Step 1

Step 1 on my journey to reconnect with the current of my life was to order a massage table today. I am a level 3 (Advanced, not Master/Teacher) Reiki practitioner and I love giving Reiki to friends and family. Several friends have suggested that I start my own business and have offered to pass around my business cards when I get some made up (Step 2.) I did not have a proper table, but through one of the suppliers for the store I bookeep for, I found the perfect table and it's on it's way to me now!

I'm very excited to see where this path may lead. I love Reiki, and am planning to take the final level this Fall/Winter. I also find that it's a wonderful tool for consecrating objects and charms for magical use, or just to send energy to people. It's wonderful energy work and I highly recommend it, even if you are just using it for your own personal practice. Here is some info.

Blessings to all of you, on your own journeys of discovery!

Farmers Market Saturdays

This one comes from Halifax - a beautiful city - and one of the longest running farmers markets in North America. This is a neat indoor/outdoor market.

How Does Your River Flow?

"We call upon the waters that rim the earth, horizon to horizon,that flow in our rivers and streams, that fall upon our gardens and fields, and we ask that they teach us, and show us the way."

American Indian, Chinook Blessing Litany, Earth Prayers from Around the World, 1991

I was listening to a podcast by Thorn Coyle today - she has a show called "Elemental Castings" that I find wonderfully informative. She usually does interviews and each show is conducted according to one of the five elements.

The latest podcast was under the element Water, and was simply Thorn doing a reading from her newest book "Kissing the Limitless" and answering some questions as well as revealing that her path is changing. Although she has been part of the Feri Tradition for years, she has decided to no longer teach the tradition as her journey is now encompassing many other paths.

One of the things she mentions in this podcast is how the current of your life is contained by river banks and sometimes you may need a wider boundary and so your river may overflow the banks. I find it interesting that this came up today because many of the blogs I've been reading feature stories of people who's "life current" is moving in different directions or overflowing their banks.

I've been feeling quite a bit of restlessness myself - a feeling that I need to perhaps change my course or stretch my wings (or overflow my banks.) I have some ideas on how to input some of this change, but I get nervous because I worry about what my family and friends will think. (I don't pay too much attention to the disapproval of strangers - so that's something, I guess!)

Thorn says in her podcast that when she made her change, there were some people who were disappointed, but she was mostly met with support, love and respect. She says once we dare to go for what our soul longs for, the Universe will support us.

I find this incredibly encouraging. I know that change often rocks the boat - but I think if it's change that flows with the true current of your life, things can't help but balance out. There may be some shedding of the old, in terms of relationships, but in the long run I think the payoff is worth it to live a life that's more genuine to who you really are.

I'm looking forward to seeing how my fellow bloggers find their true current, and I'll let you know how things go as I make some changes of my own!

Photo is by Rue - The river where I walk.

Pre-Halloween Shout Out!

Just a note of thanks to the many bloggers who are feeding my Halloween frenzy with keeping me up to date on their goings on, and plans for the season.

Over at Orange and Black, there are some wild things to do with rice crispies and The Halloween Tree has spotted Martha's Halloween issue (which I can't wait to bring home!)

Mrs B. is working on a suspiciously bloody bottle, and Jaz at Octoberfarm has an owl infestation going on!

To read up on some wicked and wise herbs, check out A Herbal Journey.

And for perfectly witchy and wonderful art that gets me in the spirit, check out Witch Hollow Primitives, Midnight Farm, and Pumpkin Hollow.

Thanks all you blog-kin that make me feel like October is just a click away - even when it's still a hot summer day outside my door!

What Is In Your Arsenal?

I've been struggling a bit with my health lately - nothing serious - just a touch of some bug or another. Feeling achy, run-down and generally blah.

What I find interesting, is that when I take an active role in chosing things to improve my health, with positive intent, I heal faster than if I just dose myself with some over-the-counter cure all.

These are a few things in my Health Arsenal:

*Manuka Honey - bee hives are placed in Tea Tree orchards where the bees collect pollen that is high in antibacterial properties. Combined with the natural healing power of honey, this is a super way to attack any bug that is invading your system! I'm told it's great for wounds as well, but I've never used it this way. I take one teaspoon a day and it usually fends off whatever cold is going around. This honey is also available in lozenge form, mixed with ginger and echinacea. (A side note: I like to make sure I'm taking Acidophilus to put the 'good' bacteria back into my system, when I'm taking this highly anti-bacterial honey!)

*St. John's Wort - a proven stress-buster and very helpful for someone like me who suffers from occasional bouts of insomnia. If you have access to the plant itself, you can make a tincture that helps fight viruses.

