Early Winter

The date of the winter solstice has passed and we are now in early winter. We haven't had much snow in the area yet but all the other signs of winter are here! The cold air, the chilly air, the leaf-less trees and the barren-looking land.

But this is a time when I do the work of having supplies stored just in case I get trapped by a winter storm. I am so glad and grateful that I work from home and I have found other witches who are writers like me.

I do know that this is the time of year for a sort of like slumber period almost like a hibernation where we try to stay away from the harsh elements of winter as much as we can and in the meantime prepare for the spring.

I have started my inside garden starting with some lavendar and other herbs and they are finally starting to grow and I'm going to add more seedlings as well!

I enjoy this time of year - especially when I don't really have to go anywhere and I can work from home with my own hours and my own pace.

I'm also too, planning for the spring - mostly getting my outside garden cleaned up so that I will be able to plant and garden outside again this year as soon as possible!

Wicca for beginners : fundamentals of philosophy & practice

I'm currently reading "Wicca for beginners : fundamentals of philosophy & practice".

It is an interesting book to say the least!

While I have chosen to take the path of hedgewitch, there are some things about the Wiccan lifestyle that I like.

This book is teaching me a lot about the basic Wicca beliefs and it gives a lot of basic information about basic Wicca practices.

There is also a chapter on magick (which I haven't gotten to yet).

But if you are interested in Wicca then I would highly recommend this book because it helps you to start off with the basics!

By The Way Did I Mention That I Work From Home?

I just read a Twitter posting from someone who said that they hated to get dressed in the morning and have to go to work! So I count myself blessed that I am able to work from home!

One of my incomes comes from my google adsense ads. If you would like to know more about this program you can visit The Adsense Consultant's Blog.

I also do tarot and astrology readings as well.

As I have blogged about before I have chosen to take the path of Hedgewitch because I like that it means doing things the old-fashioned and traditional way. I found an interesting website online that has a very good definition of Hedgewitch so I decided to post the link here for all of those who are interested in the definition of a Hedgewitch.

Hedgewitch

A "Crafty" Witch?

I don't know how old the art of knitting is but I'm guessing that it is pretty old!

I, myself both knit and crochet and I find these very relaxing things to do! I can't make anything intricate yet but I'm well on my way as long as I remember to be patient and enjoy the journey along the way!

I was reading someone else's blog and they had posted about their latest knitting project and they even posted a picture of their completed work online which gave me the idea to do the same!

Of course you're going to have to give me some time for this - LOL!

But I think that knitting and crocheting are great ways to relax and I do enjoy it so!

I Think That A Rainy Day......

I think that a rainy day is good for one's soul!

I happen to be fortunate that I can work from home and for this I am very grateful!

It has been raining on and off since yesterday and this is good for my garden. It is good for me also because I was actually able to start my garden this year and have already planted some vegetables like beans and peppers.

I decided to start my garden and try not to worry about the things that are bothering me while I continue to work on solving my problems.

My garden also relates to one of my chosen paths as a green witch and kitchen witch. You see I have already harvested some garlic chives from my garden and I used it in some of my pasta sauce! What a great feeling it is to be able to add something from the garden that you grew yourself into the food that you are cooking!

I plan on having a great garden this year!

Also this rainy day gives me a chance to catch up on some work that has to done inside my house as well - both professionally and personally!

Deciding to take my chosen path as hedgewitch has shown me to take a deeper appreciation of nature! While some people may consider rainy days dull and dreary I have the feeling that it gives nature a chance to nourish the elements and to an additional extent - my own soul as well! For right now I am enjoying a nice hot cup of tea with classical music playing in the background as I work at the computer and catch up on my email and my professional work as well.

I know that some of those who are new to or interested in witchcraft think that it all has to do with spells and magick but to me this isn't the entire meaning of it. For me I think that there is a deeper meaning in that one has to get in touch with one's soul - working on yourself from the inside before you start working on the outside things.

Until next time

Blessed Be!

Angelwitch1012003?

I was looking at my screenname and it reminded me that I have been on my path since 2003, now almost 6 years! Wow! That is a lot of time!

Of course my first year involved learning as much as I could about "The Craft" and I am still finding out that I am still learning and will continue to learn all my life!

So much of it is so fascinating!

I have still continued to enjoy the path of hedgewitch (with a little "green" and "kitchen" witch thrown in).

Right now we are definitely in the midst of the winter season and I know that this is a good time for reflection and to prepare myself for the spring season coming.

