Wow! Where did this week go? The first week of Spring and it has just flown by. I know I have bitched about the time change enough, but it sure has sped things up. I can't seem to get anything done in a timely manner. Every day it seems its time for dinner, and the breakfast dishes, are barely done.
On an good note this week, Mercury went direct! whoo! I gotta say this. The third day after Mercury went direct it was the spring equinox...and my fridge, that had stopped working during the RX...STARTED working again! ON the equinox! *Happy Dance* Now mind you, I realize, there must be something more going on with the darn thing, but for now, it is freezing my ice! That is really all that matters. Everything else is still in the spare fridge, because, lets face it, we don't know how long it is going to last, and still have a new one coming. But for now, I am saving a few steps not having to fill my ice cube trays up, and for that, I am thankful~ lol~
The first half of March in the Wild West was absolutely gorgeous! No complaints here what so ever, and Spring Fever has been hitting hard. But since the equinox, we have had a change for the worse. Yesterday we had 90mph Winds, Rain, Snow, then Sunshine. Today it is dreary. And I have been seeing all over the web, where people are wondering. WHERE THE HECK IS SPRING?
Well it's coming folks. But it is apparently going to be taking it's sweet time this year. In the mean time, take this time to get the spring cleaning done. Both physically and mentally. That way when the weather does finally break, and its nice outside...There is no worry that you are ready to get out there and enjoy it. Without feeling guilty about needing to be inside getting things done. Or feeling like you are missing out, on the outdoor fun, from being stuck inside having to get all the internal things done first.
Because it is going to fly by quickly. We are already into the 3rd month of 2013. This is a rockin' year. While there seem to be many trials and tribulations on the horizon, this is still the year to take the Broom by the handle and fly with it. While I am anxiously awaiting for the things in these pictures to GREEN UP...I know that it will be here before we know it. And the summer of 2013 is going to be one to remember. Make it so! Blessed Be )0(
It's spring! It's Ostara! It's Spring! Whoo-Hoo!! *Doin' the Happy Dance* Okay so I may be getting a wee bit ahead of the actual calendar, I still wanted to make sure to get an Ostara post out, before the DAY. With two days and counting...St. Patrick's day is a good send off...and this week, looks like it could be a busy one.
After a long, harsh winter full of flu bugs, super flu bugs, and one of the nastier flu seasons I've seen. Spring has FINALLY arrived! Mother Earth is starting to wake up! And I am so excited about it! Here is my Spring/Ostara altar. I will be adding to it, as the season progress's. I don't usually do a traditional (anything) Ostara altar, with eggs, hares, chicks etc. To me, it is too much like Easter decorations to do that. I LIKE looking at other peoples altars with such things on them. The eggs just don't call to me personally; But the Fae, DO call to me this time of year ;-)
I have a small working space for my altar. I like to keep it decorated at all times, for each sabat and season. When I am doing actual ritual work, it changes. I use my cauldron a lot during ritual work or spells. While it will fit on my altar, it is too big to always look *right* for the decorated altar though. So for my seed blessing rituals, and working with the fae, it will change around a bit.
This was last years Ostara ritual altar. In progress. As you can see, it never stays the same, that is what I love about each altar setting. I know there is a *right* way and *wrong* way to set up ones altar. I just don't like to follow the rules that much. So, I do what feels right at the time, and looks good to me. If it works for me, I figure, the Gods & Goddess's, really aren't going to mind that much ;-)
Kind of a close up of some of the stones. The amethyst is hard to see in the picture, but I usually keep it pretty close to the altar. I just love its energy. The plan is to get ALL my crystals out to the Garden altar this first Full Moon in Spring coming up!
Here are some of my crystals, getting ready for the Full Moon in August of last year. They haven't been *Cleansed* since then, so they are ready for a good, spring recharge!
Last Spring equinox we played with the broom a lot, getting it to balance of its own accord. The Son loved it, and got quite a kick out of it. Especially since we got it to stand there, for at least 30 minutes! It was fun, and entertaining ;-) If you haven't tried this, be sure to try it. It's fun, and your kids will definitely think you are full of *magic*. Some of my neighbors did too ;-) *cackle*
Also on another Good note this week. Mercury has gone direct! Whew~! But alas, there are still some stagnant energies to be aware of, as Mercury is still retracing its Mercury Retrograde steps and won't be back to its proper placement where it started at 19 degrees Pisces until April 6th. So while everything feels Fresh, New and cheery, with the beginning of Spring just remember while Aries is getting ready to settle down into its Sun sign, there can be some nervy, electric and volatile energies yet to endure.
Above all else, make sure to get your hands in the dirt this week! Plant some seeds, invite the Fae into your gardens, and home for full fae blessings. Just remember, they like to be catered to, so don't forget the cakes, honey & ale...they love honey and milk, and shiny baubles.
