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Correllian Wicca Second Degree
The Faerie's Oracle
Winter's Ink Covenant Rites

As was probably mentioned in previous entries, one of the task required as part of Winter's Ink is to celebrate either the 13 full moons or the eight sabbats for one entire year. It's the longest, and most time consuming of the rites. Samhain made five completed. My aim of course, is to do each one a little differently.

And so I invited the remaining members of Harmony Woods over for class, ritual, and supper. I provided the ritual and we each took a role in the casting of the circle. AJ did the warm up cleansing, Wolfhawk called the quarters, Sequoia invoked Deity, and I did the conjuration. I talked briefly about Samhain and the symbolism, we wrote down three goals we wanted to achieve by next Samhain, sealed those in wax, listened to a funny Hallowe'en story, and then did a new year tarot draw, one card per person. Once we had discussed the meanings of the cards, we passed around cookies and lemonade and closed circle.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a meal of my homemade chili, corn muffins, and cupcakes along with the lemonade from the ritual.

Spontaneity is not possible in Harmony Woods as far as ritual goes, but we do the best we can and I was very pleased with the whole thing.

In other news, I have sent off another two rites which were received, but I have not heard whether or not they were approved. I have to find out from Shadow.

I also got an email from Iacchus, caretaker of Sweetwood... the email was innocent enough, but very very thought provoking for me given how I've felt about my own spiritual practice every time I've been up there. It's hard to accept the fact that someone who is somewhat of a spiritual mentor for me would acknowledge my leadership skills. I have put off answering him while I think about what I want to say, though I am positive I will accept the offer of further training which is something I've longed for for years! Since the end of the original SpiderMoon Coven.

I shall of course update as everything progresses further.

Yesterday evening we ventured up to Sweetwood for Mabon. Myself, AJ, Ariel, Moira, Wolfhawk, and CC. Sequoia, the last member of Harmony Woods was unable to go due to being unable to find a ride up to the site.

We arrived in plenty of time, thinking that everything was starting at five, but thankfully, it did not because AJ was running late coming back from Work. We got the kids unloaded and let them run around and play, while the rest of adults got the circle set up for ritual.

We were required to bring something for the pot luck after the ritual I brought a garlic tomato and cucumber salad and I also made some cheater cookies made with graham crackers and regular cake frosting.

We headed down to the ritual circle and the feeling you get from walking down there is like coming home... the place has such an amazing energy, friendly and open and welcoming. We were greeted by old friends we met last time and there were new faces there that we did not recognize, something I always find very interesting because I love talking to people and hearing about what they do and also explaining my path to them.

We gathered outside the circle and blessed as we came in... with Rose Oil... my goodness I love the smell of Rose Oil. I was walking around the circle keeping Ariel entertained before we started and every so often this scent would waft towards me and I couldn't name it although it was a scent I recognized. It wasn't until Iacchus mentioned before the blessing that it was Rose oil, that I realized what exactly it was.

We were blessed and entered the circle. The bell was rung and the circle blessed. Then we called the quarters, ancestors, descendants, something that requires participation from the rest of the group and gives people who do not frequent these celebrations a chance to speak up and be a part of the casting. I love this part and try to participate every time, something different each time. Keeps my confidence honed, because we all know that talking outloud to the ether does not really make personal confidence.

The main part of the ritual focused on Community. It was a water sharing activity that went around the circle three times, each time charging the cauldron of water in the center of the Circle. The first was a sharing of what we're thankful for in our Community, the second was we want for Community, and the third was what we want to give back to our Community. It was a REALLY interesting exercise in what people had to say.

Then we chanted and danced. I LOVED this part because my little girl held my hand and danced and skipped along with me, watching and laughing.

Then we drank the charged water, the circle was closed, and the party began. We shared food and enjoyed each other's company. Lots of good conversation and I enjoyed hearing about what other people practice and I got a chance to talk about my work with Harmony Woods.

This is the third time that I have been up to Sweetwood. And each time I walk away from there with so much to think about, how much more I want to be involved. I loved what I am doing now and that will never change BUT I feel compelled to be doing something more, something closer to the Community up there. The more I go up there, the more it will become clearer what it is that I want.

