Stacey Brown has finally graduated and is looking forward to a nice, relaxing summer renting a beach house with her boyfriend and good friends, but that is all put off-kilter when she meets Clara, a somewhat ditzy, unfortunately boyfriend-snatching younger girl who Stacey senses strongly is in trouble.

Clara has secrets that could end up being deadly for her, and as little as Stacey and her friends like the girl, she can’t turn her back on her and let her die, either.  But at the same time Jacob, the one person Stacey should be able to trust more than anyone, is keeping secrets from her, too, and between that and Drea and Ambers hatred for Clara… well Stacey can’t help but feel a little on her own.  With the added stress of once again having someone else’s life in her hands, the secrets are a bit too much to have to handle.

Admittedly, this book makes the least sense plot-wise of the series so far.  The misdirection Stolarz implements so masterfully in Blue is for Nightmares and still-convincingly in White is for Magic is a little too willy-nilly and easy to see through here, and doesn’t end up leading anywhere at all in most cases.  I didn’t really mind, though, as book three brought back the scared-to-turn-the-light-off creepiness of the first book, even maybe turning it up a notch.

I’m also continually impressed by Stolarz’ portrayal of friendship.  Stacey, Amber and Drea are three very different girls, but they have the kind of friendship anybody could wish for, and a bit more believable and organic than something like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, for example.  Drea and Amber nitpick each other to death, but when someone else picks at them they back each other up like siblings.

Jacob and Stacey’s relationship grows really nicely in this novel, also, and it’s interesting to see these characters in a slightly more adult environment, and to see Stacey interacting with Chad (her ex, and Drea’s boyfriend) and to see how relationships grow and change.  Again, the friendships are my favorite thing in this series, and I’ll use the word organic one more time, because that’s how genuine they feel.  It’s really the highlight of the books, and why I’m so eager to move on to Red is for Remembrance (which my library is currently holding for me, yay!)

Silver does not by far end on a happy note, and there is quite the cliffie at the end, but if Red is about what I’m hoping it’s about… well I’m certainly interested in seeing how it plays out.

Silver is for Secrets gets an A from me.

Yew Lore
Taken In part, from an essay by Sarah the SwampWitch,
Originally written for and posted to the Witches Three list

Tree of the day before the Winter Solstice (Aprox. December 21)
Latin name: Taxus baccata.
Celtic name: Idho (pronounced: Ih’ huh).
Local name: English Yew, European Yew
Parts used: Needles, wood, berries.
Herbal Uses: Caution!! This plant is poisonous and should be used with caution!!!! The needles and branch tips have been used to treat lung diseases and bladder problems, and more recently a new cancer drug, Taxol, has been derived from its bark and berries.
Magical History & Associations: The name "Yew" is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon word ‘eow’. The word ‘Taxus’ is from the Greek word ‘Taxon’, meaning ‘bow’. The 5,000 year old "Ice Man", discovered in the Alps, had a bow and axe handle made of Yew. The Yew is known as the ‘Tree of Death’ throughout Europe and is associated with the season of winter. It is sacred to many Dark Goddesses: Banbha, Amalthea (mother of the horned Dionysus), Morrighan, The Erinyes, Cailleach Beara, Berchta, and Hecate.  In addition, it was associated with Odin. Shakespeare recognized the relationship of Yew and Hecate and referred to the contents of her cauldron as

"slips of yew, silver’d in the moon’s eclipse…"

(Macbeth)

Elsewhere, Shakespeare makes ‘hebenon, the double-fatal yew’ the poison which Hamlet’s uncle pours into the king’s ear.

Hecate’s sacred tree of death is said to root in the mouths of the dead and release their souls, and also to absorb the odors of death itself. Bulls are associated with this tree, as are female goats. The bird associated with Yew is the eaglet, since the eaglet’s appetite is insatiable, and the bones of its nest are white like the snow on its cliff-ledge. The Yew’s colors are white and silver and it is associated with the element of water. The Yew is associated with the planet Saturn and with the metal lead. In Old England the Yew was known as "The Witches’ Tree" since it is associated with sorcery and magic, and was used by the Celtic-Irish to make dagger handles and wine barrels. Some say Yew wood is acceptable for the making of magical tools such as wands and staves, yet others strongly recommend not using this wood for any magical tools.

Magickal usage: The time of Yew is known as a time of death, and so on the day before Yule it said that is not a good idea to do actual spell work. Instead, it is suggested that rituals of the season concerned with reincarnation are appropriate. Because the Yew grows to such an old age, it has become a symbol of stability in Celtic areas of the world and so is often used as the central "World Tree" in ritual spaces. Yew sends up new trees from its roots, so is a powerful symbol of death and reincarnation. It is called for in "destructive" workings concerning death, as well as those concerning passage, spirits, penitence and psychic growth.

