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Hollow Bones

"In our life there is a time of wonder. Walking with the ancient ones as they share their world. And the dancing voices are carried by the wind. As I walk this sacred ground, I know I'm not alone, and I thank Mother Earth."  ~Alex Davis, Seneca Cayuga

Imbolc - The Quickening

1/26/2020

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The Festival of Imbolc commences on February eve, or January 31, and concludes February 2.

Imbolc has three major associations: the veneration of fire and water, the quickening of new life in the womb and world, and the lactation of ewes. So it is both a fertility sabbat (along with Ostara and Beltane) and a fire festival (followed by Beltane, Lughnassadh and Samhain).

The association with fire comes from Imbolc’s place as the midpoint between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Celtic in origin, this sabbat celebrates the midpoint of the changing season. It is referred to as “The First Light” and marked by the traditional lighting of candles, signifying purification, inspiration, and growing light. 

Fire is also representative of the Goddess Brigid in her aspect of patroness of smith craft.
Another aspect of Brigid is healing, represented by the well. On Imbolc, processions were made to her sacred wells, which were adorned with greenery, signifying the return of spring. Devotees would circle the well deosil, or sunwise, before drinking the waters in order to bring good fortune.

 Another translation of Imbolc is “in the belly,” referring to intrauterine fetal movement, also known as quickening. 

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This is Brigid’s third Imbolc aspect, goddess of childbirth. She is associated with cattle, and Imbolc is the time just before birthing in the early spring. The presence of lactating ewes was of great importance to early Celts, as it often meant the difference between life and death. Ewes only lactate when there are lambs to nurse, and in the intensity of February’s cold, lactating ewes meant humans had milk, cheese and butter.

With its theme of preparation for birth, Imbolc has evolved into an auspicious day for rituals of rebirth as well. It is a time for reflecting on the nature of initiation and the evolution of the magical path. Traditionally at this time, witches are initiated, or the Wiccan “Year and a Day” training begins.

On Feb. 2, the secular world acknowledges Groundhog Day, when the arrival of spring is determined by the presence or lack of the groundhog’s shadow. Ever wonder why a shadow (sunny day) means more winter and not the other way around? It’s a modern weather divination that echoes Celtic folk beliefs. It was believed on Imbolc, the crone goddess Callieach’s grip of winter begins to loosen. She goes forth in search of kindling to keep her fires burning and extend winter a little longer. If Imbolc is rainy, she will find nothing but damp twigs and give up. But if dry kindling is abundant, she has plenty of fuel to feed her fire and continue winter.

In short, Imbolc is the seed that starts the whole wheel of the year turning once again. After the spark of Yule, the hard work of beginning another year occurs at Imbolc. The whole year stretches before you. You have the power to mold it into whatever you desire.

Imbolc serves as an “opening” of a season. Most of the activities and symbolic actions at this time are to sweep away the old in order to welcome in the new. The main thing that must be done again now, just as we did at Samhain, is to purify our houses and our souls so that we carry love into the time of spring planting and new birth.

Be aware that this is rooted in serious sympathetic magic, which is simply using an item or act associated with what you are trying to manifest. The premise is if we humans are healthy and strong in our actions, intentions and habits—so will the fields and flocks and offspring be. If we are cleansed of rancor and fear, and use feasts like Imbolc to teach our children cleanliness and order, the soil and the womb will be wholesome and ready for seed. 

Here’s some simple candle intention magic for you to try this week for Imbolc. It’s called Illuminating the Cauldron. Source: The Wiccan Year by Judy Ann Nock.

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Fill your cauldron with dark earth. Take nine taper candles and plant them in the earth in a spiral pattern, beginning in the center and continuing clockwise (deosil). With each candle, contemplate a different aspect of Imbolc.

