Out of the Shadows

Forgive

2012-03-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that I have been away for so long. Please forgive me if I have worried you. I appreciate all the well wishes and messages of concern. The only excuse I have for not blogging is feeling disconnected from Nature lately. I get my inspiration from the changing of the seasons. This Winter has not felt like Winter at all. I live in Indiana and we are supposed to have lots of snow. We have barely had any and it is very depressing to me. I know a lot of people have enjoyed this warm weather but not me. I miss the cold blast of air on my cheeks, making them rosy and tingly. The glistening of tiny little diamonds on the sleeping Earth. I miss making snowmen and snow-faeries, throwing snowballs with my girls and even shoveling all that heavy snow. I am still hoping for a big snow storm before Spring officially arrives. Maybe I should do a Snow Dance. Anyone care to join me?

For the next few days I am going to visit all the blogs I have neglected to visit in the past few weeks. I know I have missed a lot and I hope to catch up with all of you soon. Thank you all for sticking with me.

Blessings, V.

Day

2012-02-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

Day

~George William Russell~

In day from some titanic past it seems

As if a thread divine of memory runs;

Born ere the Mighty One began his dreams,

Or yet were stars and suns.

But here an iron will has fixed the bars;

Forgetfulness falls on earth's myriad races:

No image of the proud morning morning stars

Looks at us from their faces.

Yet yearning still to reach to those dim heights,

Each dream remembered is a burning-glass,

Where through to darkness from the Light of Lights

Its rays in splendour pass.

photo by Vivienne Moss

My Early Morning Walks

2012-02-01T01:04:00.000-08:00

My favorite thing to do before work is to go on my morning walk. As long as it is not raining I don't miss it. There are several places I like to walk. This trail is one of them. It used to be a railroad track. The community has turned it into a bike/walk trail.

I was surprised to see this yesterday when I was walking. Must have been some kids having some fun. I like that they have kept a few memento's from the old railway.

The beautiful sunrise yesterday morning. The warmed the day up to sixty degrees if you can believe it. It's January and people are wearing shorts here in Indiana. I'm sure we are going to pay for this.

I love this old barn. There are usually Turkey Buzzards flying in and out of the barn. It must have been too early for those big, beautiful birds.

A few pics of the stream that runs along the trail. The song of a running stream is one of my favorite sounds of Nature. If i listen hard enough I can understand Her Song.

When i quit smoking two years ago I gained a lot of weight. I went from a size 4 to a size 14. With these morning walks and cutting out cream and sugar in my coffee and giving up soda pops, I am now down to a size 6. It took me year to get there but I have done. if I don't lose that last size I'm okay with that. I am still not smoking and will never smoke again. I do not have the desire to do it. Cream and sugar and Cokes are another story. I swear those were harder to give up than the cigs. LOL

Thank you for joining me on my morning walk. Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day!!

It's Time To Pull Myself Out Of The Muck

2012-01-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

I have been a bit blah lately. I feel like the Swamp Creature is pulling me under into his cold, dark world. Don't worry, I'm not depressed, just down and lonely. I need to get out more and explore this beautiful world, look for the bright side, the silver lining in the cloud, ect.

Enough of the pity party feeling. It's time that I celebrate the fact that I'm a wonderful mother and person. Sure I have my quirks, that's what makes me so much fun!! I love to put on some good tunes and dance around the house much to the embarrassment of my girls. We all love to sing along with The Doors in the car. There are a couple of songs that we make up our own words to. I'm sure our neighbors think we are one loony family. Acting silly is what brings me out of my murky muck feeling.

What do you do to feel better when you are down?

Great news!! My dear sister Beth found me my lumberjack!!!

This is now my new screen saver. I'm thinking of printing it off and putting it by my bed. Oh what a wonderful time I could have with him in Dream Land!

One last thing. A big thank you to my friend for making me feel better the other night. Hope everything is well with you.

Many Blessings to all, V.

Natural Music

2012-01-26T04:15:00.000-08:00

   Natural Music
~Robinson Jeffers~

The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little rivers,
(Winter has given them gold for silver
To stain their water and bladed green for brown to line their
     banks)
From different throats intone one language.
So I believe if we were strong enough to listen without
Divisions of desire and terror
To the storm of the sick nations, the rage of the hunger-smitten
      cities,
Those voices also would be found
Clean as a child's; or like some girl's breathing who dances
       alone
By the ocean-shore, dreaming of lovers.

image found here.

What I Am Reading

2012-01-23T06:20:00.000-08:00

The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries can be such a daunting read that I feel the need to take a break from it every now and then. At over 500 pages long it is going to take me quite a while to get through. Add to the fact that I am highlighting the parts I find of interest it might take me the rest of the year to finish this book. Don't get me wrong, I love this book and am enjoying the research, it just that I need a little break from it.

Over the weekend I found a couple of books for my Kindle that were for download. Sadly, when I checked today, they are no longer free unless you are a prime member. Both books are from David Rankine & Sorita D'Este. I have their book The Guises of The Morrigan: Irish Goddess of Sex & Battle. This is one of my favorite books on The Morrigan. I love all the research and dedication they put into their books.

Here are the books I downloaded and am currently reading:

Horns of Power: Manifestations of the Horned God: An anthology of essays exploring the Horned Gods of myth and folklore, ancient history through to modern times.

Some of the Horned Gods that are covered in this book are: Cernunnos, Herne, Pan, Veles, Puck and more. There are rites and prayers included and even a section of the Horned Goddess. I am only a few chapters in and am loving the fact that so many different gods are represented in this book.

The Cosmic Shekinah: A Historical Study of the Goddess of The Old Testament and Kabbalah

Some of the Ancient Goddesses covered in this book are: Innana, Ma'at, Isis, Astarte, Asherah, Aphrodite and more. I can't wait to start reading this one. I have a feeling it is going to take me on an adventure into many different lands introducing me to some goddesses I have never met before. I'll keep you updated on what I find.

The other book I am reading is one that I had to buy. The cover art pulled me in and i like the writing so much that I will probably order his other book.

Fairy Tale Rituals: Engage the Dark, Eerie & Erotic Power of Familiar Stories by Kenny Klein

I love this book. It is not you Disney characters that are covered but the Grimm stories. They are dark and enchanting tales of love, sex and death. I am on the first chapter and i had a very hard time putting this book down last night.

A few of the chapter titles:

Chapter 1
Snow-White: The Nymph; A Ritual for Sexual Attraction

Chapter 2
Snow-White and Red-Rose: Connecting With Your Totem Animal

Chapter 3
Hansel and Gretal: Faerie Mirror Magic

Chapter 7
Little Red Cap (Little Red Riding Hood): Spells For Preventing Unwanted Attention

I think I might skip to chapter 7 if the creepies don't stop hitting on me. LOL

The last book I am reading poetry. Rock and Hawk: A Selection of Shorter Poems by Robinson Jeffers ~Edited by Robert Hass

This wonderful book was recommended to me by Keith from laughing scared. I will be sure to share some of this brilliant poetry soon.

It seems that I have a lot of reading to do. It's a rainy here today making it a perfect day for reading.

What book or books are you reading?

In My Mailbox & Other News

2012-01-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

I opened my mailbox last week to find a wonderful surprise. My dear friend Stacy from Magic Love Crow sent me a lovely package filled with wonderful goodies. I love that I found such amazing friends in blog land. She sent these gifts for both me and my girls. They were just as excited as I was.

First up are three of the cutest Love Voodoo Dolls I have ever seen. My girls have already chosen theirs. B, the oldest, wants the blue one and K, the youngest, wants the purple one. I get the yellow one, the largest of the three. I plan on charging my doll with the intention of attracting the right person into my life. I will keep my heart open for the possibilities that will be sent my way. I don't know if a lumberjack will show up, maybe not. I will wait and see who the Universe sends me.

Next up are these three beautiful bracelets. The rose quartz is for love, the one with the angels is to guard against bad people(I really need this one) and the one with flower beads is for love of Mother Earth. I have to fight my girls over these. We love them so much and they have very good vibrations to them. It feels like Stacy breathed some love into them.

Last is some sage to use for ridding my home of negativity. I was in need of this because I am out of it. I really need to get to the herb store. I used a bit of this sage in the banishing ritual I did. It worked splendidly.

Thank you so much Stacy for these wonderful and heartfelt gifts. You have brought a much needed smile to my face. Hugs my friend!!!

All of these gifts fit in nicely with my new altar. It is still a work in progress. This altar is dedicated to Aphrodite. She is not just the Goddess of love, but the Goddess of Passion. I could use some passion in all areas of my life. I have to be careful what I ask of Her because she can be fierce. I think I could use a little of that fierceness as well.

In other news, I finally got my car back after almost a month without her. Betty is running great and i am very happy to have her home. thank you all for the well wishes for her.

I haven't been on blogger much lately. I have tried to keep up with all the blogs I follow. I am also having trouble commenting on a few. Please know that I am reading your posts. My new work schedule is keeping me busy. After taking the girls to school in the morning I come home to do a little house work and run errands before work. After work I pick up the girls then come home to help with homework, cook dinner and give baths. It doesn't leave me a lot of time to blog. Once I get into the groove of things I will be on here more often.

I am now also volunteering for our local museum. I will be packing and moving some items to another building so they can open a third floor. I will have to take a special class on how to handle artifacts. I think this will be fun. I will keep you updated on any unique items I might find.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to post more regularly. Blessings to all, V.

Solitude

2012-01-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

In wilderness people can find the silence

and the solitude and the noncivilized

surroundings that connect them

once again to their evolutionary heritage,

and through an experience of the

eternal mystery, can give them a

sense of the sacredness of all creation.

~Sigurd Olson~

When I am in need of solitude the woodlands is the place I go to. The sacredness of the land connects with all that is. To listen to the wind in the trees and the song of birds brings inner peace to my troubled mind. Sometimes I sit and feel the Earth breathing under me. Other times I dance like a wood-nymph letting the wildness of forest fill me with ecstasy. There is so much beauty here. I feel at home in these woodlands and I have a hard time coming back to reality when I visit. It is my dream to one day live in a small cottage in the forest, away from human life. Don't worry, I will emerge from time to time, visiting all my loved ones. Dancing the dance of life with them, returning to my woodland home filled with the wonder of love. Until then I will visit the woodlands in solitude, dreaming of the day I will return home.

