A Knight in Moderation

Several years ago, my sister asked me what I wanted for Christmas.  It was summer - too early for the question - and we were walking down a sunlit street.  "A knight in shining armor," I said.

Obviously, I wasn't serious.  As I remember it, I wasn't even keeping my eye out for romance at the time.  I just thought I was being cute.

Six months later, I unwrapped the lad in the photo.  I loved him, of course:  I've always had a thing for miniatures (in moderation), and this fellow is so steadfast.  He's sits on my windowsill with Ganesh and Happy Buddha, and together they are part of my home-in-a-pocket kit whenever I travel.

Thank goodness, though, that he stays faithfully on that windowsill, and doesn't butt in too much.  Knights In Shining Armor can save the day, but they can also have some exhaustingly high expectations of themselves and of you.  As my sister said when I unwrapped him, it's much better to carry your own Knight with you, so you don't have to go looking for him in other people.

In which our Heroine has the Good Fortune to Win a Set of Runes, and Says Thank-You

A few months ago, I thought I might try learning to read runes. I love letters and words, so the concept of using the letters of an alphabet for divination appealed to me.

I've had a tarot deck for a few years, and I've found it to be a good resource - and fun as well. I don't know if I believe the average tarot reading is supernaturally influenced. But I do find that the act of fitting my situation into the pattern suggested by the tarot layout gives me a new perspective - and being able to look at things from a new perspective is invaluable.

Then fate (or a random number generator, anyway) sealed the deal, when I won this awesome rune set at Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween. This handmade set is gorgeous, and each piece is essentially a tiny, hand-embroidered, felt rune pillow. Felt...felt is a friendly material, and I immediately felt at home with this set.

I made flashcards ("Of course you made flashcards," my sister said), primarily using this translation/commentary of an Old English rune poem as a resource. While I don't know all of the runes 'by heart' yet, it's kind of exciting how naturally I'm getting to know them. What a wonderful Halloween gift!

Thank you so much to Nydia of Carioca Witch (where you can purchase your own set of OOAK runes!) You can check out her blog through the "Bringing Up Salamanders button. And many thanks to Mrs. B of Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom for putting together a fantastic month-long virtual celebration of Halloween!

Book Review: Better Basics for the Home

This is the book that I use most often. Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold-Bond is a recipe book for everything from hair dye to car wax and sink scrubbers to under-eye cream. The vast majority of these recipes are simple and user-friendly; much cheaper than an off-the-shelf product; and use gentle, easy-to-find ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, salt, lavender oil, and aloe vera gel. With this book, making your own toiletries and household cleaners is a lot easier than worrying about what's in the store-bought stuff - not to mention a helluva lot more fun!

Click on the cover image to buy this book from your local, independent bookseller. :)

Hallow's Eve Greetings

Walking up the street dressed as a dryad,* I wished everyone passing a Happy Halloween. It reminded me of the rural west coast of Ireland, where even folks walking down the opposite side of the street will usually call out a "hiya." I kept that habit for a while, then seem to have lost it in the city - even on streets that are quiet enough to make greeting everyone practical. But on Saturday, in my costume and a rust-orange cloak donned for the drizzly weather, I felt like the Halloween Ambassador. I won't say the streets were all decked out for the holiday, but there were enough jack o'lanterns, enough costumes, enough trick-or-treaters to make the day different. Or maybe days like Halloween are a bit different all on their own. Either way, thank you to all who celebrated!

In the photo: The neighbors' dog, who participated in the festivities.

*My go-to costume for busy years: little greet devil horns turned inside out ( \…/ instead of /…\ ) so they look like goat horns, leaf-shaped earrings, a Venetian glass leaf necklace, and green and/or brown clothes.

A Rousing Halloween to All!

I'd like to wish you all a rousing Halloween!
I hope everyone enjoys their serotonin and caffeine.
Just keep some candles burning bright
In case you take a wrong turn tonight
And run amok of something un(fore)seen!

A Hunt for an Imperfect Pumpkin

My boyfriend has no Halloween spirit at all, but proved what a good sport he is by accompanying me to the local pumpkin fest here in the Big City. In addition to the weekly farmers market (yum!), there were hay bales and pumpkins galore - and a petting zoo! Maybe an adult shouldn't get quite so excited about a few goats and chickens, but when a country girl's been in the city for as long as I have, seeing these critters is quite a treat.

I always look for the tall skinny pumpkins, the warty ones, and the just plain misshapen gourds. But lo and behold, the farmers had only brought pretty pumpkins to the city! Each and every one was round as a basketball with unblemished orange flesh: the type of pumpkins they use on sitcoms.

I wonder if oranges come in as many shapes in Florida as pumpkins do in rural New England? I'm thinking that judging gourds and fruits and vegetables by how perfectly shaped they are is a bit nonsensical...especially since those big bizarrely-shaped heirloom beefsteaks I had earlier this summer were absolutely delicious...

Anyway, stuck with a plethora of perfect pumpkins, I did my best and dug up one with a few bumps and an extra-long stem - and my guy even helped me carry it home.

Book Review: A History of Witchcraft

Synopsis: The authors discuss the definitions of witchcraft, and chart witchcraft's historical, anthropological, and religious manifestations from ancient times to the present. This book also includes an analysis of the importance of the internet and films in the dissemination of modern witchcraft - and the personal tensions as a secretive, initiatory cult becomes an open and recognized religion.

Verdict: Readable, and of a modest length. Seems to be well-researched. A nice, thorough introduction to witchcraft past and present, as well as to the power of the idea of witchcraft. Recommended for anyone interested in this subject - especially at this time of the year!

(Click on the cover image to order this book from an indie bookseller near you!)