Drumming Circle - September

Tonight Joyce was back from her holiday so her circle was back on again.

I really got tonight how there are fanatics in every religion. Tonight, some of the Sage got knocked and spilled on the floor and this woman started freaking out. Then when we were going around the circle and speaking from our hearts she used that time to essentially blame Louise who had accidentally knocked the Sage saying that in some cultures tonight would not have continued had that occured. I honestly cannot believe that God/dess/Spirit/Universe would stop helping us, or push misfortune on us for accidentally knocking over the incense. If I wanted that kind of blame or guilt associated with my worship I'd go back to Catholicism. Then after the circle the woman insisted that we drink some Sage tea or else 'bad things will happen to us.' Sorry, you may bring that sort of karma into your life but in my life I can't believe that they want harm just for an accident.

On a more positive note I have bought a drum, she sounds beautiful, I can see a wolf head and a horse head in her face and has this deep resounding beat. Joyce got me to play it, while another woman played a flute to consecrate it.

The drumming tonight was quite frenzied in parts, speeding up so much, and while I wondered at times if I should take a break I kept going. My muscles don't seem too sore now but we will see later.

Wishcasting Wednesday

From Jamie Ridler Studios

What do you wish for an abundance of?

I wish for an abundance of health. I am sick of feel tired and wheezy and unfit and fat and frumpy and just not well! I wish for health, I wish for the motivation to exercise and eat food that is nourishing my body, not food that is 'nourishing' my emotions (ok, maybe sometimes, but sometimes is not several times a day). I wish for my stomach to get better.

Wishcasting Wednesday

How do you wish to come out of your shell?

Found this practice at Jamie Ridler Studios called Wishcasting Wednesday. Each Wednesday she provides a prompt for something you wish for in life and this one was How do you wish to come out of your shell?

I wish to come out of my shell to bring more joy and laughter into my life. I wish to break out of the shell of depression and anxiety and start to see the joy in life, the happiness, the magic.

Witchcraft Paganism Questions

From Hearthwitch Cottage

Basics

How did you find Witchcraft/Paganism?

I was introduced to it by a friend from highschool. I will admit I was originally more interested in the spells than the spirituality side of it (what 15 year old wouldn’t be?) but as I read more about it the spiritual side began to emerge. This was 12 years ago now and while I have gone through periods of intense worship and then next to nothing, I still count myself to be a witch.

How long have you been practising?

12 years give or take. I believe my first ritual was Ostara 1998.

Solitary or group practitioner?

I have done both. When I was starting my friend and I would do Sabbat rituals together, but mostly any spell work etc by ourselves. We then formed a Circle with my then partner and another girl we met through a witchcraft workshop. This lasted for about a year before I moved overseas for 18 months. I took on the role of the group organiser most of the time, so when I was out of the country, it kind of fell apart.

What is your path?

I have gone through several paths throughout the last few years. I was strictly Wiccan for a while, then got called to worship Hecate, then evolved into Hellenistic worship (following all of the Ancient Greek deities) and am now still figuring out what to call my path. I am definitely more attuned with the Goddess side of paganism, though this probably means that at some point I do need to re-evaluate the God side too for balance.

Lately I am called to several paths. I feel a strong connection to Shamanism and I am involved in several women’s groups, one drumming circle and am constantly learning things from these wonderful women. One of the women’s groups is Goddess Spirituality oriented, the other is Koori Shamanism focused. The drumming circle is mixed gender.

Are you out of the broom closet?

To anyone that asks, yes. I don’t go around just telling people that I’m a Witch and I certainly don’t dress stereotypically. But I am honest if people want to know.

What are your favourite holidays?

I definitely feel more connection to Samhain and Yule, most likely cause my group of friends celebrate these each year.

What if your least favourite holiday?

Imbolc and Lammas are the two that I feel least connected with.

Have you ever held a ritual on a holiday?

Frequently. I often wrote them for the groups I was involved with.

Ever taken a day off work to celebrate a pagan holiday?

Not yet.

Do you celebrate Yule on the 21 rather than the 25?

Yes I do

Have you ever felt the Veil thin?

Yes, this last year’s Samhain ritual was the most powerful one I have done.

Ever danced the Maypole?

Yes, as part of a ‘Living Art’ exhibit organised by one of my firends

How do you usually celebrate the pagan holidays?

