Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to all!!! I hope everyone has a spooky good time and lots of yummy treats! For our Halloween dinner we will be having "Ghoul"-lash, Pumpkin Spice pudding and warm Apple pie.  After the delicious dinner it will be time to get ready trick-or-treating madness and a Halloween movie when we get home. I  am very excited about going through all of the candy with my two ghouls. Hopefully they will get lots of chocolate for mama.

After all the merriment, when the girls are tucked into bed, it will be time for my Samhain ritual. I will ask for guidance from my loved ones and wish them a blessed life in the Otherworld. I know they are around me now, I can feel their presense. it is a warm feeling full of love. I also know that the Goddess is near. She sent us a Murder of crows this morning. My girls and I see a few crows every morning on the way to school. This morning there had to be 40 or 50 of them circling above the school. It was an awesome sight and I felt blessed to witness them.

I hope you all have a  Happy Halloween and a Blessed Samhain!! May the new year bring you many good things. Thank you to all for the well wishes for my family. Have fun tonight and be safe!

Blessings, Vivienne

Season of the Crone

SEASON OF THE CRONE

~GERINA DUNWICH~

Crone of Winter's spellbound cold,

in Her cauldron of black are to;d

secrets ancient, truths and tales:

mystery Her light unveils.

She is wisdom, She is changes:

time and space She rearranges.

In Her hands, the card of Death,

for transformation is Her breath.

Crone of Winter, Grandmother wise,

look into Her gargoyle eyes.

Let Her lessons teach you well:

life is but a magick spell.






This poem fits so well with my life right now. my girls and I are at a time of great transition. The "death" of my marriage as my husband left us this weekend. We are all fine, my youngest being hit hardest because he is her dad. I have assured her that she can see him anytime she wishes. She is going to breakfast with him this morning and I wish her a good time with her dad. Samhain is the Witch's New year and my girls and I are starting over with this new life. A very fitting time indeed. Do not worry about us but please wish us well on our new journey. I can't wait to take them trick or treating tomorrow. It will feel "normal".

Samhain Blessings to all, V.


image is The Crone by Brian Froud

Night Thoughts

"Night Thoughts"

Edward Young

Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne,

In rayless majesty, now stretches forth

Her laden sceptre o'er a slumbering world.

image found here,

JACK-O'-LANTERN'S

Carving pumpkins for Halloween night is a tradition that many families share. Pumpkin guts and seeds strewn about the kitchen table and floors and children with orange stringy goodness oozing through their fingers. I love the sights and smells of pumpkin carving night. I was too busy making sure my girls didn't cut themselves with the knives that I forgot to take pics of them playing with the pumpkin guts. I'm sure you can imagine the fun they had making a mess for mom to clean up.

They each chose a design they wanted and went to town on carving their pumpkins. I had to help the youngest but with my carpal tunnel it is hard to get a grip on the knife. I wasn't a whole lot of help but I still had fun.

"B", age 12, went with a peace sign. I'm surprised she didn't try for a Gummi Bear. She is obsessed with them and is even doing a school project on Gummi Bears.

"K", age 8(at least she will be tomorrow), went with an owl. You can't see it in this pic but it has wings and feet. I think it's very cute.

I know these aren't the usual scary Jack-O'-Lanterns but I adore their cuteness. Many people see Jacks as something akin to Gargoyles, keeping evil at bay. I see our Jack-O'-Lanterns as lanterns guiding the spirits of our loved ones home for a Halloween night visit.

I hope you have enjoyed my daughters' pumpkins. They had a blast carving them. Now I am off to make cupcakes for "K" to take to school tomorrow for her birthday.

Halloween Blessings, V.

Samhain Blessings

~traditional Samhain Blessing~

May the ancestors deliver blessings on you and yours...

May the new year bear great fruits for you...

May your granted wishes be as many as the seeds in a pomegranate...

May the slide into darkness bring you light...

May the memories of what has been keep you strong for what is to be...

May this Samhain cleanse your heart, your soul, and your mind!

