Silly Picture Of The Week

I think we need a bigger bed with Shadow around!

Serenity Sunday

This Thursday, millions of families will gather around beautifully decorated tables to give thanks for all that they have. In honor of this day of gratitude, here's my Homemade Cranberry Relish recipe. I have nothing but fond memories of my grandmother each time that I make it for a celebratory dinner.

Cranberry Relish


*1 bag whole cranberries
*1 orange (chunked)
*1 apple (chunked)
*1 large box strawberry jello
* 1 cup of sugar


Grind cranberries, orange and apple until finely chopped (I use a food processor but a blender or food chopper will work too.) Pour into large mixing bowl and add in box of strawberry jello. Add sugar to taste... until not too tart, not too sweet. Let set in the refrigerator over night and  voilà..holiday relish!


My List:


1.) My children


2.) Family traditions


3.) Brown and crispy turkey skin (yummy!)


4.) The smell of fresh baked rolls


5.) Happy memories


6.) Grandmothers


7.) Brown, red and gold tablecloths


8.) Mulled wine


9.) Silly turkey napkin rings


10.) Full tummies




*  Framed turkey hand print made by my son Conor in first grade.

Nora, Cat Extordinaire

I noticed this article via Twitter yesterday and just had to share! After my rant yesterday, I was truly sure that most of society had lost it's marbles. It's little things like this that refresh the soul and reaffirm that there is still softness (no pun intended) in the world. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read this article and watch the video...

http://ow.ly/E40i

Lizzie's Award Of Shame

Disclaimer: I really hate to facilitate these people's fifteen minute's of fame but this rubbish was just too good to pass up! A friend of mine came across these articles the other day and of course, I just had to add my two cents...

C'mon people, has the world really reverted as far back as the dark ages again, where  unjust accusation was acceptable and even encouraged?  Since when do my beliefs deserve to be disregarded or mocked by others simply because I define divinity in slightly different perspective?  In my daily life, I believe that we are all part of the divine (and not separate from that divine) but yet there are those who turn around and ask "a certain member of the clergy" to forgive them of their sins that were, in their own teaching, wiped clean when another "certain individual" was nailed to wood? ("It is finished!" John 19:30.)  Here are a couple  of paragraphs from the Sunday Monitor ... 

"Pastor Grace Nakabonge gives a Biblical example of when Moses went up Mt Sinai and failed to come back. Tired of waiting for him and in need of a solution, the Israelites made a golden calf and started worshipping it....

But how does the mere worship of a statue usher in evil powers and spirits that presumably act on the whims and wishes of their executors? “Evil powers of the devil seize this opportunity to speak through these idols, making people think they have found God. So people unknowingly begin to worship evil powers and spirits,” she explains. The pastor adds that the distinguishing feature between God’s power to perform miracles and wonders and witchcraft is that the former is for the good of mankind and to bring peace while witchcraft will cause harm and damage even to a neighbour who lives peacefully besides you."

I am compelled to ask ... What in heck made this pastor think that I believe in the idea of anything being evil, let alone this devil nonsense she seems to be trying to shove down my throat? Has she watched so much television and Hollywood mumbo-jumbo that she's taken it upon herself to jump to such broad and absolutely laughable conclusions...

And sadly, even more outrageous silliness has recently sprouted up in the  Indianapolis schools, where it seems that they have started  blocking sites that deal with paranormal and unexplained events from possible internet access by children ...What lesson would we be passing on to our children, that it's okay to harbor false ideas and prejudiced judgments (made by those who are supposed to teach them right from wrong)...should we make the burning of books okay because they might open the minds of our children and then our children may start to challenge the accepted way of thinking?

"Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, vodoo rituals or any form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, incantations, curses and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events.

Excuse me... but  since when does my spirituality get thrown in the mix with atheism? I  believe in deity, just as other spiritual folks do...my definition is slightly different but hey, at least I can say that I believe in something  bigger than myself rather than the absence of anything other than what I can see, taste, touch or hear! As for religious tolerance...Well, I guess that only applies to those groups who are generally pre-approved by other similar groups. What about the resurrection...would that not be a  prime example of a paranormal or unexplained event? (Paranormal: a general term that describes unusual experiences that lack scientific explanation or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure... Wikipedia)


 I'd like to share with you that I petition deity too, just as other spiritual folks do, I say a prayer called a spell or ritual... I ask the same things that other spiritual folks do as well..."Look after my loved ones..."  "Keep them safe from harm on their car ride to see Aunt Edna..."  "Help me to do well tomorrow with my presentation at work..."  "Bless my children with long and happy lives..."  How is this so different?