I was working on my altar tonight and after experimenting with some black edging... I've decided to spraypaint the whole thing black.

In other words, rather than just change the surface of the table, I'm going to transform the whole thing!

The question now is: 4 elements or 4 seasons. I can see benefits to both, but am not sure the final decision.

So I went to this auction today and they had this mini ... what I thought was a bedside table. I have two other tables likes this only they are taller. So I wasn't exactly sure about this one, but it was neat. The only thing I didn't like about it was it had this disgusting piece of felt on the top of it.

Apparently, it's a phone stand. And you put phone books in the drawer. Whatever. It cost me $2.

My friends in Harmony Woods are talking about buying this altar table (all souped up and decorated with attached candle holders and all that) from an online catalog... something very very cool and very expensive ... I'm of course torn between being very envious, because how neat would it be to have something like that all the way to feeling it's very impractical and I don't see the point on spending that kind of money on something that you could very easily make yourself. More power to them if it helps with creating their own magickal space! However, as envious as I am... I am still more inclined to the personal creativity!

One of the things I took away from Living the Wiccan Life, the short time I was following that course is that there are usually two altars... I have always believed in this subconsciously apparently... you have one working altar and one devotional altar. The devotional altar is always set up... the working altar is only set up when you do ritual. I have always set up an altar with the intention of using it as a working altar, but never do. I take my port-a-ritual box somewhere and do ritual where I have space and the space is NEVER where my other altar is. So yes, I have two altars.

So back to this phone table... it comes up roughly to my knees, has a small drawer, and a shelf underneath. It's lightweight. I pulled off the disgusting felt and scrubbed it off good and shined it up with some Pledge. I'm going to sand the top to get the glue and left over felt and stain off, prime it and paint the top with some design. I was thinking a spiral or left side goddess, right side god, or the four elements. I'm rather inclined to get some candle holders and glue them down, but that's much of a muchness and I usually change around where I put my candles anyways. It will sit in my room with my port-a-altar box on the shelf underneath until I hold ritual and then come with me to the ritual space for set up. The drawer will be great for holding thing likes matches and other bits and pieces that I tend to need in the circle, but not necesarily on the altar and I'll keep the box on the shelf underneath during ritual instead of shoving it off to the side like I do. Then of course, there is always my devotional altar which is up permanently and is there for working in a pinch, random oracle card readings, and quick spellwork.

Not bad for $2 plus the cost of primer, sandpaper, and paint sealant.

Tomorrow I'm going to magickify my house ... or something. I'm rearranging. It's good for the soul.

It's an odd night ... yet, would have been a beautiful night to hold ritual outside were it feasible. I'm just not really game to set up circle on my deck when my neighbors could come out at any moment.

Still, they are moving ...

Anyways, I cleaned house and then did a Litha ritual in my living room... It was rather neat... part of the whole cleaning the house thing included a good spray down with some cleansing energy infused fabric spray (read: Febreze of the generic kind). I did a short cleansing blessing on my altar before starting and then as I cleaned each room ... barring Ariels... I lit a candle in that room. When I was done, I brought all the candles to the altar space on the floor to represent the "Bonfire" ... read a Litha circle casting and proceeded with the ritual.

One of the good things about having worked in groups and studied courses online is that you end up with a plethora of written rituals in various binders, so I found two I liked and combined them. It worked out splendidly, including a burning (which I did outside) away of some personal negativity, a "lighting of the watch", asking for something to come into my life with the growth and abundance around us, and a giving thanks for the season.

Dionysus and Demeter were invoked and although I rarely, if ever, work with Greek Deities (haven't since Azhurestar and Thames moved on), it seemed very appropriate and I am glad they attended tonight. Perhaps I shall invite them again.

It seemed very simple and yet, very thorough at the same time.

It was fun!

I've never taken much notice of any ability to will something to happen now. I have done spellwork, and had it work, but it was nothing that could be willed NOW, only over time.