Charm of the Wise Ones

from~ CRAFT OF THE WILD WITCH~

~Poppy Palin~

Black crow, turn back, hollow root,

Bare branch shiver to my reedy flute.

I ask for the wisdom of the long-dead mute,

I am calling to the Wise!

Wings beat time to the ghost owl's drum,

Foxes bark as their night-blood hums,

Wild is the darkness that we become,

I am calling to the Wise!

Grandmother, Grandfather, hear my plea,

Step through the bright mist and speak with me,

Bring me the blessings of the things you see,

From your realm beyond the stars.

For that which is lost and that which is found,

That which is rotting in the hallowed ground,

That which whispers yet makes no sound,

I am opening my heart.

By withered apple, by rich black loam,

May you bring me wisdom from your spirit home.

The Dumb Supper

A Samhain tradition, the Dumb Supper is wonderful way to honor you dead loved ones. Some of their favorite foods are cooked with love and served to the to the family.  The dearly departed are given a plate of food to share in it's life giving essence. If there is room, each of the dead family members can have their own serving of food.  I don't have the room so share they must. you are to eat the dinner in silence but I find that rather boring. I would rather talk and sharing stories of the ones I love. Laughter is the best medicine so story of  grand adventures with those that have passed are the best to tell.

Stephanie Woodfield, in Celtic Lore and Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess, explains that the Dumb Supper can be given at any time. The loved ones birthday or the anniversary of their death are wonderful time to share this blessed meal. I like this idea and will be sure to partake in its goodness. I think it would be fun to have special Dumb Supper for any famous people that have passed and you have a fondness for. this would make an awesome party where the guests could dress in character.

However you hold your Dumb Supper, whether in silence or in laughter, I hope it is an experience that is both joyful and moving.




Samhain Blessings, V.


image found here.

Death of the Land

Autumn: A Dirge

~Percy Bysshe Shelley~

The warm sun is falling, the black wind is wailing

The bare boughs are sighing, the pale flowers are dying,

And the Year

Of the earth is her death bed, in a shroud of leaves dead,

Is lying.

Come Months, come away,

From November to May,

In your saddest array:

Follow the bier

Of the dead cold Year,

And like dim shadows watch by her sepulchre.

The chill rain is falling, the nipped worm is crawling,

The rivers are swelling, the thunder is knelling

For the Year;

The blithe swallows are flown, and the lizards each gone

To his dwelling.

Come, Months, come away;

Put on white, black and gray;

Let your light sisters play--

Ye, follow the bier

Of the dead cold Year,

And make her grave green with tear on tear.

image found here.

Fall Break

My girls are on Fall Break and the sun is finally shining after days of rain. what a wonderful start to the weekend. on the agenda today? Chinese for lunch then shopping at Hobby Lobby. I love looking for treasures at Hobby Lobby. There is always something that I just have to have.

I think the rest of the weekend will be lazy days playing with my girls. Walks in nature and trips to the park so they can shoot me with arrows again. The only day I work is Sunday so I will have lots of  time to spend with my family. We're always so busy that this down time will be a relief and a blessing.

What are your plans for the weekend? I hope it is a joyful weekend full of treasures and good times.

Blessings, V.


P.S. I don't remember ever having Fall Break when I was in school. Did any of you get this awesome vacation away from boring old school?

In Avalon

The moss covered trees soften the harsh scenery of Winters Death

 As I await, surrounded by the Mists of Time,

For the ancient barge to carry me to the shores of Avalon.

The eerie silence is broken by the Ravens call

The messenger of eternal sleep beckons

Ebony wings of death embrace me

As I fall into ethereal bliss.

I awake to the scent of apples and honey

~The ever-sweet food of life and death~

The lingering thoughts of mortality

Slip into the murky shadows of my mind

Enchanting memories of lives once lived

Are all that remain.

I step away from my former self

And slip into the folds of my true self

Filled with the spirit of wonder and magic.

My new life begins~ In Avalon

~Vivienne Moss~

iDig Your Blog Award

I recieved the iDig Your Blog Award from the wonderfully wicKED at Something wicKED this way comes..... Thank you wicKED!!!

