Unfortunately...

I have sad news... I must take a break from blogging for the time being. The hard drive on my laptop has met its untimely end. So until it can be replaced I am on a forced hiatus :( I am terribly sorry and will miss you all.


Blessed Be, and here's hoping I find the money for a new hardrive in a timely fashion!!

)O(

My Witchy Ways

I was on Facebook earlier searching for inspiration for my post today! I was sitting here pounding my head on the keyboard trying to stun the writers block out of my head when my friend and neighbor asked me to do a post on how I use my 'witchy ways' to cope with the weather changes! It took me less than half a heart beat to realize what an amazing idea that is. The things I do are so common place to me that I didn't even think about sharing them.

That being said, not everything I do involves witchcraft and spells. Some of the things I'm going to share with you today is how I:

• Clean the negative energy out of our home
• Protect my children from illness
• Protect our home

The things I discuss are not all fall specific and can be used/adapted throughout the year.

First we are going to talk about what I do around the home. Some of which I am currently working on as well. I've had a horrible migraine that is just incessantly pounding behind my eyes so I am slightly behind this year.

Now... I am a very down to earth kitchen witch. A lot of what I do is brewed up right on my kitchen counter. Before I even start scrubbing down our home I whip up a spell to suck up all the negative energy and bad vibes. It is SUPER simple, takes less than 2 minutes, and uses 2 ingredients! In a glass bowl I mix together some salt and juice from 2 halves of a lemon. (save the lemon, rinds and all, for the next part) The incantation is simple as well. I actually keep it on an index card in my silverware drawer! I will post the whole spell on the ritual page. As I clean I move the bowl from room to room with me.

The second part to this (before I start cleaning) is to throw the juiced lemon halves and a handful of lavender into a pot of water and sit it on the stove to simmer. The lemon chases away negativity and the lavender induces a calming sensation. Every month during the full moon I make moon water. I add some of the moon water to this simmer every time. It helps infuse the air with a positive charge. When I finish cleaning I usually add a little vanilla to the mix to mellow out the citrusy scent.

As I clean, especially when sweeping/vacuuming/mopping, I visualize all the negativity that has built up during the week being washed/swept away. I try to infuse the house with as much positive energy as I can while I clean. It's not just a physical cleaning.

After I clean, I smudge the entire house with a white sage stick, starting in the basement. I also smudge all the members of the family. The furry ones  are no exceptions. Oh yea... the dream catchers are cleaned at this time too. I've noticed that if I don't clean them, our eldest has a lot of problems with nightmares.

When the house has been smudged there is still one step left. I salt all the entryways to the house, even the garage! I'm fanatical about this in the fall, especially around Samhain. The salting has nothing to do with cleaning out energy. It's a protection thing. I want nothing coming into our house that we don't invite in.

Along the lines of protection... I also have pots of red Mums. They last well into late fall. Come late spring they will be replaced with red Geraniums. Also, on the interior of the home, the house plants that we have have charms placed on them. Plants give off energy 24/7. It is my belief that if you ask each to devote their energy to the protection and harmony of the home, they will be more than pleased to help you out. So long as you do your best to take care of them. Oh... I almost forgot, I am also working on making grapevine wreaths for the doors. They will be enchanted as well as soon as they are done!

As for protecting our children... I knit the eldest a scarf or hat every year with yarn that I have asked the Goddess to bless with protection from illness and harm. It's a tradition that I will be starting for the baby as well. The eldest also carries a protective charm with him every day... but that is for a completely different reason.

If you have any questions on how to do any of this, or would like recipes or whatever...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just ask! I love to share my knowledge and help!

Blessed Be!!
     )O(