GOODBYE!

After a lot of contemplation, and a little "soul-searching", I have decided to stop blogging.  By this, I mean only that I am not going to be a blogger anymore, not that I will stop reading any and every blog out there.  While I love blogs, I found that maybe I only like being a blogger.  I much more enjoy reading all the amazing creative blogs out there much more than trying to be one.

So I want to thank each and every one out there who ever read, wandered past, or left a comment on my blog.  They were truly the treasures of my day.  I was never one who wanted to be in the spotlight, but rather one to always be behind the scenes in a supportive way.

So, with that being said, know that I will always be out there in blog-land prowling around in the background and you never know when I will comment on you.

Bright Blessings to all you bloggers and keep doing what you are doing because you never know how many lives you have touched today!

  Cytrine Love Ravenfire

A sunny day for crystals (and cats)

We had a glorious sunny day today here in the Northeast, so I thought it would be a great day for some crystal cleansing.
 
Apparently one of our kitties thought so too!

Re-juvination

getting ready for some serious magickal work

Oh, the beauty of the sunshine

meditation makes me so relaxed

WISHING MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WIDE WITCHY WORLD

 "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMETRINE!"

A MINI SELF HELP COURSE

I have been a self-help junkie for more years than I care to admit, because I should be beyond perfect by now if I practiced everything I read.  To say that any particular book "changed my life" would be an exaggeration at best.  To say a book has influenced my life in a positive way is very true!  You see, the problem is, that while I love to read any type of self-help, self awareness, motivational material, the only thing I do is read.  When I encounter any type of exercise or worksheet within the pages, I tell myself that I will read the book in it's entirety, (which I actually do), and then I will go back and do the exercises, (which I do not).  So, I guess that is why they are not life changing for me because I do not take action and follow through. 

So I created my own self-help exercise on a mini scale that made sense to me and did not take a commitment of six weeks and giving up alcohol to complete.  I asked myself three simple questions:

1.  What do I want more of in my life?      2.  What do I want less of in my life?

3.  What actions can I take daily to acomplish these goals?

So I proceeded to list my top 5 wants and top 5 un-wants, which was really quite easy because the wants automatically created the un-wants by just being the opposite.  Below are my results:

Top 5 Wants                                                              Top 5 Un-wants

1.  Freedom of Time                                                  1.  Time Constraints
2.  Healthy energy                                                      2.  Lethargy
3.  Security & Abundance                                          3.  Worry & Fear
4.  Social Good                                                           4.  Social fears
5.  Peace of mind                                                        5.  Mental turmoil

ACTIONS: 

1. Focus less on material "stuff" and more on freedom = peace of mind.
2. Simplify life = security and abundance.
3. Focus on being in the now = alleviate fears and worry of past or future. 
     Less mental turmoil.
4.  Let go of thoughts of what others may think, it is all imagined anyway.
5. No judgement of self.

Concentrating on these do-able actions daily will accomplish my goals in short order and will allow me the free time that I crave to spend, you guessed it, reading more self-help books while sipping a wonderful glass of wine.  Now that is my idea of a life well lived. 

I believe that even Oprah would agree with that.

Try this mini exercise for yourself and see what path it may lead you to...happy exploring of self!

                      Bright Blessings to all who wander this way

A SNEAK PEEK!

Just a quick peek inside the cottage, much more to come!

The beginning of the Magick!

***~~***A CEREMONIAL FIRE***~~~***

Saturday was the big day for the "Witch's Cottage".  The hard work is finished and I am finally able to move in and do some decorating, oh that is my idea of a dream day.  Hubby did some amazing rock and landscaping work in the front and we started what will eventually become an herbal paradise.  Our first plant put in is bee balm.  The lovely red flowers will attract the hard working bees and the fascinating hummingbirds.  Rosemary, lavender and many mints will be added, all perfect plants for some great magickal work.

Much to my suprise, my hardworking and ever in-genius partner, added a hand laid stone fire pit. So last night we opened a bottle of wine, lit a glowing fire, and enjoyed the first evening at the "Witch's Cottage"

 LET THE MAGICK BEGIN!

"The Witches Cottage Update"



Charming Crystal Ball Solar Lights, in case I drink too much wine!

Ready to move in.
Pic before I move in all my magick stuff!

A Beautiful Sunny Day, ready to enjoy the Cottage!

************A Bowl of Easter "Rock" Candy************

Happy Easter To All

A perfect Easter treat with no calories.  A beautiful bowl of Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz, Botswana Agate and Ruby in Zoisite.

*~*~*Holding the MOON *~*~*

Today I received another wonderful purchase from e-bay.  When I opened the package I felt like I had drawn down the moon for my very own.  An enchanting sphere of Selenite was glowing from inside the box.  When I rescued it from it's shipping prison, It truly felt like I was holding the MOON!