*Crystals - I use crystals for many different reasons. I carry a Hematite with me when I need to feel more grounded. For emotional upheaval, I have Lapis (usually stuffed into my bra, near my heart.) And for general feelings of icky-ness (my 'state' of late) I carry Amethyst for it's strong healing, cleansing, and protective energies.

*Peppermint Tea - cures a host of ills, but I mostly use it for an upset tummy.

I find that my Arsenal changes a bit, from season to season - I add some stronger immune-boosters in the winter, and try to lighten up in the summer, adding plenty of fresh air. Two other things that are essential for me are exercise (which I don't often get enough of) and laughter (see previous post.) If I can get in some yoga or a walk, and catch up with the girlfriends for a good laugh, or find a good movie, or great music to groove to - my health blossoms! Coincidence? Nope - just good sense!

I'd love to know what everyone keeps in their Arsenal!

Blessings of good health to all!

Get Well Remedies...

Feeling a little under the weather of late...these are what have been putting the smile back on my face:


My Favourite Disney movie - No...it's NOT Snow White!





This movie is great for cheering me up - I love it!




And these Canadian boys rock - just saw them in concert!

Farmers Market Saturdays

Daily Ritual

Now that the intense heat has made a reappearance, I find that my morning practice is falling by the wayside again. By the time I am up, kittens sufficiently cuddled and treats given, coffee started, garden watered, it is so hot that I don't feel like doing my usual meditations.

On a good day (one that doesn't start off at 85 degrees at 7am) I am able to get the above done in good time, and then devote anywhere from a half hour to an hour to greeting the elements and Deity, doing some yoga, and meditating.

Or, when it's not ridiculously hot, I go out for a walk by the river and that usually accomplishes most of my practice in one activity. Some oxygen going to my bloodstream, appreciation of the elements and some time to reflect.

It's amazing what I can squeeze into half an hour, but it leaves me feeling refreshed and renewed and ready to start my day. On days like today though - I am exhausted already. The heat and humidity are opressive. Even in an air conditioned home, I am dragging myself around just waiting for the coffee to kick in. And when I'm not feeling up to par, haven't had enough sleep, or during my moon time, I just can seem to get myself motivated enough to worry about my practice.

I know that for one, I am too hard on myself. Many people have difficulty doing daily ritual - life just gets in the way. I don't have kids to rush off to school, or a husband to kiss at the door (or wave at from the bed.) But because I'm always running, it seems like the morning is the best, and most quiet time to do my reconnecting. Plus, it's the one time of the day that doing physical activity doesn't result in me bursting into flame!

I'm wondering what you do as far as daily practice or ritual. Is it as simple as lighting a candle each day, or do you find time to do an established routine? Do you incorporate exercise, or get your exercise another way, and just take a moment to connect or meditate? I'd love to know how others are able to squeeze a little spirituality into their day!

The Land Where Grapes Grow Wild

"The sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the Universe to do." Galileo Galilei

This picture was taken by a river where I walk in the mornings. Grapes grow wild over a rundown fence that surrounds just under an acre of ignored land. An old house sits there too - needing to be pulled down. The land owners live somewhere else - in the big city, I think. There is a tiny modular house near the road access, and sometimes I think I see someone living there. But it is a mostly forgotten place. Fruit trees grow lanky and untamed. Lilacs bushes sprout everywhere, nearly choking out the grapes. The grass remains un-mowed.

But there is magic on that land. Something about it has always called to me. I walk by and I can see the gardens I have planted. The house I have built. The barn. The porch. I see the fruit trees pruned and healthy. I see the grape trained properly and growing with vitality, not struggling to find sunlight. I see the lilacs kept in check, and blooming beautifully. I see my neices running barefoot, large bonfires with friends, quiet rituals without the glare of neighbours security lights in my backyard.

I dream of finding the owners and buying the property. But land like that, even forgotten, is worth a mint. And unless a mint (or a cash truck, or the winning lotto numbers) falls from the sky, I will have to be content with my morning walks and my imagination.

And a few wild grapes, when they ripen...

Pumpkin Flowers

I was gazing at my Baby Boo pumpkin plants today, and noticed for the first time that the little flowers blossoming all over it, looked like stars. How I could have missed this all these years, I don't know, but it got me thinking about the pumpkin plant, and how magical it is.

The astrological correspondence of the pumpkin is the moon, and as such, it's elemental correspondence is water. The flowers appear celestial, with their star shapes, and I think they would be lovely to use in a ritual or as an altar decoration. The pumpkin is a symbol of the harvest, abundance and protection.

