Second Yule Tree

This one is my favorite, mainly because of the 5-pointed star on top.  It will most likely follow me to my new house and I'll be purchasing a pre-lit one for my mom to replace this one.  The fake tree branches cut apart my mother's hands so a pre-lit one will help prevent some of the pain.  I'll probably come over and help her spread the branches so all she'll have to do is decorate it.

Normally we have three trees in my parent's house but this year we'll be sticking with two.  Basically no one wanted to go fish the third out of the storage container.  Oh well!

Yule is coming!  I can't wait!  Now if only it would snow . . .

The Yule Tree

Bringing Nature inside our homes during the winter months reminds us that although the outer world is bleary and sleeping, our Mother is still alive underneath.  There is no bigger representation of the rebirth of light during the Winter Solstice than the Yule Tree.  It is the time of year when we say good-bye to the Holly King and welcome the birth of the Oak King again. 

Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, my family drags the holiday decorations out of the attic and starts putting them up.  However, for the past few years, the task of putting up our three trees (Christmas trees to them, Yule Tree to me), has fallen on my shoulders.  I'm not sure why it's happened but it seems like I'm the only one that gets giddy with the merry feelings of the season.  I'd like to share with you some of items from my Grimore that I do during Yule besides putting up three trees.

Yule Ideas

• Keep a bowl of warm water with cranberries and orange zest on your hearth.  
• Keep Holly for the Goddess and Mistletoe for the God on your altar
• Meditate starting on the first of December, picturing the light coming back into our lives.  Using incense scented with bayberry, frankincense, myrrh or cinnamon always helps me focus.
• Share stories/myths about the Solstice with family and/or friends.
• Decorate your home with loved ones - don't be like me, doing it alone.

I'll post more Yule items throughout the month.  I was thinking of doing a monthly series on it.  What do you think?  

A Magical Birthday

I walked into a princess parade.  Everyone told me happy birthday (it helped that I was wearing a pin that read, "Happy Birthday!").  There were no lines on any rides.  But best of all, the park was lit up and decorated for Winter.  I stood on the bridge across from Cinderella's palace and cried tears of joy at the beautiful sight.  The only thing that could have made this birthday better is if my husband could have been there to share it with me.  But alas, with buying the new house, I could only afford to send myself to the NCTE conference and, thankfully, my school district will be paying for most of the bill (minus the park ticket, of course).



 

Photo: My view from the bridge, 11/18/10

Witchy Library

What books do you think should be in every witches' library?  I'm looking to expand mine but because I've just bought a house, spending money is out of the question.  So, I wanted to share my "Wish List" with all of you and see what you all felt was essential for every witch to have in their library.

Willow's Wish List
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Kin of Ata Are Waiting for You by Dorothy Bryant
The Witches' God by Janet and Stewart Farrar
The Witches' Goddess by Janet and Stewart Farrar
Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner
Real Magic by P.E.I. Bonewits
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions by Pauline Campanelli
Aradia: The Gospel of Witches. by Charles Leland (Translation by Mario and Dina Pazzaglini)
An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present by Doreen Valiente
Cunningham's Encylopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
Dictionary of Ancient Deities by Patricia Turner and Charles Russell Coulter
The Grandmother of Time by Z. Budapest
Wheel of the Year by Pauline Campanelli
The White Goddess by Robert Graves

I know there are a few books on here that I really should own by now.  I just haven't gotten around to buying them as I've been busy reading some of the more obscure authors out there as well as the blogs of my fellow readers.  This list comes from a book called Dedicant: A Witch's Circle of Fire by Thuri Calafia.  I'm a little beyond the material covered in the book but its interesting to look at a beginners book that takes a different persepective on the path.  I'm enjoying the read but I wanted to here from others out there.  So, what do you think of this list?  What should I already have/must have on my shelf?  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think of the ones you've read?

Thank you!

I wanted to thank everyone who sent their congratulations to us on the purchase of our first home. It meant a great deal to my husband and me. The retaining wall is in fact ours and we will be going by today to see how damaged it is. Hopefully it isn't too bad and the current owners will agree to drop the price a little bit for the repairs. Thank the Goddess and the God that my father was a landscape architect. Again, all my love and blessings to those who wished us well and had us in their thoughts. I do not think that getting this house would have been possible without you.

Woah.

Our offer was accepted on the house!!!

I don't want to completely jump for joy because no papers have been signed yet.  However, I did want to thank everyone who sent their good wishes and karma our way.  I think it really helped things go positively for us.

Blessings all!
) O (

Fur Baby with his Grandpa

For a man who claims to hate animals, animals sure love him!  Sorry Dad!

Frankie loves his Grandpa!  My father's face clearly expresses his feelings towards his grandson . . .

This little witch needs a house!

So, today may be the day I finally get my own little house.  I will continue to dream that it looks like Sally Owen's home from Practical Magic but finding a beautiful Victorian like that here on Long Island requires a lot more cash than this little witchy teacher will ever come by.

We made our first offer at 5:30PM yesterday and our 2nd just a few moments ago.  The hubby is off at the Italian Grocery getting meats for my mom and I'm sitting here bubbling with excitement.  I'm not sure if I should light candles, keep praying to the Goddess and the God or both or just let things ride on their natural flows.  I think the part that excites me most, is that once all of the concrete is ripped up from the backyard, I'll have room for a garden! 

Keep me in your thoughts readers and send some good wishes my way!