Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday.  Or rather, Happy Ugly Sweater Day!!  I am not wearing my usual all black or grey today because it is ugly sweater day for staff where I teach.  What fun!!  I am wearing an old sweater with elves on it, a new light-up vest I found at Claire's, a Christmas ball ornament head band, Christmas sweater leggings and fur topped white and red striped socks over my black boots.  Yes, I feel festive and I love it.

I've already blogged about ugly sweaters and where to find them. Today is also the Winter Solstice, or "Longest Night" of the year.  So, how about we look at a few cute "Winter Solstice" shirts?  Most of these can be found at Zazzle.


I really like the solstice t shirts.  I think today is also a good time to look at some unique Santa hats.


I love the idea of transforming an old witch hat into a Christmas tree hat.  So creative!!  My favorite Santa hat is one I commissioned from my friend, DuRaae Davis, at "To Our Moon and Back".  It's hand-crocheted and quite lovely!  So have some fun today.  Spread some warmth and good cheer.  Be festive because from here on out, the days get longer.  Merry Winter Solstice, everyone!

Tarot Tuesday - 12-20-16

Today's card drawn is "The Star".

With "The Star" comes inspiration and hope, confidence and capability.  Your future looks bright and feels bright. You may have recently felt unsure about your future, but now you will be confident that what you need will be there for you.  Spiritually, you might be feeling at one with all of the universe and creation.  This is a feeling to savor.

This is a card of good omen.  Stay positive and be optimistic.  This is a great time to look at your life and determine what changes you want to see and then to go make it so.  Right now, you can accomplish just about anything that you set out to do.  It's a great time to take action.  You will be very likely to succeed at most anything you take on right now.  You have to do your part, though. Take action to manifest this bright future.

While you are reveling in your own good fortune and bright future, be someone else's star.  What can you do to bring a blessing to someone else?  Can you perform some random act of kindness for a stranger?  Could you leave a small amount of cash somewhere for someone to find? Pay for the car behind you at Starbucks drive-through?  Any little thing could make a huge difference to someone else.  It could make someone's day or even save a life.  This is how you can be "The Star".  Just do it.  It's the best gift you can give yourself.

Look forward to the great things coming your way.  Do your part to make them happen.  Bring warmth to yourself and the world, especially now when it is at it's coldest.  Spread your warmth and light like the star you are.  Shine bright.  This is your time.

Witchy Wednesday - Ugly Sweaters

Wonderful Witchy Wednesday to you all.  It's a full moon, it's concert week, and it's realllly cold!

It's that time of year for ugly holiday sweaters.  I was thrilled when I found a zombie themed Christmas shirt at "Mohair Pear", one of my favorite stores.  It even says "Season's Eatings" on it.  Then at WalMart, I found a cool black Christmas shirt that says "BELIEVE" on it and features unicorns, jackalopes and Big Foot.  I love things that are just a little bit twisted and different, so today I looked for some twisted and different holiday sweaters and shirts.  I found a few good ones here at Middle of Beyond.  Check them out.


I love Krampus so much!!  If you don't know who he is, he is the shadow of St. Nicholas and on the night of December 5, (Krampusnacht), he beats naughty children with sticks, then puts them in his bag to take them to the underworld.  There was also a really awesome "Krampus" movie that came out last year.  I bought an awesome "Krampus" scarf at Mohair Pear last year.  It's a little different than the one above, but I love it!  The "Gingerbread" ornaments are the gingerbread men from the "Krampus" movie.  Scary.









I love skulls.  I won't lie.  But apparently some people think they are creepy.  Who knew?  I love this goth sweater.
















Yeti is always good on a winter sweater.

 These holiday ornaments are adorable.

 Did you love the Gremlins movie?  I did.  I've never seen them on a Christmas sweater before, though.

I have a cousin who would LOVE this sweater!  You know who you are.

So go ahead.  Think outside the box this Christmas.  Have a little bit of fun and be a little bit different.  If you want to get a GREAT ugly sweater locally, I strongly recommend Mohair Pear on College Hill in Cedar Falls. They have the best and the ugliest.