Depends, if a group feast is organised then we generally all bring something to share to eat and have a ritual. If nothing is organised within the group I generally take a few minutes to honour the season but lately do not perform a ritual by myself.

Divination

Do you use Tarot?

Yes, I have several decks, my first one being the Shapeshifter Tarot and my latest one being the Robin Wood Tarot Deck

Do you use runes?

I have a set of citrine runes but do not use them

Do you use astrology?

Yes, I have studied Astrology in a formal class setting for 3 years.

Any other form of divination?

I use various Oracle Cards and try to pay attention to dreams

Gods and Goddess

Who are your patron Gods?

I’m not sure I have any at the moment

Who are your patron Goddesses?

Hecate was for a long while, I’m not sure she still is or whether its morphed into the generic Goddess with the different faces as needed.

Which Gods/Goddess' do you worship?

I am more Greek Pantheon based, I feel more comfortable with them

Do you fear dark aspects of the Gods/Goddess, or rather, respect them?

I respect them for the most part. The dark aspects occasionally scare me, or make me angry, but I am learning to trust that they are all part of life.

Nature

Do you regularly commune with nature?

Not as regularly as I should

Ever walked barefoot in the woods?

Once or twice, but nor as often as I should

Describe the moment you felt closest to Mother Earth?

While camping I feel her strongly, looking up at the stars and breathing in the cool air.

What is/are your power animal(s)?

Horse, Dog, Hawk

Do you have a familiar?

I am owned by a couple of cats but I’m not sure either are my familiars.

Spells

What was the first spell you did?

I did a prosperity spell when I was younger and it worked very effectively.

What was the latest?

I can’t remember the last spell I did. I’m trying to reconcile spell casting with my current belief thinking. I have done protection visualisations for my house and shielded myself against unwanted energies.

Ever done a love spell?

No.

A job spell?

Yes, but it was generic, not a I want X job, it was a I want a job that will bring me x, y, z.

A healing spell?

Yes

Cryptozoology

Do you believe in Vampires?

Energy Vampires yes

Werewolves?

The myths probably stemmed from Shamans

Shape shifters?

In the shamanic sense, yes.

Elves? Faeries? Dragons? Nymphs? Sprites? Mermaids? Sirens? Satyrs?

Why not? They make the world more magical to think about

Ghosts/Spirits?

Yes

Ever "seen" any of the above?

Yes

Do you have one of them as a personal guardian?

Yes

Other Witchy Wonderings

Do you see a rabbit, a man or a woman in the moon?

A man

Do you own a cat?

I am owned by 2

When you meditate what does your sacred place look like?

A meadow with a Greek temple

Do you believe in soul mates?

Yes, though I believe you have a soul circle of friends, a group of people who you chose to meet this life who are here to help you learn one of your lessons for this life. I believe that you do know who these people are, they are the ones you meet and just instantly click with, likewise the ones you instantly dislike. Its the instant reactions that is your soul recognising them

Is it always love and light?

No, in fact frequently is awkward and bad timing and painful.

Turtle Woman (Tree Heart) Women's Circle - September

It had been a couple of months since I went to Turtle Woman's Womens Circle. I now know it is called the Tree Heart Circle, which I like.

Brought up a lot of things that I needed healing for, mostly around my guilt surrounding Kim's death, the whole idea that if what we think and speak manifests, then how did I not have some part in her death, considering I imagined what would happen if she died prior to the last round of diagnosis. I asked for healing and understanding from Spirit, and immediately afterwards Louise sat me down and we had a good chat. She's apparently taking me under her wing to try and help through these issues. Ask and ye shall receive.

The card I pulled was The Morning Star which immediately spoke of hope to me. However I then immediately quashed that and went on and on in my head about how I don't understand the card and couldn't possibly understand it etc. I sat in my own darkness and didn't want to come out. I acknowledged that in the circle. Louise also gave me her card, which was Lovers at the Feast which was all about hope as well as conscious eating which was very fitting.

The meditation saw me journey with Dog, who hasn't been the main guide before but was the only guide this time. I still struggle to see the faces of the Grandmother's Council and the ancestors, but I suspect thats my own ego jumping in there. I think I see people from my family but then immediately throw that idea out as it is just 'wishful thinking.' Though I guess who is to say who is right or not. Giama was the woman who gave me a gift this time, I actually kept trying to shift her image but she wouldn't stay different for long. She gave me an acorn but also a white rose. In the pool of tears I curled into a ball and mourned and cried and felt the hurt and the pain and the depth of what I was feeling. Leaving the cave saw me geared in greek armour, with golden leather boots and breastplate with a flowing white robe underneath. It felt powerful and with added protection, something that I had felt that I needed.

