tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41353765862958711892024-03-13T06:39:19.871-03:00Candles & Wicks: ReloadedCome follow me on my journey.Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-28336562052534743392013-11-08T17:39:00.000-04:002013-11-08T17:39:33.250-04:00Samhain GoodiesI know it was a week ago, but I wanted to share with you all my Samhain pix of some of the cool stuff I got at work this year. Skulls were a big thing this year with me and a few items are remaining on my altar.<br />
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This was the skull & raven tablecloth.</div>
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A bleeding skull candle.</div>
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My raven claw bowl. The bowl is made of brass.</div>
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My skull & raven pillar candle.</div>
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My table runner which is now gracing my altar.</div>
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My new wreath that I thought was very cute.</div>
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<br />Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-43354310425018483712013-11-07T00:12:00.000-04:002013-11-07T19:39:23.623-04:00I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!!!So, I decided to get back into the whole blogging thing. This is going to be Candles & Wicks 2.0 or Candles & Wicks Reloaded. My studies have changed in the past 2 years, I' m still studying Conjure & folk magic, as well as Traditional Witchcraft (1734, Clan of Tubal Cain). Gone is the naïve witch who let others take advantage or the person who was so unsure of what path to follow. <br />
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I hope you will still follow me on my never-ending journey of learning my craft.<br />
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~RowanRowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-70034593543775590752011-07-12T11:02:00.005-03:002011-07-12T11:23:18.870-03:00Books & More Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpOQtaXZhggWVjRL_RUjIhqmO9vdmQJ6gx0_DYpyH_1xszezkPlJHMtGfxz5O7zzUekUOyM8BdVMPusZ2iPvTG4uZwl7wW3PJlArL9SnDLlPfvAWryJXMElywtrZrIvvCCsfQJZlfcAg/s1600/188254_134404603294631_126146874120404_213239_7864098_n.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpOQtaXZhggWVjRL_RUjIhqmO9vdmQJ6gx0_DYpyH_1xszezkPlJHMtGfxz5O7zzUekUOyM8BdVMPusZ2iPvTG4uZwl7wW3PJlArL9SnDLlPfvAWryJXMElywtrZrIvvCCsfQJZlfcAg/s400/188254_134404603294631_126146874120404_213239_7864098_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628469815633400082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">So, I went to see my good friend, Cliff who was at Little Mysteries this past Saturday doing a booksigning for his latest book, An Ogham Wood. This is a story that is going to be told in a trilogy with this being part one. It is a mythical fantasy full of beautiful imagery, dialogue, etc. I just started reading it, so I haven't gotten very far into it, but I love what I am reading so far. It was great seeing Cliff, as the last time he was up, he was busy doing his mundane work in the city & I didn't get a chance to see him. One other time was brief, as he was recording a radio show & his lovely wife, Lady Daphne and myself had a visit, full of girl-talk. Just seeing Cliff & hearing stories of the Hollow made me miss it even more & I am in the process of figuring out what weekend to go for a visit (Yes, it will be very soon).<br /><br />At his book signing, I got to meet more faces from Facebook that are on my friends list. Krista and her bff, Krissy came along with Krista's 2 children. They made the hour long trip from the Valley to come up to get their copies signed & to bring Cliff a huge bag of Jerusalem artichoke roots for his garden. They were so nice & funny. After the book signing, we all headed down to the Old Triangle ( a local Irish pub) for some lunch. I had my Little Man with me, as well. The conversation over food was great. I learned about a series of books that I must check out, The Dresden Files, as if I don't have enough books on my plate to read and got to share a few laughs with friends. It was a great day, in spite of the piss-poor rain.<br /><br />Also, while I was at Little mysteries, I managed to pick up a few more treasures, some new patchouli incense, Circle Magazine, the 2011 Llewellyn's Magical Alamanac (which I thought I already had, but didn't) and Fairy Tale Rituals. There were a few other books I wanted but they will have to wait til I have read all the other books. I am also reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman...all I have to say is the I love, love, love this book!! If you haven't read it, do so before it becomes an HBO series next year.<br /><br />Anyway, that is all for now. I have some reading to do.<br /><br />~Rowan<br />)O(<br /></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-68439569143072650742011-06-23T11:46:00.006-03:002011-06-23T13:11:29.115-03:00Eye Strain & UrineNow, who knew that it would take so long to catch up on reading my fav blogs and the new ones I've been recommended to read?? Whew! My poor eyeballs are tired these past few weeks of reading. Between reading & listening to my fav podcasts, this witchy is still wanting more!!<br /><br />Been busy too with my work, being a mom and crafting new oil blends. I think my 2 favs are Van Van and Crown of Success. I've also been doing some major housecleaning with floorwashes I made. Who knew urine would be such a great ingredient to use in placing a barrier around my place for protection? I know, that probably made a few of you a little squeamish, but it's free, does the job you want it to & it will never run out. I use it on the outside of my place, diluted with a little water, around the windows & doors. Inside, my place smells good with the essential oils I use in the floorwashes. Each month I use a different oil, like this month was Calendula.<br /><br />One of my fav podcasts is taking a hiatus for the summer. I'm so going to miss Velma Nightshade this summer. Hopefully she'll still get together with Fire Lyte to do their "Inciting A BrewHaHa" podcast. If you haven't heard it yet, I highly recommend it. But not to worry, Velma started up a blog called, "<a href="http://witchesbrewhaha.blogspot.com">Witches BrewHaHa-The Blog</a>" to keep her loyal listeners happy while she gets down to things in her mundane life. I'm still wondering whatever happened to the Pagan Hooligans. They haven't put out a podcast since Feb. They were a newbie couple to the craft & they were a refreshing, funny, new view to this crazy path we're on called Paganism. It was great listening to them explore new things, Jasmine's Tarot card draw, Isaac's use of the word, "Excellent". Go check them out, too to see what I'm talking about. They're not just for newbies to the craft, even experienced witches enjoy their fresh outlook on things.<br /><br />Anyway, I know this is a short posting, but I am getting ready to head off to work. I need to use my glamour on clients to make them look good when they come in to get their hair done. As always, have a Blessed day.