer devotions to the Spirits of our home, the Goddesses appropriate to this time, especially Hekate, and make offerings to Them.

Performing these devotions is something I do without exception each month at this time, but it is not the only time. Once the first crescent shows itself in the sky, my altar is cleansed spiritually and physically. I wipe it with pure water to which I have added rosewater and a few drops of myrrh essential oil. My Goddess statutes also receive this little bath. All of this is followed by fumigation with an herbal incense. Also at this time, I add any seasonal items and change other items, depending upon mood, planned workings and inspiration. Our crystals and stones, of which we have many, also receive a special cleansing and blessing. Of course, they are cleansed often, but at this time, there is a special blessing I like to do. I just made major changes to my altar and the various shrines throughout the Toadstool, so at this first crescent, I will be busy!


Not to be forgotten, the hearth and stove receive their special cleansings and blessings too. These are important places in our home; one for magickal purposes, the other because it so central to our lives - the preparation of that which nourishes us physically. Our entire home is sacred, but there are places which are especially so.

The First Crescent, what I consider the true, for me, New Moon, generally has a number of additional magickal tasks that need to be done. Other wards are best renewed with this energy, so that is on the agenda each cycle. The preparation of potions, powders and other blends of ingredients for workings throughout the month, as well as the blessing of our home. This is the time to call in all of the goodness we want to be blessed with, not just for our home, but for ourselves and those we love.

These tasks are labors of love. I perform them almost in a state of trance, with very focused intent. Just as my daily devotions bring a sense of peace and communion with my Goddesses and Spirits, so too, do these. What I am given by these devotions is a deep sense of spiritual connection that instills a feeling that I never alone, never without purpose. It is the life of a witch, sorceress, healer and priestess. It is my life.

Blessings nine!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

The year has turned its circle,

The Seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in,

The chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their golden grain,

So open wide the doorway,

Thanksgiving comes again!

(author unknown)

Thanksgiving blessings to all!

Hail Demeter, I thank Her for all the bounty She brings!

May your day be filled with love, gratitude and abundance.

Eat, drink and nap joyfully!

Blessings nine!

Thank You!

To all the servicemen and women, past, present and future:

Thank you! 

And for those in the midst of danger now and giving so much for all of us:

May the Lady bless and watch over you!

Blessings nine!