Louise is going to email me about her woman's group, yes that'll be the fourth one I'm potentially involved with, as well as a fundraiser she's organising.

Dawn

This morning I sat and ate my cereal while I looked out over the backyard, rather than sitting at the computer. It made a nice, peaceful change to my morning and I was rewarded with this sunrise.

Red Tent Circle - Leo

Tonight was somewhat disappointing. I think I'm letting the facilitator get to me, she doesn't seem to be very structured and therefore her circles are quite fragmented and jumpy which I don't particularly like. Other times it hasn't bothered me quite so much but with just me, her and one other tonight it was quite strong. Not sure what to do with that. On one hand it certainly highlights doing the facilitator training, but I kind of feel like I'm betraying that group by starting my own, even though there isn't anything out this side of the city really.

One of the facilitator courses coming up is for the Inner Goddess Makeover which could be interesting.

So tonight we pulled cards and I got Athena, so all about trusting my inner wisdom which is part of the manifestations I made yesterday. In the meditation was more maiden/inner child healing being required though the meditation itself felt quite strong, we met Brigid and assisted her in birthing some lambs. The purple forest flower is my symbol.

Manifestations:

1. I will leave Fitness First
2. I will start Yoga Practice
3. I will go back to Martial Arts
4. I will relearn how to play
5. I will encourage my inner strength
6. I will listen to my inner truth
7. I will rediscover the magic of the universe
8. I will meditate twice a week
9. I will nurture myself
10. I will embrace healing

Maiden, Mother, Wise Woman Workshop

Today I had the Maiden, Mother, Wise Woman workshop run by Tanishka in Olinda. She is the woman who started up all the Red Tent Circles that I've been going to. The workshop was good, there were 5 of us plus Tanishka. A lot of it felt like I already knew it, either from previous learnings with paganism or soul knowledge.

Something that I really got today was how wounded my inner maiden is. Like majorly wounded. We started out with a meditation to visit each of the inner aspects and the maiden just took me and ran with me, showing all the areas in my life where I am wounded. This really hit home with me how much I need to work on nourishing and healing her.

The group commented on how strong the Mother and Wise Woman aspects were in me, which is possibly offsetting how wounded the Maiden is. I need to be able to integrate all 3 within me.

I came out of today with intentions to honour each of them:

Maiden: I will take time out to nourish and heal myself

Mother: I will encourage and speak my inner truth, without veils and illusions

Wise Woman: I will continue to evolve my spirituality and use it to help me on my path

These felt quite good.

Red Tent tomorrow night, seems like an intense spiritual period atm

Solo Temple

I didn't go to the shamanic circle tonight. I had had a bad nights sleep last night and it all just felt too difficult. I felt I would be bringing too much of a discordant energy to the group. Turns out it was probably a good idea as the group were going to be doing healing work with Karen who has been put on heart medication. I don't want to have interrupted that.

Tonight I reset up my own altar, taking back at least part of the spare room that had been converted into a more creative workspace.

I also did an inner temple meditation, creating my inner temple and meeting a spirit guide. My inner temple was a great field with a Greek temple in the middle of it. Inside the temple were the chambers of healing and of knowledge. Inside the chamber of knowledge I met one of my spirit guides, who my old doctor had told me was around, I just hadn't met her fully before now. Anenket is her name. She is the guide of my heart. When I asked her for what purpose recent relationships had been she said to reawaken my heart, as it had almost crystalised from inertia. i then asked what about Kim, and she brought Kim to see me. I almost cried at this point. She isn't gone, she is still here, she is just different now. And I can no longer take the big sister role with her, that needs to be healed. I also asked for advice on how I need to heal myself at the moment, and not to my surprise the answer was to let go which despaired me a little as I don't do that well. When I told Anenket this she told me the key was trust. Trust that this will be taken care of, trust that I don't have to manage it, trust that other people can do it just as well as I can. Seems simple now that I think about it but was a bit of an eye opener.