However, tonight, it was muggy when it went outside and I thought it might rain. It felt so. I like driving at night in the rain. I turned on my MP3 player as I do when I drive home from work. I have a 'night drive' playlist. The second song to come on was "Come Clean" which the lyrics are "let the rain fall down and wake my dreams ... let it wash away my sanity ... cuz I want to feel the thunder ... I want to scream ... let the rain fall down ... I'm coming clean." I was belting the song as loud as I could and no more than a few seconds later, it was pouring down.

I could believe that it is a mighty coincidence ... but I think I will choose to believe that it's not. It did not rain more than a few minutes, but still ...

I have been focusing on my energy a lot more since the start of the coven since it is part of what I'm teaching. I think there is something to this.

I'm still trying to decide whether to do a personal Litha ritual or not. I held an off the cuff impromptu ritual with Grove today as the circumstances allowed for it, which was fabulous. We set up an altar, created sacred space, invoked the elements and deity, talked a little about Litha, played with energy, read a bit of tarot, and opened the space. Incorporated everything we've been studying since we started including a little bit extra.

I felt very magickal going into work today.

I must remember to encourage grounding at each lesson. It's something I'm lazy at myself, so I forget. I forget so much my head is full of fuzz. I talk so fast I stumble over words and say stupid things. I have to slow down.

Hrm ... I still feel some sort of candle lighting ceremony for Litha is appropriate, based on what I was reading last night. Perhaps Wednesday.

Working on the Rites with Shadow, in particular, the Wheel of the Year, is making me remember how to be a solitary and that solitary practice is just as important as group practice.

Did anyone ever think about the fact that the word Ritual is in the word Spiritual?

I was going to do a Litha ritual tonight since AJ is not home, but it got late and I spent much of the evening fighting with my computer. So it shall wait until next week and that will be fine.

I did a tarot reading the other night ... rather in depth ... suffice it to say that I am heading down the right path, however, I am still carrying some baggage from long ago that is still holding me back. I think it relates to a previous post of which you all will be familiar, but for me personally, it bears some looking into and perhaps facing what it is for me and doing a cleansing. More about this in the coming weeks.

I think I shall work that idea into the Harmony Woods group dedication.


This journal needs a few updated icons. What I have does not work for what I post about.

So this entry is a little delayed, or maybe not ... but I have a lot to say and some of it is stuff I've wanted to say for a while.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote to Xilonen. I had been debating this for a long, long time. Basically, the gist of what I wanted to say to her was 'thank you'. I wouldn't be where I am now spiritually if it wasn't for her. Yeah, there were a LOT of bad times, but there were also a LOT of good times. I personally have a hard time focusing on only the bad things, and that is where my email to came from. Out of respect of what she taught me, ego or no, and that I still carry much of that knowledge and experience with me to this very day.

This is the reply I got from her ... ( Read more... )

Most of the response, I guess I understand to a point. I understand that people don't get over things. They choose not to get over things. I am a firm believer that people who don't get over things are that way because they utterly refuse to believe they were at fault at all. It's easier to blame than it is to accept. Where as I come from a place of acceptance of what I did wrong and knowing that the other person was wrong too. It takes two to tango was something she quoted to me a long, long time ago. But I cannot change her and she cannot change me. (Please note that the preceding statement is not directed at serious things like rape or murder or abuse or the like, where the victim had no choice. I'm referring directly to fights between friends and similar things where two people are involved and are both clearly at fault.)

What I was hoping most for, was not an explanation of the fact that she hadn't gotten over things, just a simple 'your welcome' would have sufficed. I did write back and explain where I had been over the years and how it's led to me to where I am now, but I did not hear back. I don't expect to. Like I said, easier to blame and run away than it is to accept.

Truely though, instead of turning my back on things because I got hurt, I moved forward. So I've had this group land on my doorstep ... so to speak.

What I find most upsetting about her letter is that because WE both made a mistake ten years ago, and that the person I was ten years ago wouldn't have been ready to teach, than the assumption is that I will make a mistake again without taking into account any of what I have experienced in the past ten years. Yet in the same sentence she says she does not know me anymore. Then how can she assume that it's a mistake waiting to happen?