Here you see a picture that I took just outside my door.

I have been laying low for the past few weeks because of the cold winter weather. Right now in the Philadelphia area the temperatures are quite cold and we are still recovering from all the ice that has built up everywhere! Even my neighbors are lying low and if they don't have to go out they don't! But we're expecting some warmer weather Sunday - temps in the 40's - so hopefully that will melt the ice outside that has grown so thick!

Mind you in some ways I am quite enjoying this weather. Since I work from home I haven't had to go out if I didn't want to unless it was for something like grocery shopping. And of course this will be a good time to start getting my income tax forms ready and ready to mail out.

I have my hot chocolate and tea to drink as I look out my window and view the gorgeous scenery around me that I am blessed to have and delight in the fact that I live in an area that does have a change of seasons - I don't think that I would have it any other way - in fact, I know that I wouldn't - LOL!

So I'm laying low and also giving thoughts to my garden and how I'm going to vow to start it as soon as possible!

Etsy?

I found this very interesting website! It's called Etsy and I wanted to investigate it more because I have seen cute little graphics about it on other people's websites and blogs.

Etsy is a site where you can buy and sell handmade products - including handmade jewelery, bags and even some clothing - of which some are knitted and / or crocheted. I also liked seeing the various food-related products for sale - especially the different kinds of tea! I love having a "spot of tea every now and then!

But you know what else it got me to thinking about? Me and the kinds of "crafts" that I myself have created and the fact that I even have the ability to do so!

What can I do? Well of some of the products that I have seen on Etsy, I have come to realize that I can knit, crochet and especially SEW - since I'm always repairing and mending stuff! (I also like to cook too!) I have seen a lot of cute things being sold on Etsy that look like the kind of thing that I could whip up!

Another thing too is that all the skills mentioned above are also very relaxing things to do and I especially like doing it while watching a good movie!

It's also taking me back to a time that was more simpler where being able to do things like knitting and crocheting didn't seem to be so old-fashioned - in fact it was sometimes a necessity.

And that is reminding of why I chose to be a hedgewitch in the first place which is because the meaning to me is of the traditional witch that uses the supplies that they have at hand! (Think I'm feeling a past-life flashback coming on!)

It's also got me curious about what my fellow witches and reader have as hobbies and/or talents such as the above?

Now that I have acknowledged (both to myself and to you) my "other talents - let's hear about yours!

And - PS - this just gives me more pictures that I have to post which now includes things that I have made!

What My Horoscope Said For Today

Even though I do astrology readings I thought that I would take a look at my own horoscope today. Sometimes I just can't believe how amazingly accurate my astrology readings can be!

Basically it said that I often try to do too many things at one time which is really so, so true and that I should just concentrate on doing one thing at a time - which is eerily accurate for me today because while I am on the computer I am concentrating my thoughts on doing one particular thing instead of my usual frantic pace!

I Seem To Have A Little Bit Of A Cold Today!

Actually I think that it may be an allergy since I was outside yesterday raking up some leaves. I was all in the hedges and the weeds so I think that's where I got my allergy symptoms from.

But not to worry because I have my tea bags waiting for me and I'm going to have some hot tea with my breakfast this morning. I'm also going to add some lemon and honey to my tea because that always seems to do the trick. I'm out of brandy though!

On the garden front, I have started planting but nothing has come up yet.

I Had Another One Of Those "Rain" Incidents Today!

I don't know what it is about me and the rain but I had another one of those incidents today!

I have been walking more as a form of good excercise for me and I do this by walking to my local stores in my area. It had been raining the night before and during the early part of today. But during the late afternoon I decided to walk to the store and there wasn't any rain in sight!

After I got back home from the store and had settled in I heard this pounding rain outside! It was raining so heavily that it sounded like somebody was pounding on the porch outside! But I was nicely and comfy inside!

I have posted a few times before about me and the rain and how this kind of thing seems to occur more often than not but I'm very grateful when it does happen - even though it is kind of weird.

Long, overdue website update

Do you know I haven't updated my website since 2005!

Where does the time go?

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I have been working on my blogs more than I have been working on my website.

But I'm glad that I have updated the website. 2005! That was 3 years ago!

Rain, Rain, DON'T Go Away!

I just don't know what it is about me and the rain! I was reading a post on someone else's blog about how they were having rain and it was just a "bummer" for them. I kinda feel the exact opposite way!

