Food for thought....

One of my closest friends, that is not a strong enough word... Sister, has a blog called The Hedge Sister. It is listed under the Supporter's, Friends, and Helpful Links heading to the right of this post. For those of you who don't want to go looking for it, it is http://hedgesister.wordpress.com/ .

She touched on a topic that many people tend to look the other way on. The post was about the symbolism of the Halloween Witch and what she means to those of us who are, in fact, witches. I could in no terms put it as eloquently as she did seeing that just thinking about it makes my blood boil. The gist of the post (which I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to read) is about how during the Burning Times, women (men AND children as well) were arrested. Whole families brought in for torture and questioning to gain a confession or collect more "evidence" against said witch. 

Witches were usually older women who were herbalists and a little more outspoken, women who had an affair with a married man, or wanted a married man so she accused his wife of bewitching him.

These women went through horrendous beatings and sexual abuse, so their skin was various shades of green, purple, yellow, and of course black and blue. Their noses and fingers broken or mutilated  so they were crooked. Normally they were starved or fed things vermin wouldn't touch. Then after going through all that these holy men would parade them around the city in rags (if they were lucky) to humiliate them before burning the "witch" at the stake.

My Sister's post is far more well written and historically accurate. I truly hope you can find the time to read it. 

My point to this post is to show how we've taken something as serious as this moment in time and turned it into a fun costume choice on a holiday that is the most sacred to most witches. 

This image of the Halloween Witch is to be revered and remembered for all those innocents who lost their lives and families in the most tragic of ways. 

I am proud to call myself a witch. I hold my head up with pride when I claim it to those who do not know. I'm far from evil and am just as normal as the rest of you out there in cyber land. 

Jeez... I didn't mean for this post to become so depressing. When I read my Sister's blog it touched something deep inside of me. I cried as I read it to my family, picturing myself losing my children and knowing they were being tortured as many of those accused had. I couldn't keep the tears from flowing. 

I don't really know if I have a point or question to pose to you, my fellow reader. Just think on it. Think about how the world around you perceives you or your lifestyle. It's only been a short 200 years since this last happened...and already it's been forgotten by most.

Hug your loved ones tight.

Blessed Be.

)O(

What am I?

I recently watched a video blog by Rev. Ronald French. He was talking about how Wiccans when questioned always say they don't worship the devil. But rarely do they say what they are. I personally am not a wiccan nor have I ever claimed to be. The post made me think though...

What am I?

Certainly, I am a witch, I use magic, and I have multiple Gods and Goddesses. I am also a loving mother, devoted "wife", amazing cook and house keeper, and friend to those who understand my kind of crazy :)

Rev. French also talked about how Christians are good at forcing their dichotomy on other faiths. They love to point out that witches are devil worshipers because their religion tells them so. My path says differently. So to quote Rev. French, from now on my response will be "SHOW ME!" Show me where in MY FAITH it says that I'm worshipping devils.

Most people I have run into just don't know what my path consists of or how I live my life. I think that is partially why many of my followers here are Christian themselves. They are curious. The greatest thing you can do to strengthen your faith is to question. Learn what your faith is really about before devoting your life to it. I've studied for over 1 1/2 decades to find my way. And I still question and learn as much as I can every day.

I encourage the same from my children. And from each and every one of you to do the same.

Brightest blessings
            )0(

Summer Solstice

I had a great Solstice this year! It was slightly sad because the eldest was not with me to burn the blessing wreath that we have been working on since Beltane. On the up side though, my friend (and student) was with me. She didn't participate in any casting or prayers. But it was nice to have another with me.

That's right... I think I have forgotten to mention that I have taken on a student! It was in the (tarot) cards, and the opportunity presented itself. I feel funny sometimes thinking of myself as a teacher of magick. But it is really no different from teaching my sons, although with them it's more of an encouraging natural talent. Whereas teaching this young woman is more of helping her find her own connection and path to Truth. 

In a sense, I don't believe that magick can be taught. Magick is something you have to FEEL inside you and nurture in order to bring it out. I can teach her the technicalities, lore, and why a Sabbat is celebrated. But no one can teach magick. Just like you can not teach a person to grow, it just happens. Not something you can force into being.

On that note.... I have a Surprise Zombie Apocalypse Party to get together for tomorrow. The eldest turns 10 on Tuesday! And yes, to him, I may just end up being the best mom ever!

Brightest Blessings!!

       )O(

Inspired

Today's inspiration comes from a photo that a friend of mine posted on Facebook today!

How many of us truly believe that good things are on their way for us?

Even fewer of those people are patient enough.

And it is a rare few that reach the utter happiness of the "Best Things"

In all my years, searching, fighting, holding back, and finally coming to acceptance I have learned not only how to NOT give up, but also to believe. I won't lie, it's not easy and has taken LOTS of meditation and soul searching to find my self, my center, and the gumption to make those two things each a half of a whole.

I don't have the patience, yet. But I believe that it partially comes with age. I feel older than what I am...I still lack the patience part though.

Life is ever evolving. I'm not the same person I was 10 years, 5 years, hell even 1 year ago. I love that about myself. I'm all about growth. For me, my family, my children, and my garden :). It's not easy to go into the unknown and face a whole new world outside of your comfort zone. In the end... it is 100% worth learning who you really are and evolving that person!