I had been searching for over a year for people in my area to connect with. I wanted to find a group of people to practice with and run ritual with. I was not expecting to teach, no, not at all. But the universe works in mysterious ways. And these three people came into my life.

About six or eight months earlier, I did a friendship spell. I lit three candles. Three people came briefly into my life and then disappeared... these were not friends mind you, only online acquaintances who I chatted with briefly, but a friendship was not in the works. Then AJ arrived and I had my whole world turned upside while we settled him in over here. And so for a time, I forgot about my search and just focused on my family for a while.

Then when the right time came, bang ... three wonderfully open, friendly, determined friends.

I did not openly approach teaching them right off the bat. Beltaine was their first circle of any kind, even solitary. I gauged their energies, their interest, and their knowledge as we talked that night and then mentioned the study group again, and we arranged the date we would meet.

We have met up four times so far... twice up at Sweetwood and twice at our various homes. One of those evenings, I was told in a very round about way what was wanted from me and he, in turn, was told by others to shut up and listen. I arranged a teaching plan based on the Violet Star lessons, updated the degrees of initiation, and made sure everyone knew I was only a guide and a mentor. They have a say in EVERYTHING we do ... there would be no executive decisions by me. I have said I am acting High Priestess, but only because I have the experience behind me. Time will change that as their confidence and knowledge grows.

Just this past Saturday, we had our first official lesson. We covered a HUGE amount including defining your path, magickal names, initiations, ethics, ritual etiquette as well as basic grounding and the book of shadows. This brought up other discussions on new members and how they come into the group, our group book of shadows and how it will be laid out, rules and confidentiality, and our public face. We decided on a name. Duties were volunteered for. They brought up things I was not familiar with. And I prompted discussion with questions from my past experience.

A talking stick was necessary. Only because of the personalities in the group. Once we find the equilibrium and letting everybody talk in turn, the talking stick will no longer be necessary.

We will be meeting again on Sunday. I am so excited. I love the energy we create just sitting around and talking. There is an administrative side to being High Priestess, which I am doing my best with keeping. So I have started a yahoo group for us.

I finally deleted the yahoo groups for Crescent Grove and Violet Star. There was a bit of sadness that went along with the deletion, but it was for the best. And I am glad I did it.

But now that I am mentoring and running a group, does that mean my education ends??

Of course not!!!

I am hell bent on completing my Correllian Second Degree and continuing on to my Third. I never mentioned that my final project was approved as is. So I have started working on that. It's going to be great fun to write but a HUGE undertaking. I am also VERY dedicated to Winter's Ink and will continue to work on the projects we have for our own learning and sharing.

Iacchus has also approached me directly about doing the Priestess training up at Sweetwood. He seems to have faith in my abilities and he is someone who I highly respect. I am leaning towards accepting the offer once we have our group balanced and running smoothly. There is still a few kinks and admin things to work out over the coming weeks and I don't want to spread myself too thin, especially since I still have a husband, a daughter, and a job.

There is also HEAPS out there I don't know and I don't believe I can continue to teach if I was not also learning.

The Mentoring system at Witchschool is currently under a re-design, so where that is going, I have no idea, but I do hope something positive will come from it. It would be nice if I had my own group for my students, as other people are saying the same thing, so we shall see.

A number of years ago ... A'Set and Celestia, two of the ladies from Xilonen's former coven before SpiderMoon, told me second degree is about the soul humbling itself. It was about seven years between my Second and Third Degree initiations. In that time I spent a lot of time learning, searching, humbling within my spiritual path.

Will I make a mistake? I don't know. No one can predict that. But I can say that I am not who I was ten years ago, so I want to begin this by believing I am doing the exact right thing.

So we've become a coven. And they've decided they want me to teach. I'm a bit overwhelmed by this and I have to collect my energies and think about it.

I know how I want to structure the class curriculum. And I know I want them to bring in what they know.

