The Gods Do Answer

One thing that I have learned this month is this:

ASK ENOUGH TIMES AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!

All month long I have been performing little deeds and gestures in the name of Erzulie Freda, the Voodoo lwa of love, luxury, and wealth. Back in October, a psychic gave me a reading (which is a story and a half, let ne tell you) and she told me to look to Erzulie Freda for help on all my issues back then. She is very much the epitome of a nickname my mother called me when I was younger; The Princess of Quite-a-lot. She loves love and money and the good things on life. She's a bit spoiled and pouts when she doesn't get everything she wants (altho I have yet to hear her complain that the chocolate vodka is an unworthy offering. When Im ready to really butter her up, then I'll get her favorite pink champagne). She reminds me of Eartha Kitt in a sparkly pink robe, speaking with the thick accent of Tia Dalma. She and The Old Man flirt a lot and sometimes seem to gang up on me, but it has all turned out for the best.

As February draws to a close, I still have unfinished projects sitting ony altar. Although with the upcoming re-organizing the bedroom project we're planning for the weekend, theybwill most likey stay where they are for a few more days. Or until I order that liquid latex after paying rent. I still have to make EZ her own altar, but for now her doll (pics forthcoming) seems content to sit w/ a bunch of Ninja Turtles and plush foxes.

But even with the projects left unfinished, She has apparently been pleased enough with my progress to grant a wish that I didn't even know I was asking. I've been so worried that things were going to fail, thinking I knew how my Gods were going to manifest my wishes and prayers, that it took me by surprise when all the pieces fell into place and I suddenly found myself in a situation that had always felt more like a pipedream than any possible reality.

2010 was a rough year on my sanity. 2011 is like a deep tissue massage after an ordeal; there are still sore spots but the kinks are getting worked out and I can finally begin to relax and enjoy it.


Thank you, Erzulie Freda. Thank you, Odin. Thank you, my guardian spirits. I'm finally seeing the benefit of listening to You All instead of thinking I know what the he'll I'm doing. Let's keep up this quid pro quo arrangement.

They All Love The Pavi!

Me, playing Pavi Largo (Repo: The Genetic Opera) w/ Genetic ImPerfection.

"Ask a Gentern who they prefer

10 out of 9 will say "The Pavi!"

The most dashing

Panty-snatching

I will leave your diapers dripping!

Two hearts, Mark it up!

Pavi steals all of the hearts!"

Video for Repo! was disabled on Youtube (search for "Mark It Up"). So in lieu of subjecting people to a face-stealing rapist (ie Pavi), here are some of my favorite songs and videos to spread some love on this Valentine's Day!


For my fellow Curvy Girls and the people who love them!


And for my darling friend Wuffy ^_^


And finally, something for my Love, B.

Valentine Altar

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!

*I CARE*

Love, Foxy 

     

                                                                                                                                                    ^_^



***EDIT**

I CAN'T LEAVE THE KITCHEN FOR 5 MINUTES!!! 

Achilles (Ah-She'll) (as in "Ah, She'll be in trouble for this.")) says Happy V-Day too! *shoo's cat from counter*

Spread the Love

Love is meant to be shared.


Today I tied a raffia bow around a bottle of patchouli shower gel, b/c the old woman who was buying it, told me it was her birthday. No one announces their birthday to a perfect stranger unless they're fishing for a response, even if it's automatic and not truly genuine.
When i came back with the bottle and went "Surprise! Happy Birthday ^_^!", she hugged me.
She got a little choked up and thanked me, saying she'd had a rotten week, and all she wanted was to take a bath w/ her favorite soap. She was worried that we were out, but was lucky enough to have me find the last bottle, which was literally right behind her.

Later, at my other job, a regular customer was getting his coffee and couldn't find his cash. All he had were his credit cards and he really didn't want to resort to using them for a simple cup of coffee.
He was about to go out to his car and check for the dropped money when I canceled the sale, pushed his coffee towards him and waved it off. "Don't worry about it, you're good to go."*
He insisted on paying for it, or at the very least coming back tomorrow with the money. I assured him ti was fine, and to consider it an early Valentine's gift. He still insisted, and I just smiled and again assured him it was OK, just enjoy the coffee and have a nice night.
Finally, he smiles and thanks me for it, explaining that it was actually for his wife. She loves the hazelnut cappuccino we have, and sends him out to get it.