Sometimes, it takes losing everything (which I have done) to learn that you don't like who you've become. You can either remain stagnate or you can grow that person into someone you can love.

I am working on the loving myself part again. I've gone through 3 rings of hell and back. But I'm still standing. I have an amazing support system, and I cherish them for being there for me.

Take time to really reflect and be honest with yourself. What you find may surprise you!

Brightest Blessings!
        )O(

Friend or Foe?

For the past 3 weeks or so... well, let me start from the beginning...

Three weeks ago I went in to check on the baby after he had fallen to sleep to make sure he wasn't suffocating himself in his blankets. The child is weird and likes to nest in the corner of his crib. If he doesn't have his afghans he won't sleep. Period. Anyway, the lights were on. Which was weird considering that it was daylight when we put him to bed.

After I checked on him I asked Daddy if he he had turned the light on since he put him to bed. He told me no and looked at me like I was crazy. I shrugged it off as the cat stepped on the remote to the lights.

This happened twice more when I knew for a fact that no one or no animal was in the room with the baby. So things were....weird.

Then one night around 3 in the morning, the baby woke up and started crying and the lights popped on! Daddy and I both looked at one another shocked. The cat was in the other room and the remote was on my nightstand next to me.

This has happened over and over again EVERY TIME the baby cries at night. I have changed the batteries in the remote. And it is only at night that this happens. If it was a short, it would happen randomly, right?! Not only when it's dark AND when the baby cries!

I don't get any negative vibe from whatever it is. I put way too many protective wards around the house for it to be anything dangerous. And I do NOT mind that it is there watching over the baby. Whatever it is, comforts him. He usually goes back to sleep right after the lights turn on. I DO mind that it's flipping the lights on full blast at 3am!

I've talked to a few people and they all have differing opinions. One of the suggestions I am going to take is to leave an offering to it and say thank you for watching out, but please stop turning on the lights when we are sleeping.

If anyone else has similar experiences or any ideas... let me know :)

Brightest Blessings Readers!
              )O(

Inbetween

On this day we are between Baby's 1st birthday (yesterday) and Daddy's ##th birthday (tomorrow). We had a great party for the baby. There were about 20 people so it was still small. One of my friends came over early to help out since Daddy had to work all day. I think everyone had a great time. After the family left we ended up having a small bonfire with a few friends. 

I spent 5 days getting the baby's cake ready. On the day it took me about 3 hours to put together but it was well worth it. The not so little caterpillar wound its way around a three tier cake with 22 cake pops. Every layer was edible, as well as all the food which I sculpted.

Instead of offering a variety of soda pop, we opted for a gallon jar of iced tea and one of lemonade. Daddy and I don't drink pop for the most part and we didn't want the Eldest to drink all the extra. We also offered bottled water.

All in all, I think everyone had a great time. I know that the baby did. He played with the older kids and spent a little time with the family too. There was a lot going on so he kind of stuck close to Daddy and his big brother because I was so busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off. 

Nom nom nom Cake pop!!

We have so many close for him, it's so cute to see him toddle around in them. He can rock a fedora just like his Mom and Dad! It's super cute to watch him drive around in his car while wearing it.

In other news in our household, Daddy's birthday is tomorrow and I have NO idea what to do for him. He and I aren't big gift givers when it comes to one another because we give gifts to one another throughout the year.  Besides, he has to work. So a nice candle lit dinner is kind of out of the question. I'll come up with something. I know he and the boys are supposed to be going fishing on Saturday, so maybe I will do something related to that.

Still up in the air about the giveaway situation... but I have a few ideas! Keep them coming though.

Brightest Blessings to my readers!

            )O(

More than I expected!!

Tomorrow is a big day for a little guy! The baby is having his FIRST birthday party! I'm such a happy and sad Momma all at the same time. I'm so proud of how big he's getting and how much he has learned in his first year, but yet terribly sad that he's not REALLY a baby anymore. I mean the little thing already can fit into 3T!!

Anyhow, we are not going all out or anything, this is something he will never remember and the parties are always more for the parent at this age to say "YEAH! WE LASTED A WHOLE YEAR WITHOUT KILLING OUR CHILD!" So we are keeping it simple (considering we have one kid who will be celebrating TEN!). The party is fashioned after the children's book The Hungry Catapillar by: Eric Carle

If you have kids and have never read it... FIND IT! It's an awesome book, I think I have like 4 copies from different decades.

Now, the party may be kept simple, but this child's cake.... is anything but. I have been working on this cake for almost 4 days now and it won't be completed until Sunday before his party. I will post pics when I finish with it though, along with pics from the party. 

Three quick side notes here:

1. I am thinking about doing some kind of give-away sweepstakes for my readers. Not sure what just yet, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment below or e-mail me at mommazen@live.com.
2. I am now on Twitter! You can follow me @WitchMomma You have no idea how weird that is to say!
3. Lastly, I started a new Facebook group for my fellow readers so that you can get to know one another and share your own experiences and advice! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mommawitch/ 

I do believe that is all the new info that I have for the time being!

Brightest Blessings!! (And pray it doesn't rain tomorrow please!)

           )O(