The Snow Moon making her appearance

Today the Moon is a 7% Waxing Crescent. When it is full (approximately November 9th) it is known as the Snow Moon. Also known as the Beaver Moon or Tree Moon.

It is a good time for workings for abundance, prosperity as well as bonding with your loved ones. It is also a time for divination to see what is to come. Remember that Winter is coming, but as with all things, the cold and darkness will not last forever.

In days past, it was of great importance to prepare and store crops and meats for the coming winter. Now with the convenience of super markets this is not as important. But if you had a harvest from your garden, now is a time to store those properly.

Hopefully next year, I will have a great harvest from my newly planted garden.

With or without a garden it is time to prepare for the cold months ahead. Check your house and vehicle for winter safety. Make sure you unhook all water spickets and roll up hoses and store for winter. Also protect trees and scrubs by wrapping them with proper tree wrap. It is also time to replace your filter on your furnace for winter use. If you have exposed pipes in the basement, it might be a good idea to wrap those too, so they don't burst.

As for the car, make sure your tires are in good working order, if not it is a good time to replace them. Also add de-icing windshield washer fluid for those icy mornings and check those wipers, replace if needed. And don't forget to check your antifreeze.

As for ritual, it is a good time to cast a spell for a safe winter for you, your family and your house.

When all this is done, sit back and enjoy the cooler nights and wait for that falling snow.

Blessed Be

Grayce

What is Wicca to me?

I had a very lovely lady ask me what Wicca is. I would like to answer her, from my heart.
*Please remember that there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are Wiccan and my interpretations are just that, mine. I do not want to offend anyone, so please read with an open heart.

Wicca to me is a a nature based religion. Where I see the Divine light within all things. Every thing in the universe is made of energy; humans, animals, plants and even rocks. We are all part of the One and the One is part of us. I don't worship rocks or animals but I worship the Divine source within all things. I treasure the beauty around me. I admire a beautiful sunset and know that I can find that beauty within myself and all things around me.

As embodiments of the Universe, the Goddess and God dwell everywhere and are within everything. This means that while they are many beautiful and bountiful things, they are also the raging storm, the thundering Earth, and the sweeping fire. They are joyous birth and wasting disease, because all are part of the natural cycle of life.

My patron Goddess, Athena, is the representation of the things that I hold dear. She is Wisdom and Knowledge. The things I long to be. She is Strong, Powerful and a Protector. She allows me to draw the power that is within me to be the best that I can be.

I have not found a personal God yet. But I know that the world is made up of both feminine and masculine energy. I honor the Sun and the Hunter God. For I know that without the Sun we would not have the heat to live and without the Hunter God we would not have food to eat.

-As for the term "Horned God"; he is the God of the Hunt, the masculinity of the world.  Not the "horned god" known to Christan's as the devil, Lucifer or Satan. For that is a Christan deity and since I am not Christian, I do not worship or even deal with that entity. The horns on the Horned God are those of a deer or an elk, representing the hunt and the wild beasts.

As for Jesus, I was raised Christan so I know of the many teachings of Jesus. I believe in him, but not as a Christan does. I do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, that to believe in him is the only way to be saved. Remember what I said above, all is energy and energy can not be destroyed, thus we are all saved. But back to Jesus, I do believe he was a prophet of peace, I believe that he was a man who wanted to teach people to be and do better, to teach love and overall peace. I feel the same way about the Budda.

-As for Witchcraft. There are Wiccans that are witches but not all witches are Wiccans. I know that sounds a bit confusing, but it is true. There are people that perform witchcraft ; "The craft of the Witch; Magic, especially magic utilizing Personal Power in conjunction with energies within stones, herbs, colors and other natural objects. While this may have spiritual overtones, Witchcraft, using this definition, isn‘t a religion" Scott Cunningham.