<br /><br />~Rowan<br />)O(Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-44385806693039955882011-06-09T19:35:00.011-03:002011-06-10T08:23:38.158-03:00Blog-Fading & Other Things<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >I am so sorry to you all for blog-fading these past few months. Actually, I have been doing a lot of reading & I found a new interest on my Pagan journey: Hoodoo & conjure. I've been reading a lot of blogs, forums & books on this fascinating topic. It's hard to find anything around here in my city where I can find the right herbs, but I did manage to find a little out of the way botanica which supplies things that I need. I've been making mojo hands, blended oils, honey jars, spell boxes, etc. I know a lot of Pagans out there wouldn't dare dream of doing this type of spell work, calling it dark, but it is a form of North American Diasporic folk magic, with influences from Native, African & European traditions. Yes, there are hexes & curses involved as well as love spells, things your everyday Wiccan would disapprove of. This is something not for the faint of heart. The spell working is really not so different from conventional BTW (British Trad. Witchcraft), but it very important to "feed" your mojo hands, or leave gifts at the crossroads for the spirits who aid you in your working.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >In other things, I'm still listening to various Pagan podcasts. Some of the Podkin had been pod-fading (Hooligans) and some are keeping up to date on topics (Inciting A Riot). If you haven't listened to the wonderful podcasts that are out there, I highly recommend that you do, there is a wealth of information out there. Some are funny, informative, intelligent & some will make you grab a pitchfork. Most podcasts last for about a 1/2 hr to 2hrs, depending on the topic. I have 3 which I just love & anticipate the next episode: Inciting A Riot, Pagan Hooligans & New World Witchery. Even the podkin got together this past October for a Pagan Podcast Supermoot in Chicago. It was such a successful event that they are doing a 2nd one this Sept in Salem, MA. It was quite enjoyable to hear each podcast relate their stories of their experiences. Maybe this witch may take a little trip this Sept to go meet the ppl she's been listening to for the last few months & feels she knows them personally. We shall see how the bank account will hold out for me by then.</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Ok, I have a new endorsement on my blog called: Project Pagan Enough. This is a movement started last year by Fire Lyte over at the Inciting A Riot podcast & blog. It is a hugely successful movement to end the constant witch wars that is constant in the Pagan community. I feel, as Fire Lyte does, that too many Pagans in the community are quick to judge their</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" > fellow </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Pagans, by what they wear, the music they listen to, how new they are, etc. Just because you read Scott Cunningham or any of the other 101 books, or if you have Christian friends or that you respect their beliefs doesn't mean you're not Pagan enough. There are far too many witch-wars in the community. I've seen it here withing my city where if you're not wearing thrift store clothes, eat vegan, have funky hairstyles, etc, you get looked upon as not being Pagan enough. I am a 30-something professional woman, single mom who listens to all sorts of music (just not always Pagan tunes, I like mainstream music) and hangs out with various people who aren't Pagans. Does that make me not as Pagan as those who are smelling of patchouli, wearing their pentacle jewelry & robes everytime they are out in public? No, my beliefs are what I carry with me everyday, I don't need to put them on for show, esp in this very conservative city that looks liberal<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >So, I support PPE and I encourage you, my readers, to look into it & look at yourself to see if you are judging those who you deem as not being Pagan Enough or fluffy, or a dumb newbie. We all do it or have done it, so don't get your broomstick in a knot denying it. I'm as much guilty of it as you are, but I am changing my ways. How can we ask for tolerance when we can't even give it to those who don't fit the "Pagan moniker" or they have a different religious belief than us? Respect is a two-way street, not a one-way lane, you want it, you have to give it as well<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Check out http://www.incitingariot.com/p/project-pagan-enough.html for more on Project Pagan Enough.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgBWjkyH-pqc7A-DvX0XG5RF6VC3fHNqAREnEeYXBV5chBz8z_0XhcoeondDDLKzLJyzqLkE-J_emmM9o9fZrnHGzI9C8XI9Jr3MRpAdyDq0hdRrDRKwRc2YlnW_z9J6GrIszN086CiA/s1600/Project+Pagan+Enough+Logo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgBWjkyH-pqc7A-DvX0XG5RF6VC3fHNqAREnEeYXBV5chBz8z_0XhcoeondDDLKzLJyzqLkE-J_emmM9o9fZrnHGzI9C8XI9Jr3MRpAdyDq0hdRrDRKwRc2YlnW_z9J6GrIszN086CiA/s400/Project+Pagan+Enough+Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616549451593063842" border="0" /></a></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-68775777976773660052011-03-13T15:23:00.004-03:002011-03-13T15:44:16.237-03:00Podcasts Galore!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRMjy0POSaI9aNOxuIsJG9t_nb0Y9qIF2G66O0OkUEEFAq2Ljr39qC355kbASnAJWMFWeMDSK8P86mXQ6e4Rugb712rVQYOZQJbqmnSreDeyQGK1CZKT4bUuuhuVB55x7kuHkHHvWFFQ/s1600/podcast.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRMjy0POSaI9aNOxuIsJG9t_nb0Y9qIF2G66O0OkUEEFAq2Ljr39qC355kbASnAJWMFWeMDSK8P86mXQ6e4Rugb712rVQYOZQJbqmnSreDeyQGK1CZKT4bUuuhuVB55x7kuHkHHvWFFQ/s400/podcast.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583637011927976226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My poor iPod is been being filled up lately. Not with music (although I still have a few playlists that I frequently listen to), but with Pagan, witchy podcasts. I was looking to see what is out there in the land of Pagan podcasts, as I was getting a little bored with the ones I was listening to or they weren't recording anything new in a long while. I came across this really great one that I just adore! It's called </span><u style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">New World Witchery</u><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and it's all about being a witch in America with the culture & beliefs that we have over here. They do talk a lot about folk magic, Hoodoo & conjure, as the 2 hosts, Cory & Liane, are from Tennessee. They both have backgrounds in BTW but felt that they didn't connect with it, but felt a pull from their own backyard in the Ozarks and southern magic. I'm not from the South, but it does hold a lot of mystery to me and I do find it interesting to learn about. I've even made a few mojo bags this week for personal purposes, complete with red flannel and herbs that I had to order off Lucky Mojo Curio (as they weren't avail around here). So, thus begins my rookie attempts at Rootworking.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Another podcast I've been listening to is called </span><u style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Inciting A Riot</u><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Fire Lyte is hilarious, as well as very informative about current events and how they affect us Pagans. His most recent posting on his blog (of the same name) slams Christian Day and the Salem witches for being media whores in the wake of Charlie Sheen's rants about being a warlock. I saw the news videos and the YouTube video posted of their "ritual" I totally agree with him for labeling them media whores and making non-Pagans think we're a bunch of Goth, vampire wannabes practicing magic.</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />A list of my podcast</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">s</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I am listening to is on the right side column under the labels cloud. Check them out, they're really good and very informative.