An Offering

2012-01-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

While out on a walk in the little patch of woodlands in my neighborhood I stumbled across this scene. I know that this is littering but to me it has a sacred feel to it. It looks as if someone left an offering to the "Spirit of the Place" after a fun night of drinking with friends. I thought of picking the can up but it didn't feel right. I had a sense that I was to leave it be. It was His, not mine. So I left this offering there. I have a feeling He likes Coors Light. It's one of my favorite beers as well.

The next time I go for a walk I will be sure to bring a bag to pick up the rest of the trash. If that one can is still there I will leave it. It belongs there.

Kicking Zombie Ass

2012-01-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Just call me Vivienne, Zombie Slayer. That is who I was in my dream the other night. I was kicking zombie ass. Pounding their ugly little heads with a hammer. I know, you think I would have a better weapon but in my dream the hammer worked. I was protecting my girls and I think that is all it took for me to have the courage to kill them. After killing them, I was boarding up the house to keep other zombies out. Then I woke up wondering why the hell I just had that dream.

The dream was like a movie playing in my head. It felt very real and scared the daylights out of me. It was later in the day that I figured out why I had that dream. That night I had done a banishing ritual to rid myself and home from negative engeries, seen and unseen. I think it worked. To me, my zombie dream was telling me that I have what it takes to kick ass in this world. Hammer or no hammer, I need to protect what is mine. My girls, my house, my self. The zombies were all the negativity that was surrounding me and I just bashed them in the head to be rid of them. Of course I can't go around bashing people, though that might be a little fun sometimes when they really piss me off(LOL). I can mentally imagine that I am beaating thier heads in with hammer. A little gruesome, but it's better that doing it for real, right? My scary zombie dream endded up being not that scary at all when i thought about. I know I have what it takes and I will do all that I can.

Someone asked me if I thought that dreams came true. I told him no, that I thought they had messages for us though. Sometimes we need to step back a bit to understand what they are trying to tell us.

Do your dreams have hidden messages for you? Do you listen to them?

image found here.

The Nature of the Sidhe

2012-01-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

The Riders of the Sidhe
~John Duncan~

Who are the Sidhe (pronounced shee) and what do they look like? Where do they come from? Are they ghosts or another race of being all together? These are the answers I am searching for as I read The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries by W.Y. Evans -Wentz. I hope to come to my own conclusions by the time I am finished reading this book. Of course, the study of the Fae could take more than a life-time.

In this book, Evans-Wentz interviews many people on the belief in the Sidhe. From peasant folk to the well read scholars, he leaves no stone unturned. I find it fascinating that all levels of humanity in the time this book was written had a belief in the unseen. Whether Fae or ghost, they believed in something. Below are some snippets of stories I found of interest in this book so far.

On page 58 a schoolmaster is asked for his opinion on the gentry (another name for the Fae Folk).
"...They consider them the spirits of their departed relations and friends, who visit them in joy and sorrow."

On page 59 we have the opinion of an unknown Irish Mystic
"...They are described as a race of majestic appearance and marvellous beauty, in form human, yet in nature divine. the highest order of them seems to be a race of beings evolved to a superhuman plane of existence, such as the ancients called gods...."

So we have two different theories of who or what the Fae could be. I am leaning toward the fact that both could be right. Maybe after death some of us go to Faery Land and others go to Heaven or any other world that may exist. I will have to study this farther to truly understand , if it can be understood at this time.

My favorite part of this book so far is the section where Evans-Wentz has a question and answer session with an Irish Mystic. For now I will share the answer to the question of where the Sidhe come from.

Q.- "By the inner world do you mean the Celtic Otherworld?"
A.- "Yes; though there are many Otherworlds. The Tir-na-nog of the Irish, in which the races of the Sidhe exist, may be described as a radiant archetype of this world, .... In Tir-na-nog one sees nothing save harmony and beautiful forms. There are other worlds in which we can see horrible shapes."

There is much more to this question and answer session that I will share at a later date. It is refreshing to see that I am not the only one who believes in many Otherworlds. I have been to some of these worlds in dreams. Some are beautiful, pleasant place and some are worlds of pure horror. I think many of us have been to a few of these places in our dream-state. Trance journeys are a wonderful time to visit the Otherworlds. But just like in our world, there are beings you need to be cautious of, even in the worlds that are filled with beauty and wonder.

As I reads this wonderful book on the Fae I will continue to highlight the parts I find of interest and share them here. The adventure of finding out who the Fae are is turning out to be a trill ride. I am sure I will encounter some unsavoury beings, but I have met some of those in the human world.

I Have Had Enough

2012-01-07T06:13:00.000-08:00

Stand Up for Yourself Fellow
~Francis Duggan~

Stand up for yourself fellow for if not you,re out of luck
For if you let others use you they will drag you through the muck
And for those who seek advantage of you go treat them with disdain
But from any sort of violence your best bet is refrain.

Stand up for yourself fellow as all soft touches lose out
And every soft touch is well known he's known for miles about
The soft touches come second best on them the ruthless prey
Stand up for yourself fellow and from those exploiters keep away.

Stand up for yourself fellow but to those who treat you fair
You treat those people fairly and share with those who share
But of the sneaky type ruthless type my advice is beware
And you'll meet plenty of those type as they live everywhere.

Stand up for yourself fellow and in life you will succeed
And be fair with those who treat you fair and don't give way to greed
And earn your bread the honest way and practise take and give
For when all is said and all is done 'tis the only way to live.

This poem is for all who have felt they were wronged or taken advantage of. I am tired of being screwed over because I am nice and trusting. What should have been a few hundred dollars and a couple days worth of work has now turned in to $1500.00 worth of damage and nearly a month without my car. The idiot who was on my car refused to believe what i said was wrong with it. He instead fixed what he thought was wrong and blew my motor. Let's just say he no longer has my car. She is now with someone else waiting for a new(used) motor so I can drive her again. I'm not sure if I am taking the man to small claims court because it would cause a rift and fight among some whom I am close to. I'll just eat the $1500.00 and mark it as a lesson learned. I do need to find a way to make this man "pay" so he can't do this to someone else. It makes me sick to think he is getting away with it and that he thinks he did no wrong. I can't stand people like that. It makes me not want to trust anyone ever again.

Have any of you ever been in this sort of situation? You know, the ones where you know you have been screwed over but to do anything would cause a big uproar. Do you have any suggestions on how to get back at him both magically and mundane? Should I let it go or fight with a vengeance?

As for my love life. I still haven't found my Lumberjack. Though I have had plenty of married men and one man on the sex offenders list interested in me. Yes guys, I check THE LIST!! How sick can you be to hit on someone with children when your on the list. I think I'll just wait a while before i let any man into my life, even just for a date. There are just way too many sickos out there for me to deal with now.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'm sure things will look up for me soon. I just need to get my car back and look forward to this new year and stand up for myself and what I believe in.

Blessings, V.

The Land of Dreams

2012-01-03T04:14:00.000-08:00

"Turn down the noise. reduce the speed. Be like the somnolent bear, or those other animals that slow down and almost die in the cold season. Let it be the way it is. The magic is there in it's power"
~Henry Mitchell~

"The cold was our pride, the snow was our beauty. It fell and fell, lacing day and night in a milky haze making everything quieter as it fell, so that winter seemed to partake of religion in a way no other season did, hushed, solemn."
~Patricia Hampl~

I took this picture the other day when we had a brief, heavy snow fall. The snow flakes were the biggest I have seen in a long time. So big that they covered my phone so I only have one picture out of several that turned out . The rest are foggy.

Walking through the woods on this cold winter day felt as if I had stepped into the Otherworlds, The Land of Dreams. It was so serene, so beautifully quiet. The snow falling from the heavens felt like kisses from the angels. The redness of the berries set against the white and brown landscape remind me that there is life in this cold, barren season. It is the same life that shows in our cheeks as they turn red from the icy air. As I walked in this mystical patch of land I could feel the vibrancy of the earth under my feet. She is just sleeping for now but will awaken when the sun warms the earth once more.

As I look at this picture I will be forever taken to the Land of Dreams. To that land of sacred stillness where I can feel the magic of the Earth all around me.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

We wish you many blessings and lots of love in 2012!!!

Wolfie, Vivienne and Mr. Mustachie

Deviant Moon Tarot

2011-12-30T04:37:00.000-08:00

I received this delightful tarot deck from my beautiful sister Justin. The artwork by Patrick Valenza is amazing with a dark and morbid flair to it. The pentacle suit has a steampunkish style to it that I love. I have had some amazingly accurate readings with this deck and along with The Tarot of Vampyres deck it is now one of my favorites.

This is an image of the Major Arcana. The backs of my cards are different from the ones shown here and are completely reversible. This deck is so much fun and full of imagination. The images used are easy to read and I often just use my intuition instead of reading the meanings in the little white book that is provided. I tend to do that a lot with all of my cards, whether oracle or tarot.

Here is the description from the back of the box~

Illuminated with the haunting glow of moonlight, Deviant Moon Tarot dares to explore the darker places of our inner psyche and the outer limits of our imagination. Set against surreal backdrops of abandoned buildings and graveyards, the traditional tarot characters are given a stylized new twist. Deviant Moon Tarot delivers the profound messages of tarot with the evocative symbolism and compelling imagery.

You can find out more about the deck and the artist here.

Thank you to both of my beautiful sisters for the wonderful gifts given to me this Christmas.

Fairy Faith

2011-12-29T04:42:00.000-08:00

I received this book in the mail, along with some other goodies, from my sister Beth. I have this book on my Kindle but just couldn't get into it. I find having it in hard copy is much better. I feel that it is easier to read and navigate through the chapters. This book was written in 1911 by W.Y. Evans Wentz. The pages are filled with stories he collected from many people living in the Celtic countries at the time. I find the stories to be both intriguing and educational. I orriginaly bought this book on my Kindle so I could learn more about faeries. I want to know if they are spirits of the dead, spirits of the Ohterworld or maybe even the faeries of yesteryear are the aliens of today. The many abuction stories of past and present are sometimes very similar.

The Fairy Faith of Celtic Countries is just over 500 pages long. It will take me a while to get through it but I hope to have a better ubderstanding of the Fairy Faith. I will be putting my thoughts here on this blog from time to time. For now I would like to share some interesting quotes I highlighted.

