Yule Decorations

In keeping with one of my yearly sabbat traditions, I added yet another new Yule decoration this year ... or two or three to my collection. I even found a few really old ones which I had actually forgotten that I still had packed upstairs in the attic. Some of these decorations haven't been put out for quite a few years ...

Jim Shore Snowman & Cat

 

 

Yule Wreath

 

Muscial Skating Snowman ~ plays "Skater's Waltz"

 

Cat Stockings

Yule Cat bathroom towels

Yule Cat kitchen towels
 

Some of my Yule nick-nacks

 

 

And, of course, my favorite new tree ornament of all, our sweet cat Tabitha!!

 

 

 

I still have a little more work to do before I am completely finished with my decorating, but so far I am having a ball!!!

Honoring our Veterans on Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day here in the United States and as a Girl Scout all those many years ago, I remember at the end of every scout meeting we all stood in a circle along with our women Scout Leaders holding hands while singing the words to, "Taps."

I recall the words to this day as I remember our many brave and honored Veterans. My hubby served in the Air Force and so have many of our other members of our family in one branch or other. I would feel terribly amiss if I did not honor them all in some way today.

My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families on this most important day of "Thank you's!" The following renditional lyrics of the song "Taps" are the ones in which we were taught when I was a Girl Scout.

"Day is done,

 Gone the Sun,

 From the North,

 From the East,

 From the South,

 From the West,

 Safely rest,

 All is nigh."

Turning it all around ...

Turn what around exactly? Well, my dear friends, the events that have occurred over this past most stressful week have been, to say the very least, faith-testing! I have been literally attacked by many folks of my own community (yes sadly, I am speaking of some of my "tolerant" fellow Wiccans) who felt the need to have labeled me many horrible things of which I am most certainy NOT! I shall not re-hash the entire story here on my blog and I will spare you all the ugly details. As with everyone, my views are my own and thankfully are shared by many of my close,  more open-minded Wiccan friends dare I say. Let's just say that the events were so bad that I almost had to delete my Facebook account because of them. The only reason I decided not to is because of the very sweet and kind followers of my blogs who e-mailed me expressing their sadness and that they would miss my blog posts and me very much! I am joined with NetworkedBlogs which is linked to my Facebook. Had I deleted my Facebook account, my followers would have also disappeared from my blogs as would their access. To them, I express my very heart-felt and appreciative "THANK YOU" and I will gladly keep my Facebook open for them and only them. I truly love you all, my friends!  ;-)  (BTW, anyone who happens to be curious about my personal feelings on the election results, all you need to do is visit Robin's awesome blog, "Wiccan Writes" and read the comment section of her latest post about the two old gentlemen having a post-election fuss ~ LOL! GREAT post, Robin! Thank you!)

That being said, I have decided that I need a huge pick-me-up!! And so, I have made up my mind to break tradition this year at my house and begin decorating a tad early for Yule this year. Yes, you heard me right! Instead of putting out my Yule decorations on Black Friday as I usually do, I am getting a big head start this weekend. I truly need a change in mood and atmosphere and I believe this will certainly help do the trick!

A Fun and Interesting Test

You are a Type 2 with a 1 wing: "The Helper Idealist" Your trifix is 2w1, 9w1, 7w8. In enneagram theory, you have one type for how you relate to the world (either 8, 9, or 1), one type for how you think (5, 6, 7) and one type for how you see yourself (2, 3, 4.) Your tri-fix contains one number from each of these triads. They are listed in the order of how strongly they present in your personality. Your core type (your strongest type) is Type 2 with a 1 wing: Type Two individuals are generous and kind. Twos love others and want to be loved, and becoming close to others is a theme in the life of the Two. This is why Two is often referred to as the Helper type – because they keep coming, time and time again, to the aid of others. Out of all the types in the Enneagram, Twos are the most likely to help someone when they’re feeling down or when they’re being attacked. When a Type Two is stressed, they can become aggressive like an unhealthy Type Eight. When they’re healthy, a Type Two becomes emotionally aware like a healthy Type Four. You are a Type Two with a One wing, which means that the helpful nature of the Two combines with the idealistic nature of the One to make a very humanitarian personality. Your second type (your next strongest type) is Type 9 with a 1 wing: Nines are receptive, easygoing, and loveable. Out of all the types in the Enneagram, they have a special ability to get along with others. For this reason, they’re often skilled mediators, resolving conflicts both within themselves and among others. Nines value peace, especially inner peace, very highly. When in a state of growth, Nines become energetic and driven like Type Threes. When stressed, Nines become anxious like an unhealthy Type Six. You are a Type Nine with a One wing, which means that the harmonious traits of the Type Nine merge with the idealistic nature of the Type One. You have an idealized view of the world, and your drive toward harmony is one way to fulfill that dream. Your third type (the least-used of the three) is Type 7 with a 8 wing: Type Seven individuals are energetic, engaging, and playful. They have a love for life and can easily jump from one exciting topic to the next. The Type Seven thought process is a bit scattered, but that’s because they are easily interested in many different things. This is why Type Seven is often called The Enthusiast. When in a growth state, Type Sevens become focused like Type Fives. When they’re stressed, they become a perfectionist like a Type One. The enthusiastic nature of the Type Seven combines with the aggressive nature of the Type Eight, making 7w8 one of the most assertive types in the Enneagram. Some words that describe you: relaxed, peaceful, harmonious, generous, helpful, selfless, loving, enthusiastic, energetic, spontaneous, fun.     Blessings ALL! I found this very fun and interesting personality test on a great blog I just discovered called "The Secret Life of an American Witch"!  These were my results after taking it. Care to find out yours just for the fun if it? Here is the link for you, my friends:

http://enneagramquiz.com/enneagram.html

Wishing everyone the blessings of a joyous Saturday!!!!

Enneagram Test - PersonalityCafe - Developed by timeless

Fun Friday ~ Anne Murray & Deborah Cox - I Can See Clearly Now

With a little help from Nana ...

Well, I suppose in the wake of Samhain, my beloved grandmother (a.k.a. Nana) has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Of the very few crafty-like skills I actually have, she is the one family member who taught both me and my mother how to crochet. Now, mind you, this was no easy task as she was right-handed (as is my mother) and I am a "lefty." Come to think of it, both my parents are right-handed and my brother (my only sibling) and I are left. Strange, right?

So, I used to sit mirrored in front of her and watch her crochet ~ stitch by stitch. I was determined to learn one way or the other. So this weekend, I decided to "get back to my roots" so to speak and crochet a winter scarf and beanie hat to go with it ...

As always, during my Samhain ceremony I had spoken to many of my family and friends of whom have passed on. I asked my grandmother how she wished me to honor her and I truly feel as if I got my asnwer. Thank you, Nana ~ you are forever missed and loved!

A very special celebration!

Greetings all! I hope everyone enjoyed their Samhain. I know that I did! Originally, I was going to hold a solitary ritual, but much to my surprise and delight, my sister Robin (Aurora Skye) decided to join me this year. It was so wonderful!

We set up our ritual downstairs in my Altar Room and performed an intimate and private Samhain ceremony together. We placed pictures of our honored loved ones, both human and pet, on the altar with the rest of our things and continued to celebrate a very meaningful night.

I am so happy to be blessed with her in my life. She is both friend and family ... and always will be.

Brightest Blessings ALL!