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">~Rowan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">)O(</span><br /></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-24516289868609922062011-03-07T18:37:00.008-04:002011-03-07T18:52:47.316-04:00Springtime!!!<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >Well, the snow is melting and the air is starting to get warmer and next weekend the time moves forward an hour. That must mean spring must be around the corner. Now, as much as I love winter with all the snow, I think I'm finally ready to put away the snowboots & heavy coats and bring out the rainboots & lighter coats. When out shopping this weeeknd past, the stores were all full of new spring merchandise, from lawnmowers, to backyard furniture and gardening supplies. I came home and weeded my old planters that were out during the winter and pulling out the old dead plant roots, to get them ready for when I get new plants this spring. I also did the same for my poor neglected indoor planters that used to house my herbs. I am very guilty of letting them go this winter as I was pre-occupied with other things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >So, in honour of the coming season, I changed up my gloomy old blog with a fresh new background. I'm not used to 3 column layouts and I had to adjust some of my widgets to accommodate this change. I searched the land of Google for something that was bright, colorful and pretty. Et Voila!! This is what I found. I like it, I can see little Pagan things in the little window (a hare, eggs, etc)</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-27543927788344076842011-02-21T10:09:00.005-04:002011-02-21T10:40:06.298-04:00A Lack of Faith??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnpdaszyd0EdwHEvQm7GwCPNsqafmO_i48MbHp6k1owrlPCzR0TdDVLLC3nMHyrn8_VorPRCPt_UmBDGssoACbPH7agECf50maqdlTc_7MliDjgehVLhlFkp8j1zum-T1PXfj806-Xko/s1600/confusion.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnpdaszyd0EdwHEvQm7GwCPNsqafmO_i48MbHp6k1owrlPCzR0TdDVLLC3nMHyrn8_VorPRCPt_UmBDGssoACbPH7agECf50maqdlTc_7MliDjgehVLhlFkp8j1zum-T1PXfj806-Xko/s400/confusion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576152455608178802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >Oh Goddess, I miss blogging!! I've been away for far too long and it's not because I didn't want to be (or my internet bill didn't get behind), I have been experiencing a HUGE struggle with my faith this past year. I think I can trace it back to about this time last year when I was depressed about not finding work. I just didn't feel like doing Sabbat rituals or workings. Then I found a job, but at the time didn't realize it was a bad choice for a job. I was working at a hair salon on straight commission, I thought if I did that it would force me to find a clientele. After 9 months working there and not making much money, I left and found a new job. But money was short, bills got left by the wayside as I struggled to get myself caught up. Because of this, my faith took a backseat. I tried to go to public rituals, feasts, but my heart wasn't in it, so I stopped going. I shut myself away from my local Pagan groups and from some Pagans who I really didn't want to associate myself with anymore. The stress of money problems, witch wars, etc, I cut myself off and focused on one thing that actually made me smile throughout all this.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >When I woke up this morning, I realized that I needed to make a change in my life, my spiritual life. I'm going to practice my faith my way. Not with what books or fellow Pagans say how I should. I do things a little unconventional, not the norm and I don't add New Age things into my practice. I may not blog as much as I used to (let me get out of my funk first) but I do hope you read it when I do. I also posted today about a meditation I had last week on my </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://candlesandwicksmydeities.blogspot.com/">Rowan's Deities</a></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">page.</span><br /></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-85029014090120193762010-12-13T16:29:00.009-04:002010-12-13T18:00:13.804-04:00I'm Baaaaaack!! Miss Me??<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Well, after a long hiatus, I'm back. I just hate it when life gets in the way of the important things like blogging...lol!! No, seriously, in the past 2 months there have been a lot of changes going on with me. I ended one job and moved onto another that is giving me the freedom to grow as a hairstylist. Bills were being put on the backburner as I concentrated on getting rent & groceries paid, thus, I lost the internet.<br /><br />During that time without being "connected" I did a lot of soul searching (after the withdrawals went away) and decided to make some changes in my life. I am eating healthier with hardly any junk food in my diet, I've been doing yoga on the Wii every morning with my son, I meditate more to feel the connection with the Divine, I've been drinking copious amounts of water to keep hydrated, I walk to & from everywhere to keep in shape (thanks to the Gaga on my iPod) and I am surrounding my self with positive people who aren't there to bring me down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5z-nYVj9cWssU-FJsWt_6uh1y0VNM5zudp6e6WaU3yOsLC48dbb-Hz2mb2uVv09Z0FP8C0ifYY2-EdLS656xn8tKY2RwhOycWRST6ZnGKt2PQf6mTscJdaRY6CPHnIDpCFViHT_hDjg/s1600/GFMC.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5z-nYVj9cWssU-FJsWt_6uh1y0VNM5zudp6e6WaU3yOsLC48dbb-Hz2mb2uVv09Z0FP8C0ifYY2-EdLS656xn8tKY2RwhOycWRST6ZnGKt2PQf6mTscJdaRY6CPHnIDpCFViHT_hDjg/s400/GFMC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550285381675877874" border="0" /></a>I have also been reading a lot while my youngling plays the Wii. I ordered a book a few months back from Little Mysteries and when it came in, I devoured it. It was right up my alley in terms of how I want to practice my beliefs. It is a book by Peter Paddon called, "A Grimoire for Modern Cunningfolk" If you're not into the whole Wiccan influence of Neo-Paganism, this is a great way start to change your whole perception of the Old Ways. There's no complicated rituals, no altars to worry about, just good old fashioned Crafting. I first heard of Peter Paddon by my good friend, Cliff. I glanced at his copy of the book the last time I was up at the Hollow and ordered it when I got home, along with a book by Robin Artisson called "The Ressurection of the Meadow" Still waiting on that to come in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxorl1kY3-ZdnMWAyymK-77RkOfZwDRRE1doGjJ8qp8f3fLsvDV3co0qMHNt_wcKktNcIRUz1eRZwB84_YKqNMBHVAuonCS3fcvfFdw5S_5Y2u12RVQIwU_9eJQPlXFG1KNwK-ZTlRRsg/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxorl1kY3-ZdnMWAyymK-77RkOfZwDRRE1doGjJ8qp8f3fLsvDV3co0qMHNt_wcKktNcIRUz1eRZwB84_YKqNMBHVAuonCS3fcvfFdw5S_5Y2u12RVQIwU_9eJQPlXFG1KNwK-ZTlRRsg/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550289545739676498" border="0" /></a>And now Yule is yet again upon us. Even though Samhain is my fav. time of year, I still get all warm & fuzzy with Yule. There's something magical in the air this time of year and I'm not talking about snow. My son is all excited with all the decorations, music, etc. I've been listening to Blackmore's Night on the stereo (Winter Carols). The tree is up, the Yule log ready, baking is almost done and the lights are up in the windows & on the patio. Another reason I like this time of year...my birthday falls just after the new year and as I get older, I relish the fact I don't look