But the unanimous decision is that we were all meant to come together. This is destiny, as it was so eloquently put by one of the folks here tonight. The similarities are uncanny.

I have to sleep. So much more going on tomorrow. Family coming over and stuff. I'm getting together with J on Monday so I can talk to her personally about a few things.

We are all going to be great friends. I feel like I have come home.

I figured if I waited long enough, Iacchus would put up the description of the Beltaine Ritual I went to last weekend, so I wouldn't have to write it up!

SweetWood Temenos Beltaine 2009

The land of SweetWood Temenos was greening up. The month of April had been dry. But the week before Beltaine we received rain and the weather became cooler. Temperatures were a bit below normal upper 50’s and low 60’s. So we were hoping for a warmer and sunnier day for our Beltaine celebration on Saturday May 2nd.

Come Saturday it became partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s. The land was greening up; everything had a green tinge to it. The wild plum was starting to bloom.

The priest (me) did some grounds keeping, prepared the circle for the ritual and feast afterwards. Oak firewood and kindling was brought to circle. The priestess, my spouse readied the ritual items and our contributions to the potluck feast. I went to the local spring and collected spring water for the ritual. From there I went about collecting wild plum flowers for the ritual.

By Mid afternoon 10 good folk and two young children had gathered for the Beltaine celebration at SweetWood Temenos. It was a bit warmer in the woods, the skies had cleared and there was a wind blowing. The priest (me) got dressed for the ritual – Sky clad. The Altar was set and the spring water was pour into the SweetWood Temenos cauldron from which the ritual water will be drawn.

The circle was cast and the Maypole that was placed in the South was now upon the ground in the circle. The men took the Maypole to a place in the woods for a men’s mystery blessing of the pole with anointing oil and prayers. The women tied ribbons to the solar disc with prayers and blessings. Then the women with bells and a joyous noise called the God to come and the men brought the phallic pole back to the circle.

The phallic pole slid into the yoni, sacred opening of the sun disc decorated with ribbons and hoisted into the air. The good folk each grabbed a ribbon, with half going clockwise and the others going counterclockwise. Around and around we all went, dancing, laughing and singing, “love, love, love, love, making magic we make love, God and Goddess intertwine, we are Divine. There was some playful affectionate behavior that made all smile and laugh and charged our knot magic that bonded the good folk to the land through the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God symbolized by the Maypole.

The Circle was taken down and the Maypole was then moved from the circle center to its place in the south. A fire was built then upon the center of the sacred circle and the feast started. Good company and conversation followed with good food and drink. Blessed be!

Both AJ and myself had a splendid time and it was really worth going and being involved. We participated as much as we could, and I think that it showed our experience in having been in circle before.

The various local folks who I mentioned in a previous post I thought that I might attempt to start up a Study Group with all came and we've decided to hold an initial Moot and see where we might go with this group. We all got along fabulously and I truly hope that it is successful. One of the young women, J, reminded me a lot of Xilonen in the early days of our friendship, but roles reversed in that I'm the one with the experience this time. I think once we have broken the ice and gotten to know each other, I think we will be good friends (and I'll know better about how to conduct myself so no wars ensue). We already have a few things in common just from the brief chats we had at the Beltaine Ritual.

The Moot is next weekend, and all three folks are coming as well as AJ and myself. I have had a chat with AJ about his participation in the group, as he is a ... I don't want to say Lazy, that's a bad word, because he isn't lazy, he just isn't as passionate about regularly working as I am, but he is a spiritual person. I see him as someone who participates and helps in ritual and discussion, but doesn't teach or lead or create or learn. And I think someone like that will be good. He decided last night, he wants to be the 'Witchy' baby-sitter and I laughed and decided that would be most helpful of all.

So I went through my physical Book of Shadows and found the various documents from SpiderMoon, the two versions of Violet Star, and Winter's Ink and found most of what I was looking for. I then went to my computerized BoS to see what I had in soft copy as I didn't really want to type everything out to have a 'clean' copy to share with the group. I have everything I wanted except the SpiderMoon Degrees of initiation. So I have ...