And we may have a houseguest for a little while, depending on what happens over the weekend. A co-worker just found out her BF is cheating on her. She moved up here a year ago to be w/ him, and her nearest relative is 3 states away.
When I told her situation to B, he nodded and said "So, when do you want me to clean the living room and set up the spare bed?"
She knows we're available to take her in if she needs it, and we have a few days to get ready. Either way, it's a damn good excuse to clean the apartment (like I've been putting off far too long >_>).

Also, I'm currently plotting a special (LITERAL) Fetish charm for my dear friend, Morte. Which is going to be the coolest WitchyCraft I've ever done! ^____________^

Love means different things to different people. But no matter HOW you choose to show it, it all boils down to two little words:

"I CARE"



*Re: Giving free coffee. At my store, there are a few regular customers who get free coffee, and have for over a decade. We all have our 'favorites', and even the boss will explain to newbies who is exempt from paying for coffee or fountain sodas.

Water Water Everywhere

So there's a lot of Water-related events going on right now.

I don't just mean all the snow we've had this winter and the icy melting damage occurring across the North East. I mean all the shit going on in my Family.

My parents' store has had a massive leak in the ceiling from the apartments above since June. The landlord hasn't been able to figure out where it's coming from, mainly b/c the building is so old and it seems to happen randomly. It's caused a lot of damage and my father is threatening to sue.

A second leak showed up for a few days in Dec, but was quickly tracked down. It was from a totally different source and on the opposite side of the store from the Waterfall. It ruined a few batches of my sister's soaps and candles, but nothing major.

The skylight in my apartment sprung a leak, and true to form, my landlords took their sweet time fixing it. Honestly, the jury is still out on if they did anything more than a rudimentary caulking or something. I'm not looking forward to finding out.

My dishwasher broke around Thanksgiving and STILL hasn't been fixed. We've been washing dishes in the sink or tub. Or using disposable stuff. The only reason I haven't put a massive curse on my landlords is I'm not about to shit where I eat.... yet.

 Now with all the snow finally melting, my apartment lot is a lake by day, and a skating rink by night. We have icicles that were nearly 3ft long weighing down the gutters, and a suspiciously-larger-than-I-remembered water mark near the skylight.

There has been a LOT of turmoil and problems in my family, especially between my parents and my sister re: the family store. Emotions are running high all around.

**MOMENT OF CLARITY**

Wow, I'm an idiot. Water = emotions. Leaks = suppressed emotions escaping.
My roof and Dishwasher aren't going to get fixed if I don't HOUND the landlords. Withholding rent is a last resort, I need to annoy the fuck out of them to get anything done.

I'm paying the rent tmw. When I go to the office, I will remind them that I have filed multiple work orders for this issue. I will tell them, I expect to know by Monday when I will have a replacement dishwasher. If that date passes, for every other day afterwards, I will call them and say "Dishwasher's still broken." until they fix it.
Or something like that.

The family situation is something that will require very different methods. Either way, nothing will get fixed if people don't start speaking up.

I'm done keeping quiet about the important stuff. *grabs megaphone*

Divine Inspiration

I love this song:

And apparently, the Old Man likes it too...

"Oh that Magic Kingdom in the sky/ Ruled over by that crafty Odin-guy/ I'll give thanks to that old Geezer/ Keep His whiskey in the freezer/ So I'll reach that Magic Kingdom in the Sky!"

I'm not much of a poet or bard, but I can re-write lyrics with the best of them ;)

Note to Self #320

((Stop trying to be something you're not. Granny Weatherwax is respected and feared. Nanny Ogg is respected and WELL LIKED. People comply with Granny b/c she stares them into it. Nanny just grins and they fall over to help her. Granny steals the scene, Nanny steals the drinks. Today was the final slamming hint that you will always be the sidekick, the second best. Might as well enjoy it.))

((Besides, even Sir Terry himself said, ""... Nanny is, deep down, the most powerful of the witches and part of her charm lies in the way she prevents people from finding this out".))

((Call BellaKhatri MORE OFTEN. She's been through all this before, she knows what you're going through. The Old Man tried flirting with her first, after all.))

Note to Self

((I always knew I'd fuck a demon at the crossroads. I love being a Witch))

February Plans - Valentine Obligation

I've got a lot in store for this month in order to catch up on two weeks lost to The Plague: Cleaning the Bedroom, setting up an Altar to Erzulie Freda (been putting that off for the last 4 months), various Love Spells, Cleaning the Kitchen, and finally having Chili Night (an event I've been promising people since before Christmas). Figures that I'm cramming so much into the shortest month!