older ☺<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Rowan<br />)O(<br /></span></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-27718473886953443032010-11-12T10:19:00.006-04:002010-11-12T10:34:00.057-04:00New Blog Awards<span style="font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks to Dragonfly over at </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://witcherygrove.blogspot.com/">Witchery Grove</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for these awards!! This brightens my day, when I have limited internet use & want to update my blog. There are rules for this, like thanking the one who gave these to you (I did) and now to find 15 blogs to send these to...ok, if you want these wards for your blog, just grab them and say that you saw them here (I know, that's a cheat, but when the library internet has a time limit, I do what I have to) and I have to say 7 things about me. Ok, here goes:</span><br /></span><ol><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love the color purple</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am a hair-witch (hairstylist)</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My guilty pleasure is the Twilight Saga</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love to read</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have a cat named Callie</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chocolate is just as good as sex, in my opinion, but both sex & chocolate together is great!!</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have a few close friends, but a lot of acquaintances that I talk to.</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love being outdoors, in nature feeling the love of the Goddess in everything around me</span></li><li style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am a Solitary witch & that's perfectly fine with me.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">I am the mom to the GREATEST little boy in the world!!!!!!!!!</span></span><br /></li></ol><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPuBir-DvsqBx18121C98ecNJRehrL15GnbyHKf746M_GGn3Nvq97-K6HgxYPTMvdbH43_JR09DOv8fJMvXvBzpemwoDA8thWZobTjzbO9sFd85BgpFedq2Q4gUguKZGIPtw9St6i8vg/s1600/AwardStylish-Blogger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPuBir-DvsqBx18121C98ecNJRehrL15GnbyHKf746M_GGn3Nvq97-K6HgxYPTMvdbH43_JR09DOv8fJMvXvBzpemwoDA8thWZobTjzbO9sFd85BgpFedq2Q4gUguKZGIPtw9St6i8vg/s400/AwardStylish-Blogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538669337414181218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5amHNz4gTVpPrU-UdalEnIswKcv1-V-Su2lvigoEnyCL-Xi4roLwSmTAfL4kwSwJ5BWv5q3WnHKIiGATPG13DFEBHjeWChokGJ5MVCuLQDOtqVOppXPQ0D3o27pxacbLhl8mYoMyWxk/s1600/award-versatile-blogger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5amHNz4gTVpPrU-UdalEnIswKcv1-V-Su2lvigoEnyCL-Xi4roLwSmTAfL4kwSwJ5BWv5q3WnHKIiGATPG13DFEBHjeWChokGJ5MVCuLQDOtqVOppXPQ0D3o27pxacbLhl8mYoMyWxk/s400/award-versatile-blogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538669278996518242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgi6f1Mu51n-mWPTrtuAdvwRoD9QVsYYvr_qyJOOkl1eUK_T5HeR5D8YkAL3p-s56CfWAays_-8cKnwHLlQIGIyiwQtf5hmN-Rkj7qMsSPm6kYmSPc7w7zH-7ZJHFjMMtRsa_AYIr4TE/s1600/award-onelovelyblog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgi6f1Mu51n-mWPTrtuAdvwRoD9QVsYYvr_qyJOOkl1eUK_T5HeR5D8YkAL3p-s56CfWAays_-8cKnwHLlQIGIyiwQtf5hmN-Rkj7qMsSPm6kYmSPc7w7zH-7ZJHFjMMtRsa_AYIr4TE/s400/award-onelovelyblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538669275934838402" border="0" /></a>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-11209568831061369772010-11-10T12:38:00.005-04:002011-03-07T15:47:15.659-04:00A Leave of Absence<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Ok, I know that I haven't posted in a long time. There is a reason for this. As the recession hits the hair industry, I got behind on some bills and since internet is a luxury in my household, I lost it about 3 wks ago. I went through withdrawals, but now I am ok without not having it. I think I was spending too much time on it anyway.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">There have been a lot of changes to my life in recent weeks with losing employment, to hunting for a new position to myself working on my spellcrafting. I have been preparing myself for a job-hunting spell, as well as getting things ready for my self-dedicating ritual I plan on doing very soon. I have been making new friends and connecting with old friends and whittling down my Facebook. I've been out & about with enthusiasm and learning new things/hobbies in my craft.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I will be posting as soon as I get the internet bill paid & start working. For now, I'll be utilizing the neighbourhood library for my internet fix.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Blessings to you all,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Rowan</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">)O(</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-12232127088840565542010-10-11T08:55:00.007-03:002011-03-07T16:47:17.650-04:00A Major Decision I've Made<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizILHHdYn7fHqg_IXMPq8I4D9W23mWpmnDjELOGygZA1yh6ldFvNV_TCEGQiQhxogtLmiYWNL6sQH1-4yTuGZJAngUqMI70j7JG-AZzvJMHIvWqPnVjNHD3Z3k1p4lDdjAlHkjpBAZkIE/s1600/meditation.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizILHHdYn7fHqg_IXMPq8I4D9W23mWpmnDjELOGygZA1yh6ldFvNV_TCEGQiQhxogtLmiYWNL6sQH1-4yTuGZJAngUqMI70j7JG-AZzvJMHIvWqPnVjNHD3Z3k1p4lDdjAlHkjpBAZkIE/s400/meditation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526760745545768706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >So, I decided the other night that I'm going to do something I think I am ready to do. After about 4 years of studying & learning (and I'm not even finished), reading, preparing, I am getting myself ready to do a Self-Dedicating ceremony. I feel that after these years of hard work I've committed into the learning process, I am ready to serve the God &Goddess wholeheartedly.<br /><br />Now, I'm not big on doing the whole big ritual thing that a lot feel they have to do, when I do my ceremony, it will reflect me & who I am. I am an Eclectic follower of the Old Ways, I borrow from other Paths to make my own, but yet I still follow a certain pantheon of Deities. I also have a special place in my heart that resonates with me on a spiritual level that would be a perfect place to do this. It is in the wilds of NS, where nature is as bountiful as the ever-changing leaves on the trees. It is a place that I fell in love with the 1st time I visited there, a place that I felt a great connection to the Earth spirits and Gaia, Herself.<br /><br />I am preparing myself for this by what I eat, how I conduct myself and with a lot of meditation with my guides to assist me. I do not know when exactly I will be doing this, I will just know when it's right.</span><br /></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-65786884480236553812010-10-10T09:40:00.004-03:002010-10-10T10:03:00.344-03:00Cheap & Easy Samhain Decorations<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Ok, I'm on a tight budget this year & can't spend a whole lot on Samhain decorations. I've been decorating my home, as well as my workplace. I've been re-using stuff from years gone by and I also came up with some new ideas from things around my house. For instance, you can take an ordinary black garbage bag and make a spooky entrance to you home (mine is on my patio).