Just had some heavy rain a few days ago and for me it felt oddly comforting! The sound of the rain was so comforting and I felt all nice and cozy inside my house with the heat going but I also had a view out of my kitchen window to see how it looked outside! It was like the trees were welcoming the rain. Even though the skies were darker there was still some activity going on outside. I could see lights from other houses and I was just imagining the activity that was probably going on. Just because its raining outside doesn't mean that there isn't any activity going on inside!

There's always plenty to do inside (at least for me) when its raining outside. This last rain spell I spent some time doing my income taxes - along with a nice hot cup of tea with honey and lemon!

Even when I'm out in the rain and the time and my mind are just right it almost feels as though the rain and I are one - sounds kind of silly doesn't it? But I think that is what is accomplished when you relax your mind and let go of any stress and anxiety that you are carrying. You feel peaceful and serene!

I Did A Tarot Reading For Myself Today

I did a tarot reading for myself today and I drew the "Ace Of Wands"



This card symbolizes creativity and says that the seeds of opportunity and success are coming my way (which I certainly HOPE SO!). Additional interpretations are:

expanding your potential
opening to greater possibilities
conceiving a dream
expressing yourself
stimulating your imagination
allowing a talent to unfold
coming up with a solution

At this point in my life the above sounds absolutely true!

I have been doing tarot readings for some time now and I do readings on myself as well.

While I Do Practice And Believe In Astrology......

I do know that I shouldn't let it run / ruin my life. What I mean to say is that I agree with the idea that one can use astrology as a guide and/or as insight into what the "stars" say about you and your future. But don't use it to the point that you go by your astology reading only your astology reading alone!

For instance I remember reading my horoscope one day (not from my own chart but from my horoscope that I read in the newspaper) and it said that I was going to be robbed! Well I worried so much about that that my whole day was ruined because I was worrying about what this horoscope had predicted for me that day. It turns out that the reading was right because I had been "robbed" of my day - meaning that I didn't live my day as I normally would have.

Since then I have learned more about astrology and I know that now the interpretations and readings can have more than one meaning!

Here is my horoscope reading for today that I got online:



Now this reading does ring true because I have a family member who is quite sick and the last time I talked to them they were in the hospital. I do have another relative who does kind of live on the "wild" side but - for the most part - I really don't judge him. But the astrological reading is quite accurate in that I really shouldn't judge them because I don't want to be judged by them. It's a very good and pretty accurate reading!

---

Below you will see a chart that I made myself today because I was curious after reading my online horoscope.

My Sun is in the 1st house which represents my identity and how I feel about myself which today - I'm feeling pretty good about myself!

My moon is in the 7th house which means that I'm having some "issues" with some relationships (which seems to correspond with my other reading above!)

As you can see I also have a lot of planet's in the first house today which I interpret to mean that I'm having some "issues" with myself as well - which is true because I am going back and forth about what is good and what is not so good with my life right now. That is why I decided (actually I was inspired) to start a new blog about myself and the kind of life that I want to live!



I'm trying to keep my thoughts positive and I am continuing to focus on the things that I do want (and not the things that I don't want).

I Didn't Want Too Much Time To Pass Without Posting.......

I see that I haven't posted at all this month but what I HAVE noticed is that there have been quite a few visits to my blog so I feel that I should post something.

Right now my concentration is manifesting the kind of life that I want to live. I am my own worst enemy though because of my thoughts! I do realize that financial miracles happen all the time and everything I read (and hear) tells me to have faith and patience. Positive thought, positive energy and meditation are all things that I am practicing now.

Gratitude also is advised and I do have a lot of things to be grateful for. From the things that I have read I feel that this may be a "test" of some sort and while I strongly desire the results that I want there is still the journey that I have to go through and I'm supposed to appreciate and feel gratitude for the journey that I am going through and I'm supposed to have faith that the outcome that I want will happen. So I guess you could say that I am at a very critical crossroad in my life where I have to have faith.

I'm sure mostly everybody has gone through times of turmoil and getting through them without ever knowing how they were going to get through it - and that is where I am now. All I know is that I have to not give up!

There Is A Witches Group In My Area!

I was going through my email today and noticed that I got mail from Meetup.com. I had forgot that I was a member! I belong to thePhiladelphia Witches Group. (You may want to check and see if their are any witch groups in your area.)

It's nice to think that there is an actual witch's group in my area. But sadly I just haven't had the nerve to go to any of their events yet. I guess I'm hiding behind the excuse that I don't have a car but I notice that a lot of their events are ones that I can get to using public transportation. There are also some unrelated issues that I'm trying to solve which is really blocking my desires to be free of worry.