Tarot Tuesday, 12/13/16

Today's card drawn is "The Hermit".
But since "The Hermit" was drawn recently, I drew the next card, which is the "Four of Pentacles".
I will do a quick review of "The Hermit" meaning,
then interpret the "Four of Pentacles".  I was also thrilled that both cards are cards that have been completed by Cat Rocketship.  I am going to love this tarot deck when it's done.

"The Hermit" review:  This card has to do with spiritual growth and fulfillment.  The appearance of this card indicates that important spiritual events and steps will be occurring for you soon.  It is an excellent time for some introspection and examining your belief system and spiritual practices.  It is very possible that you might be meeting new people who will be important to your spiritual growth very soon. Since this card was also a recently drawn one, I would say that this trend is going to be a continuing one in your life for awhile.  Pay close attention to the connections you make over the next few months.  They may be significant to your spirit.  You also might be feeling very intuitive right now.  You might experience this feeling of being "in tune" growing for awhile.

The "Four of Pentacles" or according to Cat Rocketship, the "Four of Coins":  This is a card about holding onto things for longer than you should.  The appearance of this card is telling you to look carefully at what you are clinging to.  It could also be that others are clinging to you in an unhealthy way.  Sometimes this can mean you are clinging onto the physical possessions in your life, such as money.  This is an excellent time of year to let some of that go.  Have you practiced a random act of kindness yet today?  The best way to get more money coming into your life is to put some out into the world.  I know I've shared this before, but one of my favorite bits of folk magic is to very secretly place a $1 or a $5 attached to a sticky note that says "Enjoy this gift of money" someplace random for someone to find.  The important thing is to not look back to see if someone finds it once you have done it.  It will find it's way back to you in greater amounts.

In general, this card suggests there may be some anxiety or fear you are feeling regarding something you want to hold onto.  It could be money.  It could be a person.  It could even just be a ritual or a way of being.  Grasping at things does not bring security.  You can let things go.  If they are meant to be in your life, they will stay.  Money included.  It will return to you.  And in regards to people, if you let them go and they are meant to be with you, they will come back.

Hmm.  I'm going to get a little bit personal here.  We have a very sick dog at home.  She is 12 years old and on her 12th birthday started having heart problems.  We treated those, but the medicine for heart problems led to kidney complications.  The kidney problems are much worse than the heart problems.  Right now I know her time with us is limited.  We are giving her lots of love and bacon, the one thing she never refuses to eat.  And we are giving her subcutaneous fluids every other day. She's a fighter and although she's very thin and not doing the best, she has shown us she is not ready to go.  When she's ready, she will go on her own.  I firmly believe that.

My belief with my dogs is that they always come back to me.  The two dogs we own right now I can trace back two other incarnations.  The personalities and spirits are the same.  You might not believe in that sort of thing, but there is no doubt in my mind.  Ebony became Allegro who became Shadow.  Ajax became Dolce who became Princess.  And I know that Shadow will return again, either to me or to Angelle when she gets out on her own and is able to get her own dog.  Shadow, after all, was her dog this incarnation.  It's part of the reason why I always feel like I have to have two dogs.  The tarot card just made me think of this whole thing.  Even though Shadow will be leaving this life soon, I know she will come back to me, in a different, new and healthy body.  Ready for some new adventures.  So can it be with whatever you are clinging to.  Let it go and it can come back to you, new and refreshed.

Tarot Tuesday, 12-6-16

Today's card drawn is "The Moon".  I confess that this card has one of my favorite images.  I could analyze just the picture for days.

Have you felt a bit confused about things lately?  Is it difficult to understand where you are coming from and even more difficult to figure out why others are thinking and feeling the way they are?  This is what "The Moon" is indicating.  The appearance of this card today is telling you to sit back and roll with it for awhile.  Don't try to force others to do things before they are ready.  Give yourself and others a break and just breathe.

You might find you are coming into a more psychic and intuitive phase.  It is important for you to trust your instincts and first impressions right now, even if you're not sure where they are coming from.  It is possible that everything is not as it seems.  Proceed with a little bit of caution if your sixth sense is telling you to.  People might respond to you a bit more slowly than normal as well.  If you are waiting for an answer from someone, it might take longer than you would like it to.  Be patient.

At work things may seem very confusing.  This is a good time to ask questions and make sure you and those you work with understand each other clearly.  Be patient and stay calm.  Things may seem worse to you than they actually are, so give others the benefit of the doubt.