No tree is more associated with the history and legends of Great Britain than the Yew. Before Christianity was introduced it was a sacred tree favored by the Druids, who built their temples near these trees – a custom followed by the early Christians. The association of the tree with places of worship still prevails In ancient times Yew sticks were carved with the Ogham characters as tools of divination. The Futhark features a 13th Rune, which is considered one of the most powerful Runes and represents a stave cut from a yew tree. This Rune is regarded as the stave of life and death. As one of the three magical trees (along with the Alder and the Black Poplar) associated with death and funerals, the Yew has often been planted in graveyards. It is, as such, traditionally a cemetery tree, in large part because Celtic Priests and Priestesses regarded it as a symbol of immortality and planted it in their Sacred Groves, druids also used wands of Yew to foretell the Future. Yew leaves placed on a grave remind us that the death of a dear one is only a pause in life before rebirth. It offers healing for mental and emotional problems, and is said to contain the secrets of the Goddess. Yew can also be dried and burned as an incense to contact spirits of the dead – or even to raise the dead, so it is claimed…

Yew is represented by the letter I (idho) in the tree alphabet and is sometimes regarded as the most sacred tree to the druids with it symbolism of death and rebirth (due to the fact that the outer tree dies and a new tree grows within). It represents transformation & reincarnation and may be used to enhance magical/psychic abilities as well as to induce visions. All parts of the yew are poisonous apart from the berry covering, and as such, it was used to poison weapons. Before the use of iron became general, yew was greatly valued as it  resists the action of water and is a very hard wood. It is a symbol of the hunt, making superior bows and was widely used for that purpose. This use, and the high quality of bows achieved using the wood, also strengthened the belief that the Yew was strongly connected with death.

This herb is sacred to the the Winter Solstice and deities of death and rebirth. The Yew is known as the death tree in all European countries. The Silver Fir of birth and the Yew of death are sisters. They stand next to each other in the circle of the year and their foliage is almost identical.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

I remember a time I had a study group simply formed out of desperation to find others of like mind. At that time, there simply wasn’t any groups in my area that shared my religion or beliefs, not even remotely. I figured, I’d start my own group and for a while had a terrific bunch of spiritual folks who enjoyed learning and sharing ritual.

Ultimately, it seemed that the group began to bring up the topic of covens. I was against it. Not that I’m anti-coven, but I think each one of us needs to look deep within ourselves and ask the question ‘why?’. Why a coven and not be satisfied with a study group?

I think most didn’t understand the differences, or perhaps they thought they did, and wanted to deepen their spiritual experience by forming a group that held deeper conviction of faith.

What are the differences? Not subtle by any means. A study group can maintain an intense or easygoing atmosphere in which to learn and teach. A coven, on the other hand, requires a higher commitment, a deeper understanding of group dynamics, and a common goal.

Covens are spiritual families. That is a tough thing to find and work with in this world of vast differing opinions and beliefs. Add members who tackle ego issues and you can gain a powder keg of potential problems.

First ask yourself- why? Why do you need to be in either a study group or a coven? What is your definition of the two? Do you understand what a priest and a priestess offer, and what you have as expectation for leaders of either group?

Do you carry lots of emotional baggage because you’re asking others to help you carry the load. Are you prepared to carry for others as well? What do you need from others and from your spiritual path? Are you looking for an easygoing social network or something intense, personal, and cosmic in your learning (or somewhere between the two)?

Do you want to lead or follow in a group? Can you endure either role? Are you seeking power or empowerment? If you intend on forming your own coven, do you understand the basics of human psychology, group dynamics, and the workings of groups?

I’ve been in both, been leader and follower. From experience, I can tell you to stand on your own two feet and understand your own inner workings before taking on the mantle of leading, while removing the ego in order to learn.

“It’s not really important what color your dress is. What matters is the heart inside it.” – Kokiri

Kiki’s Delivery Service is the story of a 13-year-old witch who, as part of tradition, must leave home and find a place to stay for her training. She eventually finds herself in the beautiful town of Koriko, Japan’s little London/Italy. As she struggles with her newfound independence, Kiki meets Osono, a kindly lady who owns a bakery. After helping Osono return a pacifier to her customer’s child, Kiki is offered a room in the attic. In return, Kiki offers to help her in the bakery. The pacifier incident gives Kiki the idea to put up a delivery business, and along the way she meets a couple of good friends – Ursula, the painter, and Tombo, a boy who develops a fancy for her.