Now I think I need to do some more defining for you. Magic is simply the manipulation of the energies that surround us. Much like the big secret in the book The Secret.  By the way it really isn't a secret, witches have known and utilized this for millennia. Basically what magic is; is the power of the mind to direct the energies of the universe. Have you ever wanted to talk to someone just to have the phone ring and it is that person. Or maybe you know what someone is going to say before they say it? That's magic. There is no such thing as deja vu, it is simply your mind tapping into the energies around you and you are directing it. (please remember this is my interpretation of it.)



Back to what I was saying there are people that simply use witchcraft for the sole purpose of directing their life to become what they want. **Now, unfortunately there are people out there that use this knowledge for bad or hurtful purposes. But please know there are bad people in every religion in the world. There are wars fought everyday in the name of religion. Please don't judge all based on the rare few!**

As for me, I consider myself Wiccan (now there are people out there that say you can't be Wiccan and solitary at the same time, but like I posted earlier, to each their own. Tolerance people, it's called tolerance.) Anyway. Wicca is the "craft of the wise." It is the nature religions that were practices in Nothern Europe and the Middle east from the time of the ice ages. It is a nature based religion (Pagan), the knowledge of a Goddess and God. Acceptance of reincarnation and the knowledge of Magic.

Now I use the word knowledge instead of belief for a very specific reason. To believe in something, means there is a possibility, no matter how small, that it could be incorrect. To know something is true is a powerful thing. "A belief in God is one thing; the knowledge of a personal relationship with Him or Her is quite another...Belief is no more a part of Magic than it is a part of computer repair." Scott Cunningham.

"Wiccans learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth." The Celtic Connection (an amazing website for more on Wicca).

We also work with and cherish the elements of Nature; Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. We know that to use them properly you can effectively create Magic. In all things there is the spark of the Divine. Each color, scent and type; of crystal, herb, candle, (any tool used in magic) has a specific connection with the Divine. Each has their own property and power. The use a a certain color, scent, type of tool can add energy to a ritual. It is now well known now that color has an effect on mood, and people from doctors (color of patients rooms) to interior designers (color of kitchens) are using this knowledge to enhance peoples lives. Well the fact is color has an effect on alot more than just mood and Witches have known and utilize this knowledge for centuries.

Instead of going to a church to perform rituals, such as praying or performing the rosary as you might do, I perform my rituals in a sacred space that I make in my living room, under a tree, or in a wide open meadow under the stars. My rituals include anything from a dance to a sacred poem. A single candles flame to a huge bonfire. I celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year and the cycles of the Moon. I cherish every living things and tend to all things upon this earth. I am a mother, a friend, a Pagan, a Witch and a Wiccan.

I really hope that this cleared up some uncertainties that you might have had. And sparked your interest in what I and hundreds of other people believe.

Thank you for being open to my way of life. It is refreshing to know that mangled within all the destruction of hurtful words and actions, there are still good souls that are willing to accept me as I am.

If you are interested, I am reading an amazing book right now called The Truth about Witchcraft Today by Scott Cunningham. You might want to pick up a copy just so you can read about what Witchcraft is and what it is not, maybe to ease your mind, that I am not a crazy nut ;)

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May your heart be filled with gladness to cheer you.

-an old Irish Blessing

Blessed Be

Grayce

Halloween Party Time

Welcome to the party!! Here is my Fanciful Twist Party Post.

Be unafraid of Shadows dark

And to their whispers

Do Not Hark  

Unfriendly words

You do Not hear  

No worry, trouble
Loss or Fear

No Shadow falls
Upon your Heart

We Stand Together
Though Apart.

We Stand Together
Ever Winning

All our spells
Together Spinning

For Every End
A New Beginning

Wealthy, Healthy,
Happy, Free

If this your Will
So Mote It Be!

(Poem by Maurice of Coventry Greens, 1994)
Pictures by me :)  

May you see what you are ment to see, feel what you are ment to feel and be who you are ment to be.