I know that this may be a controversial topic and I don't mean to make light or belittle these issues in any way but my sole purpose in this post is to provoke thought and to call into question the accepted and commonly held beliefs that exist (rather than choosing to remain silent and perpetuating these misleading and damaging ideas) about paganism and wicca, that some in society have chosen to foster. 

Tarot Shadow Work- Regression

Regression, if only I were young again...How often have I thought about better times long, long ago when all was right with the world and things were pleasant...*sigh*  Okay, reality check here, I'm rapidly approaching the big 44 here soon and if I  remember correctly, the good times were pretty darn crappy.  So, enough of the "Peter Pan" defense mechanism and the brief midlife crisis moment..

Do we find ourselves stuck in this type of thinking, where the situation we're in becomes so frustrating and stressful we find ourselves clinging to the wish that we could be young again...? Have we had any tantrums or stomped off with the threat of moving in with mother lately, simply because things did not go our way...? Have we looked in the mirror and discovered three new grey hairs, so off we went to the local grocery store to buy some hair dye that may or may not match the actual color of our hair as we remember it...?

These are all little ways of regressing and refusing to confront life's problems and assume responsibility for our choices in a futile attempt to control the hands of time. Looking at these behaviors as rational adults, we can see the immaturity and the fear behind it but how do we get to the point of moving past all these behaviors and reach the point in which our Shadow selves are no longer shadows?

In my case, I know what most of my weak spots are but there are those grey areas (and not on my head) that I still have issue with getting a grip on, like my temper. I love control... control is safe, if I don't have it, my temper flares up...I know what to expect when I'm in control and there are no surprises but do I really have control...The realistic answer is no, life is what it is and no man (or woman) is an island, especially myself. Taking the twenty two Major Arcana, I shuffle and concentrate on what I need to know about regression in my own life.

The card I drew is The Devil, who's shadow qualities are: Failure to love myself,having an issue with power (controlling or being controlled) and being too serious about life. These cards can be so uncannily accurate sometimes! Thinking about how this applies in my life right now, I can see that The Devil is trying to tell me that at this moment my issues with control are at play and offers me insight as to how I might address this in my current situation.

Change is inevitable and as much as I dislike change (understatement of the year) I must be flexible and adapt. I am forced to ask myself, "Why am I resisting this change and what made me thing that I may have any control over changes at all?"  The situation I recently moved away from was very stressful so those worn out old tapes  from childhood began to play in my head of a time when coping was not so easy to accomplish in the chaos of an alcoholic home.

I'm grown now, and there is no longer a need to feel in control... I am able to make choices for myself and I have the ability to make good, sound choices based on my understanding of life from an adult perspective. I am able to distinguish the positive changes from the kinds of changes that are unhealthy for me. It's not an easy road to walk but  taking one step at a time  is a great start and before I know it, those grey areas will become less and less grey.

"What Is...?" Wednesday

 Pooka (Old Irish for ghost) 
also spelled.. Puca, Pooka, Puka, Phouka

The Pooka is the English equivalent of the Old Gaelic word Púca and refers to the most feared and respected fairy in Celtic folklore. According to legend, the Púca can shape shift into a wide variety of forms, it may appear as a horse, rabbit, goat, dog or goblin. However, it's most common appearance is that of a dark horse with yellow eyes and it roams the countryside at night smashing down fences and gates, terrifying livestock and spoiling blackberries.  

One of the agricultural traditions that surround the Púca is at the end of harvesting, a small deformed goblin shows up in search of a small share of the crops, if he is not made happy he will wreak havoc.. so the farmers leave behind a small amount of the crop which has become known as "The Puca’s share"  in order to satisfy this ravenous goblin.In other regions, the Púca is spoken of with  more respect rather than fear, for if treated with due reverence, it may actually be beneficial to those who run into it. 


The púca is from the mountains and hills and from those areas there are stories of it appearing on "November Day" and giving prophecies and warnings to those who inquire of it. If a human is beguiled into riding on a Púca's back, it has been known to give them a wild ride... though unlike the kelpie (which will take its rider and dive into the nearest stream or lake to drown and/or devour them), the Púca will do its rider no real harm.

It is told that only one man has ever managed to ride the Púca and that was Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Using a special bridle containing three hairs from the Púca's tail, Brian managed to control the magic horse and stay on its back until, exhausted, it surrendered to his will.

The king extracted two promises from it... firstly, that it would no longer torment christian people and ruin their property and secondly.. that it would never again attack an Irishman (all other nationalities are exempt) except those who are drunk or abroad with an evil intent. The latter it could attack with greater ferocity than before. 