<br /><br />Laying out a garbage bag with the open end facing you, cut into strips about 1" in width, without cutting all the way through to the other end. Leave about 1" at the top, as this is what holds it all together. When all the strips are cut, cut along both closed sides of the bag and along the top where the bag is joined. Pull & stretch the strips at varying lengths (careful not to stretch too much). Now this is ready to hang in your home or outside on a porch/patio.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7VfYXs5OJ1s5TskySzBqGuERTZ7xgXzc_auBerYmEKu3jfqrypeD5FR97g2_4HVcB-xxLN0uv78JcUN7VFq-v307oWxsxL0Zmjdf_gH7SMYrfJ_QMtTY8-PpQIlm1A2T9VZhoDpTqz0/s1600/S6300197.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7VfYXs5OJ1s5TskySzBqGuERTZ7xgXzc_auBerYmEKu3jfqrypeD5FR97g2_4HVcB-xxLN0uv78JcUN7VFq-v307oWxsxL0Zmjdf_gH7SMYrfJ_QMtTY8-PpQIlm1A2T9VZhoDpTqz0/s400/S6300197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526402072296313202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another thing I make is kitchen-catcher ghosts. These are made from those small Glad kitchen catcher garbage bags. I stuff the bag with crumpled up newspaper, about 1/4 the way up in the bag. Tie it off with some string. Then draw a spooky face on the front and cut strips down the length of the body. You can hang these on trees, from you patio railing, inside from the ceiling, etc. It's way cheaper than buying those ghosts at the store when you already have these in your kitchen drawers.<br /><br />Here's something new for me this year. Get an old pair of white pantyhose, stuff it with a paper ball in the toe part. Drop in plastic spiders, cut to a desired length and hang from anywhere in the house. This looks like a huge spider's nest hanging around. Kinda gross. You can also make your own silhouettes for your windows. If you don't have any black bristol board, construction paper, use a black garbage bag. Tape the bag taut on a table, so it won't slip around on you. Use a spooky template or draw freehand a design. Using an Xacto knife, cut out the pattern and tape it to your window. For an extra creepy effect, use some green tissue paper as a backdrop. Just cover the whole window with it and voila!! Instant decoration.<br /><br />These are some of the ideas I used this year to make Samhain a bit more "festive" in a sombre way. Happy decorating!!<br /></span></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-9181601874565927612010-10-09T11:49:00.009-03:002010-10-10T08:58:16.938-03:00Samhain Shortbread<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is my shortbread recipe I use at this time of year (ok, Yule, too) It was my grandmother's recipe and they are a good cookie to use with witchy cookie cutters. You will need:</span><br /><br /></span><ul style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1 Cup butter (real butter, not margarine)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 Cup brown sugar</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1 egg yolk</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tsp vanilla</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">2 Cups of flour</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tsp baking soda</span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Cream together in a bowl, the first 4 ingredients until light & fluffy. Then blend in the last 2 ingredients and combine well. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to a 1/4" thickness. Cut into shapes with a floured cookie cutter. Bake at 300F for about 8-10 minutes. Add icing, sprinkles, etc for decoration.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzTVQEMYv7C7vIi25FG8US869CdQUv7wongl-oyxUhyphenhyphenhmc9z0WK4Kpb0FCXvTtRB_fqRYvgUqEq0UOkXjTO3wZuYm7h6Ongii4WlxtfxQTqgcGUwkt_lNN3eNnwGogUXJEf2WndJLvLE/s1600/Cookies.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzTVQEMYv7C7vIi25FG8US869CdQUv7wongl-oyxUhyphenhyphenhmc9z0WK4Kpb0FCXvTtRB_fqRYvgUqEq0UOkXjTO3wZuYm7h6Ongii4WlxtfxQTqgcGUwkt_lNN3eNnwGogUXJEf2WndJLvLE/s400/Cookies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526384662494346162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqWilQKS_2_EGtsoclywoA5Iw0DRJBICJezWeDAhvzw0wx-tSJxCrhNf6ZFC17C_IQgu5FNCjbD6x_WgWgIOz8Ez0acDryi-q4ItEhlzlJmDCepOkzPIj1VfB4p5c908DsNGziPVInbw/s1600/cookies+2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqWilQKS_2_EGtsoclywoA5Iw0DRJBICJezWeDAhvzw0wx-tSJxCrhNf6ZFC17C_IQgu5FNCjbD6x_WgWgIOz8Ez0acDryi-q4ItEhlzlJmDCepOkzPIj1VfB4p5c908DsNGziPVInbw/s400/cookies+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526384654802952146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq_uyMwjjSYIvZA5wEfn03U-0R5LXNWO-oXuGw4F9PXQsyu5ZCyahI7f5KkMnPuGor8-KbK6dA7g-Z0p9lA-WFM6ZHF10pXT25uR4rbs7wr_EDUlPuPGxTLvoKvtmLTt5Ij32GmHr_gg/s1600/cookies+3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq_uyMwjjSYIvZA5wEfn03U-0R5LXNWO-oXuGw4F9PXQsyu5ZCyahI7f5KkMnPuGor8-KbK6dA7g-Z0p9lA-WFM6ZHF10pXT25uR4rbs7wr_EDUlPuPGxTLvoKvtmLTt5Ij32GmHr_gg/s400/cookies+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526383881521266930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BWvcCpFgfEnLou7HixggpS45zYPqg1Rd-xQOCNSH_fOvgFxx5hozxAtOMlk3-5nRGNk-oN1t_qsNMMTo4D1_hEI4Zie3bF4Mm6KYe8cJPTnexQtNHFeOWMsAQpSgy0ItL16zyxf3mQY/s1600/cookies+4.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BWvcCpFgfEnLou7HixggpS45zYPqg1Rd-xQOCNSH_fOvgFxx5hozxAtOMlk3-5nRGNk-oN1t_qsNMMTo4D1_hEI4Zie3bF4Mm6KYe8cJPTnexQtNHFeOWMsAQpSgy0ItL16zyxf3mQY/s400/cookies+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526383875880073666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5CxhLrU4rOB3kWAsMVzOiSUWRHvEjdK6DJThf3LOQmq-k9sxKDnUX3uqwG1Ekj2l8xUD6cdiXaN33VqPTz4y5rEHt48_ORTMRABzqWYiypYroYpXiGLUj1Gsh-VjTOF1-k8ihYrnJg/s1600/cookies+5.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5CxhLrU4rOB3kWAsMVzOiSUWRHvEjdK6DJThf3LOQmq-k9sxKDnUX3uqwG1Ekj2l8xUD6cdiXaN33VqPTz4y5rEHt48_ORTMRABzqWYiypYroYpXiGLUj1Gsh-VjTOF1-k8ihYrnJg/s400/cookies+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526383869414082338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8qnagjHGmcNhZPwO4vEi1fJGPklgBxmQiDM1oL5yAVJ0yWJyWDGa7uFFHCoGyH7kxwwePpAD62WuubYPfRaFwAqDA21mw8a7LIYzwNegi53T0puQ6KLGSUUnnr2k7TZ4TJTL9HC8fCM/s1600/cookies+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8qnagjHGmcNhZPwO4vEi1fJGPklgBxmQiDM1oL5yAVJ0yWJyWDGa7uFFHCoGyH7kxwwePpAD62WuubYPfRaFwAqDA21mw8a7LIYzwNegi53T0puQ6KLGSUUnnr2k7TZ4TJTL9HC8fCM/s400/cookies+6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526385348303390482" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCPPXN2TCYzXDcDKvRayyK2-VACVnbkxJaYl4pM39LB19MwiYy8rP6HUONS6FmSJjHmet55JGX3koPtjtRjTbkfFFxoZ_a3KD4NjviJAVYMZEFWwHlgQovP3fGce4fkvgNSxZrJB_ZLs/s1600/cookies+7.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCPPXN2TCYzXDcDKvRayyK2-VACVnbkxJaYl4pM39LB19MwiYy8rP6HUONS6FmSJjHmet55JGX3koPtjtRjTbkfFFxoZ_a3KD4NjviJAVYMZEFWwHlgQovP3fGce4fkvgNSxZrJB_ZLs/s400/cookies+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526383857965517746" border="0" /></a>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-21108168177970977562010-10-07T03:39:00.001-03:002010-10-07T03:42:06.890-03:00Correspondences for Samhain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5SZgLZkvWRjxxquWsBD8MSTEMj25a_moNNB7jn4l2ieLq2PjPLdS5eDvi_16X9TWSlDcNlNN76IuTXeSTJxDgNfweGYDsJF9sloNji0wvc4Gg3jnSmcl57jhHGgzkCXgqmskiw7QoRU/s1600/Solitsry+Samhain.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5SZgLZkvWRjxxquWsBD8MSTEMj25a_moNNB7jn4l2ieLq2PjPLdS5eDvi_16X9TWSlDcNlNN76IuTXeSTJxDgNfweGYDsJF9sloNji0wvc4Gg3jnSmcl57jhHGgzkCXgqmskiw7QoRU/s400/Solitsry+Samhain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525190569748711010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">Symbolism: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">Third Harvest, wisdom of the Crone, death of the God, reflection on our place in the Wheel of the Year, New Year, reincarnation, the dark mysteries, Rebirth after Death.