Bringing Out The Light

My tree has actually been decorated for quite some time now, and I'm just getting to posting photos of it. This holiday season has blown by so quickly, and yet I've enjoyed every moment of it. We haven't had much snow, but living on top of a very steep hill, I think I'm okay with that. Plus it will snow tomorrow. For those of you who haven't known me since high school, I control the weather. I really do. I've never done a rain dance that didn't have rain follow within 20 minutes. Perhaps it's my Native American ancestry, or my pure belief that it works.. I've made it rain on the 4th of July once by doing a rain dance, and again in Mexico while hiking on the hottest day I've ever encountered; I did another rain dance, and 10 minutes later it started to rain. Once I became aware of my special powers, I had to choose to be responsible with them... because you know what they say, with great power comes great responsibility. This year I chose to only have it snow on the 25th of December.. though I did allow a few drizzles and snow flakes to fall. So, if you are in my area, you are welcome for your white Christmas.

Hmmm am I joking? I guess only those who really know me would know. But for now, let's all just believe that I control the weather. 

This year I really wanted a sparse tree. When I walked into my house for the first time, beforeI even signed the papers to rent, I knew what type of tree I would get, and where it would go. A 10 foot sparse tree. I wanted it to touch my 10 foot ceilings.. that was pretty important to me. 

I soon learned that super high ceilings aren't all that great, especially when you are short, and do not own a ladder. Stacking chairs is dangerous, but it worked. Decorating this tree was a challenge. 

I only had a few decorations since I moved and donated bunch of my decorations. This year I really wanted natural elements in my tree, so a lot of my ornaments were found objects, or things I already had. 

Bones, pine cones, crystals and feathers adorned this years tree.. and I love it. I put in a birds nest with some eggs and a bird skull. All to represent life and death, dark and light. Because to me, that is what this season is all about. 

Something about the way the light shone through the feathers, and bounced off the crystals made my heart feel whole. The delicate bones balancing on the branches symbolize that death isn't the end, and we can't be fully destroyed. 

I used to have a hard time with this season. Depression was always an issue, and my own frustrations with religion made this holiday season confusing, dark and upsetting.. but this year I took it back.

The traditions of decorating a tree go way back before any modern religion. It is in a way magick. Sympathetic magic, of bringing light into darkness. 

By lighting candles, twinkle lights, and reflective ornaments we are practicing a ritual that has been done since the ancient times. A way to bring light into our dark worlds.. to welcome the sun back during the solstice, the darkest night of the year. I myself celebrate Yule. I will also be celebrating Christmas tomorrow. Not for the religious reasons, but for the season of sharing your light with others.. and exchanging gifts and good cheer!  Next year I'll throw some Hanukkah in there. Because I believe there is some form of truth to be found just about anywhere, and there is always a reason to celebrate.

 My views have took a very Pagan turn these last few years, an I've felt so much peace in the wisdom of the ancient traditions. They resonate with my soul on a level I've known since I was young and first climbed a tree. I do not claim that my way is right, or better than anyone else's. I claim that this way makes my heart full, and my soul sing. And I think that's what this season is really about. Finding what makes you feel soulful.. what brings our your light. 

What connects you. 

So whatever it is that makes you feel infinite, connected and soulful.. 

whatever you believe to be true.. 

I wish you a very happy holiday season. 

Safe travels within, and without. 

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The Yule Log

For people of various religions, the time of Winter Solstice is a time for celebration, gathering of families and lighting of lights. This year, I'm celebrating both Yule, and Christmas. I was raised Christian, so saying Merry Christmas is just a habit of mine. But, one of my New Years Resolutions will be to celebrate the Pagan Sabbats. So, this 21st of December, we are celebrating Yule by burning a Yule log.
The season of Yule is about the magic of rebirth. Welcoming the sun and the light back into our world. It' a time to focus on new beginnings and starting things anew. On Yule, the sun stops it's decline from the south, and seems to rise in one place for a few days, and then slowly begins to return for longer periods of time.

Sterling and I decided to celebrate with a Yule Log. We hiked up to our field and picked out the perfect log. We decorated it with pine tree clippings, juniper, cedar, spanish moss and pine cones. Right now, it's serving as a centerpiece on the kitchen table, on Yule, we will hold a burning ceremony, make some goals, and wishes and burn them with the log.
Each different tree, herb, or flower has a different property. Read about them here.  Most of our choices were for protection, health and wealth.
Check out here more information about the Yule, and the Yule Log


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Holiday Orders

The holidays are coming up. And as you know I've been busy with orders. I wanted to take a quick minute to remind everyone, the hat shop closes December 17th for Christmas, and the art shop closes the following Friday. This will make sure that I get you the orders in time! And I don't freak out tooooo much. Like last night when a huge order was placed, and they wanted it overnighted. I am a magician, but I'm not that good.

Both shops will reopen on December 26th.
Though, the hat shop will only be open for a few more months after that.

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Where To Hang Stockings If You Don't Have A Fire Place? Make One!

I posted my Christmas decorations on my blog yesterday.. I love all of them except for the stockings. They are not in fact hung by the chimney with care. They were thrown on a semi empty wall with hopes they would look okay. They didn't. But, my walls are covered in paintings, sticky notes, and book cases. Not a suitable place for a stocking at all.

When I lived in North Carolina I had a beautiful fire place with a mantle. I don't remember exactly but I don't think I was allowed to have a Christmas tree that year, or stockings, now that I think of it.. Maybe we had a small tree, I can't remember it. (There are reasons he is my ex..) So anyways, I had a fireplace, and we didn't hang the stockings with care... Oh how I regret that.

So, that was the last time I was able to hang a stocking by the fire place. Until now.

Every time I looked over at that corner I was a little unhappy. It kept growing, so I did something about it.

I decided I didn't want to spend a penny. I've already invested too much into decorations this year,

 so I looked at what I had.... Check the full post out over here and tell me what you think! 

It honestly has made my heart feel warmer. The pups are curious about it. And the house looks a little bit more cheery.
This DIY may seem awfully silly, but it's made a huge difference in this house, and sometimes all you need to beat the winter blues is a nice warm crackly tissue paper fire.

You don't want to miss this post.. I make some weird faces, just for you!

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