Misconceptions

Yesterday, I went out shopping with my mother and my aunt. We had a phenomenal time. However, I was shocked more than once by people, including my mother. We went to a GIANT craft show and as we perused the booths and wares that were on display my first shock of the day happened.

We were looking through necklaces and the like, beautifully crafted astrological signs, celestial moons and stars, and a handful of Goddess pendants. I didn't even see the Goddess pendants. My MOTHER pointed them out to me. We have a very clear agreement. I don't offer information and she doesn't ask when it comes to my beliefs. So I was very shocked that she even noticed that they were Goddess pendants. It did make me smile that she related the two though.

After about an hour of shopping I stopped at a booth that  had a glass case displaying Egyptian Gods and Goddesses (mainly Isis and Anubis), a smattering of costume jewelry and cameos, and a few circlets. The man behind the case smiled and started chit-chatting with me when he noticed my pentacle. I wear it everyday and I don't hide it. He almost fell over when he saw it. Not because I, being this big bad evil witch, was there in front of him. But because I wasn't 'in hiding' as he put it. Then, of course, he assumed I was a Wiccan (not that I have anything against Wiccans, I am just not one and I am tired of people hearing that I am not Christian and just assume I'm a Wiccan.).

I ended up schooling him for about half an hour about different types of pagans and witchcraft on a whole. It made me quite glad that I am well versed in world religions.

But those two encounters alone made me wonder what other people think when they see my pentacles or here that I am a pagan. I know I have, more than once, shocked/startled/terrified people when I inform them of my witchy activities :) It's taken some explaining, and occasionally some teaching, once I reveal how I live my life. We currently have a friend who STILL won't come over anymore.

I had one woman tell me, as she sat in MY living room, that she couldn't "believe someone who seemed so normal could be into THAT sort of thing". After I collected my jaw from the carpet I explained to her how practicing witchcraft was the same for me as her going to church everyday.

Most people think witchcraft and immediately jump to the thought of cloaks, pointy hats, and cauldrons. I'm not going to lie... I do have a cloak. More of my spells are performed at my kitchen counter in a space of 5 minutes than not. I usually only cast circles and do major spell casting or rituals during sabbats. Even then... it's iffy. I have 2 kids and run a household, I get busy. I do visit my altar almost everyday to light candles, ask for guidance, and offer my thanks to the Gods and Goddesses. Also... if you drop by unexpectedly; you may just find me sitting at my kitchen table, while the baby is napping, just staring at a flame. I happen to be fire scrying. Go sit in the living room and wait for me to finish.

Other than that... I go about my daily chores: cooking, cleaning, laundry, cleaning, baking, cleaning, and oh yea, did I mention cleaning? 3 boys (Daddy is TOTALLY included in here), 2 cats, 1 giant dog, and 2 turtles... the house is a little hectic. But we love every minute of it.

I live my truths everyday. I love every minute of the life that Daddy and I have built together. My kids are growing up healthy and happy... that is really all I can ask for out of my life.

Blessed Be my friends!
     )O(

Oh yea... almost forgot, Chubs is crawling now and pulling himself up on the furniture! It all happened in 2 days! I'm a sad momma.

25 for the 5th time!

The third brought around the full cycle year of my life, I'm officially 29 now.

It's been a long (for me), strange, sometimes difficult, but extremely rewarding life! I have found a happiness that I never knew could possibly exist with a man who loves me and my flaws. I have two wonderful children that simply complete me. I'm no longer lost and floating adrift while searching for something that speaks to me. I have friends and family who accept me and support me. (yea...I am TOTALLY bragging!)

But a hard, yet vitally important, lesson has been learned throughout this life. When you have some around you that are doing nothing but dragging you down... you HAVE to let go. Sometimes it is easier than others. The result has to be the same though. I've cut out ALL the negative influences, drama queens (and kings), and false friends. Want to know what I learned from that? I am a stronger, better, and (much) happier person because of it!

Enough enlightenment for today... the holidays are quickly approaching! Aside from Samhain and Beltane, this is one of my favorite seasons. I have to work at not letting it become stressful for me... but I enjoy it none the less. Winter Solstice/Yule is and has always been very family-centric for me. Solstice is usually celebrated privately with my children. Daddy usually ends up working, and he doesn't participate in rituals (which is fine, he is Catholic). Then, we celebrate Christmas together with our extended families.

So... what does a Stay-at-Home Witch give people for the holidays? Well, I can't tell you exactly because some of my gift receivers read my blog. After I will give you links to tutorials and all kinds of fun stuff. Everything we do give though is almost always (last year was a little different because I was SUPER sick with being pregnant) homemade and personal. ^_^

On that note... I want to point out that I believe homemade gifts are by far my favorite. We, as a society, have come so far away from what the holidays are about. It's become nothing but commercialism, greed, and consumerism at it's finest. Which is sad. I am trying desperately to teach my children that the holidays are not about getting gifts but giving back. One of my best friends is thinking about volunteering at a soup kitchen during this coming holiday season and I am planning to go with her. I want to bring my oldest with me so he can experience what it is to give back to people who really need it! He's a very compassionate child. I think it'd be good for him.

I want to start a volunteer group... maybe I will find a way to work it into the urban commune I started up. Oh... I forgot to talk about that here. Well, I will post all about The Great Avalon Commune later. It was a brilliant idea that I had had since I was a child and finally got the opportunity to start it up! Hopefully, it will work out as well as planned.

On that note... I have dishes to do and blankets in the washer that need to be hung up to dry! A Stay-at-home-witch's work is never done, but I love every minute.

Blessed Be!!
     )O(