On the Rocks

Reblogged from Oracle Lens Photography:

Wordless Wednesday: On the Rocks

Life Updates and a New Idea for the Summer

Hi Everyone!  No, I’m not dead; though some days I feel like it.  Our little family is going to be growing by one member in the fall, and while I’m very excited, I also get the worst morning sickness ever.  I’m starting to feel a little better, and I hope to be up and doing more in the coming weeks.

There are a lot of articles that I have on the back burners as  I’m not in a terribly thinky place right now.  I’m finding that what helps me to feel a little more life-like is doing.  I’ve been stalking pinterest like a drug addicted monkey the last week or so, and I am filled to the brim on great ideas that I want to try.

I’ve also been missing my sewing machine something awful lately, so I have a plan to kill two birds with one stone.  I’m going to be participating in a sewing/DIY blog challenge called The Summer of No Pants.

Green Bubbles and the Pointy Truth

WARNING: This will be a rant.  I’m pissy and I can’t sleep until I get this off my chest.  But, I figure if it gets me out of my funk and writing again, it can’t be all bad.

I never write about environmental topics.  The reason for this is that on the whole, as a group, I dislike environmentalists.  Unfortunately, the majority are simply looking for an outlet for their own impotent outrage or a way to puff themselves up so that they may feel self-righteous in the face of their neighbours.

No one, of course, wants to believe that they fit either of these descriptions.  But I can tell you, I have been an environmentalist for over a decade and at times both of these descriptions have described me.  Perhaps not all at once, and it is something that I grew out of, but it doesn’t change the facts.

Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

(Photo credit: Phae Talon)

I am homesick.  Calgary winters are cold and dry and beige.  Yes, you read that right.  It only rains in the spring, so during the winter everything has a dead, dry, beige tone to it.  This year the winter seems particularly long, even when I know academically that it’s not all that different from last year.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest.  For the first 30 years of my life I’d only ever been outside of the PNW 4 times; and I’d only been away from the pacific coast twice.  I’m not what you’d call a world traveller.

Thundering Gales: The Storm Moon

The February full moon is known as the Storm Moon.  In my random, pre-article web poking, I discovered that Storm Moon is not the most popular name for this Esbat.  The most common name appears to be the Quickening  Moon.

This name is associated with the season of Imbolc and the quickenings of new life – in animals and in the earth Herself.  The first signs of spring are starting to appear, and we use this moon to work our fertility or growing magics.

The other more popular name is Snow Moon.  This is likely due to the fact that in much of North America, more snow tends to fall in February than in any other winter month.

Pagan Fashion Part III: Scarves and Veils

Public Service Announcement:

This will be more of a pan religio-cultural installment of Pagan Fashion since scarves, veils and head coverings span just about every culture and religion out there.  And while I’m going to do my best to be inclusive, I am sure that I will probably forget someone.  Also, this will be a link/image heavy post.  If your computer is on the ancient side, like mine, it may take some time for everything to load.

Scarves are one of my go-to accessories for just about any occasion.  They can keep away the chill in cooler months, and provide extra sun protection in the summer.  My collection is constantly growing.  Even when you’re short of cash, a scarf is a great way to extend your wardrobe.

Witchy Wednesday: Favourite Witchy Website

This is another of the questions that I have been putting off.  It’s hard for me to say what my favourite websites are since the sort of Pagan sites I follow aren’t really static websites.

I learned my Craft through books and experience, back when the Pagan Web was pretty small and not terribly helpful.  The best places were community pages where you could go and interact with others of like mind.

Witchy Wednesday: A Favourite Scent

Noses are awesome! Our sense of smell can bring powerful emotions to the surface, and drag out long forgotten memories.  I tend not to work with incenses and perfumed oils very often.  I believe that scents used in magic, and in everyday life, should be subtle.  You want to tease your olfactory organs, not choke them.

When I do employ specific scent blends, I prefer to work with essential and herb-infused oils rather than incense.  I’ve really just never been a fan of scented smoke.

Had I been asked what my favourite scent was 5 – 10 years ago, I would probably have said “baking bread”, no contest.  Irony hurts sometimes.