This movie branches out into different themes. I have already mentioned one of these – independence. (I leave the rest of these themes for you to figure out as I go along with the review.) The idea of independence in the movie is very similar to the independence that we know, except that the one in the movie is taken more seriously. Tradition holds that when a witch turns 13, she must leave her home – no questions asked. Of course she is always given the option to return if something goes wrong. But it is compulsory that she leaves when she is of the right age, regardless of whether or not she has decided on what skill to master. (The movie is somewhat coming-of-age- and right-of-passage-ish.)

Kiki’s independence is put to the test the moment she jumps on her broom. She is faced with two tasks: find her town and think of a skill. The former is clearly depicted in the movie. As for the latter, Miyazaki manages to subtly accomplish this. On her first night of travel, Kiki bumps into a fellow witch who claims to have mastered the skill of fortune telling. She bids Kiki good luck in mastering whatever skill she decides on. When she puts up her delivery service, the viewer is led to think that it is this skill which Kiki is trying to master. Apparently it’s not.

The skill of which I’m talking about is the art of flying. Truly, something ordinary, since all witches are bound to fly anyway. But it is flying that Kiki is very passionate about, as she realizes later on. You don’t see it right away, especially after Kiki tells Ursula, “I don’t find flying much fun. It’s more of a job to me.” But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Also part of her newfound independence is meeting friends and making connections with other people. This appears to be her biggest challenge yet, because Kiki is your typical adolescent – she is drowning in insecurities. The quote above is uttered by Kiki’s mother, Kokiri, in response to Kiki when she expressed disgust over her black witch dress.

In another scene where Tombo invites Kiki to explore the dirigible (blimp), Kiki refuses to join him and his friends, and decides to walk home instead. In her room, Kiki tells her cat Jiji, “I think something’s wrong with me. I make friends, then suddenly I can’t seem to be with any of them.” This feeling of remoteness stems from the fact that she’s a witch, and being a witch makes her different from everybody else. Also, when she first arrives in town, people are taken aback by her presence, but eventually takes no notice of her. Moreover, she reminds me of Stargirl when she says, “It seems like the other me, the cheerful and honest me went elsewhere.” The moment she expresses this, she loses her witch powers.

Which brings me back to my previous point. The one about flying. In spite of what she tells Ursula, in truth flying is more than just a job to her. Flying is her life. And unless she recognizes this, she will not be able to tap into her witch’s spirit and see how special she really is.

The plot is simple and does not have an antagonist. But Miyazaki didn’t make it easy for little Kiki. If you think about it, the movie is actually a series of mishaps that a young witch encounters. But in the end, Kiki is able to be just herself and even pulls off a heroic act.

4 out of 5 Stars

-timmy

Since I have been gone Halloween has come and gone.  But, I thought I would just update you all on our festive Halloween. 

I hung Indian Corn on the door, a basket of gourds on the table, and fall flowers in vase.  I even stuck bloody handprints to a window and hung a giant spider in the living room.  Yes, I love this time of year.  Here was a new addition (that we love!) for our porch:

Spooky, right?!

We also carved pumpkins for the front steps.  The pictures were mostly fuzzy, but here is a lit up shot of my witch:

And, of course, I dressed up.  I was a gangster.  Here my mom (the devil) and I are getting ready to go out.  (Tony took the picture since he refused to participate in dressing up

I hope your Halloweens were as fun and festive as ours!

In a country like Canada, being bilingual is a definite asset.  Living in Ottawa many more doors are opened if you can speak both of the country’s official languages, and in the future we hope that Niko speaks both English and French fluently.  He seems to be off to a bilingual start anyway, just not a French and English one.

Both Borys and I are used to hearing the regular sounds of crying, cooing, gurgling, and grunting that come from our little guy (especially grunting).  But we were caught off guard the other day when standing in the kitchen and we heard him say “Baba Yaga” (sounds like bubba yugga).  This is how it happened:

Niko: Baba Yaga

Borys/Allison: Did he just say Baba Yaga?!

Borys/Allison: Yes, it sounded clearly like Baba Yaga?

Allison: Hmm…what does that mean? Baba Yaga?

Borys: In Polish that means witch, or it’s this witch-like character.

Allison: Hey, I think I remember reading about Baba Yaga when I was a kid.

Well, after a bit of research and with the guidance of Wikipedia, I have discovered more about Baba Yaga.  Yes, she is a witch-like character that “flies around on a giant mortar or broomstick, kidnaps (and presumably eats) small children, and lives in a house which stands on chicken legs”. What? Eats small children! Oh, Niko, why would you choose this for your first word?!

To complete his bilingual repertoire, last night as we were all lying in bed watching TV, Niko chest down on top of me and gazing around intently, said “Hi”. This is how it went:

Niko: Hi.

Borys/Allison: Did he just say “hi”?!