I've always liked February, and Valentine's Day in particular. I supposed that as a Witch and Happy Lil' Heathen, I should be talking more about Imbolc, but honestly, it doesn't mean anything to me. I will wish my followers and fellow Pagans/Witches a Happy Imbolc, but I don't look at it as a holiday in my beleif system.

Valentine's Day, however, is one of my favorite holidays. When I was little and in grade school, we used to have little V-day parties and make paper mailboxes, exchange Valentines, and gorge ourselves on candy and cupcakes. My school had a rule that EVERYONE in the class had to get a Valentine, even if we were bitter enemies. I found that out in First Grade when my teacher pulled me aside and said that, even tho I loathed the little shit-head who would make my life a living Hell for 6 years, I still HAD to make him a Valentine. When you're 7 years old, it's utterly unfair. But as I grew older and became the school's outcast, I was grateful for the rule that I would receive exactly 20 cards on V-day, regardless of if anyone truly liked me or not.

I kept up the tradition of getting little Valentine's and candies for my friends all through high school and college, and even brought in a few lollipops and cards for co-workers at various jobs. I've already picked up some cute Puppy & Kitten cards for my current co-workers and will be making cupcakes as well.

However, I'm once again stuck with the one person I loathe (Darth A-Hole) and the dilemma of do I give him a Valentine or not? I don't want to outright make it clear that I despise him, and even other co-workers who hate him included him in the Christmas Card Pile this year. I honestly have half a mind to include a little invisible-ink sigil on his card, just to make it clear that I'm only doing this out of obligation. But that's the Wicked Witch in me talking, so I'll probably just find the most generic Valentine in the box and give it to him. Maybe there's a less-than adorable breed of dog in the bunch...

Anyway, expect more posts and maybe even a few Altar pics, once I get things cleaned and set up. January was a lost cause, and so Feb will be Mulligan Month around here.

In Sickness and In Health

Nothing like losing an entire week to illness to throw off ones entire routine. I'm still not at 100% but recovery is slowly coming along. It used to be that the herbal medicines I grew up taking could knock a cold out in a weekend. Now, I don't know if it's my own failure to keep my immune system up or if this years bug is just that awful, but I've been laid up for over a week. Fever, sinus infection, junky cough, sore throat, going thru 10 boxes of tissues in 6 days (my nose is sooooo red >_<), and finally coughing so hard that gave me a bout of laryngitis that has lasted about 4 days now. So yeah, I had FUN this week. I'm so far behind on my blog lists, emails, and everything else....

I've got to get started on more occulty things for February. I've been planning a shrine/altar to Erzulie Freda for months, and with all the Valentines Day stuff n the craft stores, now is the perfect time to build it. I've also left my Norse studies fall by the wayside, however since I've been sick, I thnk The Old Man will forgive me. I also need to get back to my yoga classes. Three large snow storms in a week certainly didn't help motiveate me to leave the house while I was still well :p

Thank you to my followers! I promise I'll have more things to post about just as soon as I get them done.

American Gods

This book makes so much more sense after reading up on Norse mythology and getting a better sense of what the Old Man is like. It also helps to pass the time while being sick.

Dark Winter, Dark Magick: Vinegar Bottle

No, Jack I said 'vinegar', not 'jar-o-dirt'.

 
So on the Dark Moon, I made a little special something. I wrote previously about a co-worker (Darth A-Hole) who believes that he can do whatever he likes, regardless of the consequences to others "Because [he] Can." I have personally witnessed this excuse for a human being in action, gloating over his deeds, while his (now ex)girlfriend was weeping to me and begging for some kind of help or guidance.

Now, this was not a task I took lightly. I consulted various oracles before committing to cast anything, just to be sure. My pendulum almost smacked me in the face, it swung so hard.

I had already cast a small hex on Darth A-Hole that resulted in his being demoted and forced to work 3rd shift, after having spent the last 2 years thinking he was cock-of-the-walk and getting away with all sorts of bullshit. In doing a second Working on him, I didn't want to get too indepth. I figured a souring spell mixed with a binding (to keep him from doing harm to others) would be the best option.

Vinegar spells are popular in Hoodoo and I have a certain affinity for the down and dirty feeling of Hoodoo rootwork. I scoured my resources and books, finally adapting a few spells and tips from the Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells  .