Selenite is a stone of mental clarity, enhancing mental flexibility and strengthening decisions.  It is also a sweet Angel stone, for angelic guidance.  It removes energy blocks from the physical and the etheric bodies.  Selenite is associated with the crown chakra and has the ability to clear other stones that are placed on or near it.  Like citrine, it does not absorb negativity and therefore does not need to be cleansed.

Caressing the magick of the Moon

Vibrating Moon Magick

A SPRING SOLSTICE GIFT

Saturday my friend Ametrine and I had a wonderful day out, shopping at the craft show, and then a visit to our local (one and only) crystal shop.  Followed by a great lunch and some fun tarot card readings.  I also received a magickal and unexpected gift from Ametrine!  A salt crystal votive holder and a lovely card.  This will be one of the first things to go to the Witch's Cottage when decorating day comes!!

Thank You Ametrine, I LOVE IT!

The Name Game

My latest posts have been about the progress of the "Witch's Cottage".  I have dubbed it that as Hubby and I have been talking and planning it. 

However, I am not sure that I would like it to be called that going forward.  Although I like that reference because that is exactly what it is, I would love to hear some other suggestions to name it.  I will say that I am very partial to the word "cottage" as that has some wonderful childhood memories of our family cottage at Lake Ontario.  But I am really open to suggestion from anyone out there in blog-land because I am always, every single day, amazed at the the creativity that abounds everywhere!

Please help me to open my mind and give this truly magickal sanctuary a name that it deserves. 

Thank you all in advance for all the amazing names that I know you will provide!!

Ahhhhh.............Spring!

Does anything in Life truly compare to that refreshing awakening feeling of the first days of Spring? 

 New Love probably comes the closest that I know of, but that does not seem to renew each and every year quite like the blossoms of Spring.

A powerful elixir that we would all consume without abandon if it were within our reach!  So for my first day of Spring 2012, I am happy to share some pics of my every-day, marvelously, magickal life. 

Kinda funny that some of my co-workers think I lead a very simple, boring mundane life.  Show's what they know.  If they had any idea.......oh, the gossip that would ensue!

A fantastic e-bay find. 
 Of course. the pic looks just like theirs-mis-leading. 
It is only 2" tall, but what a beauty!
I believe that all the photos are taken by men,
on male-enhancement aid...

So, my dear Hubby says, hey I made a coaster for your wine glass!
I say to dear Hubby, is that a hint
 about the amount of wine I consume?
Dear Hubby replies, just saying honey......

The "Witch's Cottage" just needs a roof
and some sealer from the weather and we are good to go.

A Spring Solstice Poem.....

A full moon ushers in...
      The Spring Solstice,
             About to begin.

Wear your best finery...
      Open sweet wine
Draw down the moon
       Make happiness mine

Dance in the moon light
      Light a candle of faith
Greet every spirit
      Here in this place

Work your high magick
      and know all is well

With the weaving
     and wonderment
Of this Spring Solstice spell

So mote it be...

**~*~*~**A DREAM UNFOLDING**~*~**

REAL PROGRESS TODAY

ALREADY DECORATED IN MY VISIONS

PAW OF APPROVAL

LOOKS GOOD OVER HERE

PERFECT VIEW FROM MY MAGICK TABLE

A SUNNY SUNDAY MORNING WALK

A visit from woodpecker spirit. 
He is one big amazing bird, that I hope one day to get a pic of him!

One of  my favorite old trees in magickland. 
Notice the blur of red, upper left hand corner. 
Maybe I captured some of it's spirit!

Black & White
A different perspective on the "spirit" image.

"An enchanting place for manifesting dreams"

and speaking of dreams........
 a firey red deck ready for the "Witch's Cottage"

The Witch's Cottage

The witch's cottage is really just a shed, but the important part is that it is my very own, private, in the woods shed.  A place I anticipate spending many magickal hours in.  Reading, making art, day-dreaming and manifesting more dreams.

My wonderful, talented Hubby came up with the idea to re-cycle a deck that we had torn down.  So he moved it to my chosen spot, added a few more new boards, and this will be the foundation for the shed. We purchased a kit, pics below, so it should be up in no time.  It's going to be a glorious Summer!



This is what the finished kit "should" look like.



the interior, small but cozy

Okay, it really is small, (only 10' x 10'), But big on charm. 
I am going to invite enchantment in!

THE DREAM IS BECOMING REALITY

PAW OF APPROVAL



DEFINITE LOVE



WHOA! WAS THAT A FAIRY BEHIND ME. 
ONE OF THESE DAYS I AM GONNA SEE ONE OF THOSE ELUSIVE LITTLE CREATURES!
I promised my Human that I won't eat it



This is the start of my Witch's Cottage/Artist Space. 
 More on the next post!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Today was one of those days where you "just know" that everything is right and anything is possible. 