Your relationships might be extra emotional for awhile.  Disagreements might escalate quickly.  Again, be patient and give the other party the benefit of the doubt.  This is not a good time for you to end or begin a new relationship or friendship.  It would be better to hold off for awhile.  The main thing with "The Moon" card is to be patient and take things slowly.  Breathe deeply and stay calm.

Regarding your finances, the same advice holds true.  Make sure you know concrete facts before making any important financial decisions right now.  If you're waiting for news about finances, you will probably have to wait longer than you really want to.

While the above paragraphs might not seem all that positive, what "The Moon" does point to is great spiritual and psychic growth.  You are coming into a great time to get a reading, have healing done or get some helpful input from a spiritual leader.  Things in the spiritual realm will seem more clear to you while things in the material world will not.  You will find yourself more psychically open than usual.  You can pay attention to your hunches, thoughts and feelings.  You might get flashes of information that seem to come from out of nowhere.  You might also find you understand books regarding spiritual matters more right now.  It's a great time to read about these things.

In a nutshell "The Moon" is telling you to go with the flow, relax, breathe, and focus on spiritual and psychic matters.  Everything is going to be fine, even if it seems confusing for awhile.

Monday Musings - "show biz"

Happy Monday!  We had our first snow that stuck to the ground yesterday.  Krampus is coming and life is great!

We had a very exciting week last week all the way around.  First, Angelle auditioned a couple weeks ago for her high school musical, "Shrek", and got the part of teen Fiona.  She is very happy about her part!

Then Angelle and I auditioned for Rocky Horror at the Waterloo Community Playhouse.  Angelle is perhaps a bit too young for this show, so she didn't get cast, but gets to be a "planted" audience member with some fun things to do interacting with the Usherette at the beginning and helping the audience with their parts.  I got a call back and am thrilled to announce that I got the part of the "Narrator".  It is a fabulous cast and I am so excited and honored to be able to work on this great and fun show!  Performances are scheduled for the end of January with opening night on the 20th.  I hope you'll come, but leave the kids at home for this one!

Years ago Angelle was represented by a talent/modeling agency in Des Moines.  She got a couple of auditions, but I don't think she ever got an actual job through them back then, so we kind of let the photos and contracts lapse.  I still get e mails from the agency, though, and got e mails about a TV comedy series show being shot in Des Moines.  They needed high school age extras so I submitted both Angelle and her friend, Jessica.  They got to go to Des Moines on Sunday to be extras.  It was a bit overwhelming for them at first and they felt like the new kids who didn't quite fit in.  They got into wardrobe then waited around for a few hours.  Some of the extras got to do a "walk by" in the background of one scene, but not them.  However, they were two of four extras asked to stay for awhile while they sent the rest of the extras home.  That was pretty exciting for them to be asked to stay.  They waited around for quite awhile, then were told they were not needed and they were able to leave, but would still get paid.  Even though they didn't get any camera time, they had fun and were happy they were getting paid for it.  Well, they were asked back again for this weekend.  They will go be extras for sure on Sunday and hopefully get some camera time.  If they can use them Saturday afternoon, they will go then, too.

After the day of waiting around as extras, they changed back into their street clothes in the wardrobe trailer.  Then another actor stopped us as we were walking back to our van because his car wouldn't start and he wondered if we had the time to give his car a jump.  Turns out he had the jumper cables, so I pulled "Vanessa", the vanpyr, around to where his car was and with a little google searching and call to his grandparents, we got his car started.  It always feels good to be able to help other people.  It was also fun to talk with someone who has had a little bit more experience with being a screen actor.

We were hungry after the long day so ate at our favorite place, "Zombie Burger".  Yum!!

So, it looks like I'm going to be pretty busy for the next two months learning my long narrator lines and going to rehearsal.  I didn't get to be in a show at all last year because of directing the UNI Children's Chorus, so I am really excited to do this one.  Tonight is Krampusnacht, so I hope you've been good.  Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day.  Do something nice for someone!

Tarot Tuesday 11/29/16

Today's card drawn is the Ace of Cups.

The Ace of Cups is a very positive card!  Things will be looking up for you.  Generally, you will find that people respond to you with more happiness, love, and goodwill in the near future.  More than they usually do.