</span></span> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foods: </span>turnips, apples, nuts, beef, pork, poultry, gingerbread.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Drinks:</span> Mead, apple cider, mulled cider, mulled wines.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Herbs:</span> Angelica, burdock, catnip, pennyroyal, rosemary, rue, sunflower, sage, thyme, wild ginseng, tarragon, mugwort.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flowers</span>: Calendula, chrysanthemum, cosmos, marigold.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trees:</span> Acacia, apple, cypress, hazel, hemlock, yew.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Incenses and oils:</span> Bay, cedar, clove, copal, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, heather, mugwort, myrrh, patchouli, peppermint, sage, sandalwood, vetiver, wormwood.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Colors:</span> Black, brown, orange.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stones:</span> Amber, beryl, bloodstone, carnelian, clear quartz, diamond, garnet, gold, granite, hematite, jasper, jet, marble, obsidian, opal, pyrite, rose sapphire, ruby, sandstone, smoky quartz, steel, tourmaline, turquoise.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Animals:</span> Stag, jackal, cat, bat, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mythical creatures:</span> Goblins, harpies.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some appropriate Gods:</span> all Death, Underworld, and aged Gods; Am-Heh (Egyptian), Anubis (Egyptian), Arawn (Welsh), Cernunnos (Celtic), Dis (Roman), Hades (Greek), Heimdahl (Norse), Herne (English), The Horned God (European), Kronos (Greek), Loki (Norse), Nefertum (Egyptian), Odin (Norse), Osiris (Egyptian), Pluto (Greco-Roman)</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some appropriate Goddesses:</span> all Crone and Underworld Goddesses; Arachne (Greek), Aradia (Italian), Babd (Irish), Cerridwen (Welsh), Elli (Teutonic), Ereshkigal (Assyro-Babylonian), Eris (Greek), The Fates/Moerae (Greek), Fortuna (Roman), Freya/Frigg (Norse), Hecate (Greek), Hel (Teutonic), Inanna (Sumerian), Ishtar (Babylonian), Macha (Irish), Mari (Basque), Morrigan (Celtic), Nephthys (Egyptian), Nicneven (Scottish), Persephone (Greek), Psyche (Greek), Proserpina (Roman), Rhiannon (Welsh)</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Decorations:</span> Autumn leaves, fall flowers, pomegranates, apples, pumpkins, ears of corn, sprays of grain, corn dollies, gourds, nuts, seeds.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Traditional activities:</span> divination, drying winter herbs, feasting and partying to defy the coming darkness (bob for apples, roast nuts, pop popcorn), Witches' Ball.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spell/ritual work:</span> astral projection, past life recall, Dark Moon mysteries, mirror spells, scrying, protection, inner work, clearing obstacles, transition, culmination, transformation. Releasing bad habits and toxic relationships, illness, failure and poverty; everything you do not want to carry into the new year.</span></p>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-71374087892278428522010-10-04T17:31:00.003-03:002011-03-07T15:40:57.018-04:00An Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QvtZKtBtyB3S7ANnVU2gVq_wHuceyNjaem5dirZY8Z7mo8I5MnfA0uRuyslE6OUd6ejkNBkEMwWr8hcQI18sDSChtzUBRWQBupJ3PtzdCEPcZivwOmujfA8OpU4SHdy2r62wmMWu3pg/s1600/Samhain+Faery.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QvtZKtBtyB3S7ANnVU2gVq_wHuceyNjaem5dirZY8Z7mo8I5MnfA0uRuyslE6OUd6ejkNBkEMwWr8hcQI18sDSChtzUBRWQBupJ3PtzdCEPcZivwOmujfA8OpU4SHdy2r62wmMWu3pg/s400/Samhain+Faery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524292278671726962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Blessings to you all this cool October day!! Haven't been blogging that much due to having a cold & feeling miserable. The weather's has been reeking havoc on me...one day humid & hot, the next cold & grey. I'm even late on decorating the place for Samhain...egad!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Please bear with me as I up my vitamin intake, echinacea and whatever else to rid myself of this pesky bug.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Rowan</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-33050559718191870442010-10-01T07:51:00.003-03:002011-03-07T15:45:49.231-04:00Blessed October<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB_ktzIJr_3Blcm_eTyZTBTxEqzNDTHOV4vxLeTVMX7GWh8fHJ04FtIC6ToB4k5yyQcFZWHrzLGCFPqgFBUuJC4avCAd-WbsMGED8OMiyjgZsSN7B7SLCIRn3xKj16ktUvy8Q8D3YxAM/s1600/Blessed+Samhain+2.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB_ktzIJr_3Blcm_eTyZTBTxEqzNDTHOV4vxLeTVMX7GWh8fHJ04FtIC6ToB4k5yyQcFZWHrzLGCFPqgFBUuJC4avCAd-WbsMGED8OMiyjgZsSN7B7SLCIRn3xKj16ktUvy8Q8D3YxAM/s400/Blessed+Samhain+2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523032406627562130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Well, my favorite month is upon us and even though we are again going through a hot, sticky spell here in the East, the feel of autumn's chill is not that far off in my mind. I've been busy the past couple of week's, since the Mabon ritual, getting things ready for fall. Bread has been baked, decorations brought out & sorted and fabric is being sewn. Ok, I have had a wee bit of a distraction, but things are moving along as planned. I've also been aware around me the feeling of the veil getting thinner as those who have passed on before me are making their presence known. I get this feeling twice a year, not just at Samhain, actually, I can even feel them around Yule, as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This is my first posting on the topic of Samhain. During this most magickal month I will be sharing with you recipes, decorating ideas and whatever else I can pull out of my pointed hat. I was thinking about putting up a Samhain/Hallowe'en themed background, but every other witchy blog is doing the same thing from all the background sites and since I just got this one, I'm kinda partial to it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-52188940517071533612010-09-20T19:29:00.004-03:002010-09-20T20:11:10.398-03:00Apples On A String...In this Case, Dental Floss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXMmPoJ1-Scga1LkMyn4lm9EL1tZWJcKohpHZRNkgXbpSpZu3U-ufnGT_FXjVALZ661zPepPujrs1eO2FtgiwQnpjnZPVDzoUGXapjsqZsSTJIAmZnKIYH9MYlrZLLcRhc2bLWn7Opr0/s1600/Mabon+Blessings.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXMmPoJ1-Scga1LkMyn4lm9EL1tZWJcKohpHZRNkgXbpSpZu3U-ufnGT_FXjVALZ661zPepPujrs1eO2FtgiwQnpjnZPVDzoUGXapjsqZsSTJIAmZnKIYH9MYlrZLLcRhc2bLWn7Opr0/s400/Mabon+Blessings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519136958653363314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-family: lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to a local Mabon Ritual in Point Pleasant Park. It was a beautiful autumn day, the sun was shining, the air was warm, the sky clear. I arrived at the park an hour before the time scheduled, so I could go to my favorite little place where I like to be still with my thoughts. I saw a couple of birds splashing in the cool water a few feet away from me. I could feel the magic in the air already, I knew that this day was going to be special.