Checklist
And so, it was the day before Solstice and all through the house, not a creature was stirring. Except for the cat, he was crying to be let in before the ice rain hit. Time to check in, lovelies! Things that I have done for Yuletide thus far:
The obligatory staff Xmas party, which involved pizza and virtual golf.
I have watched the sunset every night for the last week or more (helps that I work outdoors in the evenings)
Attended a couple of holiday parties.
Drank beer and whiskey.
Made and drank mulled wine.
Went on a walk in the woods at night with my room mate.
Attended the Yule ritual for my ritual group/coven/hedge, which was awesome and cozy and full of wonderful stories.
Ate half a sugar cookie (I am cutting down on sugar, especially the refined kind)
Worked a little on the prayer shawl, I am out of wool.
Bought the ingredients for homemade Irish cream.
The ancestors got a cigarette at the start of the holidays.
Introducing new & replacement pieces to the casting collection.
Bought the ingredients for “fixings” or “trimmings” (gravy, stuffing, you know)
Bought or made gifts.
Found a really neat lantern… Continue reading
Camping
Went to Whispering Pines with the girls.
Stayed in the big cabin.
Swam naked in the lake in October.
Played with clay.
Celebrated Autumn and the harvest and gave thanks.
Built a nice fire.
Played games.
Ate lots of food.
Said bon voyage to a friend. Crash was there too.
Now I have to … Zzzzzzzzz …
Dyeing for Midsummer
I don’t have a lot of experience with spinning or dyeing yarn and such. But every now and then I get the chance to spend time with a friend who does. My stitching group headed out to a member’s homestead this weekend and we got to play with both natural and not-so natural dyes.
I brought some yarn I spun myself, one was organic merino wool and the other angora and lambs wool (which was terribly over spun out of fear of sucking at spinning).
I also brought the skein of the very first yarn I spun with my drop spindle, which is made of organic bamboo. I have been using the bamboo mostly for offerings, first of fruits and all that. I intended to dye it, packed it and brought it along and everything, but somehow it didn’t come out of the bag.
I also brought some roving (un-spun fibres) and a piece of cloth. The cloth is linen and it was cut into strips and then woven together, it’s very cool. I had originally bought it years ago for the purpose of building a Horned God effigy in my grove. It was going to be His… Continue reading
A Few Things That Work (and other things)
Keeping my altar/shrine combo right in the freaking middle of the apartment. It is right in the entranceway, in fact. For no other reason there’s not really any where else to put it. It does however, keep the offerings and attention flowing. Out of sight, out of mind. In sight, on my mind … right?
I’m thinking of moving it into the sunroom in the warm part of the year. Then I can make a fuss about moving it “indoors” for winter each year etc. Who says you can’t have processionals in apartments?
Shelac. Sometimes, you just gotta use it.
My simple knife. It is by far the best tool I own for creation of sacred space and parting the Hedge. It is nothing more than a basic utility knife, handmade, with a wooden handle. The kind that you find at estate sales and flea markets. Something knife makers create for themselves, nothing fancy, just works. It fits in my hand, it’s just the right length. It’s old and worn.
I don’t even know what kind of wood the handle is made of. It’s old and beat up. I got it originally for whittling my stang. It’s now… Continue reading
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