Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Midsummer Murmurs


 "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes." I always loved this Walt Whitman quote. I feel it is time for the feminine to come forth, out of the shadows, and make a stand for positive change. 


 Even the gentle pansies are whispering of great things to come...


 The "black hawk" is now flying for peace as

our freedoms are suffering

  in spite of the sacrifices.

 Mother Nature still conspires to inspire and cleanse.

 I have been to the mountaintop in quiet meditation

 and marveled at the growing truth on the web

 the skies have been foreboding, looking down in a furious disdain

 the Moon is distant, yet egging us on in our mystery trip.


 The cats are adamant... do not go defeated into the storm. Heads up and proud... that's the spirit!

 A flower reminds me, how small yet majestic I am.

A fairy tale... her white gossamer wings sailed into the spider web... she ensnared him and flew him to his senses! A midsummer's night dream. Happy Solstice! Oh btw...

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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Earth Day Reflections

 It's in the quiet contemplation alone... that we find meaning.

 Eye on the parsnip... who sends it's own wry sign.

 We're in a waning phase of being... thankfully.

 But even if we feel we are going to seed and past our prime... we are important.
 Little old ladies on the curbside pasture are excitedly conspiring to bring about profound change.

 We are seeking healthier eating choices and following though on our colorful hunches.

 Wild violet flames assist our growth at every roadside.

 Spring green... the color of change and renewal. Revel!

 We are Spirit, Earth, Fire, Air, Water... in equal measure.

 The night has its own manifestation of light... it's a continuum.

 We could feed the masses... if we believed we could.

 The Natural world encourages us in friendly, playful reminder.

 Old modes of the industrial revolution are dying....

but old modes of sustaining Earth are resurfacing with a gentle vengeance. Organic farming and gardening anyone?

Blessed be on this Wonderful Earth Day! Namaste.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Caching up at Ostara

 I know I missed my usual post on Feb. 2, Brigit's Feast but the clouds were parting for an important arrival.

 The sun gave up it's own shadow early in the afternoon...

 before the birth of my Grandson, born Feb. 2. We call him "groundhog" and I know he has the gift of prophecy.

 On day 2, he was already calling for peace in his serene way.

 Though it snowed a week later, we knew that it would be an early Spring... groundhog said so!

 The robins made an early appearance and I heard the first Meadowlark shortly thereafter.

 The sunrises were just stellar in color and intensity.

 A sign of the power of Womanhood whose time has come!

 On Ostara the squirrels were already celebrating, this little guy let me take a glamor shot... quite rare in these parts.

 I found this lovely daffodil in the middle of the forest, which called my attendance on this special occasion!

 This is a wildflower that I need to research... so plentiful in the woods.
 All is abloom at the edge of the river and temps here are in the high 70's... an early Spring as predicted.

 From the decay of old forest wood comes new life... always amazing to this old witch!

It was the most beautiful explosion of Spring blooms in recent memory... Happy Ostara, Happy Spring!

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Blessing of Winter Solstice


 There she is, our Mother Moon... full and beautiful before the Winter Solstice. She encourages me to walk my path and champion other women to share their wisdom. Our planet Gaia depends on us.


 I always spend time in the woods in early December, and on the water I spied a lovely sundog. A reflection of rainbow... reminding the world that all the colors of people are needed to share in the beauty.

 Two trees hold hands, or branches. It's time for the masculine and feminine to strike a truce and balance the yin and yang that has been out of sync for too long.


 Good food in the form of a hearty stew of earthy vegetables and a little meat graced my celebration table.


It might look like a Charlie Brown tree, but the sun shines brightly on the bare branches of this sapling. Very hopeful!


 The sky writes messages in clouds and the flight of birds. Winter is a time of introspection and hibernation... and yet it is peaceful, pleasant, and joyous for me!


And so I baked some happy, crazy, gingerbread people... and in that lighthearted endeavor I made my plans for the coming Winter months. Solstice is about hope... and the Sun shines to us that our journey should never be without it! In the days of darkness, we look to the Moon for the nurture of the Mother... she shines for us just as well and so should we! Brightest blessings!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Samhain Flexibility


 I have been a practicing Solitary Witch for over ten years now, and I get very excited to celebrate Samhain, the last of the harvest celebrations within the Turn of the Wheel. It is both a time for reflection and thankfulness for the rich heritage of my ancestry and also a day to plan ahead for the coming year... it's my true New Year celebration.


I often spend may hours alone in the woods, near a stream or river to commune with Nature and feel the lifting of the veil between the worlds of hidden mystery and our own day to day human experience.


It's a time when the trees seem to speak as they prepare for the winter's sleep... and I like to hug them and thank them for their lessons in quiet, humble beauty and flexibility in the winds.


 I sat with October's full moon to reflect on the positive changes I would choose for the coming year and unlike the usual litany of New Year resolutions which list out things not to do, Samhain affirmations seek to take actions that often explore new direction.
Two of things year's activities will be an increase in positive and peaceful political protest and also sharing my love of writing in addition to my love of photography.


 Surprisingly, there was a freak storm two days prior to the Samhain celebration, which was a rare phenomenon in NJ... a real trick or treat depending on how it was received. We had no damage or power outages and only a pretty dusting and so for me it was a treat!

 I had a hankering for a spicy apple pie and so I got busy in the kitchen and filled our apartment with that warm homey and fall aroma that an apple pie can induce.


 Here is a view of our daughter's home on Samhain eve where we celebrated Halloween with our children and grandchild ( as they don't share in my Wiccan activities).


 On Samhain night, the house was lit with candles, chamber music played, and my husband and I enjoyed a harvest meal of ham, scalloped potatoes and a roasted vegetable medley after toasting our ancestors ( for which I also set a table setting and goblet of wine). We remember our grandparents especially with loving warmth. Usually after dinner we would then perform a ceremony with my tools and readings... and magick, however this year my son called to say he was without power and asked to stay at our place that night. My son does not resonate at all with my beliefs and remembering the flexibility of my tree friends as the wind howled outside, I put away my cape, tools, and other related items and welcomed him heartily. The ceremony could wait.

I fed him a nice dinner and we shared a glass of wine and some apple pie together and I was surprised when he apologized for interfering with my celebration. It was the first time he acknowledged my "holiday."
As the night wore on we sat outside listening to the wind in the trees and I listened to his work stories and made up the futon for him to stay over. My jack-o-lantern continued his smile as the night wore on. It was a perfect celebration after all!

May you all have a Blessed New Year!