There are 5 things that must be done to accept the iDig Your Blog Award.

1~ Gratefully accept this award.
2~ Link to the person you received it from.
3~ Post 3 interesting things about yourself.
4~ Pass this award on to at least 5 blogs you dig.
5~ Notify them.

1&2~

Thank you so much wicKED, I am honored.


3~ Three interesting things about me (or not).

1. I live in the "Circus City Capital" so I have to deal with horrifying clowns all year long. July is the worst month to be here. Maybe I should go on vacation that month.

2. My customers call me Bubble's. They say it's because I am always bubbly. I think it sounds like a stripper name.

3. I drink 2 - 3 pots of coffee a day. Maybe that's why I'm so 'bubbly'.


4~   The 5 blogs I dig. I hate this part because I feel guilty for not choosing all the blogs I follow. I love them all.

1. Above The Norm

2. Beside A Quiet Brook

3. Lorelei's Writing Journal

4. MagicLoveCrow

5. Dr. Theda's Crypt


5~ I will notify them when this is posted.

Thanks again wicKED!

The Weaver

ORCHIL

~Fiona MacLeod~

I dreamed of Orchil,

the dim goddess who is under the brown Earth,

in a vast cavern, where she weaves at two looms.

With one hand she weaves life upward through the grass:

with the other she weaves death downward through the mould:

and the sound of the weaving is Eternity,

and the name of it in the green world is Time.

And, through all, Orchil weaves the weft of Eternal Beauty,

that passes not,

though her soul is Change.

image found here.

Fun At The Pumpkin Patch

Our visit to the pumpkin patch was fun and adventurous. We enjoyed hot cider, pumpkin pie and nachos with cheese. We had a blast in the corn maze and a fun ride on the hay wagon. My Mom enjoyed the day with us. You won't find any pics of her here because, like me, she hates to have her picture taken. The day seemed to go by fast and we didn't want to leave. The only down side to the day was the high number of bees this year. Good for Nature and the environment, bad for when you want to enjoy some hot cider.

Hope you all enjoy the pics from our wonderful day at the pumpkin patch.

My girls like to drees up in their Halloween costumes when we go the pumpkin patch. This year we have Wolfie and Mr. Mustachie. They really wanted to take one of the big pumpkins home. Of course I was a mean Mommy and said NO WAY!!!

Me and my girls. Wolfie hates her picture taken too, though you can't tell that in some of the photos she poses in with big Sis.

Just some little critters on the farm.

This is what they chose for their one buy at the gift shop. Yup, bow and arrows. I'm sure I'll regret this. they played with these things until dark. Even made me take them to the park so they could shoot them from the top of the slides.

Meet Skellie. She was my one buy. Can't believe I only paid five bucks for her. She hung out with all day at the pumpkin patch. She loved the corn maze.

This was a trap. As I was snapping this photo I was hit in the head by an arrow by Mr. Mustachie. Told ya I'd regret buying those darn things. We didn't have to worry too much about becoming lost in the corn maze. The corn wasn't very high but we still had a blast.

Don't ask.

They were having a blast posing for pictures. I'm very happy they were having such a good time. They had Grandma shaking her head. Of course, she says that how me and my sibs acted at times. I thought we were perfect little children growing up.

Not a bad price for some beautiful Halloween Pumpkins.

Some beautiful gift shop items that I could only drool over. I never seem to have enough money when I go to these places.

The two pumpkins my girls picked out. We will pick a night to carve these closer to Halloween.

I hope you enjoyed the pics from our fun day at the pumpkin patch! We had a blast and will remember this day for a long time.

Pumpkin Patch Sunday

I'm going to a wonderful pumpkin patch with my girls and my mom today. Hayrides, hot cider, pumpkin pie and of course a corn maze are some of the fun things we will be doing today. The weather is cool, perfect for outdoor festivities in the Fall.

I'll share pics later this week as long as I don't get lost in the maze.


image found here.

