Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Trip to the Mystic Side

Today I drove to the village of North Syracuse with my son, nicarus. We decided to visit a metaphysical shop there called Mystic Side  ( http://www.mysticsidegiftbookstore.net/ ). Packed with everything from A to Z, such good "stuff" for anyone interested in, or living the lifestyle of, Wiccan, Pagan, and so forth. I loved the smell of the incense as we first walked in... beautiful crystals, pendants, dreamcatchers hanging from the ceiling...books, books and more books. Incense, candles, gems, and so much more. I loved their cauldrons and the mortar and pestles. What a great shop!. I have been wanting to go there for a long time, and never seemed to make time to go there. I shall certainly be visiting often. And they have the cutest sweet black cat named (what else) Mystic. Quite the cutie.I wish I had gotten a picture of her.

Mystic Side Gift and Book Store, North Syracuse NY (click on pictures for a better look) 
Here are some Tumbled Gems I purchased

And some tiny candles for spell work, incense, and a bumper sticker for my car

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

At the Book Store

Went to my local Barnes and Noble this morning for a cafe mocha and a meander. I was stunned to find this magazine. Then I saw it was formerly called "New Witch", which I did know about, but never seemed to be able to find it...must sell out quick. Anyway, so here is this wonderful cover, with one of my favorite Wiccans, Ellen Dugan.(For more info on Ellen, give her a Google). And it is The Garden Issue, which naturally appeals to my garden witchy self. Instead of the household tasks I should be performing, I will probably be huddled up with this magazine for the rest of the afternoon.


Witches & Pagans magazine  

I am going to be baking some bread later, with, guess what?....zuchinni! I am definitely getting a little zuked-out, but there are no more on the vines, and have been pulled up and tossed into the compost pile.  And by the way, how does one spell zuchinni...zucchini....zucchinni?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Sunshine for a Rainy Monday


Think of all the songs that speak of sunshine, and play those in your head, or hum to yourself, or just let it all out for the world to hear. Gray, rainy Mondays....not necessarily manic....can really put a person off. So a quick remedy is to turn...where else...but to Nature. And there you are, small beautiful suns, ready to beam their way into your gloomy mood.  Not wanting to sound like Little Miss Sunshine, just wanting to pass along some solar energy, as it were.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Rainy Sunday

A Sunday at the end of August. It is 64 degrees and a steady sweet rain falling. Nice not to have to water the container plantings, or the tomato plants and roses. Also, how peaceful the neighborhood. No mowers, weed whackers, blowers, revving motorcycles. The birds are steadfastly visiting the feeders (and the squirrels, too, shhhhh, don't tell the dogs!). Decluttering seems to be the task of the day. And then a good Sunday supper of a roast, mashed potatoes, the inevitable zuchinni..and strawberries for dessert. A nice quiet read this evening, and we are ready to face a new week. So, I don't mind a rainy Sunday.
The Sun is the Harmony to the sweet Melody of Nature (even on a rainy day)

Friday, August 20, 2010

We call this chipmunk "Speed Racer" because he races up and down the fence from his little hidey hole to the safflower feeder at the other end of the yard. His cheeks are stuffed.    
The backyard is quite a habitat these days. Birdbaths and birdfeeders, hummingbird feeder, and a variety of  plant, shrubs, flowers.  Of course we do get plenty of these bushy-tailed rodents.  You can not say the word "squirrel" around the dogs, though. They go NUTS over squirrels.




Gwennie keeps her eagle eye on that "you know what" in the garden.





And Lexie-Girl stays cool in the shade.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A Book Recommendation

Even though the gardening year is winding down here in Central New York, I am already dreaming about next year's garden. My main focus for the gardening season 2011 is Magickal Herb Gardening. Since just about every plant, flower, shrub, tree, and other growing things are herbs, an enormous world is available to the Wiccan gardener.  Herbs can offer so much to your rituals and spell casting. I am very excited to get planning, and to this end, I am studying several books. Of course, Scott Cunningham is my most favorite Wiccan author, and any book of his is the obvious choice for any Wiccan subject. But I also trust the writings of Ellen Dugan. She is a Master Gardener, and has written several excellent books on magickal garden. I am focusing on her book, Garden Witch's Herbal published by Llewellyn Publications. She writes with humor, common sense, great Wiccan spiritually, and is so knowledgeable. I heartily recommend this book.
Lexie-Girl wants to know if there is Wiccan Dog Biscuit book
 

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

First Harvest--Come and Gone

Lughnasadh occurred on August 1st and the family and I celebrated with veggies from the garden, and a nice ritual in the evening that included a terrific bonfire. And now it is almost three weeks later, the garden is showing signs that it has done its job, and will soon be finished. Here are some pictures of zucchini and summer squash, as I am trying for the first time to freeze them for winter dining.



It was not as easy or as difficult as I thought it would be. We shall see in December or January how it turned out! Gardening is a wonderful way to connect with the God and Goddess, the whole process sings of magick.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Mighty Hunter

My first post. Should be a happy one. Today though was a trip to the vet to euthanize our dear cat-friend, MacKenzie. Stomach cancer, spreading to the lymph nodes, not eating or drinking for over a week. I will spare the details. MacKenzie was a Mighty Hunter, of mice, moths and other flying insects. Also of  The Invisible Things...you know, the Things that make a cat suddenly leap into the air, and dash madly about. He was a fluent talker, and an expert Trainer of Humans. He will love Summerland, finding his brother, Duncan, his cousin, Soleil and many other good friends. And lots of Things to chase. Love to MacKenzie.