Here's a fun fact:

According to Wikipedia, the "fear of being turned into a pumpkin" is called: apocolocynposis.

Hmm...and I felt silly for being afraid of clowns?

Farmers Market Saturdays

Since Saturday is the day I attend my local Farmers Market, I thought I'd bring you a new Farmers Market each week until the end of the outdoor market season in October. The first market featured here is the San Rafel Famers Market in Marin County, California. Enjoy!

Ode To Rain

This was emailed to me by a friend a few weeks ago.

It seems fitting today.

Rain

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It's raining today. Finally. We've waited for what seems like an eternity. But it's finally broken through the teasing clouds, and quenched us. The grass has sprung back to a shade of green I haven't seen since May. The flowers are no longer dusty and sad-looking. The ducks are converging on my yard, thinking that there is a new lake in town.

Okay, so we are getting an exorbitant amount of rain. There is an extreme rainfall warning for a town about 40min away - but we are handling it okay. Except for the company who is pumping out it's underground parking lot...

It's been a busy day nonetheless. Went to the Chiropractor, who is just brilliant! Took the kittens to the vet for their one-year shots. I tried not to cry. (Face turning red in shame that I am such a sap.) We got home unscathed (although the vet almost lost his hand - Dexter was not amused with him for some reason) and I made some shortbread cookies and put on a pot of tea. It feels like Fall today. Slippers on, sweater draped over my shoulder...now where is that box of Autumn decorations... Tomato soup for lunch with crackers. Comfort food.

Flipping through the new "Country Gardens Magazine." I had to pick it up because it had pumpkins on the front - of course. It's so-so, but there is a Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe in there that may be worth the cover price, all on it's own. I'll try it, and if it's half as good as it looks, I'll post the recipe.

Must take some time to meditate later, as I hit the ground running this morning. Although I was entreating Bast and whomever else might want to lend a hand when I took my 'kids' into the vet - it's not quite the same as really making an effort to be silent and listen.

In closing, and in the spirit of this rainy day, I offer you this Irish Blessing:

"May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire."

The Psychic Housewives' Handbook

Back Cover:

You might be a Psychic Housewife if...

3. You say things to the kids like "Okay, everybody put up your
protective pink bubble" before you go out in public.

4. You overhear the kids telling their friends, "Yeah, it's sage. She
burns it all the time." You wonder if the neighbors have smelled it and think it's pot.

5. You don't actually need caller I.D. anymore.

7. The pets are freaked out by all the spiritual activity in the
house.

10. You're putting your kids to bed and your youngest looks toward
the empty corner and asks, "Hey, who's that guy?"


I laughed out loud in the bookstore while reading the back cover of this book, and figured that it was a good enough sign for me. I bought it!

I also picked up the 2010 Almanac, out already!

I really need to start a chapter of "Obsessive Book-Buyers Anonymous."

To Those Who Are More Tech-y Than I

~Magickal Graphics~


Just a shout-out to those who are techno-savy and who come up with these great graphics that we techno-challenged can use to bling up our blogs.

Sometimes I still can't figure out the darn html-stuff, so a graphic will have a dead link, or no link, or .... But I do want to give credit where credit is due!

Thanks to Witchys Wikked Graphix, and Magical Graphics for your fun selection of Pagan pics! Also thanks to "those-who-cannot-be-named" or more specifically, those who's pictures come up when I google "free graphics."

Any of the poor-quality photographs you find here, are mine. My digital camera is a dinosaur - one of the first ever made, I think - but I won't throw out something that works! All these inferior photos, that no one will ever want to steal, are still copyright Rue and Hyssop, 2009. Kidding.

PS - Blonde moment! I forgot to add Gemini Moon to the list of folks who rock the graphics - love your stuff too!!

An Award - Yay!

I've just received an award from The Vintage Sage! (Check her out - her blog is beautiful!)

The Domestic Witch Blog Award is given for achievement in magical housecrafting.

(Wait...If I can't get the 'buffalo wings' stain off my white shirt, and the deer to stop eating my gorgeous red geraniums, do I still get the award?)

If you've been bestowed The Domestic Witch Blog Award:

~ Pass the award on to 3 blogs about Domestic Witchery that you really enjoy.

~ Include the award in your blog post.

~ Link the recipients within your post.

~ Don't forget to mention the person who gave you the award.

~ Let your chosen winners know that they received The Domestic Witch Blog Award by commenting on their blog.

