To New Experiences

Today, August 24th of 2014, was National Go Topless day. A fact I was not privy to until I logged into facebook today. I am not, in the least bit, bothered by nudity. My children are encouraged to accept their bodies for who they are and if they chose to run around naked, so be it. I, myself, used to skinny dip on a regular basis and sunbathe topless or nude.  Go Topless Day seemed like a dream come true! 

A few things brought dread to my mind before I decided to bare my boobs (IN MY OWN HOME). Just to be clear, I wasn't about to go out parading around outside topless just because. I also checked the laws in Michigan as well. That is the first thing that horrified me. I found out that even in my own home, OUR HOUSE, I could still be arrested for disorderly conduct! Absolutely horrified! How could I risk getting arrested?! We have a huge bay window in our living room. 

'Close the curtains!' was my first thought. Then, I actually thought about what that meant. Why should I have to close the curtains on a nice day just so I can go topless, in MY own home?! What right does anyone outside have to tell me what I can and cannot do in my house!? I was disgusted with myself for even thinking about it. 

Second thing that came to mind was, 'I'm 30, have had 2 kids, my body is far from perfect!'. Again, WTF is wrong with me?! This isn't about being 'enough'...pretty enough, thin enough, or sexy enough. I was simply going to go about my normal day, sans a top. Taking care of a baby, cleaning, cooking... everything I always do. Let me tell you, there is nothing sexy about scrubbing toilets, with or without a shirt. 

So... I did it. After HOURS of talking myself up to it, I tossed the shirt and bra down the laundry chute and stood proud of myself... for all of two seconds before I was mortified beyond comprehension, but still topless. Then it occurred to me (6 hours later), why should I feel ashamed? Why do I feel like I'm doing something bad or wrong? It was very hypocritical of myself to be so hard on myself, when I applaud all the other women doing the same. And what happened to that confident young girl who used to have no problem ditching the duds and swimming in a sparkling pool on a beautiful day? Society had corrupted my brain and I didn't even realize it. Something that was so natural to me a decade ago had become wrong and something I should do in secret.... 

Shame on me. 

I straightened my spine and tossed back my shoulders, even put my hair up. I should be proud to be a woman, to be ME! Not only that, but I have a RIGHT to be proud of myself. And shame on me for letting anyone make me feel less than worthy of that right! 

I went about the rest of my evening the same way I spend every Sunday night. I put the baby to bed, watched True Blood (which I was pissed about! But that is a rant for another time), fed the animals, and took the dogs out. All topless and proud. 

True society is wrong for the inequality it keeps on us women. But we are wrong for allowing it to remain there. No one can make you feel less, unless you allow it. I learned a valuable lesson today. And it all started with taking off my top. 

Brightest Blessings 
        )O( 

By the way, if you are interested or want to learn more, go to Go Topless

Magikcal Approach

 Taking a magickal approach to raising kids sounds like it would be the easier route. Well, not for this mama. My family does not follow a single similar tradition. I follow a Norse path, my Eldest follows the Celtic Druidic path, and my husband just goes with the flow. The baby is still too young to have chosen a path so he mingles among the magick. There are certain things that we do together and thoroughly enjoy. Energetic cleaning is one of them. We smudge the house as a family and clean out negative energy together. Why not? We create it together.

After the house is cleaned, physically and energetically, what better place to settle in and enjoy a freshly cleaned home then in front of the Gods! Our family has 5 different altars. So we have options. We have a main altar, a kitchen altar (that sits on a window ledge), I have an altar in our bedroom, the Eldest has his own altar, and we have an outdoor altar. Each serves a different purpose and honors a different set of Gods and Goddesses. We are, after all, a multi-religious family. Each altar is tended by a different family member/s. So whether you want family time or alone time, there is a sacred place in our home for everyone.

In my opinion it is important for children to have their own altar to express themselves and their beliefs. There is no wrong way to set up an altar. Some religions and traditions expect it to be set up a certain way. It is my tradition and personal belief that an altar is as individual as the person setting it up. As long as you have the 4 elements and your gods represented, you are good in my book.

