First Day of Spring

 

The week 'as it were' ...

Greetings everyone! Well, this was my week in a nutshell - a holiday, an appliance headache, and a groundhog ... yup, the about sums it all up! After our washing machine broke down on us the week before, we ordered a new one from Home Depot and The Geek Squad delivered it on Friday. ONLY to find out that not only could they not take away the old one but they could not even install and set up the new one because the old one still had water inside of it that we could not see AND we were told that our water lines needed to be replaced due to some corrosion. Ergo, they refused to do anything but take the new machine downstairs and sit it at the bottom of the basement steps. We will have to take care of this crap and then set up another date for them to do the rest. UGH, what a big mess!

The new "uninstalled" washing machine.

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Moving on, this week we celebrated Imbolg/Imbolc/Candlemas respectively ... (shared from "Tamed Wild" website)

And ...... HERE'S PHIL! ...

I got up early on February 2nd for the express purpose of watching our very own Punxsutawney Phil give his annual weather "prediction" - it will be SIX more weeks of winter which is no surprise since we would have to endure six more week regardless because February 2nd lands right smack in the middle of winter ...

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In other news, with the prices of eggs being as crazy as they are, my mom's neighbor has a friend who owns a farm and was selling fresh farm eggs for only $3.00/dozen.. So, I bought two dozen ($6.00) and began putting them to good use today ... 

Egg and cheese omelets for breakfast.

And, French Toast. Both made in the air fryer oven.

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My husband found this interesting wine yesterday ... "Scrapple"? (Spiced Cranberry Apple flavored)  lol

And last, but certainly not least, a few new kitty pics taken this weekend ...

Teddy is getting very comfortable being a house cat these days.

Butterscotch lounging around on the sofa.

Miss Ginger.

Have a great week all!

A weekend off

Greetings, friends! This weekend has been the first "free" weekend that I have had in a very long time! So, I made the best of it. Yesterday, I ran all of my essential errands and then spent the remainder of the day cleaning the house. Today, my sister Aurora Skye and I chose to spend some well-needed quality time out and about. We decided to have lunch at a very nice place called, "Ganly's Pub" located down the road from my house, then frequented our usual places. Two of them were "The Mint Leaf" and "Soul-Centered Wellness" where I found a couple of wonderful little fun items ...

I could not resist this new book about the Celtic Gods & Goddesses. I can't wait to read it! ...

There was a sale on "Serendipity" soy candles ...

Some new items for Spring ... 

Holiday hand decorated slate coasters.

A hand sewn mermaid cushion. 

"Cat Lover's" pen set.

A pretty new blouse.

And, two new awesome scented soy candles ...

On the way home we stopped off at two more stores we both love - "Celtic Myth & Moonlight" and "The Gem on Penn" where I picked up these cool things ...

Sir Leo checking out the new Dragon themed Sabbat Astrology bag. 💗

A new addition to my Bastet altar ...

A large Bastet altar candle ...

A gemstone cage and fluorite stone. Fluorite helps balance emotions in people. Its energy imparts emotional stability to handle difficult situations with a clear mind, not overwhelmed by emotions. Fluorite stone balls are popular feng shui items.

Have a great week all!!

A holiday by any other name: Imbolg!

Our next holiday celebration will be the cross-quarter and greater sabbat of Imbolg. Imbolg, as we all know, is also known as Imbolc, Candlemas/The Feast of Flames, Festival of Lights, and Groundhog Day among others.  It falls on February 2^nd of every year and it is a time for purification and cleansing ~ the “sweeping out of the old and bringing in of the new” as it were. It marks the first fetal stirrings of Spring in the womb of our Earth Mother and seeds are prepared for sewing.
  

It is also a time when we honor the Triple Goddess in Her maiden aspect of Brigid (pronounced “Breed”) who is the goddess of fire, inspiration, healing, craftsmanship, and midwifery. She is also the patroness of the hearth, poets, smiths, craftspeople, healers, and priests/priestesses. The God who was born of the Goddess at Yule stirs in His slumber and awaits the Spring Equinox. It is also said that Groundhog Day (later known as Candlemas), which had its’ beginnings in German Paganism and is celebrated in both the United States and Canada, symbolizes the manifestation of the God Himself. In regard to six more weeks of winter: “If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, Winter again will show its’ might. If Candlemas day be cloudy and grey, Winter soon will pass away.” Of course, in reality, either way we must still endure six more weeks of winter before the start of Spring. Personally, I just adore Groundhog Day here in the States. It is such a fun festivity whether celebrated locally or abroad. We always enjoy watching "Punxsutawney Phil" awake from his hibernation to make a brief appearance to predict our winter's future on early morning of February 2^nd. For more on Phil, please read my post, “Can't get enough of that Phil!” Just an aside, last year when we took our 5-day cruise on Ontario, Canada's Rideau Canal, the Captain and family business owner's sister, who happened to be the Cruise Director named Ann, told us a story of how she made a special trip to Punxsutawney, PA here in the States for the express purpose of actually meeting "Phil" and joining in on the town's festivities! Such a delightful woman!

Imbolg is a good time to get organized ~ spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is also the traditional time for dedications, rededications, and initiations if you are associated with a coven or group. It is an ideal time to cleanse your sacred space, altar, and tools. Activities may include making Brigid’s Crosses, Sun Wheels, a crown of candles, creating a grain or wicker dolly to represent Brigid, making a Brigid’s Bed using the corn or wheat from the previous Lughnasadh, and hanging a scarf outside on the eve of Imbolg so that Brigid will bless it with healing powers. Other activities include hanging three ears of corn on your door until Ostara to honor the Triple Goddess and making Dream Pillows for every member of the family. I always like to cleanse and bless our home on Imbolg.

"Brigid's Bed"

Displaying our Bridal/wedding photos during ritual celebrations.

Also, on Imbolg eve, it is customary to leave food and drink out for Brigid such as buttered bread, milk, grains, or seeds.

IMBOLG CANDLES

We light the candles on Imbolg

Weave our crosses end to end

We light the candles on Imbolg

To urge the Sun to come again,

We light the candles on Imbolg

To honor the Goddess Brigit,

We light the candles on Imbolg

To plow the field and sow the seed

~ Lady Caer Morganna