MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Do you keep a gratitude journal?

Courtesy of Country Living Magazine

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Fall is in full swing here in the Ozarks. I love fall but not the very wet November. That said, I am grateful for the rain.

Courtesy of Country Living Magazine

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

PREPARING FOR THE FULL MOON

 Merry meet, my friends.

I've been on the go since Samhain. I'll have a video for you tomorrow of a few items I picked up at the Enchanted Haven Open House in Rolla Missouri on Sunday. 

In the mean time, I wanted to remind you of the Super Moon tomorrow night. This is the Snow moon. American Colonists also refer to this as the Beaver Moon, recognizing this is the time when beaver retreat into their dens. The moon will be closest to the earth so it will appear larger and brighter. 

Here in the Ozarks we're to have beautiful conditions, albeit very chilly. I'll be charging moon water as well as a new tarot deck I purchased on Sunday. I tried to find a link. I'll keep looking. 

For more information on how to celebrate the Full Moon, check out this article from ABC.

You can also revisit THIS  blog post.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

This month is all about gratitude.

Courtesy of Country Living Magazine

Blessed Be

~ Rain

SAMHAIN - A Celebration of Life

 Merry Meet, my friends.

As we approach another turn of the wheel and the thinning of the veil, Samhain is the perfect time for reflection and celebration.

As with anyone else you would visit, start with a cleansing bath or shower. Meditate on who you want to communicate with. This can be a single person or multiples; though I do caution not to over indulge. There will be other Samhains. Is there someone who left you with questions on their passing? Or perhaps someone you never had the opportunity to meet? This is the perfect time to bring them closer and tell them how much they've meant to you, even in their absence. Remember, they're never far away and have always been watching over you.

If you've not already done so, change your altar setting. Give the surface a good cleansing then bring in all the Samhain vibes of celebrating loved ones. Include any pictures you might have.  Include any personal items, such as jewelry. This lets them know you are honoring them. 

One of my favorite witch YouTubers is Magical Crafting  In THIS video she talks about Samhain Rituals and Altar ideas.

Another way to honor them is to host a 'dumb supper'. I've never cared for that term, so I call them 'empty chair'. Set a place for an honored guest at your table. This is a silent meal where you allow space for a passed loved one to take part in a meal with you. They will communicate in their own way if you keep the silence and allow them the opportunity to do so.

Your supper might include their favorite meal or items that celebrate the end of the season such as fresh vegetables (particularly root vegetables), meats such as venison, pork, or beef. Nothing says welcome in like a hearty stew and fresh bread. The Witch's Cookery provides great instruction on rustic breads as well as cakes and other treats for your guest, and for you. HERE is her post from three years ago on celebrating Samhain.

Take time for yourself. This is the perfect time for reflection over the past year. Journal to reflect on your year. Write down things you no longer want to focus on and burn the paper during your ritual. You can write them on paper or even a leaf you might have picked up from a quiet walk.

I love this simple ritual from Alwyn Oak. Once you've written down the things you wish to let go of - on a leaf or even a leaf cut from paper, Like the trees, I can let go. 

You can do all of these things, even if you're still in the broom closet. You might need to do a visual burning of the paper/ leaf, but everything else can be done and no one the wiser. The silent supper might be the tricky one but you can serve the foods, celebrating the people you have in your life. Let them know what they mean to you. 

 

A Tarot reading is always a good idea. At this point in the wheel, lay a spread asking what you need to face before the new year begins. You might even find out what you need to let go of. 

Carving pumpkins dates back centuries when root vegetables were traditional carved with scary faces to ward off any evil spirits that might cross the thinned veil. In today's history, those scary faces have morphed into anything from funny to absolutely macabre. A Jack-O-Lantern is a great way to keep those spirits away during a ritual.

The thinning of the veil is a great time for divination work; allowing past souls to guide you on your journey. To help guide spirits to your home, place a candle in the West window.

Take time to rest and to rejuvenate. You want to step into the new year refreshed and ready to accept whatever may be in your future. 

For me:

I hope to start the morning with a walk in our woods as dawn approaches. Listen to what the forest has to share. A quiet breakfast of apple cake and coffee with Bob before I head out to celebrate a friend's birthday. Sadly, she'll be working but that means my day is spent in my favorite coffee shop. On the way, I plan to visit a Civil War encampment to do some soul searching and let them know my thoughts on their sacrifice. 

If you've never been soul searching, take your camera to a cemetery and watch for facial recognition boxes in your view finder. They are there. When you find anyone, talk to them. 

Chinese Buffet for supper before I head home, looking at all the spooky decorated houses. 

Above all, have a safe Samhain

Blessed Be!

~Rain

A BIT OF HALLOWEEN HISTORY - Plus A Samhain Special Post Coming Soon!

 Merry meet, friends!

Coming in a bit late today. I had to get potato slices on the dehydrator this morning after having them cure in lemon water overnight. Homesteading and Family always come first.

I'm finishing up a project for a special post on Thursday. We are greeted with a turn of the wheel on Friday so I wanted to do something a little different this year, a day ahead so you might include some of the ideas into your celebration. 

I know there is controversy about how Halloween began as well as how the event relates to us. I also am aware that there are several types of witches, giving each a different view of how this came to be and how we celebrate. For this reason, I'm including a couple of different videos for you to watch. I'd love to have your comments below.

Full History Channel Special

Halloween History Channel - YouTube

Blessed Be!

~Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Now is the time to put final touches to your Samhain celebration. Please leave a comment below - what is one of your favorite traditions on this magical night?

background courtesy of pixabay

Blessed Be!

~ Rain