Drumming Circle - July

Tonight was my first drumming circle where we all got drums to hold and use throughout the circle. Most of the other people had their own drums but Joyce had a spare one for me to use. We drummed and chanted and sang songs. There was a small meditation in the middle of it, but it was different to Karen's circles in that it was more drumming and letting you go where you wanted to with the drums rather than a full on circle. Will have to get used to the new style.

Red Tent Circle - Cancer

The circle was larger tonight, 11 women in total. I'm not sure I liked the larger group but we shall see. Next month I'm going to sit in a different area of the circle as I have sat in the south east for the last 3 sessions.

We pulled Oracle cards and I got Isis - This situation involves your past life memories. I'm pondering perhaps this is what a past life connection is like, met in a previous life which potentially explains the connections.

It took a while to get me into the meditation, my back and neck were still, my lower back ached. I swirled into my third eye Chakra and into the boat. In between these two the space was quite dark and cavernous. I found I wanted to look around and see where I was in the boat. I didn't want to just lie there, I didn't want to trust where it was going. I started out in a large lake before it became a river. A large Greek Temple greeted me, gleaming white in the sun but with a dark entrance. I took the lantern and went into the darkness and came to a circle ampitheatre with an altar in the north. There I met Isis. She asked for when I have recently felt that I have lacked mothering and immediately I thought about recent relationships. I cried and let it out. It was/is a massive burden. She enveloped me in her arms and I felt surrounded by love, understanding and compassion. On coming out of the meditation my chest felt larger. The space between my back on the floor to my heart felt large and light which I'm taking is a good thing.

We then did a Past, Present, Future spread with one of the other women. Charlene and I pulled cards that the other person interpreted.

Past - Adili - Thoughts create your reality, be conscious of what you choose. The additional images that Charlene got were young and naive and the number 12.

Present - Glispa - Healing power within, healing through music. When we looked at the book the big things that jumped out where Shamanism and Drumming. Good thing I'm going to that Shamanic Drumming Circle in a fortnight.

Future - Isis - Heart will be healed, have faith, strength for heartbroken of the beloved, Charlene got the impression that it was a woman involved though.

Interesting reading. Isis is apparently calling at the moment and the Shamanic Drumming Circle is the way to go on the full moon.

Manifestations

I am worthy of self respect

I choose nurturing food and drink

I am capable and kick arse

I release my anger

I release unhealthy connections

I nurture myself

Maintain regular meditation

Walk frequently

See physio about back

Distance myself

Share more with P

Strengthen my back

Start Drumming

Turtle Woman Women's Circle - July

I went back to the circle this month, despite my previous misgivings over my own ego and I'm really glad I did. I felt welcomed back immediately and safe and cocooned in the group. There were a few more women there this time, and a few women from last time were unable to make it. All up there were 11 of us, so a bigger group but still the connectedness was there.

I spoke about Mel and her scans that need to happen and put her name on the healing list. Joyce, one of the elders of the group, reminded me that we are unable to see the bigger picture and we just have to trust and let people go on their own journeys. I then told everyone of the message from Kim, of her not being sad because she can see the bigger picture.

Several of the group were undergoing pain and it was good to be reminded that we're not alone in our pain. The weird thing is, pain makes us shut off from the world and thats when we need the world, need our connections the most.

The card I pulled was Enchantment, reminding me to see the childlike joy in things. It seems I'm getting that message a lot at the moment, to enjoy life, laugh, delight in it.

The journey was interesting, I went where I was told to go. I had a new animal accompanying me, Hawk. We went to the Grandmother's Council and the messages that I got were forgiveness and fortitude. A sense that its ok, things will get better, I just need to weather it for now.

After the circle had closed I was speaking with a couple of the women and Joyce invited me to her drumming group on the 26th of July, coincidentally the full moon. It seems that when I least expect it, but open myself to it, groups and connections come out of the woodwork.

A realisation tonight was that I connected too much to a song where a guy gave the girl the breath of life, woke her up, unfroze her. And I can't always rely on that connection to be there, or fulfill that role, it is unfair of me to do so. I have to learn to fulfill it for myself, to pull myself up and light up my own life.

Daunting but true words

Red Tent Circle - Gemini

The night felt quite... disconnected but that is Gemini for you, flitting from idea to idea.

We did an activity where we wrote down 10 things that we wanted to bring into our lives but each of the 10 things was based upon a theme or a question.