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I had prepared earlier that day by making homemade mac & cheese for the potluck, some loaves of bread and getting things in order. I slipped into the bath for a ritual bath with some scented water, while my son played his math game on the computer. I did a meditation and asked the Goddess for a blessing. I was told that today I was going to meet some who would have an effect on me. With this is mind, I set out for the park with Heather Alexander on my iPod and a good book to read on the bus.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">About the time when the ritual was set to start, no one was where I was waiting. Did I go to the wrong place in the park?? It seemed so, I looked on a map and saw that I needed to go to the other side of the park to get to the rit on time. It's a fact in the Pagan community that nothing really starts on time, but I still don't like to be late for anything. So, I hustled my butt across the park, uphill carrying my food. I finally found where I was to go, thanks to a couple dressed in their robes setting up the ritual space. I went over to a picnic table and set down my food and sat down where a friend offered me a bottle of water. I was kinda sweaty & out of breath from rushing to get there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">After a bit, we got things rolling by casting the circle, whilst chanting. This was a different take on the ritual as it was a Dionysian type ritual. At one point after hearing the story of Pomona, we all were given an apple half with a coin (wrapped in saran wrap) pushed inside the core, hanging by a thread. We had to try to get the coin out of out neighbor's apple with as few bites as possible, taking turns. What a way to get to know the person standing next to you...mine just happened to be the guy I was on a blind date with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">After the ritual ended, we all sat down to where ever there was a spot free to eat all the delicious food from Earth's bounty (or the local grocery store). There were meats, cheeses, breads, hummous, corn bread, etc. This was a feast!! For the desserts there were apple crisp, cinnamon rolls, cake, apples, etc. My poor stomach was not a huge as my eyes, but I tried a bit of everything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The people at the ritual were very nice, and someone from my facebook came over to talk to me. She was cool, we shared a few laughs while we ate. Talked about the joys of dating again, in front of my blind date. I just hope he didn't feel awkward about out discussion. I don't think he did, as he was putting his 2 cents in, too. So, overall, I had a great day at the ritual, learned some new things, met some cool people (blind date incl) and lots of laughs (even during the ritual).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Rowan</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-61857610432224594602010-09-15T08:01:00.005-03:002010-09-15T08:16:16.328-03:00Mabon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits_y5JNE9zzUFyQblM_LkGTy9e4JaP70l0SpYO2X-l780QJRd4IHXVYfr9f7HPVvhmoJlLLfP6I6RPVjPIiE_C4SG1BacJxoAfulgvC-Hh3iy6wRdvf9esYyPg6edr23Iolkfn3fn9Aw/s1600/mabon.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits_y5JNE9zzUFyQblM_LkGTy9e4JaP70l0SpYO2X-l780QJRd4IHXVYfr9f7HPVvhmoJlLLfP6I6RPVjPIiE_C4SG1BacJxoAfulgvC-Hh3iy6wRdvf9esYyPg6edr23Iolkfn3fn9Aw/s400/mabon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517095599537982562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">Ok, so I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to do this year for Mabon. I may be going to a public ritual this Saturday, if I can get my son's father to look after him for a little bit while I go do this. I usually don't do the whole public ritual thing, as I usually practice solitary, but I think it would be interesting to see how others celebrate the harvest (this is the 2nd<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51); font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic;">harvest celebration on the Wheel). I was at the location the other night, a bit breezy with wind coming off the water, hoping my new robe I made won't get lit up ☺</span></span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">I have also been invited to a little ritual on the day of the actual Sabbat, next Thursday, with a few friends. Not sure if I can make it. I would like to go, but I still have my son with me. It also is a full moon that evening and I have some things I need to do, that I usually do solitary when I combine Sabbat rites with Esbats. Just a little dilemma for me. Don't get me wrong, I love being with friends, but I am a little self-conscious about how I do my thing. I know, get over it, right?? This is something I am trying to do. Under my skin is still a shy person lurking.</span></span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> </span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-2554495202692586652010-09-15T07:50:00.005-03:002010-09-15T08:16:52.392-03:00The Burning Times Documentary<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-family: lucida grande;">Ok, last night I was a little bored, so I started surfing around on YouTube. I found a 6-part documentary from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). Looks like it was made in the 80's or the early 90's. I thought that I would share this with you all. The beautiful music is performed by Canada's own, Loreena McKennitt. Enjoy!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 1</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aqRir6a3VHk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aqRir6a3VHk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 2</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lFZie-CLJsY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lFZie-CLJsY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 3</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ejYTgFr_gqI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ejYTgFr_gqI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 4</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hQb_YLz9qtU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hQb_YLz9qtU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 5</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TR2dHbA-orw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TR2dHbA-orw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Part 6</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kF8-XxbQ3EA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kF8-XxbQ3EA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-50560928301707816302010-09-11T14:24:00.006-03:002010-09-11T14:33:22.493-03:00A New Award!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68UmfPP4qFUlqblQLIW08FQqr1u1vAb0uZGDMIdJFGJ8jsHkBuqaOGJbqxDd0Qb6j74y5vCHeVbgWjkS24USSgF4s_hKsVrl9yRmNOKuwZpJx1bGT3whXma1UWseuUB2bbcncdTaoeaI/s1600/award_happy_101.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68UmfPP4qFUlqblQLIW08FQqr1u1vAb0uZGDMIdJFGJ8jsHkBuqaOGJbqxDd0Qb6j74y5vCHeVbgWjkS24USSgF4s_hKsVrl9yRmNOKuwZpJx1bGT3whXma1UWseuUB2bbcncdTaoeaI/s400/award_happy_101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515708492718042546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;">After coming back from the Dollarama, I saw that I was left this lovely award from Marci over at </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;" href="http://frugallivingcoach.blogspot.com/">Our Frugal Pagan Home</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;">. What a sweetie-pie!! Not to mention we have tha same great taste in blog backgrounds, too.