Okay - there are a ridiculous number of blogs I enjoy, 90% of them regarding Domestic Witchery of some sort, so narrowing it down to 3 really is impossible! So, I'm throwing the names in a hat! Here goes......

- Hibiscus Moon

- Lizzies Logic

- Pumpkins and Toadstools

Thanks again to the Domestic Witch for designing this award, and to The Vintage Sage for bestowing it up me!

You've Got To Love A Parade! Well...As Long As There Are No Clowns...

This past Saturday I dragged my Mom to the next town to watch the Peach Festival Parade. We sat along Main street with thousands of other crazies...I mean....revellers, and watched the hour-plus parade make it's way down to the lakeshore.

I'm not one for crowds, but I would easily become a hermit if not for making myself get out into the fray from time to time. So away we went. And it was FUN. The floats were cute and clever. The bagpipes were very bag-pipey. The marching band from Seattle (Seattle State, I think) was spectacular! All the usual suspects were there. Horses, kids, Shriners, and....Darth Vader? Ummm......

The only part where I had to cover my eyes and try not to moan, while rocking back and forth, was when the clowns came by. Goddess help me, I just can't do clowns. I'm not a wimp. I've jumped out of an airplane. But clowns....hell, no.

Clowns aside, it was a great time, and I'm glad I took part in at least one summer activity that didn't involve me hiding somewhere that had air-conditioning.

I Must Be A Fluffy Bunny....

I read something today that makes me sad. One of our blog-kin, fairly new to the Path, was out looking for information, and came across some You Tube videos. On her blog "Asomatous Transformation," she says:

It seems as they all agree that the books I am reading are all wrong, that Llewelyn published books are the fluffy bunny craft books that I was hoping to avoid.

I take it back. This does not make me sad. This makes me crazy.

First of all: Don't tell me what to read. Don't tell me that the books I read are crap, because they aren't as elitist or 'mental' or scientific as yours. I've read Science. I've read History. If I want to read Ellen Dugan, that's my perogative. It's not wrong. It's not fluffy. She's a Master Gardener, and I've received some spectacular tips from that woman. Plus, she's witty.

Which leads me to the second thing: Why is it that in order for a book to be considered a serious Craft book, it has to be somber. What's wrong with a bit of humour? Show me someone who's never dropped a chalice, or nearly toppled a candle, or flubbed the words to your "Super-Serious Spell" and I'll show you someone who doesn't spend much time in ritual.

I understand the concern that some Pagans have about newbies reading one book and pronouncing that they are now Wiccan. What I don't get, is why it's en vogue to say that the entire catalogue of a publishing company is "fluffy."

The truth is closer to this, I think: A few Pagans decided that Llewellyn wasn't cool. They told many, many other Pagans that Llewellyn wasn't cool. Now, if you dare to think that perhaps Llewellyn has some great authors under their masthead, you will not be cool. Not only that, but we will all stand around, point at you, and laugh. Hmm....sounds like elementary school to me.....

Please take a moment to read this letter by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke and do yourself a favour - create your own opinion. Don't just do what all the 'cool' kids do. Books are meant to be appreciated in as far as what you get out of them. What is drivel to one person, may be a work of art to another.

And to Jennifer who is searching, I say this: Read to your heart's content. Read everything. Read History. Read Science. Read Llewellyn. And put what you've learned into practice. Keep what works. Craft with respect. Toss the rest. Blessed Be.

Mission Accomplished....Mostly

$145.00 later....my neices have exactly HALF of the school supplies indicated on their "must have" list from their respective schools. What the #$@&*? Since when do kids need to supply "a box of kleenex," "3 glue sticks," and "20 blue or black pens?" My GOD, where do all the pens go? How could they possibly use 20? Do they EAT them? (I'm sure some kids eat the glue...I would imagine that's why they need 3 sticks. But these girls are in middle school - how much gluing does someone do at 13 years old?)

At any rate, we had a wonderful time, and the girls picked out some really cute things. Yes - cute things ARE more expensive. The doggy folder that Little Witch picked out was $3.00 compared to the $1.25 ones with the polka dots on them. I would complain - but I love the cute stuff too. The stuff my parents couldn't afford to buy me. So L.W. gets the doggy folder. And no, their parents don't spoil them like this. Just Auntie. Because I'm bitter about my own childhood. Giggle. Not really.

101 Ways to De-Stress - Tip # 23

Go to a corny, blow everything up, I-do-not-have-to-have-more-than-two-functioning-brain-cells-to-follow-this, movie full of eye candy like Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum (hey - Sienna Miller looked pretty amazing in that cat-suit of hers too!) Eat lots of buttery popcorn. Drink a "small" 30 oz Diet Coke. Laugh with your friends. Especially at the parts that were not supposed to be funny.