The Púca reluctantly agreed to these conditions.... however over the intervening years, the Púca seems to have forgotten its bargain and attacks on property and sober travellers on their way home continue to this day. I'm so glad I don't drink or leave the house!


* I apologize if you were looking for a six foot, invisible rabbit.

Tarot Tuesday

Today's card is the Three of Cups. This is an interesting card since I must have drawn it at least three other times this last week as a daily draw...it's definitely trying to get my attention. Every morning  after I get home from taking the children to school, I light a candle and some Sandalwood or Nag Champa  incense and sit quietly (hopefully sweetie is otherwise occupied) and listen to soft music. I do this because my little rubber band has a tendency to get wound way too tight and since I am an Air sign, my rational brain does not like to relinquish control to  my creative, intuitive side very often.

Which makes this card all the more relevant. In the Three of Cups we see three women, one auburn haired wearing a reddish brown robe, one fair haired wearing a golden robe and one brunette wearing a white robe, all lifting up golden cups and doing what appears to be a dance. This card can be interpreted as pleasure, fun, entertainment, parties, family reunions, weddings, baptism, birth, success, a fun lucky turn and a gathering with a group of friends.

I admit, I haven't been in the most festive of moods over the last several weeks with having every attempt to get my tea business up and going thwarted at every turn, my car breaking down and me right after it  as I had to coast onto a side road and petty squabbles stemming from run-in's with the neighborhood bully. Festive has been the last thing on my mind but the Three of Cups keeps urging me to let all of this go, all work and no play, or so they say...

I'm reminded "Not to sweat the small stuff" because taking life too seriously can surely make for a heavy burden to carry.  Most of all, I think these ladies are trying to tell me that there is true power in multiples and I should celebrate and kick up my heels with other people for a change and not try to go it alone. I need to seek out other people to celebrate my life's blessings with (seek out being a course of action for me to take.)  It is similarities which bring us together but it is the differences which make us strong.

As you ponder this card, ask yourself these questions  "What can I do to incorporate a sense of playfulness in my daily life....? Can I accept that joy is my natural state and that I do not have to earn it...?  How can I  create or develop a network of support when I interact with others...? 

My New Winter Witches Hat

My sweetie bought me the coolest hat today! I'm always cold and complaining about it, so sweetie  spared himself from my whining  took pity on me and brought home the warmest hat I could  possibly put on my frozen little noggin. Thank you, sweetie!

Monday Moon Lore

I just love folklore and old wives tales...sometimes they just make you wanna giggle. Since today is the New Moon (Dark Moon, as I prefer) and void of course for most of the afternoon up until just after midnight and therefore not good for working spells, I thought I would hunt down some of the funniest New/Dark Moon folk tales..



It's Lucky to . . .

*It is lucky to see the first sliver of a new Moon "clear of the brush," or unencumbered by foliage.


*It is lucky to own a rabbit's foot, especially if the rabbit was killed in a cemetery by a cross-eyed person at the dark of the Moon.


*It is lucky to hold a moonstone in your mouth at the full Moon; it will reveal the future.


*It is lucky to have a full Moon on the "Moon day" (Monday).


*It is lucky to expose your newborn to the waxing Moon. It will give the baby strength.


*It is lucky to move into a new house during the new Moon; prosperity will increase as the Moon waxes.


It's Unlucky to . . .


*It is unlucky to see the first sliver of a new Moon through a window; you'll break a dish.


*It is unlucky to point at the new Moon or view any Moon over your shoulder.


*It is unlucky to sleep in the moonlight, or worse, be born in the moonlight.


*It is unlucky to see "the old Moon in the arms of the new" or the faint image of the full disk while the new crescent Moon is illuminated, especially if you're a sailor. Storms are predicted.


*It is unlucky to have a full Moon on Sunday. (Some say Saturday . . . ) 

I hope you got a chuckle out of that, it's hard to believe at one time people took that kind of thing seriously...(okay, maybe some still do, after all...there are those who do think we're in league with a concept we don't even believe in...)


* From The Farmers Almanac

Serenity Sunday

in·cite (in sīt′)

transitive verb incited -·cit′ed, inciting -·cit′·ing

* to urge to action; stir up; rouse: to spur on.

(from Merriam-Webster dictionary)

My List:


1.) My kids


To those who have ...


2.) Those who have inspired me...

3.) Those who have made me think...


4.) Those who have caused me to question...


5.) Those who have moved me to tears


6.) Those who have dared me to dream...


7.) Those who have told me I could...


8.) Those who have helped me along the way...


9.) Those who have given me insight...


10.) Those who have made me angry...


Thank you, for without you, I would not be who I am today.