Tuesday Miscellany

There will be a beautiful full moon tonight, and Goddess willing, there will be clear skies for viewing. Charging up gems and crystals, water and a few other things is definitely the plan. We don't have wide window sills in this house, so it is a challenge when the weather is cold to place items in view of the Full Moon. Still, where there is a witch, there is a way. 

A giveaway is going on at my good friend, Kim's blog. She is a lovely lady, a Wiccan high priestess and lover of cats. I have enjoyed her blog, The Wiccan Life for quite some time now. She shares poetry, rituals, shopping excursions and animal stories. Always a pleasure to visit her. Go take a look, and enter her giveaway. Books, a hand-made wreath and a very coveted Fairy wand is in the offing. Here's the link:
The Wiccan Life Spring Giveaway

Have you seen the new show about the Fae on Sci-Fi channel? It is called Lost Girl and I have to admit I like it. At least so far. Sci-Fi channel shows can sometimes be a bit "cheesy". Give it a look. It comes on Monday nights.  Here is a link where you can learn more about this nifty show.  Lost Girl on Sci-Fi Channel

Time to water the house plants, clean the canary cage, fill up the outside bird feeders and maybe go to my favorite book store for some perusing and a cafe mocha. I wonder if they still have pumpkin cheesecake?.....................

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Dreams

For the last four nights, I have been having the most wonderful dreams. Bright, sunshiney, warm, happy, loving dreams. I am with my mother and she is smiling, healthy, younger. We are sitting together in old familiar places, chatting and laughing. These dreams are beautiful. I wake up assured that my mom is fine, and that my sadness will decrease day by day.

A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go.  ~Author Unknown

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Imbolc Blessings

Though spring weather and new growth is still some time away, Imbolc is a welcomed sabbat that helps us remember that winter does not last forever, and this side of the planet will once again be filled with days of long light, birdsong and green-leafed trees. (now that was a long sentence!).

These days, instead of observing the birth of lambs and calves, most urban Wiccans are using symbols of new life and the return of light on their altars. Beautiful candles, cauldrons filled with herbs, fresh flowers and incense, paintings or figures of those things that represent the return of Spring. For those of us who live in northern climes, we are not likely to see crocuses popping up or the groundhogs scurrying around. But truly we know it is coming soon, with Ostara, the Spring Equinox sabbat occurring in March.

So far, for most of us all over the US, this winter has not been very harsh (as of yet). Still it gets dark early, and there is frost in the mornings, and frankly I am so tired of the heavy coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and waiting for the car to warm up. It is encouraging to take a moment at the beginning of February to think ahead to the warmer days.

In the meantime, there is lots going on to fill the days between now and Ostara. I try not to wish the time away, as each and every day is just as important as a day sometime in the future. Live in the "now", I like to say.

Blessed Imbolc to everyone.

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Welcome February

It is with utmost relief I bid farewell to January. Glad to be done with it. February will be a very good month, of that I am certain. Despite dealing with grief, my Wiccan witchy ways won't let me sink down into too deep of a burrow. And my mom would not be pleased. Her loss is still very new, just a week has gone by. The hands of the clock move very slowly. But come, pour a cup of tea and sit with me, can you?

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 February has always been one of my favorite months, starting way back in the long ago of elementary school. Ground Hog's Day (which I now know is actually the Wiccan sabbat, Imbolc!!); did the nutty little groundhog  come out of his hidey-hole and see his shadow? 6 more weeks of winter? or, just six more weeks till Spring? Then along comes Mr Lincoln's birthday, our 16th president. Cutting out the silhouettes of his bearded profile and writing little history stories: "Abraham Lincoln was very honest and did his school work by candle light." And of course just a week or so later, we did the same for Mr Washington, the axe-yielding cherry tree killer of legend and "Father of our Country". (totally false, you know, about ole G.W. cutting down the cherry tree...but still my mom made cherry pie every February 22nd for years, lol!)

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But the ultimate February event of course was Valentine's Day. Handcrafted "mailboxes", or crisp white bakery bags, covered in millions of red and pink hearts, lots of lacy doilies, cupcakes iced in pink frosting, tons of candy, the ubiquitous Hawaiian Punch! Ah, the good old days!!

