Testing this feature - seems simple enough!
Should be easy to post updates while on vacation!
Wonder how pictures post?

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Today is New Moon and for me that means a new beginning - for something! I've decided that today is the day I will start to write in my Book of Shadows and make it a part of my family.
I cleansed my BOS last Full moon and it's ben sitting on my altar. New Moon is the perfect time to dedicate the book to myself and my family.

Speaking of it being New Moon - a while back I was asked what I do when, in regards to spells and such and the phases of the Moon.

I have no idea what is right or wrong, I only know what I do and that it works for me. (It also worked for the Coven - as this is what we did as well)

New Moon: Meditations, cleanings, if a spell required a 'start' time we began the spell at New Moon - this didn't happen often but when it did we'd start the spell on New Mon and end it - or give it until Full Moon to come to fruition.

Full Moon: Most spell work as the energy from the Full Moon really helps me with the spell, meditations, divination.

Dark of the Moon: Meditation and self reflection, divination.

I hope this helps you all - what do you normally do and when?

Winterlude (Ottawa, Canada)

Oniata

Themes: Recreation; Good Sportsmanship

Symbols: Early-blooming flowers; Snow

About Oniata: Oniata, an Iroquois goddess, embodies what it means to be a good sport. According to legend she came to live with the Iroquois, who found her beauty distracting, so much so that men left their families just to catch a glimpse of her radiance. When Oniata found out about this, rather than getting angry with the men, she left the earth. The only trace of her beauty she left behind was the sprouting of spring flowers peeking out from melting snow.

To Do Today: Plant some early blooming seeds today so that when they blossom, Oniata’s good humor and temperament can also bloom in your life.

In Canada, people take this opportunity to enjoy the last remnants of winter by participating in various sporting activities (especially skating) and by making snow sculptures. Try the latter activity yourself, perhaps create a flower out of packed snow to honor and welcome Oniata. If you live in a warm climate, you can blend up some ice cubes to a snowy consistency for sculpting, and make it into a snow cone afterward to internalize the energy! Or, consider going to an ice rink for a little rest and relaxation. Return outside and appreciate any flowers nearby. Oniata lives in their fragrance and loveliness.

Merry Meet everyone,

Thank you all for being so supportive and sending love and light my way and to my mother in law. it's been a tiring 2 months - the unknown can certainly drain even the strongest person.

I needed a few days to recoup and get my mind back on track! Now I'm ready to continue the Disney vacation planning, be more active in my work from home forum (hey, come join us!), be more productive when it comes to my job and get back to posting all the witchy things I love to post here.

I just got off the phone with my MIL and she has spoken to her doctor. Her doctor told her there is something there but it doesn't appear to be cancer. In a word, they don't know what it is. So, this is good/bad? I'm not sure yet.

Her doctor said she recommends a follow up mammogram in 6 months to see if this spot (not lump) changes in any way. She also advised her to stay away from any Estrogen. (Estrogen can cause cancer - I'm no doctor but this is what I have read regarding Estrogen and it's correlation to breast cancer)

Her doctor also told her that if she really wants to, she can get an appointment with a breast surgeon but my MIL said no way is she doing that because she figures they'd do all kinds of tests and a biopsy and she is a firm believer that agitating something could cause it to spread.

So at this point I guess we wait, yet again. She's certainly not out of the woods yet, so to speak but it is a relief to know it's not presenting as if it's cancer.

Thank you everyone who sent well wishes, healing energy, love and light. I truly believe that helps. Even though it is my MIL and not me, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Now I can get back to planning our Disney vacation - one she will surely NEED now!

Blessed Be all~

My MIL's MRI was done this past Thursday. The hospital staff told her that her doctor could call Friday for the results instead of waiting for them to be mailed to the office. So, Friday she called her doc to ask to call for the results and got the answering service. Either the office was closed or the doctor's surgery day is Friday - either way they would not page the doc because calling for test results is not an emergency.