In work, this card can signify you are headed for a promotion or a new, better job.  If you are already employed, this card is telling you that people appreciate and value you.  Signs of this appreciation will be coming your way soon.  If you are looking for a job, keep on looking as the opportunities are there for you.  You just have to find them.

In regards to finances, this card is telling you that you will find opportunities to make extra money.  Again, if you are looking for a job, it looks like one will be coming your way.  There is also a chance that someone will gift you some money or that by some fortunate turn of events, some money will come your way.  This is something you can look forward to.

In regards to health, if you have not been feeling the best, look for this to improve.  Your health will take a turn for the better and you will feel healthier and have more energy.

Spiritually speaking, you may be feeling very connected to the divine and to your higher power.  It is important to give back some of the love you are experiencing.  Spend a little time quietly reflecting on the support you are given from the "other side".  That support is always there and all you have to do is seek it.

Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday.  In the spirit of my sugar skull theme this week, I have pinned the sugar skull from a broken earring onto my safety pin.  This gives it a double meaning.  I am an ally to any marginalized groups and I encourage everyone to be themselves, however crazy and weird that might be.  Nobody can tell you what you should and should not be.  That's my lesson of the week.  You just keep on doing you as long as that means everyone else's rights are respected as well.

So today is all about sugar skulls.  Do you love them as much as I do?  I found several beautiful sugar skull jewelry items at this site Cafe Press. There are necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.  I especially like the owl since I've been into Athena a bit lately, and also the Baron Samedi skull (with the top hat).  Enjoy looking at some of my favorites from that site and if you are so inclined, add a sugar skull charm to your safety pin or grab yourself a necklace, earrings or a ring.  In fact, I am needing a new ring and think one of the sugar skull ones from this site might just do the trick.

And here is the good Baron.  He'll help you cross over to the other side when the time comes.  He's a pretty good guy, really.

The necklace above is a Frida Kahlo sugar skull.  I love animal sugar skulls like the chihuahua and the owl.  Owls remind me of Athena these days, anyway, so I'm really liking them.

I encourage everyone to be themselves and protect each other.  We are going to need all the support and tolerance we can give and get.  Sugar skulls for all!!!  Stay witchy.

Tarot Tuesday, 11/22/16

Today's card drawn is the Nine of Swords.

Actually, the first card drawn was "The Hermit", but since I recently had pulled "The Hermit", I pulled a second card.  I will say that since "The Hermit" has come up again, it would be a good idea to go back and look at what message he is sending us.  It must be very important and still applicable.

The Nine of Swords is often a card of anxiety and fear.  How appropriate with the current state of our country.  Regardless of who you voted for, you can't deny that things are pretty bad right now.  From every angle and from all sides, there is hate, discrimination, anger, resentment, racism, sexism, religious zealots and even violence.  I'm not sure how it can be fixed, but I will do my part to spread more tolerance and acceptance. I know there is much anxiety and fear in our nation.  You can feel it in the air.

Let's see what this card is telling us today.  Look closely at what it is you are worried about.  Try not to blame other people or situations for how you are feeling.  When you feel your anxiety is out of control, focus on your breathing.  It will help you to feel more calm.

Much of what you might feel anxious or worried about could be under your control.  These are the easiest situations to address.  Look at what you can do to lessen the anxiety.  Could you be more prepared?  More organized?  Could you meet the situation head on and deal with it?  Remember, this, too, will pass.

If, however, you feel like other things or people in your life are contributing to the anxiety, take a good look to see if something in the situation or relationship can be changed to make it more workable for you.  Take comfort and joy in the ordinary things in life.  That's where the true beauty is. I don't know about you, but I get an energy "reload" from both nature and music.  Get outside and take a walk in the woods.  Let the trees give you the energy they so freely give.  Listen to a live concert, close your eyes and let the music do the same.

When you can't control what's happening around you, remember that it is important to do what makes YOU happy.  When you can't take care of others, take care of yourself.  Treat yourself.  Do what you enjoy doing.

Another thing to help alleviate the fear, worry and anxiety, is to learn to silence the "monkey mind". Usually when people can't sleep it's because their mind won't stop the internal chatter.  Those problems and situations from the day are still playing out in your head.  It's one of the hardest things to do, but figure out how to silence that noise in your head.  Meditation is a great way to deal with that.  Spend some time in silence each day.  Let the chatter come to the surface and then let it go until there is nothing left to chatter about.