10 Things to Bring into My Life

1. Physical - More activity, exercise
2. Projecting onto others and bring into myself - Patience
3. Words of Power - Courage and Fortitude
4. Fill yourself with Joy - Meditation and Earth Walks
5. Centre Yourself - Meditation
6. Adjustment or Decision - Stay or Go
7. Share - Heartache
8. Who or What as travelling Companions - Horse and Dingo
9. Outcome or Goal to which I am surrendering - Direction at Work
10. Commitment - Exercise and Meditation, forming a habit of both

The Goddess Card I drew was Brigid, which was kind of surprising seeing as she was in my life for quite a while back in 2001 however had disappeared when the Greek Pantheon were making themselves known.

Let me come to you, through the mists, through the fire

She is all about finding the creative spark inside, and nurturing it.

The meditation we did was meeting an eagle and having a conversation with it to gain a message.

The message from the eagle was unclear at first, like he was waiting for me to get it. Patience and Fortitude. Keep doing my spiritual work. I got the image I have had many times of a gypsy/shaman holding an eagle with her eyes penetrating my soul. My hair was dark in the meditation, dark brown, not black. My clothes were different, instead of the usual white shift I wore a white tunic and pants with a grey woolen bolero jacket and a white scarf that flew in the wind. Indian style. The circle was up at Falls Creek, though that could be where I'm making it be. I found it easy to shift and become an eagle, connect with it. The sensation of flight wasn't especially new to me and I shifted easily back.

I need to gain/gather my strength, my power, I need to focus on it and surrender myself to it.

The manifestations that I wish to bring into my life before the next New Moon:

• Completion of All-4-Biz
• Regular Meditation Practice
• Malkuth Chapter
• Crocheting
• Exercise - Yoga and Walking

Next new moon I need to write my manifestations properly, like affirmations. They feel more powerful when I do that.

Turtle Woman Women's Circle

I went along to the women's circle I was invited to yesterday. It wasn't as ecstatic experience as the Red Tent circle group and I'm trying to figure out why. The group was a pretty amazing bunch of women, 7 in total including me. And we went through the smudging and then did a bit of circle to get ourselves present, followed by pulling a couple of cards (Dreamcatcher and Retreat) and journey work.

I think my problem is that I'm a bit of a snob and I have no idea why I'm acting this way. They were wonderful women but rough and I'm not sure why but I'm pulling away from this. Most of the pagan/spiritual stuff I have been involved in has felt smooth and light. This felt rough and raw, which I'm actually thinking is how shamanism should feel. And the thing is it wasn't even the ritual, or circle that has me arked up, it was talking with them afterwards.

Of the 7 women there, 6 had lost someone close to them in the last 2 years. That brought me home, grounded me, and made me realise I'm possibly living a bit too much into my grief, too much into the victim, the wound.

So it wasn't as an amazing experience as the Red Tent. I have issues I need to work through with it, primarily my own ego. I'm not sure whether I'll go back next month. I'd like to think I would, but I guess I'll see how the next few days go.

Moonee Ponds Healers Market - June

Today was the first time I went to the Moonee Ponds Healers Market. Its held in the community hall, down near the library. Its quite a small hall, so it was a bit crowded but all in all quite good. There were the usual tacky jewelery stalls that you get with these things, but there were also a couple of good crystal stalls. A few tarot readers, as well as a few Reiki healers. What drew my eye immediately was the Turtle Woman stall.

A wander around the stalls drew me to one of the crystal stalls where I found a piece of Unakite which I bought later and is now sitting in my bra. I signed up to have a healing with the Turtle Woman and while I waited got a quick Reiki healing which was centering I guess, but I didn't really feel it work.

The Turtle Woman stall was the best one for me. I went and immediately felt good. She did a smudge cleansing using Sage (burnt the sage in a dish and using a feather wafted it over me to cleanse me) and then we prayed for guidance from my ancestors and hers to give me what I needed in todays session.

We pulled some cards from her 3 different decks. They weren't Tarot decks, more healers decks.

Past - Protection/Obsidion

• Don't want to get rid of this, need to bring it into the future
• Have been trying to protect myself from myself

Present - Sexuality

• Needing to learn my sexuality as a woman, having it come from me, not from outside sources

Future - Squirrel

• Need to centre
• Need to take care of myself

We then asked for more clarity and one of the cards pulled out was the Storm card. When I explained to her what the significance of that card was, with Kim, she thanked me as this was the first time she was back doing healings after losing her sister in law around Mothers Day.