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;">So, here is a list of my top ten things I ♥love♥ in no particular order, except #1:</span><br /></span><ol><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My son, he is my everything</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My family</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My pretty girl, Callie</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My home</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My friends</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blogging (almost) everyday</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chocolate!!</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The cottage</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Going to Twa Corbies' Hollow</span></li><li style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">TWILIGHT!!! esp. Rob Pattinson<br /></span></li></ol>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-25175872628101810492010-09-09T07:49:00.003-03:002010-09-09T07:54:21.828-03:00An Ode to the Autumn Equinox<span style="font-family: lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">I found this last night before going to bed. I find this to be very beautiful and it does bring a tear to my eyes (yes, I'm a softy at heart). I hope you enjoy this, too. ~R</span></span><br /><br /><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aoV5pcEVLQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aoV5pcEVLQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-90024741109228638102010-09-09T07:00:00.005-03:002010-09-09T07:37:00.759-03:00Do You Say Grace??<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >So, on my way to work yesterday I was listening to the </span><u style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Crooked Path Podcast</u><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" > on my iPod. I had just downloaded some of them to listen to while walking to work, they're very interesting as they have a different take on Paganism, not just the "fluffy, love & light" side of things.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >Anyway, Peter (Paddon, that is) brought something up on his episode about sacrifice about saying a type of Grace before we eat. This was something I never really thought of until lately in my life. It was something I never did as an Anglican/Episcopalian, but while I was reading a novel where Paganism was the main religion, they said Grace before every meal. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >NOTE:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" > Kate West was an influence on the author & helped him with things Pagan. Thanking the Gods for what we put into our mouths is another way of connecting with them. Also, thanking the animal's spirit whose meat we are eating (if you're not a vegetarian) and for thanking the Great Mother for the bounty of the produce we have, as well. I know a lot of you may be thing that saying Grace is a Christian thing, but in a way, they have that right by thanking their God for what they have, but there are also cultures who aren't Christian who thank their Gods, too.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >Here are a couple of examples of a Pagan food blessings:</span> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFI9y3MCi9Dub4EXECLPLQw5iAZQ6dAY32hMVfVbzhtaRoaGKLb2ZuSOWI5nUCqeiwoMbm6h1rfSDoui8flhyphenhyphenTrxFKhBKGUNkSzoKoEZWDIRl84No8s4sHM25o9w6olvkNnah0cD3MgvQ/s1600/pagan_kitchen.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFI9y3MCi9Dub4EXECLPLQw5iAZQ6dAY32hMVfVbzhtaRoaGKLb2ZuSOWI5nUCqeiwoMbm6h1rfSDoui8flhyphenhyphenTrxFKhBKGUNkSzoKoEZWDIRl84No8s4sHM25o9w6olvkNnah0cD3MgvQ/s400/pagan_kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514859927310794834" border="0" /></a>I Thank thee Great Goddess</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br />For the bounty before me</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br />A gift of thy great abundance.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br />Thank you for sustaining my life.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />I receive your gift of food in gratitude.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >OR</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">Lord and Lady, watch over us,<br />and bless us as we eat.<br />Bless this food, this bounty of earth,<br />we thank you, so mote it be.</i> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" ><br /><br />These are just a few that I have found in the past couple of months. If you don't feel comfortable saying Grace before your meal, you can always have a moment of silence before eating.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" ><br />~Rowan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >)O(</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-3849771029532547662010-09-08T20:47:00.006-03:002010-09-09T07:46:09.420-03:00New Look!!<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >Ok, I've been fiddling around with new layouts and I think I found one that I am happy with. This is called Gothic Irish (??) and I like how it resonates with me & my blog. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >Been really busy with things in my personal life, school started for my son & work is really busy. I did manage to get some new Hallowe'en magazines today. I have a few ideas to make for my Samhain altar using smaller gourds as candle holders (thanks, Martha Stewart) and I will be getting things ready to sew a new altar cloth with my new sewing machine (yay!!) I just have to pick which fabric to use.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >As the veil starts to get thinner again, I will be posting pix of the crafts I will be making, as well as any recipes I'll be making.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >~Rowan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >)O(</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4135376586295871189.post-45363684740087977772010-09-01T19:12:00.012-03:002010-09-09T07:45:08.751-03:00Where is Autumn??<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Ah, September is upon us. When there would be a hint of autumn in the air, it is 34C/93F with humidity. Not very fall-like at all. The reason for these high temps?? Where I am living there is a hurricane coming...Hurricane Earl, to be exact. Hurricane Danielle missed us, but not before she left us with all this hot, sticky heat. Ugh! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So, to get me in the autumn mood, I decided to switch up the layout on here & over at </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://candlesandwicksbos.blogspot.com/">Rowan's Book of Shadows</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. I found a bunch of new templates and I want to use them all. I still have some cool Samhain ones that I'll put up in 30 days. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I can't believe that summer is winding down. It seems like it was yesterday when I first went to Twa Corbies back in May and helped with the summer planting and now Cliff is finishing up harvesting the gardens and soon he will be going bow hunting...Mmm, venison.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking back over the past 3 months, a lot has happened to me: my cat got sick & died, my mother had a quadruple bypass, visited the Hollow 2 additional times and struggled with my son's autism...all on top of the mundane things like working at the salon, paying bills and trying to have a love life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy September 1st!!</span></span>Rowan LeBoutillierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078442018006811831noreply@blogger.com0