  1. Light the candle in the middle first, picturing the first light penetrating winter’s darkness.
  2. With the second candle, welcome the spring and picture the great wheel of the year turning to the halfway point. The cauldron is the womb of the goddess, the “belly” of Imbolc.
  3. Think of the magic of the beginnings of life and all the possibility contained as new life emerges as you light the third candle. Each new dawn is a clean slate that can bring you closer to realizing your dreams.
  4. Imaging the circumstances surrounding your own physical birth as you light this candle. Picture your relationship to your biological mother as a reflection of your relationship to the divine mother. All of us need mothering in one form or another. By facing your own vulnerability, you are preparing yourself for rebirth.
  5. As you light the fifth candle, focus on the lessons your spiritual path has taught you. There are intimate truths that you have discovered. Give thanks for those challenges met and knowledge gained.
  6. This candle represents the unknown, the lessons that lie in front of you and all the things you have yet to learn.
  7. Light the seventh candle and meditate on all the things you wish to change. They can be material, physical, or spiritual. Use your magic to make a positive impact on your life.
  8. The eighth candle represents the things you most need to heal. These include the physical ailments of yourself and of others, the suffering of the planet, rifts in relationships, and more. Invoke healing into your life and make room for it to begin. Release old wounds and past hurts. Take responsibility for your health in a new way. Focus on the best possible outcomes for situations that are beyond your control or influence.
  9. As you light the ninth and final candle, welcome inspiration into your practice. Ask the goddess to illuminate her presence in a new way. Sing. Write a poem in her honor. Use the energy of the season to assist you in manifesting your magic in a tangible way. Create a charm, or a new blend of incense. Whatever you choose, ask goddess to inspire you so you can show her beauty in your work. 

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Namaste people!

Happy Imbolc.
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Next week we’ll talk a little about the roots of Valentine’s Day.

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New Year Purification Ritual

1/13/2020

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Last blog I outlined a 31-day decluttering list. Did you try it? If so, how is it going? If you haven’t started, don’t worry, there is still time to make some major inroads in organizing your personal spaces and your life.

I’m continuing that theme this week, with a purification spell that come from northern Europe. To begin anew, the old must be clear away. That’s why we began by clearing our physical space.

Now it’s time to organize and purify your thoughts, and manifest your desires in spellwork. Here is what you'll need:
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​A sheet of white parchment paper.
Pen with red ink.
White 7-day day votive in glass.
Birch branches (or any local tree you enjoy).
Violet oil or your favorite perfume.
A safe place to burn your tree branches when you’ve finished the spell.
 
Start by drafting a short plan of what you want for this year. Remember, this is the time of the year when we boldly fantasize about the future, thereby attracting it to us!

Start by drafting a short plan of what you want for this year. Remember, this is the time of the year when we boldly fantasize about the future, thereby attracting it to us!

Using white parchment paper and red ink, write down the things you want this year, being as specific as possible.

If you don’t already have a home altar, find a place to establish one. Often people instinctively make a special spot for important things in their lives. There may be pictures of loved ones, or a special crystal   or piece of art. You just need to now recognize this space as special and sacred, and clean it up a bit.


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Next, get an item used by peasants since ancient times—a candle, preferably white, and in a glass that will burn for 13 days and nights.

These are available in candle shops and are safe to leave burning. I found mine at the dollar store, and bought two so they'd be sure to last the full 13 days. 

Place your list of wishes on your altar under the 13-day votive candle (that you have anointed with violet oil or with your own perfume). Smear a little of your own saliva on your list to link it to you. 


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If you can, find some birch branches and place them on your altar also. Birch twigs are the northern European touch.

If you can’t get birch twigs, don’t worry.  Use shed (not cut) branches from another tree, the nature magic is strong with all trees.

Take a hot shower to open up your pores. While naked, go to your altar, take your tree branches, and gently (gently, please, this is symbolic stimulation, not sadomasochism!) slap them against your neck, saying:
“I purify myself against defeatist thinking.
I purify myself from old patterns.
I purify myself from my past.
May my spirit come into new life.
As the sap come into the tree.”

Then slap the twigs against your solar plexus, saying:
“I purify myself from loneliness.
Love will come to me, like the new life of the Mother.”

Finally, slap the branches against your feet, saying:
“I purify myself from inertia.
Vitality will come to me, like new life from the Mother.”

If you wish, you can dress now. Beginning in the east and moving clockwise, go to each corner in your house and beat the twigs against the walls, the furniture, your bed, your desk, and so on, driving out the old year’s leftovers.