She asked her guides for ways to bring the protection into the future, and got images of me shrouded in mist, being unable to see through it all, which is my depression. She then said she was getting a prayer over and over in her head, the Hail Mary, which apparently she doesn't even know, and suggested that this would be a good thing for me to use.

There was no way she could have known that the last time I said that prayer was when we were sitting around Kim's body, just after she died and said the Rosary. It was like Kim coming back and saying 'You protected me, I'm here to protect you.'

She then invited me to her drumming circle that she holds on the First Monday of every month. The next one being tomorrow night. She said that she doesn't invite many people to it, but that a few of the other healers at the market go and its held in her house which is why she keeps it small.

I'm nervous but I think I might attend.

Red Tent Circle - Taurus

Tonight was my first Red Tent Circle, held at the Serpentarius Healing Centre.

Words can barely describe how at home I felt, how right it felt, my whole body and soul were saying 'yes, this is it' the entire time I was there. I almost cried from relief a couple of times. I've helf back my spirituality for so long, and then floundered when I wanted to rekindle it, that going to this event with this amazing group of women and have it work and feel good and right and home that it is such a joyous relief.

We started by talking about the new moon in Taurus and expressions of this energy (positive: creativity, planning. Negative: overeating, overindulging) and then we did a meditation.

I saw quite easily and intensely the images of the meditation, the stars, the sand and the water. I could feel the warmth of the sand beneath my feet and heard distandly the creaking of the jetty as I walked across it. The clearing with Oshun was fairly enclosed, like a womb with the beautiful pool and waterfall in the middle surrounded by large bushes of jasmine. When we were told to float in the pool and look at the stars and then connect with our star selves I felt an intense rush of energy, power and connection. My whole body sang. The warmth of the pool soothed my sore leg and shoulder slowly.

After this we chose a card from the numerous Goddess decks around the circle. I'm not sure which deck I used but I got Artemis.

I am who I am
and I know who I am

Very fitting given how lost and disconnected I have felt recently. Its reassuring and a great affirmation to work with. Also fitting that she is one of the Goddesses I identified when I oiginally started working with Shamantic techniques.

I feel amazing right now. My whole body is tingling with energy, it has released knots in my neck and shoulders, my head is buzzing. I haven't felt like this for a long time and it is such a great feeling to know that I still can. I'm actually not sure I ever felt this spiritualy powerful before.

Samhain 2010

The Circle was set up with the tea light lantern in the north, the incense from the cleansing in the east, and 12 tea lights in glass jars around the permeter of the circle. I didn't notice but at one point after the circle had been cast K's dog approached the circle but didn't come inside.

Casting/cleansing

Had two of the girls use incense to clear the place, and then the ball rattles to remove any stuck negative energy. I then took the rattles and walked the circle three times, the first two times shaking the rattles, the last time swirling them.

“The circle is cast
This space is sacred”

Quarters

I walked to each of the quarters, shaking the rattles, swirling them when invoking.

“I call to the East,
Sisters of the Wind,
Send us your wisdom,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the North,
Sisters of the Flame,
Send us your Courage,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the West,
Sisters of the Wave,
Send us your Intuition,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the South,
Sisters of the Earth,
Send us your Strength,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

Goddess Calls

"Goddess, Great Mother, Wise Woman, your daughters call, attend our rite this night

God, Great Father, Old One, your daughters call, attend our rite this night"

Working

At some point during the next section all the trees in the west started swaying wildly, with the wind rushing through them.

"We come tonight to honour the change in seasons. The wheel is turning, the veil of the world is thin. The light has been eaten b y the dark. The year is in shadow. We are in shadow.

It is in shadow that we face our darkest secrets and deepest fears. It is in shadow that we face the parts of ourselves we do not wish to recognise. It is in shadow that we cannot hide. It is in shadow that we are stripped bare. It is in the shadow that we are beaten down. It is in the shadow that we cannot breathe. It is in the shadow that we find the light inside. It is in shadow that we are transformed. It is in the shadow that we are reborn.

We come tonight to honour our ancestors. We honour those who have walked this path before. We honour those in whose footsteps we tread. We honour those who have departed this realm. We honour those our eyes can no longer see. We honour those who our hearts ache for. We honour those who make our souls sing.