Borys/Allison: It sounded just like it! Weird.

So, for a baby just over two months old we are clearly impressed by his vocal abilities.  We just hope this continues when he has to learn French!

pictures from tumblr and google ;}

Winter Solstice Soup
Submitted by: Sara Mayes From All Recipes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups milk
• salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter or margarine and sauté the onions for 5 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the carrots, potatoes, water, salt, parsley, thyme and bay leaf. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor in small batches and return to the pot. Stir in the soup, mixing well, and season with salt and pepper to taste. A golden colored, nourishing soup created on a cold northeastern winter night. Perfect to warm you from the inside! Serve with biscuits and a fruit salad.

Makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 10 Minutes.
Cook Time: 45 Minutes.
Ready in: 55 Minutes.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

Yesterday I had the uncomfortable “pleasure” of sitting in an art class with a born-again Christian. This woman has had a tough life, and I can see that Christianity has become the crutch she needs to hobble through life, and I have no intention of criticising her for that. We do what we do to survive.

I made no mention of the fact that I am pagan. She and another member were talking about Christmas and Jesus. This year I feel so distanced from Christmas both in any religious and commercial sense that I am continually shocked to remember that other people are gearing up for Christmas. It means absolutely nothing to me. I have no happy memories of families gathered round a tree, or of religious admonitions to bring good cheer and “be good”. Other years I might have still enjoyed the decorations and the carols, but this year it leaves me untouched; not in any cold-hearted, depressed way, but more in an “I’ve moved on” kind of way. I am more excited by the prospect of a full or new moon, by seeing the flood down by the river or the way the air seems to turn yellowy brown just before a storm hits.

I’ve been watching people scurry around doing their shopping, clocking up consumerist points to prove they care about the people on their ever-expanding lists. And the rest of the year? So little consistency, so much emotional hypocrisy (and no, pagans are not immune to such hypocrisy – at this time of year you see the residual Christian in many pagans as they scurry around kowtowing to the Jesus of Christmas past).

So, has it just become a social festival? A consumerist fest of gluttony and expenditure? It annoys and saddens me to see people taking out loans “to spread the cost of Christmas”. What’s so compulsive and socially dictatorial about Christmas that you should get in debt for it at all? Ridiculous.

No. Christmas in every sense will pass me by. If I have gifts to give, I give them at any time of the year. If there is food to be eaten, I will eat it when hungry, and if I wish to bask in the affections of my friends, I won’t wait until the adverts on TV tell me it’s time to do so.

Here’s looking to the solstice! To clear nights with sparkling stars. To frost and sleet. To floods and getting soaked walking in the rain. Here’s to mud and puddles, leaves and berries. Warm fires and hot cups of tea. Merry Winter!

©Tattooed Witch 2009

Download Links (Interchangeable)
Rapidshare
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On Channel 4 now is “Dispatches – Return to Africa’s Witch Children”, I have just watched 5 mins of it and I am already deeply disgusted. Parents burning, pouring acid on, beating and burying their own children alive due to a belief in them being witches.

Not surprisingly this is all done in the name of God, in the name of Jesus. Seriously fucked up. Religion, combined with a lack of education really does make me sick. Watch it here:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-43/episode-1

I hope you don’t enjoy this, I hope you are as disgusted as I am,

TWH

By Chris Bohjalian

Place: Publisher & Year: New York: Simon & Schuster, c1995, 1997

Genre: General fiction, eco-fiction

Series: Hardscrabble Books –fiction of New England published by University Press of New England

ISBN: 9780684826127

Intended audience: Adult

Number of pages: 340

Setting: Central Vermont

Time period: mid 1990s

Plot summary: Scott Winston works as a lawyer for the ski industry in rural Vermont.  He is also a member of a family of dowsers – or water witches – (by marriage), who have lived in the area for generations.  When a severe drought hits Vermont as a ski resort is trying to expand, Scottie finds himself at the center of an environmental conflict framed as jobs vs. the environment.  This would not be a new situation for him except that he and his nine year old daughter, Miranda, have witnessed something so rare that it completely changes his perspective on life.

Appeal factors:

Pacing: Most of the chapters are short and have plenty of breaks between scenes which propel parts of this story quite quickly; in spite of this, I found this book to be a slower read for me.  

Characterization: The story is told in first person by Scottie.  The most important secondary characters are members of Scott’s family: his wife – Laura, his sister-in-law – Patience, and his daughter – Miranda.

Frame: “Some people say that my wife’s sister is a witch” (p. 3).  The story opens with Scott describing his sister-in-law, an active dowser who makes her living by finding what people ask her to seek (usually water).  Multiple dichotomies frame this story: magic and science, male and female, conservation and progress.