A walk through my gardens this weekend, I seen where the Iris's are starting to pop up, the raspberries are starting to turn green at the ground, and the grass is starting to green up as well. Blade by blade...no, I'm not anxious or anything, I didn't seriously count the 50 blades of green grass, honest. ;-)
What a loonngg and Hell-ish week it's been! Was it just me, or did anyone else, have a longgg and hellish week?!! I am glad it is over! Yay Friday!
Ahhh - But ~Beware the Ides of March~!
This week I have SURVIVED: - The first week of Daylight savings ( if but barely), The last week of Mercury RX ( knock on wood, because today is just beginning, then there is tomorrow yet to come.) AND the New Moon in Aries, ( Did anyone else feel the switch when we changed over to the lighter tones of the taurus moon?) It's time for some serious Grounding now ya'all!
OH! Speaking of grounding. I have been seeing around, where there is this *NEW* technique called Earthing. HAHAHA!!! Okay, so it is a way for the ones who do NOT want to say they would EVER do anything pagan-ish, to still ground ;-) But I kind of like the Earthing word. I am going to be *Earthing* today. DONT BOTHER ME!
Also this week the new Pope was announced. Is it just me, or does anyone else find it Ironic that this happened, right before the Ides of March? eh'
I am still excited for St. Patrick's Day. I love St. Patrick's Day! I love my irish roots. And I like green, and leprachauns, and who doesn't love pots of gold? Or drinking green beer? Well, I can't drink beer very well. It bloats the hell out of me. I tried it last year, for about 6 months. Just couldn't do it. So, I will have to try some other green-ish alcoholic beverage drink this year to knock me on my ass.
Even though St. Patricks day is not a pagan Holiday. It is one I have always enjoyed. Yes, it's the Day St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Well, I hate snakes anyway, so good riddance to them, I suppose. To me, ALL snakes might as well be 7 feet long rattle snakes. OH WAIT.....out here, they ARE ALL 6-7 foot rattle snakes, who am I kidding?! ( It's the baby ones you have to watch out for they tell me. They have the most venom :-s) ack!
But when I was younger, and after I had lost my mother. I hated ALL HOLIDAYS. They were depressing, and just a reminder of all that had been lost. The only Holiday I found solace in, was St. Patricks day. Because the ONLY requirement of me that day, was to get drunk and make an ass out of myself. THAT, I could do ;-) And do it well.
But back then I could drink all night and still make it to work in time the next day. NOW if I have one glass of wine, I have a splitting headache, heartburn, and feel like crap the next day. If I actually indulge and get drunk *gasp*...It's a 3 day, leave me the hell alone, OMG what have I done to myself, and WHY kind a thing ;-)
But still a person has to let loose and cut up once in awhile. So, tomorrow, I plan to put this week behind me, indulge, a little, hope the spring like weather continues and have a frothy green drink or two.
Here are some recipe's I am getting ideas from:
http://www.chickabug.com/blog/2013/02/st-patricks-day-drinks.html
It wasn't until I found my Path that I started enjoying the Holidays again. I enjoy them all now. I would much rather, celebrate, all year long, the passing of each season, sabat and esbat...than just dread the ones, everyone seems to dread these days.
But who can dread St. Patrick's Day? Or Spring just 3 days later?!!!
Today I am going to take advantage of the last couple of days of the RX, and finish de-cluttering some of the clutter that has accumulated, and work on getting my Ostara Altar up and ready! Maybe open some windows and doors and let some of the fresh air and sunshine in, while it lasts.
)0(
Yesterday the New moon in Aries blasted it's way in...I say blasted, because I feel blasted from it. When Aries is in the moon sign, I can always tell. People seem to have shorter fuses. I know I do. I have kept a moon journal for years, so I know aries definitely effects me, and not in a good way sometimes. But I can also watch it in those around me. I try to keep a tight reign on my tongue (and fingers in the cyber world) during the aries moon. Add the RX into it, and its a recipe for disaster.
This time of year with the equinox fast approaching, everything underneath the surface is struggling to get out. From the depths of the earth to the depths of our souls as well. Aries will be entering it's Sun sign soon toward the end of the month. I am glad the rx will be over before then!
Here is an excerpt from: Astro*Lore - Astrology by Laurie from yesterday.
http://www.facebook.com/Astrology.Astrolore
Tuesday, March 12, 2013:
Today we begin to
emerge from the surreal, intangible space of water and sensitivity we
have been in for several weeks now. Please take the time to consider
what have we learned during this time? What are we bringing
with us from this immersion in our deepest unconscious emotional
states? Where in our lives are we ready to take what we have learned
and put it to use through an action that needs to be taken?