Blessed Be

Grayce

frustration

Well I must take a moment and comment on a little thing called intolerance. I live in Utah, where we are surrounded by people who are unwilling to accept others that are different than themselves. Now I know that there are many people and religions that are just like this but I never thought that there would be these kinds of people in the very tolerant and accepting path, called Wicca. Well I was sorely reminded that there are all types of people everywhere. Even in places you'd like to believe they weren't

I was in a discussion board when I read someones comments about how Solitary Wicca is not in fact Wicca. She says she is a Traditional Wiccan, initiated and a high priestess. That if one is not iniciated and learn from another person, you are not truely wiccan but instead just a Pagan.

Well, I disagree. Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists.

"Witchcraft in ancient history was known as "The Craft of the Wise" because most who followed the path were in tune with the forces of nature, had a knowledge of Herbs and medicines, gave council and were valuable parts of the village and community as Shamanic healers and leaders. They understood that mankind is not superior to nature, the earth and its creatures but instead we are simply one of the many parts, both seen and unseen that combine to make the whole. As Chief Seattle said; "We do not own the earth, we are part of it." These wise people understood that what we take or use, we must return in kind to maintain balance and equilibrium."

"Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things. In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures creatures. This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects of the divine. We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many manifestations both seen and unseen.

Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth.

We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which combine to manifest all creation. From these four elements we obtain insight to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own lives."

And I could not agree more with: "Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in religious freedom first! We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end. We are not a missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do. We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom and perspective however. We believe that anyone who is meant for this path will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her time and way. Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant of "Harm None."
Thanks Herne at The Celtic Connection.

All you have to do is type "what is wicca" into a google search and you will find MANY different website and books saying the same thing.

If you want to know what was said on this discussion board, visit it here and continued here.

I'm sorry if I am rambling, but I am just disappointed from the inability of some people to accept others just as they are.

Like I said in the post; "may your path be bright and may you find peace within your heart."

Blessed Be

Grayce

The Hunter's Moon

October's moon is known as the Hunter's Moon or the Blood Moon. The harvest has been collected and it is time to rely on the hunt to make it through the cold winter months. It is a Moon of new goals, protection, resolution, and spirituality. The night of the Blood Moon is a great time for divination of any kind. At this time of the year, all of nature is making ready for winter. Animals that hibernate are gathering the last scraps of food. Birds are heading south. It is a time to reflect on what you did during the year and evaluate your accomplishments. 

I didn't do ritual per-say, instead I spent some time with the moon, see below;

The Beautiful Hunter's Moon and Jupiter, just above the mountains by my house.

The shine on this picture just shows how the moons divine power shines within all of us.

This picture was taken at an f-stop of 5.6 with an exposure time of 10 secs (for all you photo-heads out there) It just means it allowed a lot of light in, so it seems like day time. But that is the Moon at 9:30pm with the planets and star shining brightly along side.

I couldn't get the focus just right with an object that far away, but the picture is still beautiful.

This picture was take to the south of me. The center of the picture is looking at the Center of the Milky Way. When the moon is not in the sky, you can see the bright streak of the Milky Way across the sky. I will have to take a picture of that, for it is truly stunning.

All done from the comfort of my back porch. The Divine really is everywhere.

Go enjoy the beauty in your back yard.

Blessed Be  

G

Samhain Time

As I mentioned before, October is time for Samhain. It is also my favorite month and my birthday (but that is not the reason it is my favorite month)

October is full of Fall and that is my favorite.

I love the colors, the smells, the cool nights, the falling leaves, I could go on and on. 



As a Wiccan, October is also the time of Samhain, the Wiccan New Year.

Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds in thin, a perfect time to commune with spirits of pasted loved ones or other spirits. It is a time when spirits of life and death are celebrates side by side.

Its a time of reflection, diviniation, time of the dead and of celebration.

