Home Again, Home Again

Well, another year is almost upon us! We arrived home a little later than expected but without incident; a grateful change from the last time we traveled, when flying was a bit of an adventure. It's good to be home, and I'm looking forward to a new year. I have some plans in my head that I hope will bloom as I step forward into the journey of 2011, though I hesitate to call them resolutions. For me, when combined with "new year's", that word just spells disaster.

I arrived home to a few new magickal books which I'd ordered prior to taking the LA trip and two furry children who were very happy to see us. Our friend did a great job in caring for them while we were away. In fact, he seemed like he wasn't quite ready to leave! I was grateful that he'd stayed here; it enabled us to go on vacation feeling secure that the animals would be well cared for and the house would be relatively safe from infiltrators.

That's all for now. Have a magickal and wonderful day!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hanging in LA

We've been in Louisiana since the 22nd, hanging out with family. Today we spent the day with my husband's nephew, eating lunch at a diner, enjoying some good conversation, and catching up on the local happenings. Later in the day we visited with Hub's parents at the nursing home. His Dad seems to be doing better; his speech is becoming more discernable and he is walking behind a wheelchair. He's always seemed like such a strong man to me, and I do believe he'll progress further.

Tonight we have a party to go to at my sis in law's house, which should be fun. Then, tomorrow, we're on the road to N.O. again!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blessed Winter Solstice / Yule

Well, it's that time of year again, and I hope everyone is having a beautiful holiday season whatever tradition you are celebrating. The malls are once again packed to the gills, frenzied parents are running about for those last minute "perfect" gifts, and most of us are trying to keep some sense of calm inside amongst the chaos. At times like this, it's important to remember what it is we are really celebrating. Most of the holidays of this season are celebrating the increase of light in our world, with the Winter Solstice and Yule celebrating the rebirth of the sun to our world. From now until summer returns, the days will gradually offer us more light and warmth, though here in Florida I've been ecstatic over experiencing temperatures low enough to give honor to our wonderful fireplace. By this August I was worn out by the Africa hot swelter, and winter has arrived in our home with much fanfare and appreciation.

Aside from a Yule party that I went to with my daughter (given by the wonderful women who run her children's spiritual group), this witch has not done too much in the way of Yule festivities. We have a gorgeous tree taking honor in a corner of our living room, lights decking the eves and fences, various ornaments and pine boughs sparkling about the inside of our home, and my altar has been decorated with sparkley red altar cloth and various items appropriate for the Winter Solstice/Yule, so the appearance related things have been done. Tomorrow we leave for New Orleans to visit my husband's family, so I've been busy doing laundry and trying to get ready to leave. I'd hoped to have a small Winter Solstice ritual here at home, but it was not to be, and I don't expect I'll be engaging any while we are away. I will, however, be saying a few prayers to the Goddess upon takeoff tomorrow evening. I hate hate hate flying, and the past two experiences flying into New Orleans were, shall we say, a bit rough. Still, I'll be happy to be visiting this magical city again, and visiting with family (to include one new baby) in Lafayette and the surrounding areas.

I hope everyone had a blessed Winter Solstice today, and that whatever holiday you celebrate, the season finds you well, prosperous in all the ways you want to be (harming none, of course), and content with whatever life is offering you today!

Dancing with Life

I've been exploring lots lately, delving into my Jewish roots, reading all I can about the more mystical aspects of Judaism, as well as the reasons behind many of the traditions and how they can connect one to the Higher Power. I've been enjoying this, because I don't want to lose my connection to this beautiful religion, don't want to neglect the gift of passing this knowledge to my daughter. At the same time, neglecting the Goddessy, more Pagan aspect of my life was throwing me into a depression of sorts. My altar was well past being adorned with the accutrements of the appropriate season, with nary a candle burned down. I haven't been to the local UU Church at least three months, and I miss the women I've met there at study groups. In short, neglecting the Goddess in consort with the God has wreaked more havoc in my life than I'd previously imagined possible. It was only after I'd made the decision to deck my altar with a holly bough, red and green candles, a Yule angel and snowman, and a sparkly red altar cloth that I realized the cause of my depression. It occurs to me that maybe that is part of the problem with society as well. Isn't the Goddess aspect of diety largely missing from Judao-Christian religion? Sure, Judaism has the feminine aspect of God in the form of the Shekinah, and Catholicism gives props to the Blessed Virgin. This is different from speaking to and identifying with diety in a balanced, male/female way, though. For most people, God is still male, and rarely is it that people notice the spirits which exist in the natural world, such as the spirits of the great woodlands that I so love. I know that for me, as I lay my head on my pillow tonight, my heart and spirit will rest with the Great Spirit in a more balanced way. I have greatly missed the magickal world. I'm glad to be back.