There are many ways to represent each element. Here are a few suggestions...

East – Air

• incense
• a hand fan
• white sage
• feathers
• a bird image
• color yellow
• a writing implement

South – Fire

• candles
• color red

West – Water

• bowl of water
• sea shells
• pictures of large bodies of water
• color blue

North – Earth

• salt
• dirt
• plant
• flowers
• color green

When it comes to altar clothes, I change the main family altar's cloth 4 times a year, on every solstice and equinox. I know some people who never change it and others who change it every sabat. There are a few who don't even have clothes. 3 out of 5 of ours don't have any cloths.

There are other items that adorn our altars. Our main altar boasts a beautiful set of antlers that Daddy had found for me. A crystal chalice that has an 8 pointed star etched into it. Our Eldest keeps photos of plant life and sick trees in our neighborhood that are in need of healing on his, as a reminder to send out healing energy. We have a few hand sculpted plaques and figures that are scattered between the 4 indoor altars. The outdoor altar is very natural in the sense that if you don't know what to look for, you'd never find it.

We try to spend equal time at all of the altars throughout the week. Emphasis on TRY. Life does sometimes get in the way. But, we do the best we can. It helps when you set aside a specific time during the day or night for spiritual time. We take an hour a night (again.... try). We do a meditation together, share stories, read tarot, and play games. Being that we have little kids (and a husband) there are usually snacks involved.

Raising Earth-centered magickal children is a lot easier said then done in today's society. Especially as consumerism is at an all time high. But it is possible. It just takes a little more work and nuturing.  

Petting Zoos and Rabbit Hutches

So here is a quick back story.... I am terrified of rabbits. End back story. 

Fast forward to yesterday... I took the younglings to a petting zoo. The Baby rode a horse for the first time ever, and loved every second of it. The Eldest just enjoyed being around the animals. There were goats, donkeys, rabbits, and (like I said) horses. 

As we left, because horses and my allergies don't get along well AT ALL, the Baby started screaming about having to leave the bunnies! He was heart broken (if you are a parent you see where this is going). The Eldest began begging for a rabbit "for the Baby". 

This is Gremlin

In my infinite wisdom I said, if Daddy will build a rabbit hutch, you two can get a rabbit. On Daddy's day off he never wants to do anything but relax. I figured I was in the clear. 

I was WRONG! Not only am I sitting on here on our patio watching my husband build a multi-level rabbit hutch, but he packed us up yesterday and took us out to adopt a lop eared bunny. Then decided today that it seemed to be too lonely by itself, so he went out and adopted a playmate today! *facepalm*

This is Gizmo

It seems that in my infinite wisdom I had forgotten one HUGE factor. Daddy is the ultimate animal lover. I could bring home a camel and he would build it an enclosure that very day! 

We now have Gremlin and Gizmo in our family zoo. The boys are ecstatic though and even the dogs seem to like the new additions. All in all, our family just keeps growing, even if it is just 4 legged furry babies! Our family has a lot of love to go around and the more the merrier.

I'm still not a fan of the long-eared rodent as a whole...but I can't help but love these two little beasts who take any chance they can to cuddle into my arms and nuzzle up to the Baby. 

Stay-at-Home Witch Tip #3

• Don't compare!

My family is NOT your family, which is NOT my mother's family, which is not my best friend's neighbor's brother's family!

What works for some won't always work for you. I'm very laid back about a lot of things and very old fashioned about a lot of things. If you are remotely feministic, my lifestyle won't work for you. AND THAT IS OK!!! There are no real rules to what a family should look like and be. I bake my own bread. I'm not going to judge you because you buy your's at the store! 

My mother's ideal life for me was to work full time and have a family. That is neither my ideal or dream! I love my life, my lifestyle, and how my life is run. When she stopped comparing her life to mine, she realized that I was very successful, in my own way. When I stopped comparing my life to hers, I realized that just because I chose something different, it didn't make it the wrong choice.

Find what works for you and run with it!

Brightest Blessings!!

          )O(