I'm glad to know that the group is there just in case I change my mind and decide to go.

I'm sure many of you belong to witchy-related groups and are glad that you have them in your own area.

I Was Wondering Whether Or Not I Should Get A MySpace Page?

It's so much with keeping up with the blogs that I have. Besides this blog I have a few others which I don't post in as much. But I was doing something else and I was thinking about MySpace and then I wondered whether or not I should join it.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a MySpace page - its just that I have so many other sites and its hard enough remembering all of them much less going back and updating and bringing them more current.

But MySpace is a good networking site so I might decide to go ahead and get a myspace page. But I am curious as to how many of you already have a myspace page and if you do have one could you kindly leave a link to it - I may want to start my own myspace page and it would be good to have some "friends" waiting for me to get.

Here is my new myspace page:

Angelwitch's MySpace Page

Let me know what you think of it......

What I Did (So Far) On This Halloween Day!

You know its been so long since I just took a day to enjoy the day! And that is what I did today on this Halloween Day! I had tea and "Halloween" cupcakes for breakfast! I have been watching horror movies all morning and enjoying every "scary" minute of it! Most of the shows I was watching were compiliations of "The Scariest Movie Moments" but I also watched some old black and white horror movies too. I think that I like those the best because they just seem so more better well-made.

I don't know what it is about me and the gypsy "lifestyle". One of the reasons why I like the original version of "The Wolf Man" is because of the beginning scenes where they were in a gypsy village. My chosen path is that of a hedgewitch which is a witch dating back to the old days and modern day witches using the "old" methods and ways - so its like being a gypsy and a hedgewitch could be quite similar. I even like one of the old episodes of "Charmed" where they go back in time to save one of their relatives.

I also like watching some of the more documentary-type shows that came on today. I like seeing places like Romania and Transylvania (I'm even thinking of taking a trip to some of those places). There were shows on talking about modern day and past vampires and witches and other related subcultures.

I took a break from all of that Halloween-watching to do something on my computer and the thought occurred to me that I could add what I was doing this Halloween Day so far.

I could hear some children and some older teens outside. They don't go door to door anymore which is a shame but I'm sure that safety is the reason behind that. Fortunately there are a lot of Halloween-related activities that they can take part in in my area but it was good hearing them outside.

Its been a long time since I just enjoyed a day - especially a holiday - where I just took time out and was leisurly. I did enjoy it and it is a good reminder that I have to enjoy it more often.

"Treasures" Of The Natural Kind!

I'm working on my patience! I have come to find out that the more patient I am the more that favorable things happen and ironically the more I get done! With that being said....

I was raking leaves yesterday! Now the fact that I actually got able to get out and rake leaves is a good thing in and of itself because I have been having financial concerns that took up the majority of my brain waves. I was feeling bad about them and worrying about them which I know only adds weight to the problem and makes the problem far more worse! So I started to think about all the things that I have to be grateful for and believe there are a lot of things that I have to be grateful for! And so I went out and raked leaves! I was doing this because my area provides pickups for leaves. I was also doing to get outside and be outside - its always advised to be a part of nature as much as you can. Another reason why I was doing it is because the more work I do outside the house the more it looks like someone is taking care of the outside of the house.

So I'm raking leaves and taking my time because I know that I don't have to do it all in one day because I have a few days before the scheduled leaf pickup. I'm taking my time and remembering all the things that I am grateful for.

Like I said before I found out and I am learning that the more patient and less stressed I am the more that the world opens up to me. And this was true while I was raking up the leaves. You see there were branches that I have to break up because they fell during some past storms and while I was doing that I found some great branches that I can use elsewhere!

I always wanted a "natural" wand and now I have several pieces to choose from. I also saved some of the stronger branches because I'm going to use them in my garden to help hold some of my plantings. Being outside also gave me time to reflect on all the possibliities that I have for arranging things the way I want them to. I already have a birdbath and I was also thinking about adding a birdfeeder or a small bird house.

Plus I have a lot of other ideas too! I was going to add a cute picture here but Blogger is acting "wonky" and it won't let me upload any pictures so I saved the picture and hopefully I'll be able to post it soon!

By the way I'm enjoying all the Halloween-ish things going on now including watching the old horror movies (and some new horror movies as well) and I'm thinking of adding some Halloween decorations around the house!

I would also love to hear the Halloween plans of my fellow witches!