Walking the Hedge » Wheel of the Year

Imbolg To Do List

Juniper — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:37:56 +0000

[ ] Repot a tree
[ ] Hearth blessing
[ ] Beer!
[ ] Dairy!
[ ] A devotional ritual to Brighid, including vigil
[ ] Share the Flame of Kildare
[ ] Walk in the snow. Bonus points if there is love making to be had in the snow (any volunteers? LOL)
[ ] Go for a drive in the countryside
[ ] Wave to the livestock as I go by
[ ] Eat large quantities of food
[ ] Ritual with my fellow Goat Ladies
[ ] Write like a motherfucker

Frigga!

Juniper — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:39:44 +0000

This is one of those random feast days where people on the internet are vaguely aware that today might be one of Frigga’s days. Or was that the 7th? It usually sounds/reads like:

“… something, something distaff day”

You can do you own googling and see for yourself.

This just so happen to also be one of those little feast days that I celebrate in some small way. Because Frigga rocks for so many reasons and she deserves a little love from me at least once a year. Also because the 12th of January is two days after my younger brothers birthday and is therefore easy to remember. The winter needs lots of feast and fire days, don’t you think?

I”ll admit that I enjoy the random obscurity of it.

My roomie and I set up a temporary altar on the microwave. Said an invocation, lit a beeswax candle, gave the lady some wine and yummy bread and other goodies. Laid out a spindle, spoons, knives … you know.

I’m about to take down some more of the Yule decorations. One of the evergreen things from the front door. It takes me from Yule to Imbolg to take down the decorations. I like having 6 week to do that.

I might work on my prayer shawl for a little while. I have some writing to do (still recovering from having to recover the PC to a slightly older date due to a virus and loosing some work)

I’ve been quietly mindful of Frigga and her spheres of influence throughout the day.

I’ll read something with her in it, or find that Ravencast episode where they talk about Her.

If it feels right, I might throw the bones (cast my collection) and see if She has anything to say to me.

Pick something, find something happening in the next month or two. Something small, not Thorrasblot or Imbolg, unless you typically don’t observe them.

Here’s a fun, random and obscure Pagan feast day, a modern one. Pour out a nice little offering at your ancestor altar for Dorothy Clutterbuck on her birthday, Janurary 19th. heh

A Quick Message From the Otherside

Juniper — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:14:13 +0000

I spent a good portion of the weekend doing castings, reading and just communicating with the spirits in general. It’s the New Year, after all. Also the casting collection got rebirthed over the holidays (blogs post about that to come) so I needed to do a little work with it.

I have a back log of writing due to computer issues, but I hope to get all caught up over the next week.

Any how, this one is supposed to be quick which is why I am boring you with it now.

Last night I tried something a little different. I sat on a High Seat and did a casting. Holy Shit!

This is a public service announcement!

My question: I asked my spirits what they wished for my blog readers (and friends and podcast listeners and etc) to know?

The answer:

Poor self esteem, self doubt and lack of self worth is like walking around on a broken leg.

The approval and acceptance of others does not heal a broken leg. It only acts as a crutch. Yes, it’s easier to get around on a broken leg with a crutch, but the leg is still broken.

Tearing down other people may stop the pain of the broken leg, but it will never heal the fracture.

Comparing yourself to others, and finding yourself lacking, only breaks the leg further, slowing or stopping the healing process. Comparing yourself to others, and finding them to be lacking, is like taking a baseball bat to their legs. Get your nose out of other people’s Crafting.

Only your own accomplishments and self satisfaction can heal the broken leg. Remove doubt, make a commitment and achieve something.

Stop waiting for other people to approve your desires and goals. Do it anyways.

This year find ways to say “I did that!”, “This is my choice for myself” and “I made this!” as often as possible. Care naught if others give you the kudos that you think you deserve; learn to walk on your own legs. Walk for yourself. Go places, new places, hard places, scary places. Be brave for yourself. Earn something the hard way.

Heal the leg.

Happy New Year gang!

Happy Winter Stuff!

Juniper — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:37:04 +0000

Checklist

Juniper — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:17:54 +0000

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 that casts the shadow of a stag, which will come in handy for longest night.

Decorated a tree.

Gave two toys to charity (teddy bears).

Sorted my BoS a little bit.

Wrote a beautiful article for NUP and then lost about 1/3 of it due to stupidity on my part. Currently re-writing.

Ordered some herbs and goodies to play with this winter (more on that later)

Decked the halls.

Made bread pudding.

Ate potluck.

Kicked over a half melted snow man in the park because I am evil and it’s fun.

Mailed a parcel.

Got a card in the mail.

Easy Mulled Wine

Juniper — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:12:38 +0000

One large bottle of dark red wine. A cup or two or three of cranberry-grape juice. A few oranges in slices or quarters. Plenty of organic honey. Ground cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Cover, low temperature for a few hours. No metal utensils.