Bad day thwarted!

(GI Joe - now playing at a theatre near you...)

Rough Day At Work.....Enough Said.

In Memory - John Hughes

A very sad day today, for those of us who grew up in the 80's, and were avid movie watchers. John Hughes died today of a heart attack. Mr. Hughes was a Writer, Producer and Director. He was a particularly talented writer, penning many films, including:

Pretty In Pink

Sixteen Candles

The Breakfast Club

Mr. Mom

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Home Alone (all movies)

Beethoven (all movies)

His movies were responsible for introducing the world to the "Brat Pack" - a group of young actors who became famous in the 80's : Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy.

His talent will be missed.

Some of My Favourite Things: New York, Autumn, "You've Got Mail"

Back to School

Unlike many states in the US, the schools in British Columbia do not go back into session until September 7th. Still, it seems that the school supply displays come out earlier every year. For a Fall girl like me - this is nothing short of fantastic!

Being a Virgo, there is nothing I like more than September (except possibly October!) Everything about the ninth month screams Autumn is here! We often have Indian Summers in our area, but the days are still noticeably shorter, and the mornings and evenings cool off considerably.

Even though I don't have children of my own, I still get SO excited about school supplies! I love the feeling of clean, lined notebooks. I love the smell of new pencils, erasers, and tape. I love the cool colors and designs that come out each year (we did NOT have this kind of thing when I was a kid!) I actually have to fight with my brother to see who gets to take my neices "Back to School" shopping!

The first thing I do when the school supplies come out is buy myself the funkiest pens, pencils and other supplies I can find.

The second thing I do, is watch "You've Got Mail." Don't ask me why. Possibly because of the scene where Meg Ryan is so enamoured of her email 'friend' that she whistfully bustles into her bookshop (which I'd love to own) and starts smelling scotch tape. The Second possibility is when Tom Hanks writes that if he knew who she was, he would send her a bouquet of sharpened pencils. A bouquet which, I have actually received from another Virgo friend who also loves this movie!

Whatever the reason (or psychosis) behind it, I love Back To School sales! This weekend, you'll find me at Walmart and my local stationery store picking through the aisles of pretty boxes full of everything a girl could want for her desk! After which, I'll be on my couch watching "You've Got Mail" and perhaps....smelling the scotch tape!

The Halloween Tarot

This is my favourite deck. Aside from the obvious Halloween draw - the black cat guide who appears in each card, reminds me of my own yellow-eyed Dexter.

The suits are spook-ed up by substituting Pumpkins for Pentacles, Bats for Swords, Ghosts for Cups and Imps for Wands.

The Halloween Tarot is by Kipling West.

August Full Moon

The full moon is on Wednesday, August 5th.

Owing to the approximately 500 fires now burning in British Columbia, the moon in my sky looks more like a harvest moon - glowing a bright orange from all the smoke and haze.

The August full moon is often called the Sturgeon Moon. The Native American fishing tribes gave the August full moon it’s name, due to the fact that Sturgeon were more easily caught this time of year. The Sturgeon are large fish that used to be plentiful in the Great Lakes and other larger water bodies, until they were fished nearly to extinction for the collection of their roe (as caviar.)

This moon is also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon, likely as a note of the first harvest.

I'm getting my large serving tray out to hold all my crystals that I'll be charging under the moon.

What are your plans for the full moon?

Daisy Pauses In The Kitchen...

Ummm....okay...I'll have the salmon...no...the chicken, with a side of those little beefy treats I like. If I order the full Kitty-Meal-Deal, does that come with a toy mouse?

Farmers Market Finds

Oh, what a glorious thing - a trip to the Farmers Market!

I didn't fill my basket as full as I usually do - I decided to streamline my buying with tomorrow's "Girls Night" in mind.

My Ranch-friend is having the Girls up for appies and drinks (I can hear the blender now...ahhh...) so I bought garlic, a baguette and gorgeous tomatoes to make bruschetta for the gathering. (The sunflowers and apricots are a treat for me!) I'll add a pepper from my garden, and some basil from my herb pot, and a pinch of mozarella for the top. A quick broil, and voila! A light, flavourful snack.

The only downside, is that we can't have a bonfire as we usually do, because the area is so dry right now. But that's okay - we should be able to resume our bonfire nights next month if we get some rain.

There really is nothing better than sitting down at a farm table full of flickering candles, and appetizers, with a lime daquiri in hand, surrounded by my funny, wild, lovely friends!

Cheers!