So here's the thing.....Out of the Broom Closet

Almost six years ago, I performed my self-dedication ritual in a circle of pine trees and birch, in a beautiful spot in rural north west Quebec, Canada. It was a perfect day of blue skies, light breezes, and witnessed by many wild birds, chipmunks and red squirrels. Not a human to be seen or heard. It was a moving, emotional time for me, and I felt the God and Goddess, all around me. I had spent over a year and a day before that ritual studying the Wiccan Way, and realizing as each day passed, how perfect this path was for me.

It has taken me a long time to come "Out of the Broom Closet" to friends and family. Husband and kids knew from the very beginning and supported and encouraged me in every way. But it was over a year and half before I told my best friend and two of my brothers. My mom and another brother do not know. Nor do many of my other friends and extended family.

It took a long time for me to wear my pentacle in public. Always wearing it under my clothes. I wonder why I was so fearful and hesitant to openly display my faith. I suppose I am a "victim" of what I perceive as a virulent prejudice against practitioners of pagan paths. I made myself a victim, it was not forced upon me. Possibly the trepidation of not feeling confident enough to explain my beliefs to someone, and fear of rejection or criticism by total strangers kept me in the broom closet for ages.

This is regrettable of course, but the longer I have walked my path and felt the God and Goddess in my life, and studied and talked with people, the easier it has become. I now wear my pagan jewelry openly, I have met with other pagans in public places, and this weekend I am volunteering at the CNY Pagan Pride Festival. This is a momentous occasion for me. I am very proud of being a pagan, and if my picture should show up in the newspaper for all the world to see, well, hurray for me!

It just took a long time for me to stop being afraid of other attitudes, and get on with my own life.  It is a wonderful thing to feel free and happy about my Wiccan Ways. Time, and study, and the Goddess!

I am Out of the Broom Closet!  I am a Wiccan! I offer Brightest Blessings to everyone! 

Medieval Faire

Beardslee Castle, Little Falls NY

Herbals & Jewelry for sale

Performers

Birds of Prey

Adorable costumes

A beautiful Saturday in September for a drive in the country to Little Falls NY to visit a Medieval Faire. Beardslee Castle was the setting...a 150 year old structure that is now host to weddings, festivals, concerts, and ghosts. Here's the website to learn more http://www.beardsleecastle.com/

Sweet Autumn Clematis

It is always a thrill to me, as if I were a little kid, to see the big brown truck pull up to my house! Today, I received an order I placed back in July. Paniculata, or Sweet Autumn Clematis. It is a vigorous grower, great for trellises, porches, fences. Small white starry-shaped flowers, fragrant, and blooms August-September. I have been wanting one for a long time, and now I have two, as I had gotten one early in August from another nursery. I have a friend who has it growing in her front yard and it is climbing all over the place and looks beautiful. And how can you resist something named "Sweet Autumn"? Because of their white blooms, I am planting them in honor of the Goddess...white and silver are colors most associated with Her.
(click on pix for a closer look)

Bluestone Perennials Packaging

Unpacked, look at the fertilizer tablet they included, almost as big as the plant!

Phantom Petunia

Look at this petunia.  Its name is "Phantom".  I just bought it a couple of weeks ago, it was new at the market, even though the season for annuals is pretty much done (purchasing wise). It is a blackish color, with stripes of yellowish/green. Very unusual and beautiful, I think. Some of the blooms are "sporting", which means some of the newer blooms are showing no stripes. The leaves are really sticky, and there is no fragrance. But it is quite exotic-looking, and if only it would keep blooming till Samhain, I would be happy. A perfect flower for Halloween.

Here it is the day after Labor Day. Sort of a "time between time". In human terms (well, American humans, at least) summer is over. Pools close, kids are back to school. But the autumnal equinox does not occur until September 23rd. So no autumn decorating for me yet. I am still watering containers of summer flowers, still picking tomatoes, and the air conditioner is running right now.  I am working on my Mabon ritual. Wow, there will be a full moon on Mabon...very powerful and exciting.

New Bird Species Discovered/Thoughts on Wiccan Practice

The elusive Chipmunkatis, non-feathered variety

Here's something I have't seen before in my garden. Apparently this little "bird" is checking out the accomodations offered at the Wiccan Two-Family Bird-plex. He must have been deciding if there was room for him, the wife & kids, and still have space for all the nuts and safflower seeds he has been raiding from the garden!

Finches on a Pine Tree(click for a better view)

I have several goals this month, especially before Mabon (September 23rd, Autumn Equinox). I am re-vamping my Book of Shadows as I have decided to expand my ritual and spell casting beyond candle magick, incense, and music to include herbs, essential oils and gemstones. The tables of Correspondences can be tricky, as the sources I refer to have a tendency to be contradictory. One book will say use blue candles for healing, another will say use white. Or don't perform this particular spell during the waning moon, another will say wait till the Full moon. This is actually a conundrum in many areas of Wicca. One can read TOO many books. At times it can be quite overwhelming. So the solution is to pick the sources that feel the most comfortable and natural. As long as the basic "tenets" are followed, including the Wiccan Rede: Harm None, The Three-Fold Law of Return (what goes out comes back three times over). The intent must be fully formed. The personal power must be completely focused. Do what you will--harm none.

At any rate, I am working to enhance my Wiccan practice, and hope to have some interesting things to report. It is quite exciting, really.

I have Followers!

What a thrill to look at my blog and see that I have three (COUNT THEM!) three!!! followers. I am tickled, and thank you so much to my witchy blogging friend at October Farm for being the first follower!!! Now I just have make sure I blog some things of interest, dont I?

Flower Harvest

A bunch of tomatoes, all ripe and ready for slicing. Or chopping. Or simmering. We have been competing with the squirrels for these red globes. I observed a squirrel pick one right off the vine, and charge up the fence and away to his cozy hiding place to chomp whilst chortling at us! I must have a conversation with my dogs about keeping a better watch over the garden!

Stopping at B&N the other day, I snatched up three new items for magickal perusing. The new 2011 Witches calendar, put out by Llewellyn, as well as a daily almanac.  I can't stop myself from buying new and glossy Witch items. Plus I waited too long last year, and missed out on a witchy calendar.  The book The Wiccan Year by Judy Ann Nock, (published by Provenance Press) is a guide for Spells, Rituals, Holiday Celebrations. It begins with Samhain and goes through all the Wiccan Sabbats ending of course with Mabon. Also a section called "A Lunar Year and a Day, The Esbats".  I am looking forward to reading it, always a pleasure to find a new book to add to my magickal library, and to help enhance my path. Always looking for new ideas, new inspirations.