Today
MARS, the ruler of ARIES, leaves the deep waters of Pisces behind and
blasts into his home sign (ARIES) where he is courageous, determined,
and possibly combative.
Zero degrees Aries is an important point
where our personal lives and the larger world stage impact each other in
a powerful manner. Keep our eyes open as the personal planets move, one
by one, over this culturally sensitive area in the coming weeks.
MOON ENTERS ARIES as well today, we feel this emotional strength kick in, we feel Fire and a need for independent action.
Where does ARIES lie in your chart? What action do you need to take in this area?
The words *Blast*, *Combative*, *Fire*....all ring true for yesterday. From old biddy's calling to bitch about my kid walking by their house with his friends, to distant family members fighting amongst themselves all claws and teeth. I say distant because they live so far away. But they are close to my heart, and breaks my heart that it all got so ugly. And there was nothing I could do to stop it. I just sat and watched open mouthed, and *facepalm*.
Then the husband came home, and his day hadn't been any better. Psycho's are running amok, and what can you do, but step back and be ready to punt?
Todays astro*lore by Laurie says:
Wednesday, March 13, 2013:
A huge change is coming and yet we must wait patiently a while longer!
With MOON and MARS now in ARIES (joining Uranus) we are all feeling
very anxious to move forward. We want Spring to come, we want that new
job, that new project to get off the ground, that big move! Whatever it is in our lives, we want it NOW! We want ACTION!
Slow down, it is not time yet. We need to practice patience a little
longer. The forward motion has begun but it is not off the ground yet.
We still have five planets in Pisces (Sun, Venus, Chiron, Mercury,
& Neptune) with Mercury still retrograde. It is best to practice
restraint. Mercury, still in Pisces, remains retrograde until Sunday.
Venus trines the North Node today encouraging us to stay in-tune with
our imagination and our intuition. We are not yet awake from the water
trance we have been emerged in. It is not time yet to properly implement
our next steps forward. The plan and the energy is building now, but
don't be in a hurry to blast forward.
Today's Aries Moon Squares Pluto. Watch for power plays. Simply resist engagement with those who seek power and control.
Keyword: Patience, Intuition, Preparation
*Patience, Intuition, Preparation* A huge change is coming, so don't rush it! And don't engage with power seeking control mongers!
I know I cringed yesterday when we had to send off some very important paperworks through the mail. NOTHING important should be done during the RX, because it will go wrong. But, I am trying to keep some positive faith that we had all our ducks lined up, i's dotted, and t's crossed...because there was no way we could wait another week, for RX to go direct.
So I will be trying to restrain myself today. I think I will be seeking refuge in solitude, and wait for the moon sign, and rx to move on out, and over. And wait for the Winds of Change to blow on through.
Good luck!!!
My Ode to the Sunflower. No one can look at a sunflower, and not think Happy Thoughts. At least, I don't think anyone can. I know I can't. I have been wanting to do a blog on all the different magickal attributes to the flowers in my garden. But going through my pictures, I have SO many pictures of sunflowers, that, they needed their OWN blog spot ;-) So here goes.
What I love most about the Sunflowers in my yard, are that they are of the *Midnight Variety* so I get many different colors. My abhorrence to the color yellow helped me pick out this particular variety. And I am pleased every year at the different colors that come up. I have my favorites, of course. But even the yellow ones, make me smile :)
The Reds are one of my favorite. In Magickal correspondece the Sunflower is Masculine in the element of Fire with the Sun as it's planetary alignment. It welcomes and invites the blessings of the Sun into your gardens, or home. The seeds are eaten by women to promote fertility.
Sunflowers are also great Bee attractions! If you look closely here, you will see the busy bee at work. They also bring the feathery friends in, which, you will see in a later blog post, as I love getting out in the garden and capturing my feathery friends at work too.
Sunflowers can also help boost spells for workings such as gaining affluence, confidence, or grandeur. It can also help you to stand out in a crowd. According to flower folklore, sleeping with a sunflower beneath your pillow will tell you the truth in any matter. In florigraphy, the sunflower symbolizes haughtiness and ostentation. Other definitions declare that this solar flower says you have lofty but pure goals. Magickally the sunflower is used to symbolize fame, riches and royalty. Growing the tall flowers in your sunny gardens is thought to bring success and good fortune to the gardener of the home. { from Ellen Dugans book Garden Witch's Herbal }
When we moved into the house we live in now, about 7 years ago. There was NO YARD to speak of. In fact there wasn't one blade of grass in the yard at all. The previous owners, had 3 huge black labs that lived in the chain linked fence yard { and it isn't a big yard by any means } so it was barren, rocks, sand, dog poop, that was it. We moved in during February, in March we started raking all the rocks and dog poop up and started tilling in sheep and cow poop. { Hey, some poop is good, some is bad :-/ } On St. Patricks Day that year we planted 3 trees in the yard and started sewing grass seed. I also planted this ONE packet of Midnight Variety Sunflowers, and they have not stopped coming back yet! It is amazing, how they spread...haha! Anyone who has planted these will know. So now every year, I transplant some to different area's of the yard, as well as give them away freely to any neighbor who will take them. I have even had my husband mowing around the certain ones that pop up surprisingly in the yard.
