Melt, Melt and Drip, Drip

Mother Nature is having a ball. The predicted temperature today is 63 degrees F. It has been mild the last few days. So the massive snow mounds are dwindling, the sound of dripping is constant outside. Watch out when you are walking because a chilling, wet surprise is waiting to freeze your head or face as you pass under any structure.

The meteorologists call this the "January Thaw".  Hello, muddy dog paws. For me, it is a refreshing break from the icy, snowy days. At least for the time being. Winter will be back quite soon. Oh, boy.

On the homefront, my husband is doing better, still some pain, but feeling more human!

I am finding comfort in books and magazines, music, kittens and doggies. I believe I have mentioned before my little "problem": magazine addiction. Magazines literally throw themselves at me, jumping into the shopping cart and some have even tackled me to the floor by the cash register. Totally true, swear to Goddess!

Just a few of my latest

This week's agenda includes organizing my witchy cupboards and drawers.

The incense drawer is a mess (but smells really great!) oh, look there is Pixie peeking up in lower right

The kittens are going to help me smudge at the next waning moon (the new sage sticks from good friend Chris at Yule)

Also, going to be working on my Book of Shadows. I am focusing this year on more herbal information, solar magick and learning more about the goddess Hecate and dark moon magick. It is always exciting to add new areas or, expand old areas, to your path.

I received a question in a comment from Scottii concerning the Book of Shadows. I tried to answer via email, but Scottii didn't have one. So I will say briefly here that a witch's Book of Shadows (BOS) is basically a journal or record of spells, rituals, herbals, personal accounts of spellcasting, history, information that is important to the witch and his/her practice. Truly, anything that one regards as relevant, special, interesting can be placed in a BOS. Stories, ritual chants, tools, cleansing and consecration methods, spells, reflections, etc. It is for use by the witch to assist in remembering, notating what works, what doesn't work. There can be photos, drawings, lists of books, websites, recipes and so forth. It is all up to each witch. I don't show my BOS to anyone, and since I am a solitary Wiccan, there really is no need. My BOS is a very large 3-ring binder. I use all manner of papers, inks, printed, colors. I have index tabs and I add topics and categories regularly. It is for my use so it is not fancy. I can add and subtract things as needed. I love my BOS, it works for me. Many witches have beautiful leather-bound, parchment pages, use calligraphy pens, or quills. You can set it up anyway you want. It is a sacred book, even though it is a working book. I keep it cleansed and consecrated. (Sorry that wasn't too brief, but once I got going I couldn't stop!!)

If anyone has questions regarding my Wiccan path, please don't hesitate to email me; please be sure to leave a way for me to respond. I often get questions from people, and I don't mind answering at all. As long as it is understood that I am a solitary Wiccan, and only speak for myself. There are many traditions of Wicca and other witchcraft practices. A person must choose their own path, and do the things that feel right to them.

All for now! Hugs from Robin. Bright blessings, too!