The weekend was a bust so today she called her doctor and got the answering service - who said the office would be open today. She decided to just go to the office only to find out the office is closed today! She called to speak with the answering service to ask what the hell was going on and they told her, "I guess we were wrong about the office being open today." WTF?! She said she is definitely going to speak to her doctor about the answering service and how she's been treated.

So, she waits until tomorrow. This poor woman. She has waited over a month just to know if she has cancer or not. And me...well, I am on edge - I can't concentrate on anything. At this point, we all just need to know...

My mother in law finally had her MRI yesterday. For those of you in the dark, she had a mammogram in January that showed a rather large lesion on one breast. Since she had been on hormone therapy for the past 2 years (yes, Estrogen, which can cause cancer - UGH) she had to stop taking the Estrogen and wait 30 days before being able to have the MRI. She was supposed to have it earlier this week but, get this...the machine broke down about 20 minutes before her appointment! What the hell?!

So, she had the MRI yesterday and they told her it could take up to 5 days to get results because they mail them to her doctor. They also told her if she called her doctor and asked, her doctor could probably call for the results. She called her doctor this morning only to find out the office is closed until Monday because of the holiday. My guess is she won't know anything until Tuesday, at the very earliest.

*I* am anxious and it's not even my results I'm waiting for. This has been drawn out way too long. I can't believe all the set backs she's had either. What in the world?

Since she has been studying alternative medicine, she feels that it is in her best interest to seek alternative healthcare should she have cancer and wants to give the Hoxsey Clinic a try.
This clinic treats most types of malignancies, but it is said to be especially effective with skin cancer (including melanoma), breast cancer, and has been successful with some recurrent cancers and even with patients who've had radiation and/or chemotherapy. Often what people will do is combine Hoxsey treatment with other approaches, like laetrile.

It is not as expensive as many therapies - it costs only $3500 for the therapy no matter how long it takes, with 30% due at the first appointment. So, her plan is to take a plane to California, stay at a hotel near the border and then hop on over to Mexico for an appointment. It's just one appointment - they give you all you 'vitamins' and any medical instructions and send you back. You're in and out. Then you return in 3 months for a follow up.

Now, with all the shit going down in Mexico lately, I'm more than freaking out about this idea.

I have been researching this place and it is definitely seems legitimate. Anyone know anything about it?

The Full Moon this month is known as the Quickening Moon and also sometimes the Hunger Moon or Ice Moon.



Correspondences:

Colors: Purple and blue
Gemstones: Rose quartz, amethyst, jasper
Trees: Rowan, Myrtle
Gods: Brighid, Aphrodite, Juno, Mars
Herbs: Hyssop, sage, myrrh
Element: Fire










Source: About.com

My good friend Diane sells scarves, face cloths, potholders, etc... and they are all handmade by her.

She made a blanket for Dante back in December and he loves it. I recently ordered a scarf from her and I received it today! It's made from bamboo and it is sooo soft!

Her site is Made From Cotton and Wool and I highly recommend her products! She is truly talented! I am loving this scarf and I got a free gift along with the scarf!

Not only is she talented, she is a wonderful person!

Here are more photos, the last one of the scarf itself you can click to enlarge:











The photos really don't show how lovely this scarf really is - and soft! it is so soft!

Before You Begin: Be Careful This is a rather simple spell, but you are "playing with fire" before bedtime.

Sprinkle some Jasmine on your pillow, and make sure you have a dream-journal or the like at your bedside to record your dreams in, and brew a cup of mugwort tea.

(NOTE: mugwort is unhealthy in large doses, so go easy, and consult an Herbal Reference book if you're worried.)

Light blue candles on your altar.

If you want to gain insight into your passions or your loves, burn Damiana as well.

