This and That

Well, I finally had some time to do a bit of holiday decorating today. It is far from my usual annual Yule adornments, but it will have to do ...

My small ceramic tree ...

A few Christmas and Yule cards from lovely friends! ...

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This will be Charlie's first Yule and Christmas with all of us ...

The boys just chillin' with their dad ...

 My screen saver pic from my very old 17.3" screen laptop ...

Just playing around with my colored mascara for the holidays ...

I still have to put out my holiday cat bathroom towels, but for the most part, my decorating is done until February 2nd (Imbolg and Groundhog Day). 🎄🎅🔔

Technical Difficulties

Greetings, everyone! My sincere apologies for being away for a few days. My laptop WENT out on me a week ago and I had to order another one which I picked up only this morning! Last Friday, I was using my old one and all of the sudden it began making a noise which very quickly got LOUDER! I was unable to save it and because it was outdated and not worth even trying to temporarily fix, I had little choice but to buy another one. Fortunately, they were able to clone/copy my files (photos, doc, and such) onto my new laptop. I now have to get used to Windows 11, but they gave me cheat sheets to use for it - Thank God! .....

I am still working on my few Yule decorations which I will most likely be putting out sometime this week and leave them out until the end of January. This past Wednesday was our company Christmas dinner and Ugly Christmas Sweater group photo day. 

Unfortunately, I accidently forgot the sweater (above pic) I was planning on wearing at my auto mechanic's garage while picking up  my car that same morning, so I dug out another one I had. Can you find me? lol ...

Anyhow, I am finally now able to get around to reading all of your blogs. I missed you guys!! 😎

A memory of Yule Past ...

Yule celebration photo from 2018: Aurora Skye, Sara, Debbie, Melissa, Lady Sabrina Rhiannon, & me.

'Twas the Night before Yuletide

'Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen,

Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.

A mantle of snow shone brightly that night

As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.

The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,

Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.

The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,

Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.

When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,

Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.

The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet

Then raced to the river where they usually meet.

“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,

As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.

“What caused the earth's shudder?

What caused her to shiver?”

They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.

Then what to their wondering eyes should appear

But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.

It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,

Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.

Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,

There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,

A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,

Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.

As she passed by them the old crone's perfume,

Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,

Made each of the fey folk think of the spring

When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.

“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed

in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,

“I've come to remind you, for you seem to forget,

that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”

“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,

The air isn't filled with rich fragrant smells

Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,

Of cider that's mulled or other hot brews.”

“There aren't any children at play in the snow,

Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.

Have you forgotten, my children, the fun

Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”

She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,

As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.

Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,

“Come, my children,” she said, “Let's play.”

They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,

Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.

They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.

They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.

They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,

In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.

They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,

Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.

Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,

Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,

The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree

And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree's finery.

They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,

The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.

It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar

The golden-like sphere turned into a star.

The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,

"Happy Yuletide, my children," she whispered. "Good night."

(The Author of this wonderful tale is unfortunately Unknown. It may possibly be C.C. Williford.)

Appreciating Differences

I remember shopping at a local flea market a few years ago looking to buy a book on Jewish culture for my Wiccan friend as a Yule gift. I saw a used book stand and confidently walked up to the saleswoman and said, "Good day! I was wondering if you would happen to have any books on Christmas? I have a friend who wishes to learn more about his Jewish heritage." Of course, after I misspoke I immediately realized my "slip of the tongue." But before I had the chance to correct myself, she very sternly replied, "No, no it's Hanukkah, my de-ah, Hanukkah!" I promptly apologized and we both shared a little chuckle, deservedly so, at my expense.

The friend whom I am referring to is my very dear friend and our long-time solitary group member, Matthew.  When it comes to witches, some of us are what are considered to be a hereditary witch - meaning a witch who can trace his or her bloodline back at least three generations. Some of us are natural witches and some of us are even mixed with another faith.  Such is the case with my friend Matthew. He is a Wiccan; however, he also chooses to acknowledge his Jewish roots.  Traditionally in the Jewish religion, it is the mothers' side of the family which determines the faith of the next generation of children. Even though Matt's mother does not choose follow the Jewish faith, his grandmother did.