Packet 1: SpiderMoon Welcome Letter, Survey, Declaration, Class Curriculum, Degrees

Packet 2: Violet Star Welcome Letter, Member Requirements and Duties, 'No Teachers' Class Outline

Packet 3: Violet Star 26 lesson mentor study class list, Degrees

Packet 4: Winter's Ink Rites List, Rules, Submission Form

I will also talk about Holly Phoenix's method of working, but I have no paper documentation for that. We were very ad hoc about the whole thing and we were all experienced enough where it just worked.

I think it's a good variety of the different ways we can do things. I am happy to full on teach all the way down to just participating, because my goal in all this is to have friends to hold ritual with and share Pagan practice. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to seeing everybody next weekend.

Something else here to note: Iacchus mentioned that they are looking for interested folks to do training with them for Priest/ess duties at Sweetwood. I am thinking of volunteering. There is a camping event down there Memorial Day weekend we are going to and I will assess my comfort levels with this group of people and decide on how I feel.

Thoughts on this are appreciated... I am unsure of my confidence in being a HPS, let alone teaching a new group of people.

I am going to a Beltaine Moot this weekend. I am REALLY looking forward to it. I know there are at least two other couples, plus a child coming along. Possibly more. One of those couples coming are interested in joining a teaching group. I have mentioned that I have done teaching as well as running study groups and circles and covens.

Not that I really want to run one (I'd rather join one and have someone else do the running), but I will if it means connecting with other pagans in the La Crosse area. And it might be nice to pull out and blow the dust off of the old Spider Moon, Crescent Grove, and Violet Star teaching documents. And if I have to run it, then I would expect them to tell me what they want to do. I'm not going to put together a curriculum and have them hate it.

I know nothing of these people, and what kind of things they are interested in or what their energy is like, so I can't predict that anything will happen BUT the potential is there. That's all I'm saying.

Either way, it should be a lot of fun! The Organizer sent me the directions on how to get to the site which sounds beautiful and if the whole thing is successful, AJ and I will be going to future Sabbat moots at the site as they run one for every Sabbat.

That being said, I pulled out Bellyra's Book of Shadows and was looking through all the old coven documents. Particularly of interest was the SpiderMoon Degree Requirements List. I never went Third Degree because the system became moot after we changed to Violet Star and Xilonen left. I honestly don't know Xilonen ever went Third Degree either. I only went Second Degree after she left and that was through self-initiation at home with the blessings of Thames and AzhureStar.

Having looked through the requirements, I have more than achieved the requirements for SpiderMoon Third Degree in Elphame Tradition... so why not just do the initiation? Not so much for a public title, but for my own personal achievement?

Okay, I've been really struggling with this.

Back in 1996, I got my first Pentagram. It's a quarter inch across and silver. I had gotten a first communion necklace when I was very young and I took the communion charm off it and replaced it with my pentagram. I wore it consistently until roughly the beginning of year. There were a few occasions over the years where I would take it off if the necklace began to irritate me (I have a phobia of things being tight around my neck) for a couple of weeks and then I would put it back on and be none the worse for wear. Usually I'd have a crystal heart on the necklace too... I interchanged different ones including Blue Lace Agate, Rose Quartz, and Green Obsidian. I'd love to find some more of those, but I haven't yet.

Well, then I lost it in bed and found it a couple of days later. The pentagram had fallen off the charm. I replaced it and went about my business.

A couple of weeks later, I lost it again. I couldn't find it anywhere. A week later I found it laying on the steps of my apartment building. I couldn't believe it. I didn't put it back on, but put it in my jewelry box and left it alone.

Shadow emailed me to say that the necklace broke on hers and that it was time to retire it and get a new one. She suggested the same for me. And we'd hold a small ceremony that was part of ritual to say good bye to our old ones and bless our new ones. She bought me a new one at the Ren Faire this past year. It's bigger than I would normally wear, but it does have a pretty blue glass ball in the center (which has since fallen out so I've stopped wearing it for the time being until I can glue it in properly).

