The Next Chapter: Solstice

I have noticed that I seem to have an internal clock for sabbats. I get busy with various things until a few days before and then something sparks my recognition of what time of the year it is. Like now for instance, talking to the other half last night about the four elements reminded me that the Solstice is only two days away. (I live on the West Coast so it occurs at 10pm for me, although I'll most likely observe it all day Friday.) This means I need to figure out how I'm going to be celebrating this year.

One thing I do every year, and it helps me learn and understand the sabbats and my relation to them, it buy Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac. Now don't judge me for buying from Llewellyn, but I find the almanac is a great way to learn about how different people celebrate the different sabbats. Here's some of the activities I've done inspired by what I've read from these books: three years ago I made a wish box and wrote down what I wanted to manifest in my life, two years ago I started setting out gifts of milk and honey for the fae folk upon learning more about their connection with Litha, last year I slacked at Midsummer (I was in a slump and wouldn't climb out of it until closer to Mabon.) Those are just a few of the examples.

Another reason I like the Sabbats Almanac is that it changes form year to year. Most of my books on magical subjects don't have any new information every year. Once printed, the words don't change. My understanding of them might, but the words themselves don't. I do go back and review my old almanacs to see if I might interpret what they say in a different way or if they have an observance that I am living in a place more suited for.

That said, I'm off to go plan my sabbat celebration. Also, I really like this gal's get-up at the Stonehenge  Solstice observance from 2011.

A New Hearth, A New Home

The last few weeks have been a bit busy. I found a new apartment the day after I wrote my last entry and while we're mostly moved in now, some things still need work.

The whole apartment hunting and application process was a huge lesson in faith and trust in the Goddess for me. I know that sounds a little strange in the Craigslist-driven, money revolving world of apartment renting, but it's true for me. I've always been cautious when it comes to putting all my hopes in one basket as they usually fall apart at that point. So when I had only found one decent apartment for every two weeks of searching, I found that focusing my need and asking the Goddess for help getting through the process made a huge difference. I didn't dwell on anything and with the amazing backyard I knew the Goddess wanted me here.

Our first week in the new place also got me talking with the other half about paganism and Heathenism while we were without internet. I knew he was open to my alternative spiritual views, but didn't know he had any interest, even though his interest is limited more to the symbolism, celebrations and lore than a belief system. This makes me really excited to learn and share with him as Heathenism keeps coming up on my spiritual radar as of late.

Another exciting aspect to this new apartment is our backyard. It is shared with the 3 other units in the building, but from what I can tell, no one uses anything more than the patio area. Plus, when we signed the lease the landlord kept saying he wished someone would do something with it. My other half was enamored with the yard from the first site of it and upon exploration we found a planter box that needed a little love. After a few hours and a good session with his dad's rototiller, our planter box now has peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions growing with basil and marigolds to be added soon. I also found a great spot to turn into a garden altar. I'm so excited to not be confined to an inside spot for my ritual work anymore.

Conquering the planter box.

All in all, this place has a wonderful positive energy to it and I know that the Goddess blessed me with a wonderful new home.

Learning Focus of the Season

In the magical blogsphere I keep coming across more and more references to Heathenism and
Ásatrú. I know only rudimentary things about who the deities are in that pantheon, but it has me wanting to know more about the traditions of the North. Not saying I'm going to jump ship and start believing in that path, but I think the time is right to learn about it. It's just one more topic to fill my mind with.

On a secondary note, my study of tarot has been slow, but productive. I gave another reading this week and was better able to interpret the cards. It also made me really happy when my boyfriend popped in during the middle and stated how the Tarot is one of the few metaphysical things he actually puts stock in. Score.