"Are city-dwellers like these, Nature's unnatural children, who grind out their lives in an unceasing struggle for wealth and power, social position, and even for bread, fit to judge Nature's natural children who believe in fairies?Are they right in not believing in an invisible world which they cannot conceive, which, if it exists, they- even though they be scientists- are through enviroment and temperament alike incapable of knowing? Or is the country-dwelling, the sometimes 'unpractical' and 'unsuccessful'. the dreaming, and 'uncivilized' peasant right?"

I find it amusing that when you tell someone that you believe in ghosts or even Big Foot they are usually okay with it. But if you tell them you believe in faeries they think you are nuts and a little childish to believe in such things. Well, call me nuts, because I believe. Maybe not in the Tinker Bell types, though they may be real, but in the spirits of the land, the spirits of other worlds, the spirits that live in our homes. I believe. Maybe instead of a ghost hunter or a Big foot Hunter, I'll become a Faery hunter. I think that could be dangerously fun.

"In the beauty of the World lies the ultimate redemption of our mortality. When we shall become at one with nature in a sense profounder even than the poetic imaginings of most of us, we shall understand what now we fail to discern." ~Fina MacLeod~

This little faery picture was given to me by my sister Beth as well. I just love her little pigtails(they remind me of mine) and the fact that it says "Blessed". I feel blessed to have such a wonderful big sister. I feel blessed to have all five of my sisters. I feel blessed to have had a wonderful big brother for the time that he was here wiht us. I feel blessed to have such a strong mom. I feel blessed to have two of the most beautiful and loving children in the world. I feel blessed to know that I will teach them to be strong independent women. I feel blessed to have the power to learn to say no to the things and people that are bad for me. I feel blessed to know how to love myself and others. I feel blessed to have respect for myself. And i feel blessed to have met so many kindred spirits in blog-land. Most of all, I feel BLESSED that I can live freely and believe in anything I want. We only get this life once so live well, be strong and have fun!!

I hope this New Year will bring many blessings to you and your families. May we all learn to BELIEVE!!!

P.S. My spell check is not working. I tried to fix all of my mistakes. Let me know if I left any big ones. I got all excited thinking that I just wrote a post without any mistakes. Oh well.

After Christmas Clean-up

2011-12-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

Today is the perfect day for the after Christmas clean-up. It is cold and snowy outside. I slipped out long enough to take a couple of pictures of the beautiful snow. The snow flakes are really big and fluffy. We are not going to get much snow but I will enjoy it while it lasts. I have figured out that if sit on my bed I can hook up to someones wireless Internet. I only hook up long enough to upload a few pics from my phone to my Face Book page. I would feel too guilty to stay on any longer.

I will be taking down all of my Christmas decorations in the next few days. I took my outdoor decorations down this morning in the cold snow. Good thing I didn't have much to take down. I know some people like to keep their decorations up until New Years or sometimes even longer. Not me, I want my down as soon as possible.

When will you be taking your Christmas decor down? Do you do it as soon as possible like me or are you one to hold off for as long as you can?

Coming up this week if I can get my daughter away from the computer long enough to hop on for a bit~ I will tell you about some of my fave Christmas gifts.

Happy Clean-up, V.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T05:21:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter. I am working tonight and will be alone when i get home. My girls are with their dads. We had a wonderful Yule. It was very quiet and peaceful. The girls claimed it was the best Christmas ever. It was just the three of us and I think that is what made it so wonderful.

I have invited two very hunky guys to spend Christmas Eve with. A couple glasses of wine and a visit from these two should make a very wonderful evening for me.

Thor

Conan

I think I'm set for the night.

Merry Christmas to all, V.

A Blessed Winter Solstice To All

2011-12-22T04:32:00.000-08:00

image found here.

Getting Ready For Yule

2011-12-21T04:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been on blogger for the past few days. I have been very busy getting ready for Yule and sending Betty(my car) of to the car doctor to see what is ailing her. Hope she won't cost an arm and a leg to fix. At least i will be getting more hours at work to help pay for her medical bills. There have been some wonderful things happening besides the lack of a love life and a sick car. I received a generous food basket complete with turkey and even some gifts for the girls from a local charity. They know us through my girls and know that we have hit hard times. The lady who dropped it off got a huge hug from me. My ex-mother-in-law dropped off some gifts from Santa to my girls and even a few gifts for me from the girls. How cool is that. She is really pissed off at her son right now so she seems to want to do some nice things for me. I'll take it while she's got. We don't always get along. I also received some gifts from my sisters but i will blog about them later. One is a book and the other a tarot deck. You know how I love tarot and books!!!

My girls and I will be celebrating Yule(Christmas) tomorrow. They will both be gone Christmas Eve and Day. Tonight we will be doing a lot of baking and "partying". I am sharing a recipe that I got from my brothers wonderful wife.

Colorful Cookies

Flavored gelatin makes the dough and the glaze colorful

1 package(3 ounces) fruit flavored gelatin
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Colorful Glaze (below)

Heat oven to 350. reserve 1 tablespoon gelatin(dry) for the glaze. Mix remaining gelatin, the powdered sugar and margarine. Stir in flour and salt. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until set but not brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely.

Prepare Colorful Glaze. Dip tops of cookies into glaze. Decorate with coconuts, colored sugar, small candies or chocolate shot if desired.

About 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Colorful Glaze

Mix reserved 1 tablespoon gelatin and 3 tablespoons hot water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups powered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and of desires consistency.

These cookies are very flavorful and are fun to make. It makes for a messy good time spent with children.

I know we all will be very busy this week and I hope to catch up with every ones blogs soon.

Have a Blessed Yule. Love and Hugs, V.

image found here.

Aspects of Yule

2011-12-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

Aspects of Yule

~Zephyr Lioness~

Time of deepest darkness

The God is born anew

Seedling in the frozen earth

Awaiting springtime dew.

The ground, an icy wasteland,

Though neighbors hearts are warm

We share our goods with everyone

So no one comes to harm.

Snow lies on her shoulders.

Frosted mantle for her hair

Winter's Queen is giving birth

The goddess, always there.

The sun is growing brighter.

It happens every year

Promising return of light

For sod and oak and deer.

Stag King, his mighty antlers

Rising from a drift

Leaps for the hunter's arrow

Just as strong and swift.

He knows his time has ended

He is heading to the plain

Where joy caresses memory

Like softly summer rain.

New fawn takes his first step,

The buck he will become.

After the time of knowing

A new year has begun.

image found here.

poem found here.

Traditional Irish Blessing

2011-12-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

~for Judy~

May we live in peace without weeping.

May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing.

And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.

This and more Celtic Blessings can be found here.

Image found here.

To Be Eaten By A Vulture

2011-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

My blogger friend, Keith, over at laughing scared, sent me a wonderfully morbid poem. I had made a comment on his post about being obsessed with not dying that reminded him of this poem. I had stated that when i die i want my body to be put in a tree so the crows and vultures could pick me clean. My bones can be worshipped afterwards by those who care. LOL. It is the truth, I would rather feed the Earth than to be put in a metal box to just lie there and rot. What fun is that. I want to soar in my next life.

Thank you Keith, for introducing me to another great poet. By the way, you have one of the best headers for a blog. My oldest can't even look at it.

Hope you all enjoy the poem as much as I do.

Vulture by: Robinson Jeffers

I had walked since dawn and lay down to rest on a bare hillside
Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture wheeling
high up in heaven,
And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its orbit
narrowing,
I understood then
That ii was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard the flight-
feathers
Whistle above me and make their circle and come nearer.
I could see the naked red head between the great wings
Bear downward staring. I said,"My dear bird, we are wasting time here.
These old bones will still work; they are not ready for you." But how
beautiful
he looked, gliding down
On those great sails; how beautiful he looked, veering away in the sea-light
over the precipice. I tell you solemnly
that I was sorry to have disappointed him. To be eaten by that beak
and
become part of him, to share those wings and those eyes--
What a sublime end to ones body, what an enskyment, what a life
after death.

Awesome News

2011-12-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

I just received a call from my boss last night asking me if I wanted to go full time. Of course I said "Hell Yeah". The awesome part is my youngest can walk with one of her friends to the store after school. My bosses are very cool and let my girls sit at work with me until the someone can pick them up. They are letting my daughter stay with me for the last two hours of my shift. How awesome is that? My oldest will be walking home with one of her friends and I will pick her up after school. Now with more hours we might just be able to afford cable. Of course I will have to see what our heat bills are first.

So, that is my awesome news. I think my girls and i are going to make it. No, scratch that, I KNOW we will.

Now if only I could find that lumberjack that just wants to have fun. No mushy relationship for me. No marriage, no boyfriend, no man living in the house. After two failed marriages I don't want that anymore. I want to prove that I can make it on my own.

Oh, and my girls walked to school without me today. How very sad for me. They are growing up. (sniff, sniff)

Hope you all receive some awesome news as well,V.

Winter Spirits~ The Ice Queen

2011-12-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

The Ice Queen, aka The Snow Queen, is the faery seductress. With her ice-cold stare she seduces young men only to steal her soul. She is a little like the Green Faery only she doesn't bestow creative illumination before she steals your soul, she just wants sex.

To me The ice Queen is more than just a 'soul stealer', she is the embodiment of a woman who is control of her own life and will answer to no-one but herself. She is confidant in herself and she knows what she wants and how to get. She is strong and self resilient.

I might try to mold my after this very strong Queen of Faery. I don't want the souls of men I just want to be in control of my destiny with men.

Are there any other women out there who feel a connection with The Ice Queen? Don't worry, I'm not turning all bad on the world. I just think it's time I embrace the "dark side" of myself once in awhile. I say it's time to KICK ASS in this world!!!

Okay, now back to my normal mellow self.

Winter Blessings, V.

image found here.

Three Little Scarecrows

2011-12-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

Three little scarecrows all in a row
Dressed for Winter from head to toe.

I mentioned in a previous post that my poor scarecrows were looking a little sad i being left in the snow. I was going to put them up for the Winter but Akasa gave me the wonderful idea of dressing them up in hats and scarves. My girls thought that was a grand idea and got to work digging through our old Winter gear.
I think they did a fabulous job!!! The three little scarecrows look as if they are enjoying the snowy weather now.