Watch the smoke as it coils, and allow it to carry you off into the trance-like state that you spend most of the day avoiding. Say whatever comes to mind, appealing to the goddess or god of your choice to guide your dreams.
Something along these lines:

Blessed be the Lord and Lady, For they created the world, The earth to hold,
The sun to warm, The moon to guide, The spirit to dream.

Take sips of the mugwort tea as you repeat the words, gaze into the smoke,
and when you feel yourself just about to "cross the line" blow out the candle(s) and say:
"So mote it be."

Make sure you have extinguished all burning things before you cross into slumber.

Go to sleep. Dream away. Just remember, you don't always get to hear what you'd like.

Herbs can be mixed and combined to produce a "recipe" that's just right for each of us. Since the Sun sign you were born under has such an amazing influence on your health and well-being, using the herbs that correspond with that sign alone can be a tremendous help in times of stress or illness.


Here's a short list of herbs that seem to be tailor-made for each of the
signs, due to their associations with both the planetary ruler and the positive qualities of that sign.


Aries - Mars
Allspice, basil, cayenne, garlic, ginger, mustard, onion, pepper.

It's no secret that Aries is the astrological equivalent of a bullet.

It's a red-hot burst of energy that's capable of overcoming any
obstacle by charging straight for it.
The ruler of Aries is Mars, the "red"
planet, the ancient god of war who was known for his equally fiery
temperament.
No wonder, then, the herbs that correspond with your sign
are also a bit "hot" to the taste.
Use them in cooking to raise your
endorphins, the substance Mars loves best.


Taurus - Venus
Apple, apricot, blackberry, cherry, heather, hibiscus, raspberry, rose.

Taurus is the sign that's fondest of the pleasures that life inside
these bodies can provide.
Whether it's a blazing sunset, a symphony by
Mozart, or a delicious meal, you folks are experts at enjoying the
physical delights of the senses.
It's no surprise that the herbs you'll
enjoy most are the sweet ones, since your planet, Venus, is the
purveyor of sweetness. Use each of them to satisfy that sweet tooth.


Gemini - Mercury
Clover, eyebright, fennel, lemongrass, lemon verbena, marjoram, parsley.

Your quick-witted, fleet-footed energy just loves variety - in fact, the
expression "variety is the spice of life" was written with you in mind.

Each of these herbs provide a different type of taste, and most can be
combined in a light, aromatic tea you can sip on the run.
Use clove or
slippery elm to protect against gossip and to keep your thoughts and
actions grounded.


Cancer - Moon
Aloe, lemon balm, chamomile, mimosa, lavender, lilac.

Nurturing is your business, Cancer, and you distribute your soothing
touch to one and all.
There's nothing you like better than a home that
smells good, too, whether it's because there's something wonderful
simmering on the stove, a vase of fresh flowers on the dining room
table, or a warm, fragrant bubble bath waiting for you upstairs.
Each
of the herbs listed above are known for their ability to calm, heal, or
bring a wonderful aroma to the environment.
Use aloe to soothe burns
and scrapes and chamomile for a wonderful bedtime tea.


Leo - Sun
Chicory, cinnamon, goldenseal, rosemary, St. John's Wort, sandalwood.

Your planet is the Sun, Leo, the source of life and warmth that keeps
us all alive and provides us with the energy we need to keep pursuing our
life's quest.
It makes perfect sense, then, that the bright, cheerful
sunflower would be the perfect representation of your equally bright
and happy sign. Herbs like goldenseal and St.
John's Wort are tailor-made
for you, too, since their ability to keep the body resistant to illness
and depression are well known.
Mix a bit of chicory with your morning
coffee to help remove any obstacles that come up.


Virgo - Mercury
Caraway, dill, eyebright, horehound, lily of the valley, marjoram, savory.

Your quick-thinking meticulous sign likes nothing better than a mental
challenge, Virgo, whether it's organizing a pile of papers at the
office, solving a puzzle, or learning a new skill.
The herbs listed
above are all well known for their subtle abilities to strengthen the
mind, and many can be mixed together in teas to give you a boost you
often need at the end of a long day.
The lily of the valley seems
perfect for you, too, with its subtle, "clean" scent and delicate flowers.