My Growing Collection (obession) of Ravens and Crows ~AKA Great Finds~

The above picture is of my collection of Ravens and Crows as of a few weeks ago before I added a little more. It seems to be a little easier to find these birds in the Autumn season. You could say I am obsessed with them, but I say, I just love them. I think that is why I listen to them when they seem to be "talking" to me.

These precious little crows I found at The Dollar Tree. Justine from Justines Halloween was able to buy a whole murder of these little creatures. She is turning them into cute witchy crows. There were only four left by the time I got around to going to The Dollar Tree. Of course, I just had to have all four.

Speaking of Justine at Justines Halloween, I couldn't resist this aceo of "Queen of the Ravens" . The above picture doesn't do this wonderful painting justice. She fits right in with my other Raven Goddess pictures.

And last, but certainly not least, Stacy, from Magic Love Crow, paints the most amazingly adorable crows.  Again, the above picture doesn't do them justice. I ordered "Horny Crow" aceo from Stacy's etsy shop and was surprised and flattered when I opened the envelope to find a letter and two extra aceo's. Stacy knew how much I loved "Bride Of Frankenstein Baby Crow" and  added that the cute "Laugh" Baby Crow. What an honor and a blessings to receive such beautiful and heartfelt gifts. Stacy says I got the extras because I'm special. Thank you my friend for bringing tears of happiness to my soul.

Both Justine and Stacy are truly amazing artists and I am blessed to have met them both in blogger world. I will definitely be buying more from these two wonderful ladies. If you are looking for some unique and beautiful gifts, please visit their websites and etsy stores  (you can find links to the etsy stores at their blogs). Thank you Justine and Stacy for adding to my Raven and Crow collection.

Blessings, Vivienne

Rhyme of the Raven

"One is for sorrow,

two for mirth,

three for a wedding,

four for birth,

five for rich,

six for poor,

Seven for a witch,

I can tell you no more."

I was going to blog about something else today but the Crow outside was cawing at me to blog about this old divination rhyme. He wouldn't shut up until I dug out my copy of The Beltane Papers with this rhyme in it. As soon as I started typing he flew away. I'm sure he was thinking "It's about time, my voice is going hoarse cawing at you." Listen to the Crows And Ravens today, they may have a message for you.

rhyme found in The Dictionary of Superstitions, Oxford University Press, 1992

and in Issue 47 of The Beltane Papers

first image found ~here~.

second image found ~here~.

Night of the Blood Moon

SHADOWFEST

~Gerina Dunwich~

Moon of magick,

Blood for fertility,

Druid fires burning bright.

Spirits roaming, wail of the banshee,

Otherworld shadows drape the night.

Raven soaring, wings of sorcery,

Eyes like darkness midnight gaze.

Silhouettes gather, moment of mystery,

Born again the ancient ways.

image found  here.

poem found in: A Witche's Halloween by Gerina Dunwich

INVOKING THE MORRIGAN ~A Book Review~

Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess: Invoking the Morrigan by Stephanie Woodfield

 First off, I have to say that The Morrigan, in the guise of Morgan le Fay (Morganna), is my matron goddess so I may be a little biased in this review.

"The Morrigan" was both refreshing and a delight to read. Magic, shapeshifting, moving rituals and invocations, and history of  the goddesses that stand behind the mask of The Morrigan, this book is full of insightful information on the Dark Queen of Celtic mythology. Horse, Raven, Wolf, and even a Tree are some of the forms that you can shapeshift into in the guided meditations. Macha(MA-ka), Badb(BAH-v), Anu(AHN-new) and Nemain(NEE-vuhn) are just a few of the goddesses you meet.  Of course my favorite sections of the book are when Stephanie Woodfield speaks of Morgan Le Fay and Avalon, Land of the Dead. I also like that some of the spells are a little dark, for what would a book on The Dark Goddess be without a few "grey" spells. The chapter on The Phantom Queen is about death and how to honor the Ancestors. This was a very touching chapter and one of my favorites.

I recommend Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess to anyone interested in The Morrigan and other Dark Goddesses of Celtic lore. This book is not only for women, I think men will enjoy it as well. It's refreshing to see a Goddess book that is not based on Women's Mysteries(not that there is anything wrong with those kinds of books, I own a few).