 The woods are all misty-eyed because Spring is so close at hand. 

Your dreams send Ravens out to your soul friend to say.......
"Hello, the magick is yours for the taking and the sharing".

You question yourself and wonder how you lived all those years being so un-aware of the real mystery and beauty that is right there every single moment? 

When you awake to see the garden of enchantment, you are never the same.  It is the compounding of these miniscule moments upon moments that create the vision you have today.

MAGICKAL TREASURE

When I purchased this magickal piece of earth, I did not realize what a truly special piece it is.  It was, by no means, the most "beautiful" rock in the shop that day.  There were other specimens that were truly outstanding, and although I could have afforded to purchase any of them, this is the one I was so drawn to and just had to have.

After some time now living with this piece, I know why it came home with me.  This particular rock at first glance is Amethyst, but if you really focus you will see that the outer layer is Blue Agate which is associated with truth, loyalty and reliability.  Welcome qualities in anyone. Even if you do not like the color blue, you are naturally drawn to people who do.  Bet you didn't know that!

 The next layer is Crystal Quartz, which is for clarity, as in seeing things crystal clear.  Who doesn't need that in their life?

The next layer is Amethyst with a twist, because of the temperature in the earth where this speciman was located, the Amethyst (purple) started to turn to what we know as Citrine (golden yellow-brown).  Ameythyst is a catalyst for spiritual balance, serenity and calmness.  It is also known as the "hangover preventative" stone, so I never go drinking without it!!  Citrine does not absorb negativity, so never needs cleansing.  Wouldn't it be great if we humans were wired that way! Note: that is why I adopted it as my magickal name.

So now, with the mix of Amethyst and Citrine, we have what is known as Ametrine, and the beauty of Ametrine is that it promotes serenity, self-confidence and a perfect blend of opposites.

So I guess I stumbled upon a masterpiece from the earth, and I am sure that it's energy will be a wonderful addition to my magickal work and space.

The moral of the story is, do not just look for beauty alone, be aware of what you are truly drawn to and why!  Always, always trust your intuition.  In.....tution, meaning in.......learning.  We are always learning in our physical realm and will never be finished.

I purchased this piece on a wonderful outing with my friend, at the Back Mountain Jewelry and rock shop.  You can check them out at http://www.backmountainjewelry.com/




I apologize for the blurriness of this photo, this piece just does not want its picture taken?
I suspect that fairies have taken up residence there and are purposely fanning their wings to blur the photo.



ALTAR READY FOR MY TAROT READING



A MAGICKAL READING FROM AMETRINE KNOWING WILLOW




A CATHEDRAL OF AMETHYST WAITING FOR A FAIRY TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE



A "FREE" ART PROJECT

A free art project means two things to me:

1.  Using materials I already have around and/or recycling materials.

2.  Free thought and ideas with no pre-conceived notion of the outcome.

Randomly choosing materials and colors and see what direction the project goes.  This is a fun and creative way to use your mind and energy. 

This is where free art led me today.  A mixed media canvas to remind me to be aware of the power of my thoughts, and to always practice gratitude.

THE FULL COLOR VERSION

I ALWAYS LIKE TO VIEW THE BLACK & WHITE VERSION, BECAUSE IT PROVES THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT OF GRAY AREAS EVERYWHERE.  NOTHING IS EVER JUST *~*~"BLACK" or "WHITE" *~*~

I Know, moderation in everything, but sometimes....

For Fairy Lovers Only

If you love, like, or are just plain interested in fairy, fae, wood spirits, etc.. you should check out this artist! "ENCHANTING"

www.chopoli.com

My only question is, "Where does this creativity and vision come from?" 

New Year Resolution, One I know I can keep!

I received a very special birthday card this year from my very best friend.  Usually we give each other cards that share our sense of humor or our love for animals, but this year was different.  The card was beautiful by any standards, but it was the message that was so thought-provoking for me.  There was one line in particular, it said "I like being unfinished".  This really struck a chord with me.  Finally there is a name for how I feel - unfinished, and almost like a permission slip saying, hey it is okay to keep learning and growing.  Imagine that at our ages!  How wonderful to know that we are never really finished and we have permission to explore, change, learn and grow.

So for 2012, I am going to live in a marvelous, magickal way.  I am going to read, learn, create and explore in every area that peaks my interest.  And I will know that at the end of 2012 and beyond, I will still be "unfinished".

"Mr.Winter" paid us a quick-ie visit today, because he was escorted by
"Miss Sunshine" and she just made him melt!