Then burn the twigs in a fireplace or outside in a firepit or bonfire.
There is no need to repeat this nightly, simply meditate on your candle. In 12 days, when your 13-day candle is almost burned down, burn the parchment paper in the last of the flames.

You have now been purified and are ready to receive the blessings to come in 2020. 
Blessed Be!

NOTE: Thank you to Zsuzsanna Budapest’s book, Grandmother Time, for this spell. Such a great author! She is greatly missed.


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30 Days of De-cluttering

1/3/2020

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​If you’ve like me, with the New Year comes the urge to clean, purge and de-clutter. So here’s a chart to get your house back in tip-top shape after a hectic holiday season. It’s a ‘baby steps’ approach, so no need to feel stressed. 

1. Clean out your fridge. If you’re starting a new diet, this is the time to get rid of junk food and sweets. Cleanse the shelves and bins with warm, soapy water. Restock with healthy options. 

2. Clean out your pantry. Purge expired, stale and unhealthy. Then make it pretty and organized—no more mystery shelves.

3. Clean out one closet. I’m tackling the hardest first, the clothes closet, Marie Kwando style, taking everything out first, eliminating anything that I don’t like or haven’t worn in the last 2 years. Then a thorough vacuum, cleaning and reorganizing. For me, this will be a 2-day chore.

4. Empty the junk drawer. We all have one. What’s in there that you really need? Eliminate everything else or put in its rightful spot.

5. Go through your movie collection. If you’re feeling ambitious, go through music CDs also. You still have cassette tapes? Be honest: when is the last time you listened to one? Take those fossils to Goodwill or your favorite donation site. Hey, don’t feel bad. My husband still has a reel-to-reel player and music. I’m working on him.
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6. Organize your Tupperware. Match lids. Eliminate anything without a lid, scratched, scorched or otherwise marred. They’re not healthy.

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7. Find a dozen books you can part with. I challenge you! You can give them to friends, sell them to a used book store, or take them to Goodwill. Just get them out of your home!

8. Clean out your purse and your wallet.

9. Clean out your makeup drawer. I date my stuff with permanent marker when I buy it, and throw out expired stuff. One year for lipsticks, eyeshadow and pencil liners, six months for powder, makeup and mascara.

10. Purge your bathroom cabinets. If you’re like me, you try a lot of stuff and only like a few things enough to re-use. Throw that shit away! Also dispose of all expired medicine and other  items.

11. Go through your inbox and unsubscribe to 5 email blasts.

12. Organize your linen closet.

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​13. Clean your car (inside and out). Does your car look like this? Seriously, bet you're not popular in the car pool.

14. Clean/organize 2 kitchen cabinets.

15. You’re on a roll! Clean and organize 2 more.
16. Donate unused accessories – jewelry, hats, scarves etc.

17. Clean out and donate kid’s unused toys. 

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18. Do you have donation boxes sitting in your garage, waiting to go to the proper charity? Set aside a day to actually deliver them!

19. Likewise, do you have boxes of items to be put up on an auction site (probably because they’re too expensive/nice to donate)? Set up that auction site (eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, Offer Up, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List etc.). Take pictures of your inventory to sell, and load up that site! Think about all the money you will make from it.

20. Clean your computer desktop and change the background for the New Year. Organize items into folders, and back them up.

21. Organize photos and memorabilia. Discard what now doesn’t seem as important or special.

22. Clean all blinds

23. Clean those neglected baseboards

24. Organize and donate unused board games and electronics
25. Clean ceiling fan blades

26. Clean out kids’ closets and dressers. Give to friends, donate or sell what no longer fits.

27. Replace air vents/filters.

28. Clean light fixtures and replace burned out bulbs.

29. Clean and organize garage.

30. Clean any remaining parts of the house (vacuum and dust)


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​31. Celebrate a job well done! I'll bet your house looks great. And do  you feel lighter?

A cluttered house can feel like a burden,  not a joy. 

My New Year resolution for 2020 is to the left. Here's to having a home that feels beautiful!


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    Writer, witch, mother and wife. Order of importance is a continual shuffle.

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