The spirits of our ancestors are linked to ours, it flows through our veins, it is sacred, we are sacred, life is sacred. It is through them that we learn that we are all connected. There is no beginning, no ending, we move as one, through this life and the next. It is through them that we glimpse the bigger picture.

In this time of shadow, this time of introspection, this time of transformation, we ask our ancestors to hear us, to be present. We ask them to speak to us, to give us guidance, to give us courage, to give us strength, to give us comfort, to give us wisdom."

Libation

Held the glass of red wine up to the sky

"Ancestors, we honour you. Give us guidance, speak your words of wisdom to us and protect us this night."

Passed the wine around from person to person, each saying their own private toast.

Meditation

I instructed everyone to find a spot on the edge of the circle and face the outside. I then let them through a short meditation to connect with their ancestors and ask for guidance.

Tarot Card

The deck was shuffled and I approached each person instructing them to shuffle for themselves then take a card. Once they knew what card it was I placed it back into the deck, shuffling again before going to the next person. I got the 4 of Pentacles.

Dismissing

"Great Mother, Great Father, we thank you for your presence here at our rite. Until we meet again."

Shook the rattle at each of the quarters to clear them

“Sisters of the Earth,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Wave,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Flame,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Wind,
I bid you farewell
Until We meet again.”

Closing

Walked slowly around the circle in the reverse direction to the start shaking the rattles. Once I reached the beginning again I shook the rattles vigorously

“It is done.

The Circle is open.”

DIY Tab Curtains

So our bedroom was lacking... something. We have wanted to redo it for a while, new chest of drawers, pictures on the wall etc, but while we lack the funds to do it all at once we thought that new curtains might be a good start. We went looking in Spotlight, for their pre-made ones, however none of the designs or even colours of the big block ones were what we wanted, so we started brownsing in the upholstery/DIY curtains section and voila! A fabric that we both liked.

I bought 4m for $40 and then, the next day, realised I needed more for the tabs along the top, so bought another 50cm. Total $47.50 ($2.50 for the thread).

First step was to cut the 4m piece of fabric in two. Cats don't help too much, esp as they chase the scissors. Don't be fooled by her innocent look in this picture.


I then took the 50cm piece of fabric and cut it into 15cm strips along the width of the fabric. These I then cut into 2. These are for the tabs along the top. Sew up one side with right sides facing and you have your tabs. I made 12 tabs, 6 for each curtain.

Sew up the edges of the big 2m bits of fabric, I left the selvidges on so made sure I had a little bit of the pattern turned over and sewed up both sides.

Then I turned the top over 5cm, pinned 6 at equal spacing points along the top, making sure there was one at the beginning and end. Then did a double line of stitching, one at the top, and one at the bottom of the fold.


Time for hemming. Folded the bottom up twice to form a heavier base to pull the curtains down and sewed along the top. Iron the seams and you're done.


Before:


After:

Closet Purge

What better a way to start off 2010 than with a closet purge!

This was inspired by buying 3 pairs of shoes (all on sale) to replace at least 3 pairs of my old ones.

1 pair - work pair - had been wearing the old ones for 3 years, pretty much daily to work.
2 & 3 pair - Casual pairs - had bought them for when I went to Singapore, 5 years old.
4 pair - kitten heeled sandals - hadn't worn them in ages.
Unfortunately, due to the state of these I had to throw them out rather than donate them.

Replaced with 1 definate work pair, 1 black ballet flats (potential work wear) and 1 pair of black casual shoes, all have had 1st coat of water proofing, will do another soon.

In addition to these 4 pairs of shoes, I purged:
3 tops - hadn't worn any of them in over a year
2 jumpers - hadn't worn them and 1 gave me hives
3 dresses - worn very little
2 skirts - a bit big for me
5 shirts - pete won't notice
1 pair of high heels - worn once. painful shoes. Not likely to wear again
1 pair of thongs - never worn, was given them in a show bag.
All of these can go to the Salvos and are now sitting in a large black plastic bag. I shall drop them off tomorrow when I have access to a car.

Now to create my must have list of clothes for this year to buy (basics basics basics and a little flair) and then I'm set.

I think I need to play in my closet a bit more, see what I have and what can go with what, cause I often find myself struggling with what to wear.