Story line: An uplifting and heartwarming story with as many twists and turns as the labyrinth planned by one of Patience’s friends for her wedding.

Subject headings:

From PCPL:

Vermont — Fiction.

Dowsers — Fiction

Lawyers — Vermont — Fiction

Ski resorts — Vermont — Fiction

Environmental protection — Vermont – Fiction

From NoveList:

Sibling rivalry

Self-discovery in men

Land development — Environmental aspects

Droughts — Vermont

Dowsers — Vermont

Ski resorts — Vermont

Environmentalists

Resistance to land development

Ecosystem management

Lawyers

Father and daughter

Nine-year-old girls

Sisters

Small town life — Vermont

Vermont

Eco-fiction

Similar authors: Alice Hoffman, Barbara Kingsolver, Jodi Picoult, Anita Shreve

Personal notes: I really enjoyed this story even though it was a slower read for me.  I thought the characters were well developed and very believable, especially Scottie.  I really enjoyed the ending, since it caught me a bit off guard.

Other (themes, diversity): Diversity – dowsers

American Society of Dowsers website

What You Need to Know About… Dowsing webpage

The Skeptic’s Dictionary take on dowsing

Chris Bohjalian’s website

Evergreen Yule Candles
from Kaboose

What You Need:

• Paraffin
• Empty, clean, dry can
• Pan
• Water
• Use of a stove
• Paint brush
• Candle (a large candle is easier to use)
• Small Sprig of evergreen
• Holiday ribbon

Melt some paraffin inside a can placed in a pan of hot water (on the stove). Flatten the small evergreen sprig and put some hot paraffin on the candle where you want the sprig to go. Place the sprig decoratively on the hot paraffin – it should stick to the candle. Then paint more melted paraffin over the sprig of evergreen. Let set. You may need multiple coats. Tie festive ribbon around base of candle. This will make a nice centerpiece or to give as a gift.
Adult supervision is recommended.
This project is rated EASY to do

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

Bleedin’ good game with huge amounts of gore. L4D2 is packed with a great campaign that you can play with up to 4 of your friends online. Took me about three days to complete on normal with me and my friend, and two bots. After we completed it, we went back and had fun doing some steam achievements. This game can never get boring with the multiplayer Versus and the new Scavenge gamemode. Both gamemodes also include lots of steam achievements that are challenging and fun, and usually contain good tactics too.
Had great fun getting the extra achievements and playing the minigames in the Dark Carnival.

Here’s some images I got from the dark carnival campaign, the last picture is just for the lol’s.

Special thanks to my mate Mistic for playing through the entire campaign with me.

ჩემი საყვარელი მუთილიიი =))))  მოკლედ ეს მულთფილმი… =))) ხო ისა აქვე ერთ ლირიულ გადახვევას გავაკეთებ =))) ვერ ვიტან რომ ამბობებ: “მულწიკი, კუკლა, არდადაგები, მაცადინობა, შიკოლადი, პლეტკა, ვლევდი, პროსტო და ასე შემდეგ” =))))))

ხო მოკლედ ეს მუთილი =)) არის 5 მეგობარ გოგოზე =))) :

ვილი – მეხუთე ელემენტი, მის ემორჩილება ელექტრობა და ყველაზე ძლიერი კვინტესენცია! ის ფლობს კანდრაგარის გულს.

კორნელია- ის განაგებს მიწას, მცენარეებს.. მას შეუძლია ადგილიდან დაძრას მთები და აიძულოს მცენარეები გაიზარდონ ))

ჰაი ლინ- ჰაერის და ქარის ელემენტი =)) მას შეუძლია გამოიწვიოს ტორნადო.

ირმა- ის არის წყლის ელემენტი. ის განაგებს წყალს ასევე აქვს უნდარი იმანიპულიროს ადამიანებზე და ქვეცნობიერად აიძულოს ის რაც მას უნდა. დაავიწყოს რამე და ასე შემდეგ.

ტარანი- ცეცხლის ელემენტი მას აქვს ტელეპატიის უნდარი.