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Enough of strolling down memory lane! It is pouring down rain, about 46 degrees F, weird, wacky weather for February in the North. Not complaining though.

Looking forward to all kinds of good things this month. And thank you Linda, for the adorable Valentine card you sent.

See you soon!!

Back from Virginia

Hi Y'All! (that's how people talk down south in the Shenandoah Valley)

We drove back Friday and arrived home road-weary and dog-tired. Thank you all so much for your sweet words of sympathy and love you have left for me and mine. We are walking around in a kind of stupor, but sleep and time, tea and perhaps some chocolate will help. I am planning on doing a ritual for my mom very soon. She was a Christian and believed truly in a Heaven and reuniting with all the loved ones who have passed. I fully believe she will have her beautiful after life.

In the meantime, I will think of a way to honor her passing, of her breaking through the veil of this life, into the next. She never knew about my Wiccan path. It never felt right to tell her about it. Can't explain why. I am sure those of you on pagan paths will understand. It is not about fear of her being angry, or rejecting me. I have no regrets not revealing my path to her.

On the way home, we were thrilled to see very new-born baby calves in the fields. A true representation of the sabbat Imbolc, which is February 2nd. The return of light and new life.  Very sweet scenes.

Take care, everyone. Back soon. Love you all.  Robin.

My Beloved Mother

Two weeks ago I received word from my brother in Virginia that our mother was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and other illnesses. A week passed and she improved a bit. Then within a few days her condition worsened. This past Sunday (Jan 22) my son Nick and I left for Virginia from Syracuse NY and drove as fast as we could the 500 miles to the Shenandoah Valley area where my brother and mother reside. My brother that lives with me was desperate to go with us, but is unable to travel as he is still recovering from his stroke. My husband has stayed in Syracuse to be with my brother.

My mother was conscious and fairly alert when we arrived at the hospital late that Sunday evening. She greeted me with a big smile and softly said my name. We embraced as best we could around all the wires and tubes and machines. Later that night, her condition worsened.  She was placed on palliative care, and for a little over 24 hours she lay unconscious and unresponsive. My daughter and my best friend were traveling to us, and finally arrived. That night, two of my brothers, my son and daughter, our dear family friend and I stayed up tending our vigil.

At 6:00 am the following morning, Jan 25th, everyone, except Nick and me, went up for coffee and breakfast. While they were gone, my beloved mother passed away with me holding her hand. Quietly, calmly and with no pain, she left us.

My mother was 96 and beloved by everyone who knew her. Despite many difficulties in her last years, she always maintained a bright and loving spirit. She was a gracious and delightful woman, and a remarkable mom. In the late spring when early roses are blooming, we will place her ashes in a beautiful place and have a simple memorial service with the close family and friends that made up her circle of love.

I am devastated and drained, but I know my mom is happy and free of pain now. We will celebrate her life and then do our best to honor her in the way we live our lives. My beloved mother, how I love you!

Wind and Magick

It is a little after midnight, and when I sat down at the computer it was Tuesday. So now it is early Wednesday and the wind is blowing like banshees outside. More snow is on the way. The wind is sweeping down the chimney, even though the flue is closed. All kinds of things are rattling and shaking and knocking all around the house outside. Normally I love the wind, but this seems a bit too much on a cold winter's night. And the lights are flickering.

I am up late (or early, depending on perspective). Lots of things going on that are keeping me awake. I can't talk about it right now, perhaps later this week. Not-good-things.  I know that is not fair to mention something and then refuse to explain further. But I know my dear blog-world friends will understand.

And now I am afraid to stay on the computer much longer, the lights are definitely dimming off and on. My honey put a little flashlight in my pocket before he climbed upstairs to bed. My laptop perhaps needs to be shut down in case of power outage.

I think it is time to get out my cauldron, light a couple of candles, pull out some herbs and incense. Time for a spell or two to help out with things. Midnight is the witching hour. And perhaps use some of the Wind power that is blowing all around. Must go....magick is afoot.