Thank you all for the fun wishes for when I went out for the first time in years. I had a blast. I danced so much that every muscle from the waist down is killing me. My head thinks that I had a wee bit too much beer. My soul feels absolutely wonderful though. i didn't find Mr. Lumberjack (that's the type of man I told my sister and her friends I was on the prowl for). Most of the men were quite young and all of them had been struck mad by the full moon. I'm not kidding. The women in the dance club were laid back compared to the men. The men were absolutely crazy. i don't think i have ever seen so may of them on the dance floor dancing wildly. I got many laughs that night.

I ended up having a fantastic weekend! How was your weekend?

WOO HOO!!!

2011-12-09T05:24:00.000-08:00

I am going out with one of my sisters tonight(I have five sisters). It has been almost 9 years since I have been out dancing. I love to dance and have been know to dance around the house when no-one is home. We are going out to celebrate her birthday. My girls are a little upset with me. They would rather I stay home. Hopefully they won't stay mad at me for long.

On another note. I can't upload any pictures. My camera is on the fritz and to cut down on costs I don't have Internet and facebook on my phone. Just a plain old phone. I am hoping to get a new camera after Christmas. I really want to show my scarecrows all dressed up in their winter gear. The girls did a fab job on them. Thanks AkasaWolfSong for the tip.

I hope everyone has a fab and magical weekend. Stay safe and warm, V.

image found here.

Wish Upon A Hero

2011-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Christopher Carswell

My fellow blogger and Sister/Friend AkasaWolfSong has brought to my attention a story of a young boy who has had medical problems since the day he was born. His Christmas wish is to receive as many Christmas cards as he can from around the world. You can visit his blog here.

Christopher's address is:

Christoper Carswell
145 Myers Hill Road
Brunswick GA 31523

Please join me in wishing this young boy a Merry Christmas with by sending him a card.

Blessings, V.

A Celtic Blessing

2011-12-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

May you have~

Walls for the wind

And a roof for the rain,

And drinks beside the fire

Laughter to cheer you

And those you love near you,

And all that your heart may desire.

Winter Spirits~ La Befana

2011-12-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

La Befana Nursery Rhyme

(Italian)

La Befana vein di notte
conle sharpe tutte rotte
col vestito all "romana"
viva viva la Befana!!

Porta cenere e carboni
ai bambini cattivoni
ai babini belli e buoni
porta chicchi e tantidoni!

(English)

The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all broken
With her dress in Roman style
Up, Up with the Befana!!

She brings ashes and coal
To bad nasty children
To the nice good child
She brings candies and many gifts!

La Befan, the Chritmas Witch , the Christmas Faery rides through the skies on her broom stick carrying gifts for good little girls and boys. She does not come on Christmas Eve like our dear old Santa Claus, but on Twelfth Night. Twelfth night is on January 5 and is the eve of the feast of the Epiphany.

I like the idea of a Christmas Witch. to me she is the female counterpart to Santa. Plus she comes on a different night so if you aren't good for Santa maybe, just maybe you can be good until Twelfth Night so la Befana will leave you a few gifts.

Unlike the milk and cookies we leave Santa, la Befana like a other foods. She seems to like cake or bread and some wine. Who wouldn't like wine? Sounds much better than milk. Just don't leave her to much. she is flying on her broom stick and we don't want any accidents. In The Book of Faeries by Francis Melville it states that la Befana likes sausage and broccoli and a glass of wine. I think that sounds like a fine Twelfth Night meal to share with la Befana.

I hope you are all good little boys and girls so la Befana doesn't have to leave ashes and cola in your stockings. Please be good so the wonderful Christmas Witch can leave you some yummy treats and magical gifts.

Winter Spirits ~Jack Frost~

2011-12-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

Jack Frost
by~ Eric Kincaid

Jack Frost~ Author Unknown

A pretty brook was running at play
With little Jack frost on a cold Winter's day.
It stopped to rest at the foot of a hill
Making a pond all quiet and still.
"Aha!" Said jack Frost, "Now isn't that nice?"
And quickly he turned the water to ice.

To most, Winter begins December 22, but to me it begins as soon as the winds turn cold, blowing snow and ice across the land. I like to go by how the Earth feels, not what a calender says or where the sun is. Just like to me, Spring doesn't start on a certain day, but when my Tulips star to sprout from the cold, hard Earth.

There are many Winter Spirits and Jack Frost is one of them. He blows his icy breath across the barren land, freezing everything in it's path. I love the way his breath glistens when it freezes on windows, like millions of tiny diamonds spread across the glass. Jack might be cold and harsh, but I see the beauty in his frozen lands.

Happy Winter to all, V.

Picture and more info on Jack Frost found here.

Free Read!!!!!

2011-12-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

Beth Ciotta

Hi everyone. My wonderful sister Beth Ciotta has this awesome book out on Kindle and Nook for free download. This offer is for one week only so hop on over to her blog for more info and links.

All of my sisters books are awesome reads and a few more are offered on Kindle and Nook. She also has two new series coming out. The Cupcake Lovers and a Steampunk romance series. I am patiently awaiting for both. Ok, maybe I'm not that patient. You here me Sis, I want to read them soon!!

Please help spread the word on my sisters book. Love and Light to you all and Thank You!!!

The Weather Outside Was Frightful

2011-11-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow last night and it turned out to be a storm. The snow was a very wet and heavy snow so there were trees , branches and power lines down everywhere. I was able to get my lights up on my porch but that was it. I didn't want to be caught under one of my trees if it decided to lose some branches.

I found the snow to be quite beautiful if not a bit destructive. There were many accidents and one man in our county was killed while trying to pull a car out of a ditch. Thankfully his four year old daughter was not injured. My heart goes out to the mans family and I hope the little girl is able to heal from her emotional wounds. It is very sad to think that she lost her daddy while he was trying to be a good Samaritan.

Despite the bad weather my girls still had to go outside and attempt to get frost bite. I always marvel at how children love the snow so much. I love the beauty and silence it brings to the land but not the clean-up I have to do afterwards.

They played in the cold snow while I put up the lights. I think it's time I put my poor scarecrows in the shed. I think they look a little sad. We got ten inches of snow in all but it is melting all ready. I was hoping it would stick around for a bit. My girls were loving it so much that we walked to school this morning. They made sure to walk in the deepest parts of snow that they could. Kids will be kids I guess.

Wishing all a safe and happy winter season.

Decking The Home With Love & Laughter

2011-11-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

My girls and I had a blast decorating for Yule on Thanksgiving night. We bought a new Angel for the very nice rotating tree my mom gave us. We have even started a fun tradition for ourselves. We giggled forever over our new tradition. I'll share what it is later. My daughters think this will be the best Christmas ever because they LOVE the new tree and are excited about celebrating on the Winter Solstice instead of Christmas Day. This will give them both a chance to visit their dads on Christmas. I have always been flexible with my oldest daughter and let her spend Christmas with her dad if she wants. I don't see any reason to fight over who gets them when have them almost everyday. I like the idea of celebrating on Yule anyway.

Now for some pics.

This is my favorite piece of furniture in my house(well, besides my dragon table). I love this cupboard that I found at a second hand shop. The small stand-up Santa on top was my grandpas and the paper reindeer were made by my girls.

This is my favorite Santa. I really want his leopard print cloak.

The Yule wreath I won from Kim at The Wiccan Life. This is hanging outside my front door for those who visit to see.

The other Yule Wreath I won from Kim hanging on our tree.

Mr. Pumpkin. I won him from Magikal Seasons. I had to add a little Halloween to Christmas.

Our beautiful tree with the new Angel on top. We love her white feathery wings. She adds a bit of magic to our tree.

Shhh. Do you here that? Whats that sound?

SQUIRREL!!!!!

This was our bit of fun and our new tradition. My youngest daughter got this Fur Real Chipmunk for her birthday. While we were decorating the tree we had tvacation playing on the DVD player. Her chipmunk was on the desk and it was like we all looked at it at once and decided to put it in the tree. The squirrel part of the movie is our favorite. Now when the tree turns and they see it they run through the house screaming SQUIRREL!!!.

I still have the outside to decorate. It seems to be raining everday here. It is supposed to turn to snow today so hopefully I will be able to decorate soon.

Hope everyone has as much fun as we did while decorating for Yule.

Bah Hum Bug

2011-11-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Bah Hum Bug. I swear that's what I heard when my daughter put this outfit on Paco. I can almost feel his pain, the poor fella. He looks pitiful, doesn't he?

Bah Hum Bug is what I say to the whole Black Friday thing. I went once several years ago and swore I would never go again. I never need what is on "sale" and the crowds and rude people are not worth the bother. We did go to the mall on Sunday just to look around. (Sorry Justine, I couldn't find the mag with your illustrations in it. I looked everywhere.) Again, way too crowded. So today I will do the Cyber Monday. My girls have added things to my Amazon Wish List that they want. After I go to the bank to withdraw money so i can by an Amazon gift card I will shop away. Why not just use my debit card? Because I'm still waiting for it to come in the mail. I had to open a new account after the separation with my husband and it seems to be taking forever for it to come in. Oh well, at least I have that bit of money to buy a couple things for my girls. I'm happy with that.

The rest of the day will be spent paying bills and putting up lights outside. The inside of our house is decorated and includes a rotating tree that my mom gave us. I'll be sharing pics soon.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying decorating for Yule and Christmas. Now off to the cyber stores I go.

Truth & Lies

2011-11-26T07:27:00.000-08:00

Truth & Lies
`Obinna Kenechukwu Eruchie~

Truth stands to last
Lies fall so fast
Truth shows the light
Lies bring the blight
Truth makes a way
Lies spoil the day
Truth leads to gains
Lies lead to pains
Truth you cherish
Lies you don't fish
truth gives one thrill
Lies make one ill.

One thing that I hate is when you know lies are being told and you can't do anything about it. You know the truth, but have no proof, or you people just want to believe what's easiest for them. This has been gnawing at me for the past couple of days. There isn't much I can do about it besides start a fight over this pettiness. I don't want to do that because I don't want to drag others into it. I think I will just listen to the Wisdom that was given to me.