Libra - Venus
Catnip, passion flower, persimmon, rose, sugar cane, violet.

There's no sign as fond of pleasing others as yours, Libra, whether it's
by saying just the right thing to bring warring factions together, or by
using your polite charm to draw the object of your desires closer.
Of
course, catnip is famous for its effects on our feline friends, but its
also traditionally used in conjunction with rose petals to bring loving
relationships that last forever.
Since you're ruled by Venus, you're
capable of being every bit as sweet as the sugar cane - but if you need
a bit of help to attract a beloved, use this potent plant (sugar cane)
that's long been used to conjure love - sweetly.


Scorpio - Pluto/Mars
Ginseng, dill, patchouli, pomegranate, saffron, vanilla.

As fond as you are of intensity and intimacy, Scorpio, it's no wonder
the herbs you'll love best are famous for their use in stirring up
passion.
Drink ginseng tea (or offer some to your beloved) to induce a
magnetic physical attraction.
Wear patchouli to arouse lust and silently
conjure the magic of the Beltane rituals.
Present the object of your
desire with a pomegranate, the fruit traditionally associated with
seductive Pluto, your ruling planet.


Sagittarius - Jupiter
Anise, clove, fig, hyssop, mugwort, myrtle, nutmeg, rosemary, sage.

There's no sign that hangs on to youth with more fervency and
determination than yours Sagittarius.
To keep that youthful appearance
and disposition going as you travel the world in search of yet another
experience, drink a tea made of anise, rosemary, and Vervain.
To aid in
making your dreams more prophetic than they already are, use mugwort.

Burn clove incense to attract the wealth you'll need to pay for your travels.


Capricorn - Saturn
Comfrey, horsetail, mint, poppy, sassafras, woodruff.

You've always been described as a very "focused" sign, Capricorn, intent
on self-sufficiency and material success.
The influence of your planet,
Saturn, gives you the ambition and self-discipline to attain those
goals, and to ensure success and prosperity in business matters, too.

Each of the herbs mentioned above are known for their ability to attract
that success, and most can be mixed together in a tea.


Aquarius - Uranus/Saturn
Anise, bittersweet, citron, dandelion, lemon verbena, rosemary, sage.

Your sign is a cerebral one, Aquarius, and your ability to turn "odd" or
eccentric ideas into strokes of genius is well known.
Since
communication (and mass communication in particular) is your specialty,
the herbs above are all associated with the air principle, which rules
the intellectual side of life.
To increase your already powerful
intuition, use citron, clover, or rosemary.
Above all else, listen to
that intuition. It will seldom prove to be wrong.


Pisces - Neptune/Jupiter
Aloe, bay, cotton, eucalyptus, lavender, Norfolk Island pine, rue.

As the most sensitive and psychic of all signs, Pisces, yours is the one
that requires help to ward off the adverse thoughts and intentions of
others.
Since you have no boundaries to keep you separate from others,
you also need protection against negative influences.
To that end, use
rue, a powerful herb known to ward off ills of every kind.
To stay
positive and healthy keep a lavender plant growing either outside or
inside your home.

Pagan Magic - Wicca & Witchcraft Shop

I finally got some photos of my Altar for Imbolc, which by the way, Blessed Imbolc everyone!

I don't usually change my Altar up too much. The items that represent the Elements stay the same. I do have 5 white candles in the center of the Altar, to represent the Sabbat and signify the light of the Sun.

I also put my BOS on the Altar! It had to be propped up, it's so heavy it doesn't stand on it's own. I have it in the South, guarded by my Dragon and Crystal. Fire is also a great Element for cleansing ;)

Thanks to Hibiscus Moon for having this quiz in her blog - I had fun taking it!

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.