ესენი არიან ძირითადი პერსონაჟები. ასევე კიდე არიან ელიონი, კორნელიას მეგობარი გოგო რომელიც მერიდიანის პრინცესა აღმოჩნდება, მას მოუწევს ბრძოლა თავის ბოროტ ძმასთან პრინც ფობოსთან და მის ბოროტ თანაშემწეებთან ლორდ სედრიკთან რომელიც გადაიქცევა ხოლმე უზარმაზარ გველად და სხვებთან რომლის ყველა სახელი არ მახსოვს =))) ნუ მთავარი მაინც სედრიკია =))). ელიონი მერიდიანის მცველებთან ანუ ვილთან ტარანისთან ირმასთან ჰაილინთან და კორნელიასთან ერთად დაამარცხებს თავის ძმას, მაგრამ თავგადასავლები ამით არ მთავრდება. მოკლედ ძალიან საინტერესო სერიალია ))) არ მბეზრდება მისი ყურება ერთი ათზერ მაქვს თითოეული სერია ნანახი =))))  კიდე არიან ბლანკი – მერიდიანაში მცხოვრები არსება რომელსაც საშინელი სუნი აქვს და ძალიან კეთილია )) მას შეუძლია გახსნას პორტალები სამყაროებს შორის მიწასა და მერიდიანს შორის ან კანდრაკარს შორის )) კალიბი 15 წლის მერიდიანისთვის თავდადებული ბიჭი რომელიც არის კორნელიას ბოიფრენდი =)))))) მეთი-ვილის შეყვარებული. და ასე შემდეგ რა =))))

კიდე დაწვრილებითი ინფორმაცია შეგიზლიათ ნახოთ ამ ბმულზე =))) ან უყუროთ ჯეტიქს =)))))

It’s been a while. Thanks to a nudge from Watching The Wheels I am back to blogging.

Sometimes there are moments when words are just an annoyance, like a bee buzzing too close to your ear and spoiling what would otherwise be a relaxing time in the countryside. I have been extremely wordy in the past, but these days are characterised by images, colours, fabrics, textures and silence. Not that I sit in solitude like a Trappist monk! I am just downloading another two series of The Good Life in audiobook form. It is the ultimate in comfort-listening for me while I’m embroidering or doing some other kind of craft work.

I have met magickians of the “highest order” who have deplored popular culture and proudly declaimed that they would rather read Aleister Crowley or Kenneth Grant than sully their polished minds with TV. Whenever I heard such comments, I always mumbled a non-committal, slightly self-conscious, “Mmhuh.” One wonders if said magickians would feel the same way if they actually had a “proper” job and worked for a living. I spend nearly every day at work translating technical texts from German to English for the manufacturing and construction industry; it is boring, academic and a real brain-strain. I enjoy a challenging read with the best of them (I am currently enjoying Solitude by Anthony Storr and Osho’s books on creativity and emotions) BUT my mind is merely that of a very little bear, so I LIKE to sit in front of mindless TV and allow my brain to chunter through its backlog while my conscious mind drifts and guffaws and lambasts personalities and characters in the TV world. “Uncle Al” as Thelemites so irritatingly call Aleister Crowley, is a good read, but doesn’t always hit the spot. Does this make me less serious about my path as a pagan and a witch? No.

Over the last year I mixed with pagans who deplored the idea of balance. They wanted chaos and everything of the Dark. They saw this dark, swirling energy as the primal power, a concentrated form of energy that they believed they could harness … a quick trip through Bagdad with an “I love George Bush” T-shirt on to buy olives at the delicatessen of enlightenment, as opposed to settling for the decent and safe-to-buy olives from Marks & Spencer… did anyone follow that analogy?! What I’m saying is: just because you throw yourself into things that other people fear, it doesn’t make you better or more enlightened. Sometimes the safe option is good. Sometimes listening to The Good Life provides greater balm for the soul than reading “Uncle Al”.

Pagan fundamentalism is just as unappetising and ignorant as any kind of fundamentalism. It is an attempt to make a safer world by dividing it clearly, cleanly and falsely into black and white, good and bad, dark and light, power and weakness, serious practitioners and dabblers. It is a sign of greater courage to accept the greys and beiges, to accept the slippers, hot milk and Jeremy Kyle/Ricki Lake days alongside the study of correspondences and LBRP practice. Thank the Goddesses and Gods that I no longer feel pressured to be part of the “Over-Achievers’ School for Witches”! I am what I am what I am. And that’s good. C’est si bon!

©Tattooed Witch 2009

Witch & Wizard  by James Patterson

About This Book:

Caption From The Cover Sleeve:
Your books, music and art – banned by the New Order.

You are holding an urgent and vital narrative that reveals the forbidden truth about these perilous times.

This is the astonishing testimonial of Whit and Wisty Allgood, brother and sister who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and wizard.

They are not alone in their terrifying predicament. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared – for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic … and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

Most copies of this story have already been seized, shredded, or burned. Read this rare surviving edition and pass it along with care – before it’s too late.

Cherry’s Rating: 1 out of 5 cherries

Genre: YA fantasy

Verdict: Insubstantial + cliffhanger ending.

My Take On This Book:

“Make another of yer fast moves chick, and I will slit the veins of yer arms and use yer blood to warm my rum.”