Last year I had so many sunflowers come up in the herb garden that I am thinking I will have to try thinning them out of there this season. While sunflowers ARE considered in the herb variety, they have a tendency to want to take over EVERYTHING. By the end of the season last year, I could barely see the other herbs in my herb garden that WERE flourishing.
While the flowers on my sunflowers do not get as big as say the Dinner Plate variety; the stalks on these still get to be 10 feet tall sometimes. During the Monsoon season which hits about July, I sometimes go out and tie them up so the winds don't break them down. Once they are secure, they really go to town getting big and stretching up to the sun as high as they can.
These are some of my favorite colored ones.
Last Summer I had two of my favorite colored ones growing just outside the fence. Before I could get out and get a picture of them the next day, I found this. Someone else had thought they were beautiful and came along and cut and stole them! lol While my first initial reaction was DANG IT! I then stopped and thought...awww...I certainly hope they are enjoying them as much as I do. Because, as a Garden Witch, I know, that some flowers, were meant to be stolen.
I have had a totally different blog post running around in my head, but my adhd brain got side tracked on sunset pictures, and so that is what is coming out, instead of what I had originally planned. But the one in my head will come out eventually. In the meantime, I thought I would share some of the sunsets that I took pictures of over last year.
Sunsets are my favorite time of day. I can't say that I prefer sunsets to sunrise, I just see more sunsets. Being a NON morning person and all.
I liked the pink in this one. This is at one of the lakes we go camping at during the summer months.
Same tree and lake as the above picture, just a different time of night and different color schemes.
Setting Sun....
I am throwing this picture in with the sunsets, because this IS a picture of the sun. Last summer the wild fires were so bad that we had days of ash so bad they were advising everyone to stay indoors. So of course, we all ran out in it...me with camera in hand so I could grab some pictures. Then ran back inside and shutting doors and windows.
There are all sorts of reminders going around today, to spring your clocks forward, tonite. I set mine forward yesterday and have been mentally trying to prepare all weekend for it. This is a hard one for me. Growing up we lived in an area, that never changed time, so springing forward and falling back, haven't been things I've had to do my whole life. But I have been doing for the past 15-20 years or so....so you would *think* I would be somewhat use to it by now ;-)
I don't mind falling back in the fall at all. That one doesn't take much getting use to. My grumblings about it these past few weeks in anticipation, has gotten me scolded from many people. I realize a lot of people look forward to it. The longer days, longer daylight hours...etc...I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that the days are longer. The daylight hours have been getting longer, since Yule...hello? I know I may look at it wrong, but I just can't ever help but feel that I am being robbed of an hour a day. Life passes us by so quickly anyway, that to lose that many hours in the 8 month period just doesn't seem fair.
And it use to be more equally done. It use to be 6 months of falling back, instead of the 4. Who decides these things?
I have been contemplating a freezing time spell for some time now. I haven't actually gotten it all worked out yet. Slowing time, maybe is what I mean to do, but not knowing exactly when or how to go about it, I haven't actually set any of it into motion yet.
But some other thoughts I have been having { not that anyone will listen or care.} is that I think Daylight savings, should be done, during the Summer solstice. If we are going to spring forward, I think we should spring forward, on the summer solstice, when we actually DO start losing bits of daylight, to prolong the daylight hours. Then, during Yule, when we really do start gaining again...THEN fall back and enjoy some of the longer daylight hours. It's an equal time, and my inner clock, could adjust better.
Yes, I know its not about me, or my inner clock....But these are my wishes, for daylight savings. ha!
Do other parents not have problems with this springing forward? Not just the getting up to get the kids off to school. But with the longer daylight hours in the evenings, these next few months with the weather breaking, the kids are chomping at the bit for school to be out. It's nice outside, so they are running and playing outside after school. And so when 8 o'clock rolls around, and it's more than past time to come INSIDE, get HOMEWORK DONE, get baths, eat supper..and *gasp* go to bed, and it isn't even DARK out yet..."MOM are you kidding ME?" It's hard to wrangle their little butts into bed, then to sleep so by the time the alarm clock goes off the next morning...and it's still dark out...WHO wants to get up?! :-/
I didn't actually intend for this to be a rant about Daylight savings. ha! But, that is more or less what it is.
