December 18, 2011

So here we are three days until Yule, seven until Christmas and the New Year lurking just beyond the candle's glow. This is the week that shopping and crafting get their finishing touches. Baking will begin in earnest as the kitchen warms up to the sweet spicy scent of cinnamon and brown sugar. We will wrap packages and make merry with our friends and loved ones.
This is the time of the year when I often think about how much simpler I wish things were. One inevitably hears about the brotherhood of man, the peace and joy that suffuses the spirit of all people and the spirit of giving that compels all to share. It just isn't so though. We have been taken over by a drunken sense of entitlement and greed spurred on by a massive corporate machine that values money above all else...our health, our peace, our very lives. Amidst the music on the radio that cannot even be called carols...no decking halls with holly or falalalas, no good kings, three kings or even a silver bell... there is only a generic assortment of cartoon sentimentality and the idea of 'hooking up on Christmas or all is lost'. We could all use a few of the lessons that Scrooge learned, a man described by his nephew, Fred, thus:  "The less Scrooge knows, the more stubbornly Scrooge knows it!"
There are so many who fit this description perfectly.
I looked out at the snow blanketing the trees this morning and thought how beautiful is the earth in Her mantle of white. It reminded me of a winter song I know..
."In winter snow is beautiful, Beautiful like a song,
In winter fire is beautiful, All of the winter long..."
When I think of Christmas and of ancient Yule, I think of how much more it means when a gift is given that has been touched by human hands, made with skill, care and love. A lot of people have lost touch with the value of receiving one special thing that is not dropped off of a conveyor belt or made by a slave in China somewhere. For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would want something whose origins began with destruction and exploitation.
With those thoughts in mind, I set to work this morning making a batch of organic lavender lip balm. I make the balm in small batches so it is always freshly made. We'll make a batch of cinnamon balm tomorrow.
I hope you will take some time to look out into the world, wherever you live, with new eyes. Appreciate the beauty of what we have. Maybe reach out a hand to someone who has less than you. Try wrapping your gifts in brown paper or even cloth. Give gifts that mean something, that will be lovingly used and treasured, not something it will be hard-pressed to remember on Easter, let alone next December. Make a Yuletide to remember. Let's make a pact to take the season away from the machine and the gifts off the conveyor belt. I'll meet you outside with a lantern and we'll go caroling together. Look for me at the end of the lane.

Yule

As we move slowly toward the solstice, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of the snow covered woods. The truth is that there is very little snow this year...just enough to crunch a bit under foot. 

We went out to harvest the golden crystallized globs of sap from the spruce trees. Gloves are definitely required as the stickiness is terrible to try to wash off.

Once ground, the gold grains add something very special to our Earth Prayer Incense- perfect to burn at Yule to remind ourselves that, while the Earth here sleeps, She is very much awake and aware elsewhere and it is only a short matter of time before Spring appears in our little corner of the world and is green and quickening again.

It's time now to gather the outside cats into their house for the night. Then we will light a fire in hearth and sit down for some supper and do some planning for things to come.

Blessings!

Auntie Autumn 

August 23, 2011.
   A hint of autumn is definitely in the air. The sun gives off a slightly golden glow as it does at the end of every August. On a supply run yesterday, Twyla and I chuckled to see troops of parents wandering lost with school supply lists clutched feverishly in their hands. There were plenty of exasperated admonitions at squalling children of all ages who were drunk with the prospect of shopping. All I could do was be grateful it wasn't me and the only supplies that Twyla needs now are for music and dance.
    Today, creative work has been set aside for awhile as we process fruits of the harvest. Blueberries, peaches, cherries and corn on their way to the freezer to be enjoyed over the coming winter. Tonight, I'll finish off the last of a series of quick paintings before starting in on a bigger piece. It's a good day.
                 Love Auntie Autumn

New Things

I've been working on several new faery paintings and we have some cool faerie clothes on the go. Between thunderstorms it's hot and muggy, making for some very lethargic days. Twyla has to bully me a bit to get me going sometimes. There is a definite 'faerie-dancer' theme happening. The magick abounds. Look for new stuff to be posted over the next couple of days. Cheers!
Autumn

Welcome

The evening is turning hazy after the scorching heat of the day. We are working on the website-quite the task, but it's coming along. Between creating new pieces and attending to the miniscule details like tags and signs and researching Christmas shows, it's truly a busy time.
The sun is setting and clouds are beginning to drift in. The light itself is an inspiration, but then so is watching a marathon of Harry Potter over the next few days, getting ready to see the final chapter on Thursday (we've waited so the crowds are not quite as crushing). 'Goblet of Fire' tonight while we work, then some star gazing before bed. The perfect way to inspire dreams of Mystery...

~Autumn