Invocation

So, for some reason lately (new moon a'risin'?), I've been really wanting to write. Which is cool and all, but I just wish that it didn't come upon me while I was at work. This morning, an aspecting sort of invocation came to me. I use 'aspecting sort of invocation' rather than the overused term "invocation" when people really mean evocation. This invo would come *after* a regular sort of invocation, like the four part invo's I teach in class, based off of Lipp's model in her books. So, I needed to throw this up on my blog so that I didn't lose it in the whirlwind that is my worklife.

Speak!
So that your voice falls from my lips, so that I feel as you feel.
For a time no longer than ____ minutes, let my ears hear as yours, let my eyes see as you see.
As I breathe deeply of your essence, let us be one.

Hearkening to the Dark Moon

The coming of dark and new moons always allow my creativity to flow free. And so today, I wrote this short poem. Its a rough draft of an invocation.

I invoke the energy of the dark moon.

Shine your shadow upon this daughter.
Soothe my mind and soul.
Your energy is unlike any other, you are flowing emotion like water.
You allow your children to see between worlds, letting us move through the rippling mirror of the Veil.
You allow our abilities, hidden deep within our Selves, to surface, if only for a brief moment.

Let me learn to bring your energy forth as I need it-- to make clear my desires and to let the manifestation of them germinate like a seed within the dark mothers womb.

I've been working on my eShop, all the live, long day...

Well, I've been working this weekend on my eShop. I've been uploading pictures of some of my jewelry. I'm planning on taking more photographs of some of the things I sold at Pagan Pride Day, and uploading those to the site as well. This is more for fun than anything right now, but if it is a little successful, I might actually turn it into a side business.

One Small Thing Can Really Upset the Apple Cart

I’ve joined a few causes on FB, and one of them really pissed me off today. There is a cause dedicated to saving the Motion Picture Hospital. My understanding is that there is danger of having a hospital closed- one specifically for those who work in the TV and Film industries. I was getting ready to send cause invites to the people who I know who are either ‘in the industry,’ or have a family member ‘in the industry.’ Some of my friends are related to (or are friends with) award winning industry people. So, I was getting ready to send this along, since one of the emails I received from the cause mentioned sending along to people who know people. I get it. If someone was trying to close a hospital for aged advertising people, maybe I’d be fervent about the cause, too. So, then I get this email entitled NO MORE EXCUSES and it’s about this rally on Saturday, and how everyone needs to be there, etc. I was so irritated- no more excuses? Guilt isn’t a great motivator. And I sent a message back to that organizer saying so. I got back a pat message saying, “Thanks for your message! Will we see you on Saturday?”

Seriously? As soon as I can, I’m unjoining that cause. The organizers send a lot of messages that come into my FB and email inbox, but I was cool with it until they tried a guilt trip.

A similar situation is happening at work today, except its several small things. At the same time, 3 people asked me to do simple easy tasks that would take much less time for them to do, than for me to do. But they are too “busy” to do it. It can be really frustrating. I know there are other assistants that will read this on FB and feel my pain.

Skip the following paragraph, if you’ve already read my angry myspace blog about the lack of recognition due to busy co-workers.
I understand that I’m an assistant, but I don’t think anyone really knows how much I do. I support 3 account managers, coordinate all trade paperwork (including Hawaii), manage the trade account for our local large sports venue and entertainment company (which includes research, putting together orders, etc), coordinate all political paperwork (including viewing every single political spot), update the public file for the FCC every day, take care of last year’s discrepancies for a large agency, and do the office manager stuff (order supplies, compile paperwork for the boss, order catering, etc). Most assistants manage 2-4 AEs, and do the office manager stuff. I’m beta testing a new piece of software along with a few other assistants in our company, and I’m always called in for focus groups, or when we have efficiency consultants. I like that, though- I feel like I might be able to make a difference.

I feel like I’m good at what I do, and I like that feeling. I like being able to take on new and interesting responsibilities, but I wish there was a way to be upwardly mobile about it. We just had layoffs, and I’m really lucky to have a job. I just wish I knew where this job was going to take me. Will I be an assistant for the rest of my life?

And my shoe broke today. I’m going to repair it with scrapbook supplies since I can’t replace them right now. They are my only pair of black workish shoes. I’m glad tomorrow is jeans Friday.

Imbolc 2 (@ Home)

Tonight is actually Imbolc, Brighid's feast day. So after a tough and tiring day at work I came home and made one of my favorite Irishy dishes, Potato Soup!



So, it looks kinda gross in the pot, but it looks pretty yummy once you pretty it up with sour cream, bacon and cheese!



Then I put together my altar to Brighid (and Imbolc). I know I might have work people who read this on FB, and hopefully you won't be judgy, but I'm a Wiccan-flavored Pagan. And Brighid is very important to me. So, here are a few photos of my Imbolc Altar. I have a one of a kind hearth goddess statue patterned after Hestia, but tonight I'm using it to represent Brighid, the Irish goddess of the hearth, as well as the fire, forge, inspiration, childbirth, marriage, fertility and more! Two candles represent balance and polarity. The candle on the left represents Her fire, and the small cauldron on the right represents her well at Kildare. The clear sparkly gems represent snow and the concept that although it might feel like spring today, but we still have some winter left. :)





This month's focus of my group is Brighid, and I have a few things I need to do tonight to facilitate that. I'm posting a bunch of activities one might do to get in touch and connect with the goddess Brighid. I'll post them here, as I need to post in our forum anyway. :)

~Fire scrying
~Create a safe childbirth charm for a pregnant friend or family member
~Create something using metal, like jewelry or a decor item
~Write poetry
~Meditate on Brid and how she might influence your life this year
~Make candles
~Create a shrine to Brighid and pray/light candles to Her
~Create a well dressing or other work of art like a mosaic
~Dedicate a candle to Brighid and decorate it with her picture or other Brid-like ephemera

Stay tuned for Imbolc, part 3- our Coven ritual. I'll post a few pictures, while I won't be able to give details. But I love photos, so you'll see a few from me!

Imbolc 1

Last night was the Imbolc bonfire for the SoCalSisterWitch group. We have one each year, and this year, it was pretty small, just 5 of us. My non-Pagan SIL and niece came, too! And, it was fun! We made s'mores, chicken, and even shrimp. It was muy yummy! The weather was so beautiful, and the moonlight sparkling on the ocean was so beautiful! I wish I could have captured it with a camera, but the Gods were against me. :) None of these pictures involve me, though, so I guess I can count my blessings! ;) Tomorrow, I'm planning on making my Irish soup in celebration. I'm kicking myself for not taking this day off. Next year, I will, though!

Jewelry!

I posted pictures of the jewelry I've made on my photobucket. I'm thinking of creating a catalog and trying to sell a few pieces at work, maybe. The above piece is a mixture of wood, glass; acrylic and gemstone beads on gold wire. It's bigger than the average bracelet and so it will fit a larger wrist.

Tomorrow, I'll post about Imbolc Celebration #1- our SoCalSisterWitch bonfire. That was tonight, and I'm beat- so I'm going to bed!