The above picture is The Queen of the Light from the Wisdom of the Hidden Realms oracle deck by Colette Baron-Reid. I drew this card last night for my nightly oracle message. I draw them to see if they fit in to what has happened throughout the day. I draw one in the morning as well. Which deck I use depends on the one that "calls" to me. Last night it was this deck.

One of the messages from The Queen of the Light is: " You can stand tall in your conviction that in your heart of hearts, you know the truth of your situation." This message hit home. I know the truth and in due time others will as well. These lies aren't really hurting me. They are just making me very angry. I am letting these stupid lies get in the way of my happiness. Time to just let go with a little wish that Karma will give this person a kick in the butt.

Truth will triumph over lies. I just have to sit back and enjoy the show.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

May your Thanksgiving day be filled with love, joy,

cheerful company and good food.

I Am Thankful For...

2011-11-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

Blessings by Greg Spalenka

I Am Thankful For...

My two beautiful daughters. Life would be boring without my little monsters. You are the love of my life.

My blood sisters. Without your love and help I wouldn't be where I am today. Love you bunches.

My Spirit and Kindred Sisters. I have never felt so much love and support from people I have never met in person. I love you all!

My Gothic and Dark blogger friends. You have been here from the beginning and continue to amaze me with your delightfully dark blogs.

All of the wonderful people in blog-land. You giver me something to look forward to everyday with you fabulous blogs.

My home. For she keeps my family warm and dry.

My car. Betty keeps on going though she is getting older.

My job. Without it I would not be able to support my family.

The Fates. For without the obstacles they throw at me I would not learn to grow.

The Goddess. For without Her I would still be lost.

For Life. I will cherish for the time I have left on this beautiful Earth.

I Am Thankful For....

Please feel free to add the things you are Thankful for.

Thanks Kim!!!

2011-11-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

I won this beautiful Yule Wreath set from Kim at The Wiccan Life. This is the last of the four give-aways that I won in the matter of a couple of weeks. I had a very good lucky streak at that time. Yay for me!!! I can't wait till I decorate for Yule so I can put these out for all to see.

Thank you Kim for this wonderful give-away. I will cherish them for many Yule's to come!!!

On a side note, I have not been able to get to the computer for most of the weekend. My oldest daughter had a friend sleep over Friday night. She ended up staying the whole weekend which is the reason I couldn't get on the computer. They were busy playing games and talking to friends on F.B.

I hope to catch up with every-ones blogs today and tomorrow. I hope I didn't miss too much excitement!!

And The Winners Are....

2011-11-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

It is time to announce the winners of my 100 follower give-away!!!

I had my youngest daughter "K" help me out with this. She attempted to write with Dragons Blood ink for the first time. She had a messy good time with it. We put them in my cauldron and stirred them with a magic wand and then she drew the names. She felt very big about doing this!

First up she drew the winner for the Avalon book.

And the winner is...

Victoria from Spells of Infinity Yay V~ I know you'll love this book!!!

Next she drew the winner for the Gothic Tarot Deck

And the winner is...

Barb from Haunted Design House. Yay Barb! I hope you enjoy these. I think you will love the artwork!!!

Congrats to Victoria and Barb. Please email me your address at vivienne.moss@yahoo.com. I wish you all could have won something. Thank you all for following me!!!

Traditions

2011-11-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

Every November my girls and I attend the annual Downtown Christmas in our little town. Last year I was very sick with a stomach virus so I was not able to attend. I had to scramble on the phone trying to find someone to take my girls. I did not want them to miss it. I did find a wonderful person to take them,. They were sad that I was not able to go but still had fun. We all have colds this year but we did not let that stop our plans to have a fun and wild night.

Some years the weather is cold and wet. One year it sleeted the whole time. This year the weather was perfect. Just the right amount of crisp cold air and it stayed dry for us this time. There was a very small parade, when I say small, I mean small. It lasted not even five minutes and moved so fast I couldn't get any decent pictures. I don't know why it was so small this year. I didn't even see Santa until he had already passed us. In years past the parade was bigger, even having a live reindeer at one time.

The other part of Downtown Christmas is the shops. They stay open until 9 p.m.(everything closes at around 5 in the downtown area). They hand out warm cider, hot cocoa, cookies and other delicious snacks. Some have drawings for wonderful give-aways. Of course I signed up for them to see if my luck was still running good. There is also a paper that you take from store to store and have stamped. Today they will draw names for gift certificates for the stores. We usually skip this part because the lines are so long to have the papers stamped. But towards the end of the night the girls wanted to give it a try. So we ran from store to store having our paper stamped. Boy were our legs tired after all that running around. Wish me luck!!!

One of the best things of the night is finding some wonderful treasures that we would love to have.

I love this Humpty Dumpty. Doesn't he look regal sitting in his grand chair?

I told my girls I wanted this gargoyle for Christmas. He is just too cute and would make a wonderful protector of our home.

The BEST part of the night? Spending it with these two crazy girls!!!

May our tradition of Downtown Christmas craziness continue for many years to come.

Night of Hekate

2011-11-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

For all devotees of Hekate~

May Her torch burn brightly for you on this most sacred of nights.

For more information on one of the greatest Goddesses you can visit these blogs:

Love of the Goddess

The Deepest Well

image found here.

It Never Fails......

2011-11-15T04:42:00.000-08:00

It never fails that when there is a 2 hour fog delay for the area schools they wait till after I am out of the shower. No sleeping in for me. My girls are certainly snoring away, enjoying the extra 2 hours of blessed sleep. That's okay, I love the fog. I know it doesn't look like a lot of fog in the above picture but it is getting thicker and creeping closer as the morning progress. While the girls are enjoy that sleep, I'll head outside with a cup of coffee in hand and thank Nature for the beauty of fog that She has sent to us. As the world around me is wrapped in fog I'll feel the arms of the Goddess wrapped around me in love.

Before I head out to enjoy this most wonderful morn, I'll leave you with a quote:

It's not the clear-sighted who rule this world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed warming fog. ~Joseph Conrad~

Book Review: Vampire Ascending

2011-11-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Lorelei Bell has written a unique book on the ever fascinating world of Vampires. Oh, but there are not only vampires in this tale , there are elves, shape shifters, weres and demons. I love how Lorelei has created a world where all of these supernatural beings can be put in a story together and make it seem believable.

Vampire Ascending is dark and sexy with a touch of humor. I love how Lorelei has made the heroin a strong lead character. Sabrina Strong is a touch clairvoyant, meaning that when she touches an object or a person she can see into the past and future. It is because of this gift that she is hired by a master vampire to find out who killed his mate. Sabrina must also find out who took her best friend. With the help of the very sexy Dante ( a shape changer) she must set aside her fears to solve the mystery of the vampire killer and save her best friends life.

Vampire Ascending is a wonderfully sexy mystery that will keep you on you at the edge of your seat. Lorelei Bell has wriiten some strong characters in this delightfully dark book on the supernatural. The only downside? Having to wait for book two, Vampire's Trill.

You can check out Lorelei Bell's fabulous blog here along with more information on her brilliantlly written book.

Happy reading, V.

Autumn's Wind

2011-11-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being.

Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead

Are driven like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley~

image found here.

Thank You

2011-11-11T03:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who have served to protect our country. Many blessings upon you and your families.

image found here.

100 Followers Give-Away

2011-11-10T05:24:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! I can't believe I have over 100 followers, 101 to be exact. Thank you to all of my followers but especially to the wonderful friend I have made here in blog land. Everyone of you mean the world to me!

I have been thinking of what I should have as my prize, I don't make things and right now i don't have the money to buy something nice for the give-away. It was while re-arranging my house that I had an ah-ha moment. I have so many books and tarot decks that I decided to give two of my faves away. I hope you don't mind that these are slightly used give-aways.

I have one "light" and one "dark" gift to give.

The "Light":

One of my favorite Goddess Spirituality books. My own tradition is based on this book. It is a wonderful book on the Avalonian Tradition and the Sisterhood of Avalon. i hope this book will bring many blessing on whoever wins it.

The"Dark":

This is a delightfully dark tarot deck for those who love all things Gothic. Even you don't read tarot you will enjoy the amazing artwork in this deck.

All you have to do to win one of these give-aways is leave a comment and let me know which one you would like a chance to win. If you want a chance to win both, let me know. This give-away is open to all. If you live outside the United States it might take a bit to get it to you. Being a newly single mom money is tight. Don't let that stop you though, I will make sure you get your prize.

The give-away ends Friday, November 18.

Good Luck to all, V.

One Very Happy Lady and Three Relieved Dogs

2011-11-09T03:42:00.000-08:00

Meet Happy and his very happy owner. Happy made his way to my doorstep yesterday morning via the girl down the road. She woke up to this adorable dog tied to her porch by a very short leash. D is the same age as my oldest and her dad works in the morning having to leave her to get up and get ready for school on her own( he is a single dad). She knows that if she needs anything then she can just come right over. I was the first person she thought of when she found Happy. I told D that I would take care of the dog until we found his owner.

My girls instantly fell in love with this little Ewok. Not so much my two dogs. They were not happy in the least. After I walked my girls to school I stopped at the little convient store that I work at. I let my co-worker know about the dog and told her to let me know if anyone was looking for him. I wasn't home 10 minutes when my phone rang. The owner of the dog was at the store franticly looking for him. My co-worker sent her right over to my house(you can practicly see the store from my home).

To say this woman was excited is am understatement. She nearly pulled up into my yard and I wasn't even sure if she put her car in park. I handed her Happy and she put her face on top of his fluuffy little head and sobbed. She told me he had run when she let him out in the early morning hours. The poor woman a had been searching for her dog since 2 a.m. She thanked me many times and made sure to have me thank D.

My girls were sad but understood when they got home from school. They had fallen in love with Happy in the short time he was here. My two dogs were very relived.

Paco and Gypsy

Gypsy the gentle giant. She's still a pup at 8 months old so she has a bit of growing to do.

Paco, I'm sorry, that's Prince Paco. Don't let his cuteness fool you. He's my attack dog. He also picks on poor Gypsy.

Thanks for letting me share my dog story. It made my day to see the joy and love on that womans face.

Coming up tomorrow: My 100 follower give-away!

