New Tool!

Hi and Merry Meet,
Over the weekend I had a chance to visit family and friends. Since they live an hour away, I can see them all the time, but when we can, we always like to get together. It was a good time.

One thing that I did over the weekend was to stop at a metaphysical store in my hometown. It wasn't there when I was living there, but it is now! It was a great shop. In fact, I found my first pendulum. It is made out of bloodstone and it had a small bloodstone on the end of it. I also got a mat that says "yes, no, maybe, will not answer, and try again". I'm very excited about.

The energy in the shop was so great. The pendulum responded so well and just wanted to do whatever I asked. In my parent's home, it was not swinging as big. I have yet it to try it now that I am home again.

The shop also had a great collection of crystals and stones. Her prices were much cheaper than here, so I have to make a list of the ones that I want and next time I'm home, I'll stop back.

Hope that you had a great weekend!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Group Studies

Hi and Merry Meet,
One thing that I have been working on in my blogging absents is studying group dynamics. I've found all kinds of groups to watch and take notes on.

One group that I've noticed is the business group. There seems to always be an alpha male or female depending on the group. Then there is the second in command, that person that is always carrying out the alpha's orders. After that there seems to be the workers, promoters, and "yes" men.

In social groups these roles seem a little more blurred, but I think they are still there. There always seems to be a leader, and followers. Or as I've heard it called "Queen Bees" with girl groups.

In kids groups it seems more like there are the dreamers, the schemers, the bullies, and the straight A's.

This past week has made for some interesting observations. I've enjoyed this task and am now on trying new meditations.
Blessed be,
Autumn

Why?

Hi and Merry Meet,
Why can't people just accept differences? Not just religious tolerance, but tolerance of all things. I see it everyday, people refusing to be kind to another person based on something silly like looks or fashion.

I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I like looking at things from a different point of view. I try really hard to put myself in others shoes so that I can learn why they are the way they are. That's hard to do when you are mad or agitated. I know I can't always see an other's opinion when I'm seeing red myself. I'm learning to focus on relaxing and taking a step back when I'm mad. Of course, I think I'm slow to get mad... my husband thinks sometimes I can get upset at the drop of a hat! Huh, I don't know why he would think that!

Today's thought is that people need to be respectful and kind, it sure gets you a lot more than being nasty and rude!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Random Thoughts

Hi and Merry Meet,
I feel like I have been away from this blog for too long. I know it has only been a few days, but I like posting everyday if I can about what I have been learning. When I miss a day it feels like I have missed so much in my progress.

Anyway, today it has started off very chilly here, so I found myself inside reading a book. The past few days I have been out in my garden weeding, planting, and cleaning it up from the leaves that fell after the first snowfall last year. I have also taken yoga back up in the past week.

I love how relaxed I feel after a yoga class, so I thought this would be a great way to help me relax and in the long run help me with my meditations. I'm also a runner, and it really helps after a long run the day before!

I feel like this past week was so hectic for me. I needed some "me time" and to relax a little bit. The yoga sure helped me with that. My "me time" was my run yesterday. I ran a new route that took me through the most beautiful gardens and neighborhood. It was nice to see some new scenery and it was also nice to reconnect with the elements in a different way. I did get a little battered by the wind and a little wet from the rain, however, it was such a peaceful thing that it made my run much more enjoyable.

Today, I am reading Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner. I've just started it and I like his writing style. It flows nicely and I am learning some new things!
Blessed be,
Autumn

PS- sorry today's post was kind of random!

Cleaning Up!

Hi and Merry Meet,

Today I had a moment where I decided that my bookshelves were too messy! I keep reading over and over that if your space is messy, then your spellwork will be messy. I'm so sick of clutter and mess that I finally grabbed the bull by the horns and got to work.

Cleaning is not one of my favorite things. This is something that I am striving to be better at. My cousin is a neat freak, my mom is the queen of no clutter, and my grandmother feels that if she has owned it for 30 days and has not used it out it must go! I want to be more like that. Not so extreme, but more on the less cluttered side of life.

So, I tackled the spare bedroom that I started using for my tarot room, and it has become my sacred space for rituals and such. The bookshelf that I went after is in my study which is next to the spare bedroom. I would very much like to make my sacred space in the study, but it was just too cluttered to do so. I have been trying to make small changes so that I can someday (ha ha, in the next 20 years, maybe) use that room for my rituals. That way I could be close to my books and not have to lug all of them over to the other room when I need to look something up. This is major progress in my world.

Anyways, here is what the shelves looked like when I started:

They weren't that bad, but they looked junky to me. Here is the new look of my Wicca shelf:

So much better! To have all my books in one place were I can find them is so nice!!! I'm not too worried about guests seeing this shelf and outing me as this room is on the second floor and not used by anyone but me. When I do have guests, they don't go in the study due to its very messy nature. I'm really bad about putting things back there... once I take them out, then I just kind of heave them where ever when I want to put them back. Once I have things in a nice order, I'm pretty good about keeping the order. I need to order the rest of the room before I can really use it for anything other than a catch all room.

Other news, all three of my Silver RavenWolf books are now here. All three of them have the old covers! Retro, check it out:
Blessed be,
Autumn

Thoughts For The Day

Hi and Merry Meet,
Today I was just thinking about spirituality. My husband and I got a flyer in the mail about a new church that is looking for new members to attend. Before I chose the Wiccan path, I walked the Christian path. I was heavily involved in youth groups, Bible studies, and listening to sermons every Sunday. I was at all kind of retreats and groups. Sadly, when we tried to get married the church refused to marry us due to the fact that my husband was not Christian, or practicing religion of any kind. I don't blame them, they told us what they felt that they had to, however it lead to me leaving that faith. I needed balance and a strong women role model.

So, back today... this flyer was talking about "I think I married the wrong person." We both thought this was pretty funny. Then we got talking about how there is no tithing in Wicca. We talked about how balanced the relationship between the God and Goddess. It was a good discussion that helped me talk about what I am learning, and helped him in understanding what Wicca is all about. I enjoyed talking and opening up to my husband. We have always had a very honest relationship. We always talk about everything and our thoughts on it.

Over all, I think this was a good talk and it helped me to articulate what Wicca means to me.
Blessed be,
Autumn

Full Of Energy

Hi and Merry Meet,
I have been so full of energy at going to that full moon ritual! It's been amazing!!! The energy that was around me at the ritual was so warm and loving. I feel really filled with love and happiness.

Due to all the energy I worked around my house like a maniac. I potted a few plants that I got the other day, I rearranged my living room, and I even had some time to go over to one of the metaphysical shops to ask some questions about meditations. I love how kind they are and how helpful they are. It's nice to have a place to go and be able to ask someone face to face about what I am experiencing. I also asked when they will have another Wicca 101 class. I will have to wait for the fall for that, but that's okay. I can keep studying while I wait for classes. I think the classes would be very helpful for me and it would be a safe way to meet others who are learning.

While I was asking questions I saw the most beautiful pentacle charm for a necklace. I had to get it! Even though I am in the broom closet from family and friends, I want to express my religion while I am at home. I bought it so I can wear it when I go to other rituals and just for me around the house. My husband was cool with it when he got home from work and I was wearing it. I love how supportive he is and how open he is to me changing and growing. Here is my new pentacle:
It is sterling silver, but looks reddish due to the fact that I was wearing a red shirt when I took the picture! I am very excited about it and happy with my choice. It was the right one for me!

Today I am working on using the meditation techniques that were suggested to me yesterday and I am also working on fill my Grimoire with the spells that I have tried so far. I just feel so full of energy!
Blessed be,
Autumn