*** The following is a basic account of what I did to make the spell bottle, not an actual formula. I don't usually write my spells and formulas down, as many are concocted on the fly.***

First, I wrote his full name on a slip of paper and tucked it into an empty vodka nip-sized bottle.
I then poured in enough salt to cover the bottom of the jar (to protect others from his influence and 'seal' the bottle's energies).
Next, I added Angelica root (Angelica root in considered a woman's domination herb, as opposed to High John root, which is traditionally masculine) to make him bow to a woman's control; Rosemary, another woman's herb, to protect and offer more control to the women around him; and Rue, to make him rue the day he decided "Because I Can" should be his justification to trample on others.
I topped it off with apple cider vinegar, to generally 'sour' his life and make him actually face the consequences for his actions.
The bottle was then sealed with black wax (I had a black tealight with his name carved onto it) and painted the bottle three colors: White, for protection and make sure whatever befell him wasn't truly dangerous, just instructive; Red, for powerful and swift action; and Black, to ensure that his own negativity would be sent back to him at full force.
Even though the paint was still kinda wet, I wrapped some black yarn around the bottle to fully bind him and his actions, tied with nine knots to seal it. A final dip in the melted wax and it was done.

I then scrubbed my hands with a mixture of Dead Sea Salts, Dragon's Blood, and Hyssop extract to get all the paint and negativity off.

The bottle sat on my Altar since the Dark Moon. I find that letting a hex 'brew and ferment' for a little while often increases the power.

Today, I presented the bottle to his Ex, who still must live with him and whom he still tries to control. She was instructed to merely keep the bottle in a safe, dark place, and every now and then, when he's being particularly prick-ish, to just give it a shake and know that things would be taken care of.

Some would call me a Wicked Witch for hexing a co-worker like this. Some would argue that I'm interfering with his Free Will and that I should leave things for Karma to sort out.

This is a man who has hit at least one woman, and probably a few more, who blatantly breaks the rules of our job, and yet is never reprimanded (even for serious things like leaving a 3rd-shift trainee ALONE on her second night for over an hour). I could go on, but let me put it this way: Even his own immediate FAMILY members can't stand him.

I am a Libra, we seek Balance and Justice. I see this a just giving Karma a little shove in the right direction.

Impatient, are We?

We're supposed to get a huge 'Snowpocalypse" starting around midnight. I told the Old Man that I would get him His whiskey (Canadian Mist, until I can afford better) when the snow started coming down.

Two minutes later, I look out the window and  these huge, fat, snowflakes are just pouring down from teh sky.

Ok, Ok, Allfather, I'm coming ^_^

Dark Magick: My Version

Dark Magick. Yeah, I've walked down that way a few times.

I've never killed an animal and used it's blood. I've never cast a curse or hex on random people just to cause trouble. I don't communicate with demons (that I know of) and I've already sold my soul to Satan (I wanted a PS2 and damned if I would get it!)

But, I have used blood and sexual fluids in my spells. I've cast a few minor hexes and at least one major Curse (all on fully deserving parties, I assure you.) I have also used legal and somewhat-illegal plant materials. I can hurt, but I can also heal, and my Healing Magicks have become stronger.

Dark Magick (for me anyway) is the stuff you didn't read about in Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism 101. It's the darker things that have a nothing to do with the God and Goddess and worship and fairies and healing energies and white light. These are the spells that involve getting your hands dirty, literally and figuratively, and using methods that many would consider taboo.

But I will say this: My Workings have become 10 times more effective ever since I started venturing into the more shadowy side of the Occult. The methods I use to manifest my desires may not agree with most people, but they Harm None, and I Can Do As I Will.

Old God, New Music

So, I'm assembling a playlist for a Working later tonight, one that will require me getting into a righteous, angry and determined mindset.

I 'feel' a nudge on my left side and a voice in my mental ear says 'Get B to give you his collection of Amon Amarth. You'll find something in there.'





The Old Man sighs almost wistfully and nods his head to the music. 'If only the bards and musicians had had THESE kinds of instruments in My Day. Nothing scares the shit out of your enemies more than stuff like this.'

Can't argue with logic like that ;)

By What Right?

"Why would you do that?" I asked, truly appalled at what Darth A-Hole had just blithely told me.

"Because I can." As if it was that simple and I was an idiot for not knowing in the first place.

If that's his life philosophy, I can see why he's managed to get so much going his way, in spite of the fact that he's a lazy, ignorant, abusive, conniving, sneaky little weasel.

What about those of us with moral compasses? "Because I Can" is NOT fucking excuse for being a douchebag. Unfortunately, as B pointed out to me (much to my annoyance) that the world works along a similar mindset.