In summary, the Nine of Swords is telling us to change what we can and when we can't change it, to change how we react to it.  You control your own happiness.  You alone.  Take care of you and make yourself happy.

Also, remember to go back and read what "The Hermit" has to say.  I believe that card was drawn on election day.  Hmmm.

Monday Musings

Yesterday, on social media, I was called out on a closed support page because my profile pic is of me in sugar skull makeup.  This particular individual had a real problem with me "appropriating" the culture from which "Dia de Los Muertos" comes from and considered my profile pic to be offensive.  This person was not even hispanic, but has a significant other who is.

I won't go into the details of that encounter, but to make a long story short, I contacted the admin of that page and the conversation was put to a stop quickly.  Thank goodness.  However, this has prompted me to address the concept of cultural appropriation a bit.

First, let me tell you how I view America.  I view America as a great melting pot of cultures, races, religions and fascinating people.  No two of us are just the same.  I feel like we should explore other cultures and if there is something about a culture that "speaks" to us, it is just fine to adopt that into your own culture in some way.  I see no problem with it.  Some of my ancestors came from Germany and I am just fine with anyone using anything from the German culture here in America.  What's that you say?  You like to have a pint of Guiness at the local Irish pub?  Go for it!  I don't even care if you wear green on St. Patrick's Day.  And by the way, some of my ancestors were Irish.

I feel like we need to be very careful when we start telling other people that they "can't" do something  or wear something because they are not of the heritage that something came from.  When we start saying that we open a very big can of worms.  How do we tell which is an appropriate culture to adapt and which is not?  How do we possibly figure that out?  And then do we discriminate against white people and say they can't enjoy sugar skull makeup or celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" because they are white?

Spiritually speaking, I observe spirituality in a rather eclectic way.  I was brought up Christian and had myself baptized in the Catholic church when I was 17.  The honoring of ancestors is something that really speaks to me.  It's a very personal thing.  Most days I wear at least one item of clothing or jewelry that is a skull or sugar skull.  People who know me have just come to accept me as I am and know this is a part of me.  The rest of my spiritual journey is a pretty fascinating thing, from my celebration of honoring our ancestors at the silent supper to the beliefs I have and the little rituals I perform. It is not me being racist towards the Hispanic community in any way.  I was pretty proud of that sugar skull makeup.  On November 2, I put it up as my profile pic again and haven't taken it down yet.  Now I just might not for a very long time.  Nobody "owns" the right to appreciate "Dia de Los Muertos", sugar skulls, or La Catrina.  I can celebrate it if I want to and I can choose to celebrate it in my own way if I want to.  "Freedom of Religion" tells us just that.

During the course of this online exchange, I was referred to as "white privileged".  Is that perhaps a bit racist in itself?  Does this other person discriminate against me because I am white?  White, maybe.  But hardly privileged.  I grew up poor and still struggle to make ends meet and raise our daughters with a rich musical background.  I make sacrifices so they can have great experiences and a good and cultured life.  Nothing has been handed to me and it hasn't been easy.  It has been wonderful, though, and I wouldn't change any of my life for anything.

If you have any thoughts on cultural appropriation, please feel free to comment in the comments section.  I'd love to hear from you.

Check back tomorrow when I draw a tarot card for Tarot Tuesday.  Peace.

Witchy Wednesday

Today my blog hit 5000 pageviews.  So exciting!

Today I looked up fashion and shopping sites that have to do with rebellion since that seems to be the "feel" of our country right now.  I found a great site called Rebel Circus.  The dresses on this site are wonderful.  I encourage you to check it out.  I'll share several that caught my eye, but there is so much more there.  Here goes!  Enjoy looking.








Pretty awesome, right?  Which are your favorites?  I really like the Victorian suit with tapestry jacket and the sugar skull mini dress, which I would probably wear as a tunic over slim pants. I also really love the fringy maxi dress.  Perfect for a witches' walk.  American Horror Story is on again tonight, but I am thinking there can't be many more episodes left as almost everyone is already dead.  That seems to be how that show usually goes.  But you know I'll be watching!!

Enjoy your witchy Wednesday, my friends!