Blog Awards, Give-Away Wins and More

2011-11-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I have been working on re-arranging my home since my husband moved out. Here is a sneak peak of what I have been up to. Please ignore the deer heads, they are my exes and he has not picked them up yet. I don't want to put them in the shed because I am afraid they we become ruined. I will just pretend they are Herne the Hunter watching over me as I sleep. I know, a little creepy. I don't think my living/bedroom arrangement looks too bad. it has a lofty kinda feel to it.

The fates must have known some hard times were about to befall my family because I have been awarded two blog awards and have won 4 give-aways within the past two weeks. How awesome is that. I almost feel guilty for winning so many give-aways but they have brought me much needed joy at this time. I hope that doesn't make me look greedy. I feel like I should not participate in any give-aways for a bit but with Christmas just around the corner that will be hard.

Now for the blog awards!

Sal, from http://stilldark.wordpress.com/, awarded me with this Gothic Blog Award. There are a couple of things that must me done to accept this award.

1. Thank the person who awarded you.
2. Pass it on to 3 Gothic blogs you adore.

1. Thank you so much Sal. You are so sweet and I absolutely adore your blog. Thanks for being a wonderful friend in my time of need!!!

2. And the Gothic Blog Award goes to:

The Ultimate Goth Guide the go to place for all things Goth!

The Haunted Rose hauntingly beautiful poetry

VainGlorySinner awesome at finding delightfully dark treasures

Thanks again Sal!!

I was awarded the Liebster Blog by BeWitchingYou. Thank you!!It's much appreciated.

Liebster means sweetheart or beloved in German. I love all of you so I am passing on this award to all of my followers. Enjoy and thank you for being my friends in blog-land.

Now for the give-aways. I am showing only 3 because I have not received the one in the mail yet. I will share pics when it comes in.

I won Pumpkin Man from Becca at Magikal Seasons. Becca makes whimsical ornaments for all seasons. Pumpkin Man hangs out above my computer so I can see him smiling at me as I type away.

I won Mr. Sexy from the wonderful Stacy at Magic Love Crow. Mr. Sexy is my new boyfriend. Isn't he handsome! My 12 year old daughter won't let me call him Mr. Sexy because it's embarrassing. I have to call him Mr. Vampire when she's around. I still call him Mr. Sexy just to tease her!

I won this beautiful Goddess Doll from Andrea at Goddess and Magick. Andrea also sent me this amazing altar cloth that all of my give-ways are presented on. Teodora the Goddess is very enchanting and now lives on my Avalonian Altar.

Thank you all for the awards and give-away prizes. They have brightened my days!

Silence

2011-11-07T05:21:00.000-08:00

The Valley of Silence

~Fiona MacLeod~

In the secret Valley of Silence

No Breath doth fall;

No wind stirs in the branches;

No bird doth call:

As on a white wall

A breathless lizard is still,

So silence lies on the valley

Breathlessly still.

In the dusk-grown heart of the valley

An altar rises white:

No rapt priest bends in awe

Before its silent light:

But sometimes a flight

Of breathless words of prayer

White-wing'd enclose the altar,

Eddies of prayer.

image found here.

Busy Weekend

2011-11-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

I will be busy for the next few days moving things out and re-arranging my house. Out with the old and in with the new; atmosphere that is. The girls have been wanting their own rooms so I am moving downstairs. Our living/family room is large so I think I can pull off turning it into a bedroom on one half and living room in the other. I'll share pic when I am done. I will try to visit everyone in blog land this weekend in between moving things. for now I will leave you with a quote.

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the life that is waiting for us." ~Joseph Campbell

Thank you all for the love and support you have shown me.

Blessings, V.

The Gift

2011-11-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

At the entrance to the hollow earth

we weave the worlds together

by promise

by bargain

by bond

by words spoken over stone.

We are the joy at

the handshake of all

good neighbors.

image and charm from The Runes of Elfland by Brian Froud and Ari Berk

In yesterdays post I had mentioned finding the Gebo rune in first picture. I took that picture with my phone so I didn't see the rune until I posted it and got a larger view. I have cropped the picture so you could see the Gebo Rune a little easier.

The Gebo Rune is in the shape of an X. It's main meaning is Gift. This could be anything from a present from a loved one the gift of a kind gesture from a stranger. In a more spiritual sense, it can mean a Gift from the gods. the gebo that is in this picture is such a huge X that I see it as a Gift from the gods. When the rune is sent to you from the gods there must be an exchange, which is the other meaning of the Gebo Rune. The Gifts are not always free when sent from the gods. You must make a sacrifice or promise in exchange for the Gift. My promise, or sacrifice if you will, is to study and learn the Runes. To become a Rune-Master. I have always felt drawn to the Runes, the way they appear in nature, begging you to take notice of the message being sent from the divine. I have been reluctant to study the runes in depth because I am more Celtic in my spirituality and the Elder Futhark Runes are of Norse origin. But I feel I have been given the okay to move forward with the Runes.

You may be wondering what the Gift given to me by the Gebo Rune is. A new beginning!

The Sun rose Phoenix-like this morning, letting me know that out of death comes new life. With the 'death' of my marriage, my girls and I are starting over and making a fairy tale of our own. That is our Gift and we will cherish it!

Leaves

2011-11-02T04:59:00.000-07:00

Leaves

~Elsie N. Bradly~

How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow.

pictures by Vivienne Moss

edit: I just noticed something in the first picture. For anyone who knows the Elder Futhark Runes, can you see the Gebo Rune in the picture?

Happy Candy Day

2011-11-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that us parents get to raid our children's Halloween Candy Stash while they are at school. Look at this bucket full of candy. Just on top I see Peanut M&M's, Almond Joy, Kit Kat, 3 Musketeers and Hershey's. YUM!!! Shhh. Whatever you do, don't tell my girls.

Happy Candy Day to all, V.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T05:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-30T05:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

~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

2011-10-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

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~

2011-10-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

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~

2011-10-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-10-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-05T01:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

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.

BLOGGER ZOMBIE WALK

2011-09-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

I have two little zombies of my own, ages 12 and 7, so I am always on the lookout for zombie and monster themed books for them. I found one that they both enjoyed. My 12 year had fun reading it and my 7 year had fun while I read all 206 pages in one sitting. Boy did I ever feel like a zombie after reading this delightful book of the undead.

This little treasure of a book will have you thinking twice about innocent looking teddy-bears. Written by Kevin Bolger and illustrated by Aaron Blecha, Zombiekins is funny and just a little bit creepy. I'm not sure I can look at elementary aged children the same after reading this book. They're a little scary at times to begin with.

From the back cover:

He's a little bit bunny.
A little bit teddy.
And a whole lotta ZOMBIE!

The little town of Dementedyville is as BORING as they come--but a mysterious stuffed animal is about to liven things up...

Stanely Nudelman buys ZOMBIEKINS at the yard sale of his neighbor, the Widow Imavitch. It LOOKS cuddly and creepy-cute--but expose the TEDDY OF TERROR to moonlight, and STRANGE THINGS happen.

When ZOMBIEKINS gets loose at school, Stanley finds himself in GRAVE danger. Because if his teacher Mr. Baldengrumpy discovers he turned the WHOLE SCHOOL into ZOMBIES, Stanley will be in detention till he's, like, 80!

Can Stanley and his best friend Miranda save their schoolmates from ETERNAL ZOMBIEFICATION? If not, will Mr. Baldengrumpy even notice?

Zombiekins.
This bunny's got bite.

You gotta love the names that Kevin Bolger comes up with. Dementedyville, Widow Imavitch, Mr. Baldengrumpy and many more haunt the pages of this delightfully dark children's book. You can visit the website for ZOMBIEKINS here. It has a creepy- cute video you can watch so you can get the full effect of the Stump!--scri-i-i-itch sound that Zombiekins makes as he walks. It is just how I imagined it to sound.

Both of my girls give this book two zombie-thumbs up!!! If you have little zombies of your own they might enjoy this book as well.

Please visit the other zombies on this Zombie Walk!!!