But I just can't help but feel that something can and SHOULD be done to change that.... But by what right do I get to say who can do what they want and who can't? one could argue  "Free Will" and  Karma, and the Rede, but when a person's philosophy on life involves trampling on anyone who gets in their way, this is where i enter a grey area.

If you thrive on actively hurting or hindering other people's lives, just so you can be 'amused', then you're fucking around with their Free Will and that is something I cannot stand.

The Dark Moon is on the 3rd. A month ago, I placed a small Hex on this individual and it worked. I am deeply debating on whether or not I should do another one. The All-Father has yet to weigh in his opinion, although i do feel this is a sort of test. I'm hoping that the Norse Myths I'm currently reading will give me a clue, although there will be some serious meditation on the matter in the coming days.

Especially since I'll only have one day to grab any herbs from the Shop.

No sooner do I take out one of my Chocolate Raspberry Nips and offer it to the Old Man, than the wind dies down completely. It's not whiskey, but it works.

Old One-Eye Came to Visit

Last night, as just about everyone knows, was the Yuleclipse. For the first time in several hundred years (I've heard since 1348, 1654, and several other dates, depending on the sources) we had a Total Lunar Eclipse, on December 21st, The Winter Solstice and Longest night of the year, PLUS the second Full Moon to fall on a significant pagan Holiday ( Halloween was also on a Full Moon). I caught the first part of the moon waning, but by the time it was totally covered, the clouds had moved in overhead.

But, You bet your ass I did something special!

I had NEVER put so much planning and care into a ritual before. Normally I'm spontaneous or just have a basic idea and gather together my tools at the moment of Working. This time I went all out. Everything I'd thought about doing was confirmed by Blogomancy (Every other blog I was reading had a post about the very subjects I was thinking of working on for this ritual. If that's not confirmation from the Universe, IDK what is!). Forget Tarot or the Pendulum, Blogomancy is turning into a very fun form of divination!

What I wasn't expecting was a certain Deity to crash the party (altho I don't think it's too OOC for him).

Old One-Eye Himself.
Talk about feeling awkward, since I literally know NOTHING about Norse mythology.

He spoke to me through the only one-eyed vessel I had at the Altar:

-THIS- is going to be interesting.


Divine Party-Crashers aside, the whole ritual worked out to levels I did NOT expect. Even with the minor timing set backs of hunting down last-minute items (my figurines had fallen out of their box in the Water Closet, so B had to help me look) Merc. Retrograde didn't hinder me in the slightest. 

Although the playlists were a little spooky...

At one point, B came home and nearly interrupted my concentration early on, and I had to skip back 2 songs to get back into the mood. Half-way thru the first song, the track jumped to the next one, without my touching the iPhone at all. O.o After that, the music was in PERFECT synch with everything else. The entire playlist was just over 80mins long and I started it about 20 before the Eclipse was set to start.

I get the feeling a certain Old Man wanted me to hurry up and get to the good parts.

The entire thing was amazing, insightful, and worked out amazingly well. The fears and doubts of the last year have been burned away and scattered tot he winds. The Blessiungs have been written, tied to the Yule-Chunk** and spent the night charging under the Eclipse and in the morning sunlight. It will be burned in Mom's fireplace on Christmas Morning.

This is going to be an *Interesting* year.

** Yule-Chunk = Chunk of wind-storm-toppled Oak that died last spring. Too dry for carving, too small for a Log, it's a Yule Chunk this year.

Plotting and Planning

I have never put this much effort and preparation into my spell work,. This is going to be EPIC.

Don't Need To Tell Me Twice!

Jason Miller over at Strategic Sorcery posted this today.

According to Tibetan Shaman, the eclipse is caused by Rahulas, demonic planets, temporarily devouring the sun or moon so that they gain more power. Not only are your actions more powerful at this time, but they are more needed by the world because the eclipse is seen as moment of ill-omen leaving a gate open for negative influence.

Now you may not know this about me, but I am the mythic Yuleclipse Fairy. I need you to know a few things.

Tuesday is a lunar eclipse. It will be visible from most of North America

Tuesday is also the Winter Solstice - the longest night.

Tuesday is the first night that a lunar eclipse has occured on a Winter Solstice in 456 years.

Tuesday is the day that you will be outside doing magic.

If you don't do something I will know and I will be displeased.  You don't want to piss me off. Just get your lazy ass out there and meditate, cast a spell, dance a jig, do something!

 *Snaps to attention* SIR, YES, SIR! Talk about having your decisions confirmed by the Universe O.o