Happy Reading, Vivienne

The Halloween Tree & A New Look

Wendy at THE HALLOWEEN TREE had a fabulous give-away and I was one of the lucky winners of the spooktacular book The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury.  Wendy loves this book so much that her blog is titled after the book. She was originally giving away one book but couldn't, so she ordered more books and had some extra winners. I was one of the extras. Boy am I glad she did that because i absolutely love this book. The illustrations by Joseph Mugnaini are to die for. And the story, a wicked ride through the past as eight boys learn the real meaning of Halloween. They must all make a sacrifice to save their friend Pip. Will they make that sacrifice? Will they save their dear friend? You'll have to read The Halloween Tree to find out.

Along with the book were some other surprises. A lovely journal with a beautiful blackbird and pumpkins. A list tablet of the same design and some Halloween pencils. And the awesome witch puzzle from The Witch City, Salem, MA.

Thank you Wendy for the fab prizes. You're awesome!!!


As some of you have noticed, Out of the Shadows has a new look. Like me, my blog likes to try on new styles from time to time. I hope you will enjoy this new look. Let me know you likes and dislikes about it and be sure to visit Wendy at The Halloween Tree.

Blessings, V.

October's Blessings

"Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves."~Humbert Wolfe

picture foundhere.

Haunted Moon

There is something haunting in the light of the moon;

it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul,

and something of its inconceivable mystery.~Joseph Conrad

image foundhere.

Dark Enchantments

There is a spell in Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland that can be used for good or bad.

The Conjuration Of The Lemon And The Pins Sacred To Diana

A lemon stuck full of pins of different colours always brings fortune.

If you receive as a gift a lemon full of pins of divers colours, without any black ones among them, it signifies that your life will be perfectly happy and prosperous and joyful.

But if some black pins are among them, you may enjoy good fortune and health, yet mingled with troubles which may be of small account.


It goes on to tell you how you can lesson the influence of the black pins. You are also told to stick the lemon with many black pins if you want the person to have a lot of ill fortune. A green lemon is recommended because it sets hard and turns black. Along with the spell is an incatation to Diana demanding and even threatening Her to do your bidding. I find it interesting that in this present age we ask for assistance from our Gods, in the not so distant past it was quite different.

I have not tried this spell  but I think it can be adapted for the modern age. Used for good will or baneful wishes is up to the witch to decide. I also think a blackened lemon stuck full of pins would make a spellbinding Halloween prop.

Happy Casting, V

American Horror Story

AMERICAN HORROR STORY airs tonight on FX. You can catch a sneak peak here.  I'm a fan already. I'll let the video speak for itself.

When Death Comes

When Death Comes

Mary Oliver

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn,

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut,

when death comes

like the measle-pox.

When death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiousity, wondering

what is it going to be like,

that cottage in the darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,

tending, as music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to earth.

When it is over, I want to say all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was a bridegroom taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up

simply having visited this world.

Picture found here.

Heaven

Emily Dickenson

1830-1886

"Heaven" -- is what I cannot reach!
The Apple on the Tree --
Provided it do hopeless -- hang --
That -- "Heaven" is -- to Me!

The Color, on the Cruising Cloud --
The interdicted Land --
Behind the Hill -- the House behind --
There -- Paradise -- is found!

Her teasing Purples -- Afternoons --
The credulous -- decoy --
Enamored -- of the Conjuror --
That spurned us -- Yesterday

This picture was taken last night at sunset and brought to mind this beautiful poem.

Happy October

October is here. Time for Halloween and the witching season. October has always been my favorite month. this year is a little different, while I am thrilled about the upcoming merriment's, I am saddened because on October 4th it will be one year since I lost my dear to cancer. My brother was a very happy, fun loving man, so I know that he would want his family to live their lives in happiness, not sadness. This week will be a week of sorrow but I will count my blessings and remember my brothers fun loving attitude and remember to live.


Happy October to all and may the merriment of the witching season bless your lives.


Picture found here.