http://autumnforestghosthunter.blogspot.com/

a href="http://above-the-norm.blogspot.com">Above the Norm: Bizarre Arizona</a>
<a href="http://www.zombieseverywhere.org">Zombies Everywhere</a>
<a href="http://hollyshorrorland.blogspot.com">Holly's Horrorland</a>
<a href="http://littlegothichorrors.blogspot.com/">Little Gothic Horrors</a>
<a href="http://www.anythinghorror.com">Anything Horror</a>
<a href="http://kaybeewrites.blogspot.com/">Katy Bennett Horror Writer and Poet</a>
<a href="http://thisisbubbasplace.blogspot.com/">Bubba's Place</a>
<a href="http://horrorsmorgasbord.blogspot.com">Horror Smorgasbord</a>
<a href=" http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com/">Gnostalgia</a>
<a href="http://petzoldspracticalprose.blogspot.com/">Monkey Man</a>
<a href="http://leogodin.net/">Words and Music</a>
<a href="http://redshoeschronicles.blogspot.com/">Red Shoes Chronicles</a>
<a href="http://thewolfseyes.blogspot.com/">The Wolf's Eyes</a>
<a href="http://mydayinasentence.blogspot.com">My Day in a Sentence</a>
<a href="http://pixieshorrorgalore.blogspot.com">Pixie's Horror Galore</a>
<a href="http://strangestate.blogspot.com">Strange State</a>
<a href="http://halloweenut.blogspot.com">The Misadventures of HalloweeNut</a>
<a href="http://www.halloween-blues.com">Halloween Blues</a>
<a href="http://kweenytodd.blogspot.com">Kweeny Todd</a>
<a href="http://thecaliforniabloggingmassacre.blogspot.com">The California Blogging Massacre</a>
<a href="http://horror-shock.blogspot.com">Horror Shock Lolipop</a>
<a href="http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com">Vanessa Morgan</a>
<a href="http://improbablefrontiers.wordpress.com/">Improbable Frontiers</a>
<a href="http://noreallyyoucaneatit.blogspot.com">No Really, You Can Eat It</a>
<a href="http://livingdeadgirlnicoleart.blogspot.com">Art By Living Dead Girl Nicole</a>
<a href="http://twogorychicks.blogspot.com">Two Gory Chicks</a>
<a href="http://www.dustbunnyinthewind.com">A Dust Bunny in the Wind</a>
<a href="http://aghoulsbestfriend.blogspot.com">A Ghoul's Best Friend</a>
<a href="http://zombiesaremagic.blogspot.com">Zombies Are Magic</a>
<a href="http://cherrynekostw.blogspot.com">Cherry Neko Saves the World</a>
<a href="http://www.lisafee.com">Tall Tales</a>
<a href="http://atthemansionofmadness.blogspot.com">At the Mansion of Madness</a>
<a href="http://www.thehauntedrose.blogspot.com">The Haunted Rose</a>
<a href="http://therottingzombie.blogspot.com">The Rotting Zombie</a>
<a href="http://halloweenoverkill.blogspot.com">Halloween Overkill</a>
<a href="http://viviennemoss.blogspot.com/">Out of the Shadows</a>
<a href="http://keyholegallery.blogspot.com">Creepy Glow Keyhole Gallery</a>
<a href="http://creepyglowbugg.blogspot.com">Creepy Glowbugg</a>
<a href="http://bifocalunivision.blogspot.com/">Bifocal Univision</a>
<a href="http://haiku-koo-koo.blogspot.com/">Haiku-Koo-Koo</a>
<a href="http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/">Sherry Soule</a>
<a href="http://anchorsandroses.blogspot.com">Anchors and Roses</a>
<a href="http://paranormalresearchersgroup.blogspot.com/">Paranormal Researchers Group</a>
<a href="http://whispering-pines-history.blogspot.com/">Whispering Pines History</a>
<a href="http://lovelymissmegs.blogspot.com">Lovely Miss Megs</a>
<a href="http://www.fishblogwash.blogspot.com/">Sean Thomas Fisher's Blogwash</a>
<a href="http://www.riseandfight.net">Rise and Fight</a>
<a href="http://stumptownhorror.blogspot.com">Stump Town Horror</a>
<a href="http://loliclownshorrors.blogspot.com/">LoliClown's Little Blog of Horror</a>
<a href="http://zombiescantlove.blogspot.com">Zombies Can't Love</a>
<a href="http://booksandbeyondreviews.blogspot.com">Books and Beyond</a>
<a href="http://www.thegravebandits.com/">The Grave Bandits</a>
<a href="http://www.screaminggoregasm.blogspot.com/">Screaming Goregasms</a>
<a href="http://lazydaisylife.blogspot.com">Lazy Daisy Life</a>
<a href="http://ickymonster.blogspot.com">Icky Monster</a>
<a href="http://www.prettyinfiction.com">Pretty in Fiction</a>
<a href="http://bonjourivyparker.blogspot.com/">Ivy's Closet</a>
<a href="http://justineshalloween.blogspot.com">Justine's Halloween</a>
<a href="http://annie-walls-author.blogspot.com/">Annie Walls</a>
<a href="http://thetimebi.blogspot.com/">Just Johnny</a>

Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess: Invoking The Morrigan

2011-09-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for the release of Stephanie Woodfield's book on the dark goddess The Morrigan for some time now. The waiting is almost over. I have pre-ordered this book on my Kindle and will be able to read it on October 1st. A fitting date for this goddess of Samhain.I will be doing a review of this book when I am done reading, which I will begin doing the moment it appears on my Kindle.

For more information on Stephanie Woodfield you can visit her blog here. You can also find her on Facebook.

A Zombie Themed Tarot Deck???

2011-09-27T03:56:00.000-07:00

The Zombie Tarot: An Oracle of the Undead
by: Paul Kepple and Stacey Graham

In honor of The Blogger Zombie Walk on Friday, I thought Iwould try to find a zombie themed tarot deck. Sure enough, I found one. This delightfully dreadful deck isn't due out until June 2012. At least we will be able to use it before the end of the world, December 23, 2012.

You can find more information here.

He's Baaack!!!

2011-09-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

My little friend is back for a visit. I don't know if he is a ghost, goblin or house spirit(Brownie), but I do know that he is a trickster. Before I got my new washer in which the lid locks when started, he used to open the wash machine lid in the middle of the cycle. I could stand there and watch the washer and nothing would happen., but if I would go to another part of the house to clean, returning later to check on the laundry, the lid would be wide open, causing me to fall behind in my household chores. That used to drive me crazy. So happy he can't do that anymore.

He has been known to unplug things, turn things on or off and knock things off shelves. I have never had a bad feeling about him, only wanting to slap him upside the head if I could ever get the chance.

Why do I call this 'spirit' a he? First off, I didn't think a woman would mess with my laundry, that screams a mans type of trick. Second, I have seen him once. This one and only time was late at night. My husband was at work, my oldest daughter was at her dads for the weekend and my youngest was in bed with me. I woke up to glance at my alarm, something I do every night (I guess I'm afraid I didn't set the alarm, a little OCD of me). Just as I look at the clock a car drives by, and there. lit up by the red tail lights, is a man standing beside my bed. Within in seconds I reached over to feel my daughter sleeping beside ,then started to get up to fight what i thought was an intruder. Just like that, he was gone. I let out a sigh of relief and whispered "Oh, it's just you. Don't ever do that again." I sat there, heart still pounding, when I thought to myself that I might have scared him as well. So I apologized for being so angry and asked him not to show himself to my girls, I didn't want him to scare them. He stayed away for awhile after that, coming for a visit every now and then.

I started to decorate for Halloween yesterday and I guess that got my visitor in the mood to be up to his usual tricks. he decide to hide my duct tape. I remember putting it on the kitchen table when I was done using it. My husband remembered seeing it there and my daughter swore up and down that she didn't tough it. I looked all over thinking the pup might have taken it to chew on. When i couldn't find it I figured I must have thrown it away with some trash. I gave up looking, mad that i was going to have to buy more, when I happened to see it on top of my husbands gun cabinet. How it got there I don't know. My daughter can't reach up that high and my husband swears he didn't do it. I know I didn't put it up there and I can tell when my husband is lying. That's when I figured that my 'spirit' friend is back. He's welcome as long as he leaves the girls alone, which thankfully, he always has. My daughter thinks it's the Leprechaun she tried to catch last St. Patricks day with the trap she made for a school project. She thinks he out to get her.

I'm sure all of these happenings can be debunked. Maybe the washer shook to hard, maybe the plugs are loose and lights wired wrong. Maybe it was a waking dream. And maybe my husband has become a better actor. Or maybe I really have a strange visitor. I don't think I'll ever know for sure.

Minions of Misery

2011-09-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

Holy Moly Crapenoly!! That's what I said when I saw that Mantan Calaveras at VoodooGhoul made me one of the chosen ones for Minions of Misery. I have two children and they always say stuff like this, I guess they're rubbing off on me. To be a Minion of Misery there are a few things you must do.

1. Choose a dark book
2. Choose a dark film
3. Reveal a dark secret about yourself
4. Pass it on to 3 of the darkly inclined

The Dark Book

I am reading this book right now. It is a collection of stories and poems edited by W.B. Yeats in 1888. It features stories from Thomas Crofton Croker, William Allingham, William Careton and Lady Jane Wilde. So far I have read some very interesting tales. Teig O'Cane and the Corpse is a story of a young lad who had to carry a corpse on his back until he could find a graveyard that would him to bury it there. The corpse comes alive to give him directions to different graveyards hoping to find his final resting place. The Soul Cages by T.Crofton Croker. A tale of a Merrow ( a being like a mermaid only hideous looking) who keeps the souls of drowned sailors in a cage and the man who wishes to free them. There are many tales of ghosts and goblins in this delightfully dark book.

The Dark Film

As you can tell, I like tales of Dark Faeries. And that is exactly what Pan is. In this gothic fairy tale a young girl named Ofelia has a hard time with the life she must live with her evil step-father. I love the rich detail that Guillermo del Toro poured into this beautiful film. I don't know whether to be afraid of Pan or madly in love with him. The ending left me both happy and sad. I love when that happens because I'm not sure which one I'm crying about.

The Dark Secret

This is a hard one. It took me awhile to think of a, dark or not. My life is pretty much an open book. I guess I'll share a little of my dark side.

I have been told on two occasions that my eyes turn red when I become very angry. The first time is when i was in High School. I was down in the woods enjoying a lovely ride on my horse Prince. All of a sudden I heard my mom and a male voice arguing. i raced Prince up the hill to see what was going on. My uncle was yelling at my mom, accusing my grandpa of sleeping with his girlfriend. I kinda got a chuckle out of that. Until... my uncle took a step toward my mom like he was going to strike her. I don't know how I moved so fast, but within seconds I was off my horse handing the reigns to my mom and grabbing the pitchfork that was leaning against the barn. I pointed it at my uncle, yelling at him to get his skinny ass off our property. I chased him all the way to his truck, pitchfork pointed at his back. Several months later, when he dared to come back, he told me that I had scared the shit out of him. He said my eyes were as red as the devil. He never messed with my mom or grandpa again.

The second time it happened was when I was in my early twenties. I had some friends over to my apartment and one of them had invited a man I didn't know. We were sitting around drinking beer and listening to music. Said man started getting irate about the music I was playing (Thrill Kill Kult), he didn't like it. I told him I was sorry but I didn't have the music he wanted. He must have been on something because he got up in my face and was yelling at me. So I reached beneath the couch and pulled out my ax (I know, me and weapons). I held it up and told my friend to get him out of my apartment before I hurt him. Thankfully they left, so I didn't have to use my trusty ax. Again, I was told that my eyes had turned red.

So there you have it, don't mess with the small quiet ones. We'll find a weapon and kill your ass.

And now for the chosen three:

Zena the The Real Queen of Horror

Kieth at Laughing Scared

Scared at Scary True

If you have already been chosen, let me know so I can choose another Minion.

Surrounded By The Mists Of Autumn

2011-09-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Autumn, Mabon and Alban Elfred to all.I woke up this morning to a beautiful, foggy day. The air is chilled and the morning dark, fitting for the first day of Autumn. I was feeling inspired this morning so I drove around taking pictures. My camera is on the fritz so these were taken with my phone. Hope you enjoy them.

May the magic of Autumn bring you many blessings.

Happy 12th birthday to my beautiful daughter. I love you.

The Dark Side of Faery

2011-09-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

Stolen In Her Sleep

Selina Fenech

The Fairies

William Allingham

1824-1889

Up the airy mountain,

Down the rushy glen,

We daren't go a-hunting

For fear of little men;

Wee folk, good folk,

Trooping all together;

Green jacket, red cap,

And white owl's feather!

