FEBRUARY 28

While this is not a monumental day for most - unlike the celebration of February 29th when we would be honoring Leap Year, today is important for some of us.

The Salem Witch Hunts began on this day in 1692 though History.com lists them as beginning on March 1. And in a way that is true. For it was March 1 when three young girls and a Barbados woman were charged with the practice of witchcraft and the true hunt for other witches was on. Even if History.com is correct, you can bet that the talks of Witch Hunts began long before February 28th as well. 

The whole thing began when the girls began experiencing odd medical symptoms... something people had never seen before. In today's times, we still have new malady's rearing their heads yet no one claims witches. Does this mean we have evolved? Did we learn from past mistakes? 

While in some ways we have, the political atmosphere in our country still reeks of discrimination. And while I am not normally political, I can't help but feel as if we are living in a time of a political witch hunt. Immigrants whom have lived in this country their entire lives now fear of being sent 'back' to a country they have never been. 

As witches, we claim that we have power... and WE DO! We have the power to set an example of Love, Respect, Inclusion. Rather than breed the political disease continuing to spread across our lands, BE the person you want everyone to be. I once had someone say to me. 'I didn't know you were a witch. You're so nice." Thank you? LOL

Remember what today stands for then do everything you can to peacefully stop the hunt.

Blessings!

~Rain

FULL MOON - SNOW MOON - ECLIPSE

File picture of the SuperMoon from last year

I meant to post this last week but I've been so busy doctoring the hubby, miserable with a head cold, and trying to get work done before he kindly shared it with me. Guess what I woke up with this morning... and we have a full week ahead of us getting taxes done and one of my contractors coming in next weekend to insulate the office. While Trevor is here, he is also doing the door frame to the office which hasn't been done yet, and the toe kicks on all the cabinets in the house... that were installed over 10 years ago. Bob is great about doing projects... but like his dad, once the project becomes useable then the finishing touches can drag on forever. I knew this about both men but love(d) them anyway. Since I try not to nag, I've just let them go. 

When my Trevor and my other contractor, Ian, were here in November to build the deck and repair the dining room ceiling (Trevor is a drywaller by trade), Trevor noticed the absence of toe kicks and asked. So I contracted him to do the job. Unfortunately, that means I have til Wednesday or Thursday to get the rooms presentable and the floors steamed before he arrives on Friday afternoon. He may bring his wife out with him at some point to meet me. Trevor and I became instant friends when he assisted with the office build and house roofing in 2014. His wife cleans houses for a living. So yeah, I'd like mine to at least be passable. LOL

Okay, back to the moon. Bob was miserable but he kept trying to go out and watch the eclipse. The night air wasn't a good idea but he was excited. He's usually on the boat when Full Moon's occur and we don't get to view them together, let alone an eclipse. Our challenge was that by the time the moon had topped the trees, the eclipse was past.

However, I had such a feeling of Samhain as I viewed the moon through the bare tree branches. So pretty. As I stood beneath the moon's glow I got an idea for my first 'consumable' book that I hope to have on Amazon by August first. I'll give you more details about the book and when you can purchase the journal as I travel the process.

Creative Blessings!

~Rain

STUDY - The Everyday Tarot

Normally, I would put this under TOOLS but my next post for that isn't scheduled til the 7th. I didn't want to wait that long to show you my newest purchase. While in Springfield for a dental appt. last week I stopped in at Barnes & Noble on the off chance they'd have Miss Deborah's Tarot Deck. Yay!

So here's an unveiling of how the deck is packaged. 

First off, the box is gorgeous. Not a flimsy deck of cards style box but a beautifully crafted hinged lid box.

When you open the box, this is your first look at the contents:

 A navy grosgrain ribbon assists in removing the Guidebook. Lifting the book out, reveals the deck below, shrink wrapped to keep the cards crisp in shipping.

Pretty!

I plan to consecrate the deck next weekend and begin exploring the possibilities this deck holds. Of all the decks I own, I'm already 'feeling' this one and I've not popped the plastic. 

Blessings

~Rain

SABBAT - Imbolc

I found this image from pixabay to be so serene. As Imbolc is anchored in candles and the Goddess, Brigid, this picture called to be downloaded and shared with you.

While I'm really focusing on practicing the craft and spirituality, I am still getting caught last minute with 'oh, it's Imbolc' kind of moments. So I'm holding ritual tonight with bare bones of supplies. Candles I have. LOTS of candles and in the appropriate colors. I need to find an altar cloth combo in White and Red.

I did get up this morning and start cleaning like a mad woman. LOL I warned Bob ahead of time and let him now that I was on a cleaning spree. By the time I sink into the ritual bath this evening I will have the laundry caught up and my altar area spiffy.

I did stop at a flower shop yesterday and purchase flowers in white and yellow. I have two white carnations, a yellow spider mum and a yellow rose backed by a sprig of leather leaf.

When I asked Bob to get a vase down for me, I needed one with a wide enough mouth to hold the five stems. The only one I had that had a bulbus bottom I really didn't trust on the altar when Spirit Kitty decides he needs to investigate the changes I make there. Bob reaches down a wine bottle. Yes, I believe the vessel is perfect for this occasion.

My word for this year is RESET. I just want to hit the reset button on my life. My plan is to rid myself of things I don't need to do and focus on the things that will bring me joy. Imbolc is the perfect Sabbat for me to set things in motion. My other plan for tonight is to charge the ruler I'll be using to tear the edges of my BOS pages as well as consecrate my new tarot deck (you'll see that post tomorrow). 

When I'm finished with ritual tonight, I'll make notes about the tools I would like to have on hand for the next Sabbat as well as for Imbolc next year.

May Brigid join you this Sabbat and your intentions prosper throughout the year. 

Blessed Be

~Rain