I took my old pentagram with me when I went to visit Shadow at the beginning of this month. I put it in my pocket at first and then later so I wouldn't lose it (go fig), I placed it in my MP3 Case. Well, it disappeared. I assumed somewhere in Shadow's house and when I didn't see it sitting around on the floor. I left it for gone.

Well, the damn thing showed up on my car seat the other day.

I am beginning to think that I am not supposed to retire it yet, but if I got a new chain and started wearing it, and then lost it, I think I'd be devistated.

I'm not sure what to do!

Ever since the kerfuffle a couple of weeks ago with my 2nd Degree mentor I have been very unhappy. Twice since then she has changed the rules on the online ritual requirements, and then pulled a ritual out from underneath me this morning WHEN SHE HAD ALREADY APPROVED IT! She has ignored three emails from me and generally just isn't very nice.

I composed a letter to the two mentoring Deans that said the following:

( Read more... )

I was emailed almost immediately in return, told that it's a very good idea and I wouldn't be blackballed because I have good reasons for leaving and set to no mentor. I emailed my new mentor and explained about all the work that I did and if I could get credit for it and he said that was fine to email him later with it!

I was about to submit my Final Project Proposal once I heard back from Shadow and I'm glad I waited. I really want it to be reviewed by someone who has no misconceptions about me and not by someone who will pass judgement on how she feels about me, rather than my work.

I feel much better about my remaining time as a second degree student!

I struggle with the energy work in the lessons that are part of my degree. I did with the first degree, too. The lessons have been released as guided meditations on CD and I was going to buy them once I got paid this weekend. It was something I was umming and ahhing about for a little while. So I posted on the group if anybody had them and what they thought of them before I spent the money. If they weren't worth ya know, why bother.

One of the other students said they were great and offered to copy hers and mail them to me. Score! I thought. Good things come to those who wait. So I am about to commence making her a suncatcher as a thank you in return. An energy exchange so to speak rather than paying for her to send me the disks.

I am also going to make up my Crystal charms for the Crystal Rite. :) You know, since the beads are out anyways. We are supposed to use at least three different crystals in this Rite, and I was amazed to find that I have Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, Hematite, Amethyst, and Rainbow Moonstone crystal chip beads. I thought I only had two!! This is going to work out nicely!

I am home ... up one dedication ritual, three completed and approved rites, the layout for our scrapbooks, lots of ritual photos, and a future plan!

The dedication ritual went off very well, even with limited space, however, was not without disaster when we set off the smoke alarm during the burning portion... this is something I should have thought of as I am usually smarter than that, but what's a ritual without a little fun.

We also did Tarot and Faerie Card readings which was fun ... and it's awesome to do reading with someone else who knows what their doing, because they can get insight from what you don't see. Reminds me of the readings I used to do with Jasmine.

She also talked to me about my Final Project for my second degree and I went over the general plot outline with her and the characters and how I want to tie it into my second degree coursework... she's agreed to be my sponsor or whatever it is... the name escapes me, follow along with my work, and write the eval at the end. Pending approval. I still haven't heard back from my mentor on those questions I have about the final project so I can make a decision on what one I want to do.

*sigh* Frustrating.

I have re-read the rules that Shadow and I wrote pertaining to the Rites and it appears if I follow the rules, then I cannot submit six Rites all at once. And that in one aspect is a big bummer and in another aspect, is probably why the rule was designed to begin with.

So since I was the other half the people who wrote those rules, I will be good.

I will submit two, I believe. One that I already have ready and done. And the second will be one I'll do while I'm there as part of our ritual.

I also think that perhaps I may suggest to Shadow, while I am there, the idea of doing online rituals once a month. It might be neat to do them on skype in real time. I mean, how awesome would that be to have audio and video online ritual.

Hrm... now that I've said that... perhaps this a suggestion for Starr too!

It's rather cold outside and windy, but I've got the window open, because it's raining.

Not snowing .... RAINING.

Oh SPRING!

So I continue with my second degree. I have finished all the written work, barring my final project but i still have 5 lessons to go and each lesson takes a month to do so that's five months technically before I have to worry about the final project.