Down along the rocky shore

Some make their home,

They live on crispy pancakes

Of yellow tide-foam;

Some in the reeds

Of the black mountain lake,

With frogs for their watch-dogs

All night awake.

High on the hill-top

The old King sits;

He is now so old and gray

He's nigh lost his wits.

With a bridge of white mist

Columbkill he crosses,

On his stately journeys

From Slieveleague to Rossess;

Or going up with music

On cold starry nights,

To sup with the Queen

Of the gay Northern Lights.

They stole little Bridget

For seven years long;

When she came down again

Her friends were all gone.

They took her lightly back,

Between the night and morrow,

They thought that she was fast asleep,

But she was dead with sorrow.

They have kept her ever since

Deep within the lake,

On a bed of flag-leaves,

Watching till she wake.

By the craggy hill-side,

Through the mosses bare,

They have planted thorn-trees

For pleasure here and there.

Is any man so daring

As dig them up in spite,

He shall find their sharpest thorns

In his bed at night.

Up the airy mountain,

Down the rushy glen,

We daren't go a-hunting

For fear of little men;

Wee folk, good folk,

Trooping all together;

Green jacket, red cap,

And white owl's feather!

This poem can be found in Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats.

In it you find ghost stories, faery abduction stories and tales of merrows and changelings, all with a dark twist. These tales and many others have brought me to the conclusion that the Land of Faery and the Land of the Dead are related. You can download this book for free on your Kindle. You won't be sorry.

Oracle of Shadows & Light

2011-09-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

Oracle of Shadows & Light
Lucy Cavendish
Artwork by Jasmine Becket-Griffith

I discovered this lovely oracle deck at a very hard time in my life. My brother was very sick and the little Strangelings in this deck brought me great comfort. When I opened the box for the first time i had a wonderful surprise. I had two of the number one card. I took it as a sign and put the extra one in a little frame that still sits on my night stand. I look at this image every night and count my blessings.

Here are a few more images from this beautiful deck of Shadows and Light. I like the mixture of Gothic and Steampunk in this deck. All of the cards are beautiful and are well worth the buy.

This card kept showing up towards the last days of my brothers life on this earthly plain. I prayed to Saint Death to make it as easy on him as possible. My dear brother passed away on October 4, 1910 surrounded by his loving family. He will be forever missed. This card will always remind of the last days I got to spend with him. Bitter sweet
memories.

You can visit Lucy Cavendish here and Jasmine Becket-Griffith here. Both are very talented women.

The Dark Queen of Faery

2011-09-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

Queen of the Bad Faeries
Brian Froud
good faeries/bad faeries

Behold the chariot of the Fairy Queen!
Celestial coursers paw the unyielding air;
Their filmy pennons at her word they furl,
And stop obedient to the reins of light;
These the Queen of Spells drew in;
She spread a charm around the spot,
And, leaning graceful from the ethereal car,
Long did she gaze, and silently,
Upon the slumbering maid.

from Queen Mab by Percy Blythe Shelley

The Dark Queen of Faery is known by many names. Nicnivin, Morganna and Mab are just a few. As Queen of the 'Bad' Faeries she is known as a trickster and shape shifter. She is the Queen of Transformation, testing you to see if you are ready to live your truth. She is the Banshee, the Washer at the Ford, forewarning you of certain doom. She is a psychopomp, leading the dead to the Shadow Lands. The Dark Queen of Faery is Queen of Witchery, brewing the potion of Life and Death,casting glamours across the land. She leads you astray when you are not paying attention, reminding us to live in the real world from time to time.

The Dark Queen of Faery may be an ominous figure, but she is needed to balance out the light side of life. She is shrouded in mystery and comes in ghostly fashion when She is ready to reveal Herself to you. Be ready for The Dark Queen of Faery, for Her time to reign supreme is drawing near with the dark seasons upon us.

Almost Here

2011-09-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

Just a little evidence that Autumn is almost here. The leaves are starting to change and the dark half of the year is upon us. I hope the colors are spectacular this year. Last years color show was as exciting as years past.

Everyday on the way to and from school my daughter and I walk the Cicada Trail. There are several discarded Cicada skins on this particular block. Sometimes there is a crunching sound as we walk. Gives us the creeps.

Happy Sunday to all. Hope your day is filled with Autumnal finds.

Darkness Falls

2011-09-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

As the inky shadows unfurl

My mind loses grip

On the reality of Life

Death reaches

With gnarled hands

Touching me

Deep within

My soul...

Darkness

Falls

*Vivienne Moss*

A Thank You and a Few Shout-Outs

2011-09-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Lisa Fee at Tall Tales awarded me with the Sweet Award and the Versatile Award. I was very surprised and flattered to receive such praise for my new blog. I am very new to this blogger world and am amazed at all the friends I have made so far. Lisa was one of the first and I can't wait until her novella After Dark is released on Kindle. Thank you Lisa Fee.

In honor of these awards I would like to give a shout out to some artistic blogs I have found( a couple of them have found me and I couldn't be happier). These are in no particular order. I love them all and I love all forms of art.

1. 'The Visual Poetry of Victoria Pettella' at Spells Of Infinity. Victoria's blog is visually stunning and I become enchantingly lost in thought every time I visit her blog.

2. Jan at From My Park Bench paints lovely little ACEO's and evens adds her own poetry to them. i especially love 'Forever My Home'. The little ghost girl is enchanting.

3.Adsila at Above the Norm. Not only is she a ghost hunter, she makes delightful treasures out of found objects. I'm still hoping to get my hands on the Skeleton Key necklace.

4. I have found someone who loves crows as much as I do at Magic Love Crow. She paints the cutest crow characters I have ever seen. There are so many that I love but at the top is Bride Of Frankenstein Baby Crow.

5. I have read some beautiful poetry at The Haunted Rose. This talented young woman uses raw emotion in her poems. I of course am partial to her poem The Raven Calls.

A big thank you to all my talented followers. You are all winners in my book.

The Lonely House

2011-09-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

THE VINE-SHROUD

Percy Bysshe Shelley

1792-1822

Flourishing vine, whose kindling clusters glow

Beneath the autumnal sun, none taste of thee;

For thou dost shroud a ruin, and below

The rotting bones of dead antiquity.

This lovely old house is right down the road from where I live.

I would love to make her my home one day. I think she's grand.

MADAME ENDORA'S FORTUNE CARDS

2011-09-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

I bought this delightful oracle deck for the gypsy-like feel it conjures. With its blend of Egyptian, Celtic And Greek iconography it fits right in with all my eclectic lifestyle. This deck has both dark and light cards so it doesn't feel overly grim for those who like the lighter side of life. The only thing I don't like about this deck, are the key-words at the bottom of each card. take the Raven card for instance, the keywords are Darkness Looms On TheHorizon. What I see when I look at this card is Messages From The Dead. The message could be dark and ominous or it could be message that empowers. It all depends on the surrounding cards. I'm thinking of cutting the bottom of the cards off so the key-words don't interfere with my reading.

This gorgeous deck of cards contains the artwork of Christine Filipak. You can find the cards and more images here.

A Walk In Nature and Crafts With My Girls

2011-09-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

In the little town I live in, they have turned the old railroad tracks into a walk and bike trail. They plan to have these trails connecting to nearby towns. They make for a very scenic walk. I can't wait till the leaves change colors, it will be enchanting.

The river that the path runs along.

Just some trees that I liked.

Now for the crafts. Just a couple of things that I did with my girls. We also made Jello cookies.(they're Christmas cookies but we were bored and had all the ingredients.) They barely made it a day.

For the lamp I just glued owl cut-outs that I bought from Dollar General. I have had the crows for a while and have seen this idea in magazines and most recently on a blog. I can't for the life of me remember which blog, so if you know, please let me know so I can give them credit. My living room is done in a nature theme for my husband (he's a hunter), so these crafts fit right in. I love doing crafts and baking with my girls. Before I know, they will be all grown up.

In Remembrance

2011-09-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

Monster Movie Madness

2011-09-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days there has been nothing to watch on TV so my girls and I have been watching some horror classics. They mostly get a kick out of these, thinking they are funny and the special effects not so special. Here is a list of what we have watched this week.

Nosferatu 1922

#1 on our list was Nosferatu. Though this is one of my faves the girls couldn't get through it. They liked that it was a scilent but grew bored with it. Much to their relief , I stopped it about half way through and told them I'd finish it another night.

The Little Shop of Horrors 1960

#2 on the list was The Little Shop of Horrors. My youngest thought it looked to scary to watch so she went to her room to draw. My oldest thought the movie was funny but creepy at the end. She gave it a thumbs up and would like to watch it again.

Attack of the Giant Leeches 1959

#3 on the list was Attack of the Giant Leeches. Both of my girls loved this one. They got a big kick out of the music and the noise that the 'leech' made. I had fun making fun of the movie with them.

The Screaming Skull 1958

#4 and last on our list was The Screaming Skull. Again, my youngest thought it looked too scary so off to her room she went. My oldest and I enjoyed this one. It started out being a little spooky and kept the intrigue going throughout. My daughter started cracking up over some of the special effects.

I had a wonderfully spooktacular time with my two girls watching these old horror classics. This is sure to become a weekly event for us.

A Wonderful Book About Halloween

2011-09-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

A WITCH'S

HALLOWEEN

A Complete Guide to

the Magick,

Incantations,

Recipes, Spells,

& Lore

by: Gerina Dunwich

This book has it all. History, divinations, yummy recipes, and even a how to for a Seance.

from the back cover:

You may think that Halloween is only about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. However, there is much more behind this spooky holiday. For Pagans the word over, Halloween is a time of magick and divination-a night for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and ringing in the New Year. In A Witch's Halloween, bestselling author Gerina Dunwich dispels the myths of this holiest of Pagan holidays and its most famous celebrants.

Written by a Wiccan High Priestess, A Witch's Halloween tells you all that you need to know about this sacred holiday, from the history, folklore, myths, and spells to Sabbat rituals, recipes, divinations, and Halloween superstitions-and much more. This insightful book is a complete guide to celebrating the holiday as it was meant to be.

A Poison Tree

2011-09-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

A Poison Tree

by: William Blake 1757-1827

I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles'

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright.

And my foe beheld it shine

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole

When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

photo found at http://www.msianinlongisland.com/