Shopping Trip Goodies

Every year, on their anniversary, my favorite local pagan store, Little Mysteries, has a fantastic sale.  This year, they offered 20% off everything in the store.  I thought I would share some of my new found goodies. 

First, I needed to replenish my herb cabinet with some supplies that I have used in various magickal endeavors over the past few months. 

I usually end up coming home with at least a handful of stones but this time only two caught my eye.  A lapis lazuli and a beautiful blue goldstone.  The goldstone looks almost purple and has an unbelievable sparkle when you turn it in the light. 

I weeded out a few purchases in order to be able to afford the following two pieces.  First, a Tiger's Eye Pendant.  I have been searching for just the right Tiger's Eye for years now and I really felt that if I left the store without this piece, I would regret it later.

And finally, this absolutely STUNNING Labradorite Bookends.  They were actually a recommendation from a good friend who works at the store.  The first day of the sale was Saturday, which just happened to be the day I had scheduled an all-day rehearsal for the school musical (I direct).  SO, my wonderful fiance offered brave the crowds and go for me and came back with these hunks of gorgeousness.

I spent about twice what I had intended this year.  But scrimping and saving over the next month to make up for it will be well worth it every time I look at these stones. 

Light at the End of the Tunnel

With the coming of the Easter weekend I am, quite literally, leaving the cold of winter behind and entering the beauty of spring.  In teaching, January thru March is an incredibly difficult time of year.  As with everyone, we have to deal with getting up in the dark, being stuck inside a poorly lit, concrete building all day and then emerging in the dark.  The kids are cranky and more disruptive and we have less patience to deal with it.  There are no holidays here after the Christmas break and before the March break.  This time of year often feels like a marathon where we are just striving to reach the finish line without falling flat on our faces.  I did get to have a lovely March break, my mother came to visit and then my fiance returned from Haiti amid much fanfare.  However, once I returned to school I had to settle in for the two week ordeal that is report card season.  I finished those on Thursday but, because of the system that this school uses, I expect I will spend the next week and a half changing things until I am ready to vomit at the thought of opening that program one more time! 

Now comes the home stretch for the year.  This is also theatre season and, since I direct the school's musical, things will not be any less busy between now and June.  But, it is my intention to make more of an effort to reconnect with the spiritual side of life as well as with the friends that I have neglected during these dark and dreary months.  It is time to open the door and let in the light.

Making Spell Candles

I have had a candle kit for a while now and haven't tried it up until now.  I decided to try my hand at making some money/success candles. 

I melted down about half a block of wax

 

Then ground up my herbs and mixed them together

When the wax was melted I added the color and the herbs.  Once everything was mixed together I did the first pour

After 5 minutes I inserted the wicks, then waited until a well formed and did the second pour.  Once they were all cool they popped right out and I trimmed the wicks.  Here is the final result

I was quite surprised at how many candles I got out of so little wax.  I may never buy candles again!  I also have a kit with a larger mold that I'm thinking about trying next.  Has anyone else tried their hand at making their own spell candles?  How were your results?   

My Beautiful New Print!

My Newest Acquisition: Hecate Goddess of the Crossroads

I love Etsy! This beautiful print is from Emily Balivet who has some truly gorgeous artwork.  Check out her work at Her Etsy Shop

Aerogarden Diary - Day 1

Last year for my birthday I received an Aerogarden.  For anyone who hasn't seen these machines check out the website: http://www.aerogrow.com/ This is a fantastic machine that allows you to grow just about anything all year long.  It sits on your counter, only uses water and turns the lights on and off automatically.  No muss, no fuss!  I have started a new herb kit containing Basil, Chives, Thyme, Mint, Oregano and Dill.  It will take just a few days for my plants to start sprouting and within a month I should be able to start harvesting.  For those who are not herb-minded, there are also veggie and flower kits available.  I am so excited to finally see something green and growing again!!  I will update as soon as everything starts sprouting!

Stone of the Week: Chrysocolla

I was shopping at my favorite New Age store last week and a new stone caught my eye.  Chrysocolla is a very gentle stone that promotes peace, tranquility and harmony.  It removes negativity from a person or place and is an excellent stone for easing fear, anxiety and guilt.  Crysocolla is associated with the throat chakra and, ask such, helps with communication.  It also increases intuition and creativity. 

As a healing stone, Crysocolla can aid with many stress related issues such as ulcers, headaches and digestive problems.  It also clears breathing pathways and is helpful for those who suffer from asthma, emphysema and pneumonia.  This soothing stone is also excellent at reducing PMS and muscle cramps during a woman's menstruation. 

Fighting the Urge to Hibernate

I would like to link to a friends blog post entitled "Are Modern Pagans Outdoor-Phobic?"

Just Another Pagan Blog

I am finding myself fighting this very tendency but I think it is more the time of year than anything.  I leave my school at around 4pm, by this point it is getting dark out (most days are overcast so it is plenty dark out).  I drive home to my empty apartment, take the dogs outside in the shivering cold, fix some supper for one and then spend the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch surfing online and/or watching tv.  Every week I start off with the good intentions of going for a walk each evening but, each week, I allow myself to be sucked back into the comfort of my couch, a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.  I find it difficult to get excited about doing anything that forces be out into the cold, be it friends, shopping or ritual.  And frankly, despite Imbolc fast approaching, I don't see winter as ending anytime soon. 

Heroes in Haiti

On Thursday my Fiance was on one of the two Canadian ships shipped off to provide aid in Haiti.  We had 18 hours notice before he had to be on board and ready to go.  I know that he is going to be vital in that region but I am very worried about what he will have to deal with over there.  I am asking all my readers to send some strength and courage to all those assisting with this disaster.

Stone of the Week: Aqua Aura Quartz

Aqua Aura Quartz is a man made quartz that is created when gold is artificially bonded with the quartz to produce a brilliant blue color.  Aqua Aura Quartz is an excellent stone for increasing psychic abilities and for guarding against psychic attack.  It can be used to help promote peace during meditation and to increase intuition.  Aqua Aura Quartz activates the throat chakra and aids with communication, especially speaking from one's heart.  It is a useful tool for strengthening the effect of any stones with which it is kept.
Physically, Aqua Aura Quartz works to heal and strengthen the throat and thymus gland.  It can aid in reducing stress related issues and boost the immune system.  An excellent stone to carry on a stressful work day, especially during flu season!

Winter Travel Blues

I created a little mojo bag to take with me on my trip to Newfoundland in order to keep travel woes to a minimum.  It worked great on the way over but seems to have worn out before my return flight when bad luck took over with a vengence! Halifax was being battered by its first big storm of the winter and my flight was diverted to Toronto.  After a 45 min wait on baggage, a 30 min wait to get a new flight for the next morning and a 1 1/2 hour wait (in the freezing cold!) for a shuttle, I finally made it to the hotel.  A short time later I met some of the people from my flight at the resteraunt for dinner and an hour and 15 mins later we STILL hadn't gotten any food!  A 4:30 rise saw me to the airport for 5:15, then check in, security and on to the plane.  Where we sat, next to the terminal for an hour to wait for catering.  Catering, for a 2 hour flight!  When I finally made it back to Halifax I discovered that Fiance had taken his car to pick me up instead of his own and, just when I thought my bad luck was over, we break down.   

I really hope the rest of 2010 is nothing like its beginning!