I'm torn between three different projects. The first is a research paper on color and magick which is doable and color is something I've always been interested. The second is a novelette something pagan based... my color idea that I had a while ago or something more modern with modern witches crossed with fantasy, I have base ideas, but nothing solid. I mean I could probably write it for NaNoWriMo this year in 30 days, edit it, and then submit for my final project. The final idea is a sabbat recipe scrapbook. I have a Wicca Cookbook that was given to me years ago, which I can use as ideas to bounce from and then find my own recipes and then scrapbook the pages with each season. Perhaps a appetizer, main, dessert, and drink for each of the eight holidays, and one for the esbat.

Problem is with ideas two and three, I have to have an experienced someone evaluate my work. My best friend is a writer, my cousin is a baker... I mean, how do you get someone to evaluate when you know no published authors or professional bakers/cooks. I think someone that you live with who witnessed the experience and creative process should be good enough!!

So more thought. The research paper is the easy way out, but not exactly a creative endeavor from someone who is creative, but yeah.

I've done the first written work and that's what counts and I have five months to decide on what I want to do and then submit my final project proposal. I think I may wait a while after I finish my second degree to start on my third degree. I want some FREEEDOM from online classes for awhile.

I am finally going to be able to see Shadow in two weeks and spending two days at her place. I'm going by train to St. Cloud and it was reasonably priced. I can't drive because mum is evil and won't let me take her car because it's rather old, so the train it is. And I can't complain because I leave from La Crosse and arrive right in St. Cloud. I thought I was going to have to go the cities and have her pick me up but not so!

This is a business meet-up as much as it is a "OMG, I'M FINALLY GETTING TO SEE HER!" mini-vacation. The two of us form Winter's Ink Covenant, something that goes waaaaaaaaaaay back to when we were in High School. So we will be doing a ritual and follow it up with some business related stuff. I am going to try and submit a half a dozen Rites while I'm there, which means I have two weeks to prepare the submissions. Ideas brewing! I also have my Winter's Ink Scrapbook of Shadows started ... well I have my photos for the first few pages which is all I can do so far.

Feeling rather stifled magickally at the moment so it's nice to be able to do SOMETHING even if it is just writing papers for online classes. I get no free time at home away from AJ because he doesn't work right now and our house is so small there is no where to go and then if I mention going somewhere alone, he gets very jealous and I get a guilt trip about how he never gets to go anywhere. I get frustrated because it's not his fault he can't work and he will be able to in time and I have to adjust and things will eventually be better.

There isn't much to do in Westby, but he does have the ability to take Ariel out in her pram and go for a walk when I'm working/sleeping, he just doesn't and I bear the brunt of it all. It doesn't help that neither of us have any local friends, but at least I see other people at work! He doesn't. I honestly think that since he is the stay at home dad, it might be a good idea for him to get involved with the local kid related stuff like story time at the library. :D But that's beside the point.

I may go take myself out to Red Lobster in a couple of weeks just for a little breathing space. And I am glad to be taking this little mini trip to St. Cloud to see Shadow.

I try and put a little magick into my creative projects. I have just finished a few new pages in my own Scrapbook of Shadows, I have the one to work on for Winter's Ink and then there is my Wedding Scrapbook. I guess if I work hard enough then I can find magick anywhere!

It snowed tonight... one last hurrah before spring. One can hope. I'm ready for spring planting, and spring calving, and all of Wisconsin turning green again. I'm a little sad to say good bye to my first full winter back in the United States and being in my element once again, but I am now ready for the change of season.

I have snowflakes all over my house! Winter will always be with me!

Since I am trying to post more in my every day journal, then I will try and post more here.

Well, I officially graduated from my mentoring course and now am almost able to take my own students. I think they're going to be setting us up with our new groups very in the next couple of days.

The truth is... I'm actually surprised I graduated this early. I thought I'd personally need a few more weeks in the 1-1 group since I didn't participate as much as I thought I should due to the all the hubbub with A since before Christmas.

Oh well. I'll be the best mentor I can be! Everything is prepared!