“As I said afore, you speaks like a witch with twisted words and makes as much sense. Don’t ye know I’ll be gallows meat if I walk boldface into the governor’s house? They’d know me in the blink of a catfish’s eye. I’ll be dancing the hempen jig afore you can say Imp o’ Satan.”

“God rot my bones, what happened? . . . Me head feels like the thunder of forty guns.”

“What good will it do Anne or yerself to have that wood-headed prick of a barnacle land me in the gallows?”

Dear witchfriends,

the party on friday was great. So many people in creative costumes celebrated till late with us. Unfortunatly we didn’t take any pictures. But we finally got the first pics from some guests and are waiting for more. Thanks a lot to them.

More to come!

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Welcome to my personal blog. The day to day ramblings of one witch in the world, celebrating life and the wheel of the year.

So witches, it is that void of time and space between Samhain and Yule. This time of year always means deep reflection for me. I like to use this time to feel my way through the dark, so to speak. It’s a time for sorting through all of the joys and sorrows of the past year. Getting rid of that which we don’t need to make way for the new.

This past year was a big one for me. I turned 30, and got married. Alot of spiritual growth happened as well. Many lessons were learned, and there was alot of love and laughter. I’m eternally thankful for my life. I have a partner that means the world to me, a fair job, a place to live, a new truck, great pets, and food in my belly.

I’ve so far decided that this new year will be one of writing for me. I want to write a book. It has been a dream of mine as long as I can remember,  I wrote and pasted together my first book at 4 years old. My mom still has it packed away somewhere. I feel that this year I should turn that dream into a reality.

I’ve also decided that this year, I will work to improve my health. I called a local women’s gym this morning for pricing information, and I’m hoping to start that soon. As women, we tend to neglect our needs to serve others, feeling guilty about taking care of ourselves and our bodies. I am throwing that concept away, it does not serve me.

Also this year, I am planning to work toward buying a home with my love. Prosperity Magick will of course be involved!

This blog will not only be a way to mark my progress, but lots of fun along the way. Spells, and Sabbat celebrations, will be posted here, too. Every step of the way I plan to share my experiences with losing weight, writing a book, buying a home, and just living the witchy life!

Bright Blessings,

Jes

Yule Ritual for Children
by Michelle Balsley; November 17, 2000

Start this Seasonal Celebration early in the day, Make Sun symbol ornaments and White Stag Ornaments to hang on the Yule tree, You can always put some type of sealant on the ornaments and hang them outside on a special tree, if this is what you prefer.

Write your own songs to sing to the Lord on his day of rebirth. Decorate the house in Golds, Greens (Ivy, Pine), Whites, some Reds, cut out big Suns and Stars hang them around the house or make a mobile to hang from the ceiling.

Go walking through the woods, park and be on the look out for a Yule Log. And once you locate your Yule log, drill three holes in it, one for a White candle, Red candle, and a Black Candle (Maiden, Mother and Crone) place these in the holes that you drilled in the Yule Log and light the candles.

Decorate your Table/Altar in Golds and Whites.

Have the children and yourself, take a Ritual Bath, burn some Pine Incense or whatever appeals to your emotions and reminds you of Yule. Help each other get dressed for the Celebration of welcoming the rebirth of the Lord, and this is also the time to Thank the Lady. Everyone should have some part in helping to set up the Ritual Area, I use a Gold cord to mark the Circle, this helps the kids, as a Yule Ritual can be pretty long. (let the kids lay down in the Circle, the Lady understands-make special pillows, stuffed with Pine, Orange Peel, of course I wouldn’t suggest using Pine needles, nothing like having one stick you in the cheek, just use some Oil, these pillows are for the kids to put their heads on while they wait for the return of the Sun)

Once it gets closer to the Yule Ritual, have the Children welcome in the guests if any are coming.

The Ritual:

Lay the Gold cord on the floor
Cast your Circle
Call the Quarters
Welcome the Lady and the Lord

Mommy/Daddy:

"Welcome to our Yule Ritual, this is the time we look forward to our Sun/Lord/God to return, We have missed him high in the sky, smiling upon us as we start another day, his hugs are the rays that shin upon us as we work or play outside, his kisses are a warm breeze that gently caresses our cheeks, he is the green of the woods, the bright gold of the sun, he is the White Stag in the Woods, Protector and Watcher".