It is interesting to note that the six-pointed Jewish Star of David was originally a Pagan symbol known as the Seal of Solomon. In fact, the menorah, which is also associated with the Jewish religion, is often used by many Wiccans (myself included) during esbat rituals. The main reason for this is because of the number "9" which has long been considered a magickal symbol. Furthermore, as my Wiccan High Priestess friend of the 'Coven of the the Silver Moon Circle' Lady Sabrina Rhiannon, and my Reiki Master adds,  "If you view it in 3D. It is the Merkabah of Metatron. With deep meditation and breath patterns and learning its rotation pattern, that it can assist with personal ascension."

To me, one of the most beautiful things about Wicca is its' open-mindedness and willingness to learn from others. It is not solely a matter of education; however, it is also a case of appreciating eachothers' differences - whatever our heritage.

"Shalom lecha, ahavti, my friend, and a Blessed Yule to all!!!

TBT: A Matter of Faith

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As a Wiccan, I faithfully celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice. As a daughter; however, I still spend the Christmas holidays, church aside, with my Christian family. There may be a few of my fellow Wiccans who might believe that in doing so, I am in conflict with my Wiccan beliefs. As I see it, I, myself, am not celebrating Christmas - I am merely respecting the fact that my family does.  I love spending time with my family and friends and since that does not interfere in any way with the fact that I am Wiccan and celebrate the sabbat of Yule, I certainly do not see any problem with it. 

For example, my husband is agnostic, but he has always respected my decision to be a Wiccan. Even though he does not actually participate in our circles and sabbat celebrations, he is still there with me and he helps me in any way he can.  He has always stood by me and supported me throughout these many years. The fact that he does not follow my own personal religious beliefs, does not mean that he can not be accepting of them.

As a Wiccan Priestess and teacher, I am also a strong advocate of religious tolerance, and as such, I truly believe in “practicing what I preach.” After all, it is a road which runs both ways.  It is important for us to remember that, ultimately, we all breathe the same air and we are all a part of the same universe – regardless of our various faiths and diverse religious beliefs.

A Blast from the Past

Greetings, friends. While reading one of my blogger friends posts, CJ of her blog CJ & Ink, over this past weekend, it reminded me of just how much I love the sport of figure skating. As a follow up to her post, I wanted to share some awesome performances of two of my all-time favorite Ice Dance teams. They are Torvill & Dean of Great Britain and Paul & Isabelle Duchesnay. I hope you enjoy! 

Torvill & Dean's "Bolero" Olympic Gold metal winning Free Dance  in 1984 and their 1994 Olympic Bronze metal winning Free Skate program to "Face the Music and Dance" ...  

Christopher Dean was also the choreographer for the Ice Dancing brother and sister pair, Paul and Isabelle Duchesnay,  from Quebec, Canada who had represented France in the 1992 Olympics Games. 

Duchesnay & Duchesnay - 1992 Silver Metal Free Dance program performance to the music of "West Side Story" ...

The Duchesnay's Silver Metal performance to "Missing" at the 1990 World Championships.

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Welcome to December & Small Business Saturday!

Blessed Sunday all! Yesterday was "Small Business Saturday" and so my sister Aurora Skye and I ventured out to support the local businesses in our area. This first stop was one of our favorite places around this time of the year - "Murdough's Christmas Barn" ...

Their tree displays are always so BEAUTIFUL! All of them have themes to showcase their many, many diverse ornaments which are placed in baskets in front of the trees ...

Some smaller trees ...

A table for their on-sale everyday items ...

While shopping at another one of our fav stores, "Gem on Penn", we ran into Mr. & Mrs. Claus ... 🎄🎅🎄🎅

 

And a surprise reunion with a lovely young co-worker, Sonya, (who recently transferred to another building) and her fiancé, Nick ...

A couple of pics of The Sinking Spring VFW's Christmas tree this year. The lights are really cool because they change between the white lights and the colored ...

We have lost so many small (and some long-time big businesses) the last few years, we are happy to see the ones still standing. We are always trying to do our part to help keep them going. 

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!