Herbs: Pumpkins, apple, nuts, thistle, broom, oak leaves, sage

Incense: Apple, nutmeg, sage, mint

Colors: Black and Orange

Decorations: Jack-o-lanterns, brooms, photos of deceased loved one, apples, squash, fall leaves, autumn flowers

Foods: Apples, nnuts, cider, mulled wine, pumpkin dishes, cranberry muffins, herbal tea


A Ritual to try during this time;

"Set yourself Free"

needed:
ball of red yarn
athame
cauldron
matches

Cast Circle (if your tradition calls for it)

Cut 9" pieces of red yarn, one for each thing to set free (past hurt, burden, regret, habit, etc)

Knot each into a circle, name each circle (the thing you are setting free)

Put each around your left wrist (right if you are left handed) Tell each specifically:

"_______, I have carried you long and far. Your burden has been my teacher, and I accept your lessons. Now I summon the strength to release you, for your presence serves me no longer."

Take your atheme and begin cutting through the circlets (with a dull blade, this can be no easy task, take your time, cut away your symbolic bonds, imagine seperating yourself from your actual bonds.)

When your bonds are cut, Burn them in your cauldron, say

"I send you back from hence you came
to be consumed by the transformation flame.
You are purified and forever changed
Pure and simple you'll remain
You are no longer bound to me!
I send you back, and away you will go,
that something new and blessed in me shall grow."

Close circle (if casted)

When the ashes cool, gather them in a small pot, take them outside. Stand with the wind at your back and Blow the ashes into the air, let them dissipate and vanish. Prepare to make a new start.

This is not a traditional Samhain rite, but it is a good ritual to start the new year with.

Blessed Be

Grayce

So I finnaly caved and am taking a sick day...

My little one has had a nasty cough for a couple days and we thought it was just allergies. We were treating it with allergy medicine, but it wasn't going away...alas it was not allergies and now mama has it...

So I am taking a sick day, the little one is at Grandpas, Hubby is at work, here I am in bed.

What are you up to today??

Blessed Be

g

A visit from the Snow Faery

Today we were treated by a visit from the Snow Faeries!

First snow of the season.

I'd like to introduce you to some Snow Faeries:

"We are the Winter Faeries. We contain the ancient energies of all winter beings. While most creatures are in slumber, we are awake and walk quietly amidst the snow. We are elves, gnomes, gossamer winged fairies, Unicorns, Pegasus, pixies, hobgoblins, and animal totems. You see, we inhabit the Faery Realm but come out of our realm and into yours when there is a deep silence upon your world. Such times include the "fairy hour" of 3:00 AM; the times when snow is falling quietly and humans are staying warm inside of their homes; and when a strong storm appears we float amongst the air and over the frozen life on Gaia. If you encounter us amidst these times, you may see us as ORBS of light or in full "faery form". We have a deep warmth within us that keeps us warm no matter how cold the "outer" world may appear to be. We are unaffected by weather, as we ARE the weather itself. We come to you today merely to say "Hello".



Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow,
Filling the sky and earth below,
Over the housetops, over the street,
Over the heads of the people you meet.
Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along.
(J.W.Watson)

There is so much information about the Faery or Fae out there, may I recommend you take a look. Since I am Irish, I would recommend you start with Irish Lore, here, but there are many stories and accounts of Faeries, you will have to find what right for you.

Blessed Be

g



Mother Nature at her Finest!

I took a little trip up a local canyon and saw Mother Nature at her finest. Hope you enjoy!

The colors were just amazing!

And the sky was so blue!

 

Fall leaves blanketed the ground, beautiful yellows, reds, and oranges.

The red leaves have always been my favorite!

The reds just pop!

From the top of the canyon.

Pockets of magic everywhere!

Wouldn't you just love to sit and stay awhile!?

Splender!

Just a little tree, glowing in the sun light.

I even had a special guest show up for the picture, hello wood faery!

Gentle creatures even stopped by.

Hello beautiful mama.

Absolute Beauty!

This is by far my favorite time of year!!

I wonder what little faery lives in there??

If you haven't yet, go out side and enjoy this wonderous time of year. Want to see a childs face light up? Take him and show him the different colored leaves, all coming from the same tree.

Goddess Bless,

g