Children/All:

"Father/God/Lord we await your return". (Say as much as you want to, this is also a good short, sweet chant to use to raise any energy you may want during the ritual)

Mommy/Daddy:

"We light the Candles on the Yule log in honor the Goddess/Mother/Lady, White for the Maiden, Red for the Mother, and Black for the Crone". (Light the candles and let them burn, to almost the Yule log, don’t want the log to catch fire)

Children/All:

"We thank you Goddess/Lady for all that you have given us".(Once again another short and sweet chant to raise energy) At this time Share of some Cakes, Wine/Ale/Fruit Juice should be done. (One of our favorites is light and fluffy Divinity Candy, or baked sugar cookies that look like the Sun)

Share stories about Yule’s past and talk about what you would like to do next Yule Talk about what the Goddess and God mean to you and of course let the Children tell their Stories and feelings too! Exchange small Yule Gifts.

Mommy/Daddy:

"We thank the Lady and Lord on this day for the gifts they have given us, and for each other. Bright Blessings upon us all".

At this point you can either stay in the Circle and keep on talking until the Sun comes up, or dissolve the Circle, of course always thanking the Quarters and the Lady for being there. Go for a walk outside and Welcome the New day as the Sun comes back.

I know that this Ritual is not as formal, as some would wish, but you have to remember you are involving young Children with short attention spans (some adults have those, too!) These types of Short, Sweet and to the Point Rituals prepare your children for the more Formal ones later in this Lifetime. Blessings for a Bright Yule! (Copyright Michelle Balsley About this author: Wiccan, Married, two children, work full time outside the home, I live in a small town, love to write, read, swim, and laugh. )

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

Winter Solstice Spell for Healing
From Wiccan Magick: A Seasonal Guide to Wiccan Religion and Ritual (link is dead )

Needed:

• Mistletoe
• Pine Branches
• gold candle
• Frankincense (or other appropriate incense)
• Small cauldron (or similar container)
• a ripe apple
• three bay leaves
• rock or sea salt
• spring water
• sprig of evergreen

Adorn the Altar with the Mistletoe and Pine Branches and place the candle in the center. Burn your incense choice. In cauldron, place apple, bay leaves and a pinch of the salt. Light the candle, visualizing the rebirth and return of the God banishing the cold of Winter. Recite this Solstice Chant:

"Geese and standing stones and mist,
Baying hounds and hooting owl,
Sparkling Stars, and snow is crisp,
Herne is here, bring forth the Bowl."

As this is said, sprinkle spring water into the cauldron using a sprig of evergreen, visualizing the strength and healing power of Herne’s rebirth. This power flows into the Apple, energizing it with all the power of the God. Lift the apple from the cauldron. If the spell of healing is for another, visualize this person receiving the healing power within the apple, picture them gaining strength, becoming well. Replace the Apple into the cauldron and finish with a chant of thanks:

"May the Goddess of Night,
Fair Lady of the Moon
And the God-
Great horned hunter of the sun,
May the power of the stones and the oceans,
The Winds and the Flame,
Bless me this night in my sacred work,
Which is right and just in your name.
Blessed Be."

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

While the seasons quickly pass us by and change into a new year, Fall has been enjoyable as always. 

We had some good fun this fall, even admist all the busy chaos of our lives.  We settled into our new place in the city just before Halloween and the boys enjoyed playing dress up for “Trick or Treat”.  It was cold and wet that night, so we didn’t spend a lot of time tricking and treating. We visited some great neighborhoods that my family and I have trick or treated for a few generations before calling it a night. I love taking my boys to enjoy some past times of my own.

The day after, we had a visit with one of our dear family doctors, and she shared with us the story of the ‘Halloween Witch’. We decided as a healthier alternative to candy that we would also call upon the ‘Halloween Witch’. Realizing we were a few days late, we told the boys she had gotten sick and was the reason for her tardiness. So that night we waited in our sleep for the “Halloween Witch” to take all the Halloween loot. In it’s place the morning after, she left some cars to fulfill the boys request. They were delighted!

Before Halloween I had purchased 3 large organic pumpkins at EarthFare at a great deal. They made great Fall props in the house, photo props, and facinated the kids. After Halloween it was time for us to prepare them as it was their intended purpose. 

Jax had a lot of fun helping. 

We made 7  pumpkin spelt pies (frozen ready to bake), 168 cookies worth of cookie dough (separated into freezing containers for easy to grab, thaw and bake),and 30 scones. Everything was 100% made from scratch Vegan and made to freeze except for most of the scones which were eaten in less than 3days

For Vegan Pumpkin Pie..

I use arrowroot powder mixed with milk or soy milk in the place of eggs to thicken the filling. Substitute sugar with maple syrup or agave nectar (which is what I used). The quantity of maple syrup used in this recipe is minimal. More can be added to your taste. Gluten free flour can be used if you like, but I prefer the taste of spelt as an alternative to wheat.

Filling

Crust

Saving the best for last, Zander also turned 1 this Fall.  Here is a few pictures of him through his first year. Isn’t he just a doll?

6 weeks…

6months..

1 year..