I’m feeling a bit silly and in a Halloween mood, so to share the giggles here is a collection of goofy Halloween riddles, seasonal quotes and clipart.

Why do witches use brooms to fly on?
Because vacuum cleaners are too heavy.

How do witches keep their hair in place while flying?
With scare spray.

How do you make a witch scratch?
Just take away the W.

Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the road?
It had no guts.

What do you call a witch who lives at the beach?
A sand-witch.

What did one ghost say to the other ghost?
“Do you believe in people?”

What do you call two witches living together?
Broommates.

What’s a vampire’s favorite fast food?
A guy with very high blood pressure.

What does a sorceress wear?
A bewitching outfit.

How did the priest make holy water?
He took some tap water and boiled the hell out of it.

What happens to a fast witch on a slow broom?
She flies off the handle.

Hark! Hark to the wind! ‘Tis the night, they say,
When all souls come back from the far away-
The dead, forgotten this many a day!
~ Virna Sheard

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, “Tonight is Halloween!”
~ Dexter Kozen

ON HALLOWEEN
The witches fly
Across the sky,
The owls go, “Who? Who? Who?”
The black cats yowl
And green ghosts howl,
~ Nina Willis Walter

On Hallowe’en the thing
you must do
Is pretend that nothing
can frighten you
An’ if somethin’ scares you
and you want to run
Jus’ let on like
it’s Hallowe’en fun.
~ from an Early Nineteenth Century Halloween Postcard

May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future’s veil and show
What fate now holds for you.
~ Author Unknown

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, “Tonight is Halloween!”
~ Dexter Kozen

 Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork and bling-worms sting,
Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good
~ Song of the Witches – Shakespeare (Macbeth)

Wishing every one a safe and happy Halloween, filled with delightful frights and magical treats, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:halloween, humor, quotes

I’m taking the day off Friday, October 30th, to relax and enjoy my 54th birthday. We will be celebrating on Sunday with a trip to Medieval Times (more about that later). I feel like I’ve been celebrating already for a few weeks with all the fun things I’ve been up too lately.

Late Sept. I went to a Native American Indian harvest festival with Angelgirl (my daughter) – it was small but nice, held at a farm about 15 minutes away. Angelgirl and I enjoyed a relaxing morning browsing the displays and a couple of demos, and listening to speakers, stories, and some music. When it came time for dancing and they asked folks to join – I, of course, jumped in – and Angelgirl pretended not to know me.  LOL   It was adorable.

Oct. started off with a date with Teacherman, my hubby, to see Billy Crystals’ one man show, 700 Sundays at a theater in Philadelphia. It was “truly maaaarvelous”. He is an outstanding performer and the show was very funny, as well as touching the heart and leaving a few tears in our eyes. He told stories about growing up, his parents, etc. – the title for the show comes from the 700 Sundays he had with his dad before his father passed away when Billy Crystal was a young teen.

The following week (Oct. 8th) we went, along with another couple, to see Bruce Springstein playing his next to last concert at the “old” Giants stadium. He wrote a new song in honor of the stadium, “wrecking ball,” since the old stadium will be torn down soon. He is always at his best when in he plays in New Jersey, and the concert was great. This tour he plays a different album each night – our night he did the Born to Run album, which of course is awesome. The show even had fireworks at the finale.

For my birthday we are going to Medieval Times (on Nov. 1) – it has been over 15 years since we’ve been. I’m very very excited; plus we have the royalty package so we have FRONT row seats which is just going be soooo very cool (included is a dvd of the show and a cheering banner so we can wave it as we cheer our knight during the joust). Teacherman surprised me by getting a limo to take us all – which adds a big WOW factor to the day. There will be six of us, Teacherman and Angelgirl, my mom and two good friends from work (my friends and I are getting dressed in medieval costume which is going to add even more fun). Doors open 90 minutes before the show so there is plenty of time to mingle in the big room with the bar, where the characters from the show (the knights!) come out and mingle and photos can be taken. For the limo ride up we have a bottle of sparkling white wine and bottle of red wine chilling, and we are also packing some shrimp, cheese and crackers and for the ride home we are bring strawberries and chocolate dip along with a tin of the fancy cookies shaped like a straw. (I won’t be indulging, of course, but I can at least sip my ice water from a chilled glass in the limo and for a huge splurge I can have a strawberry on way home.)

I am so very thankful to have this time with my family and friends.

Wishing every one a happy and safe Halloween.   Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:birthday, concert, events, outings

In the cool of the evening
They used to gather
‘Neath the stars in the meadow
Cirlced near an old oak tree
At the times appointed by the seasons
Of the Earth and the phases of her Moon

In the center often stood a woman
Equal with the others
And respected for her worth
One of the many we called the witches
The healers and the teachers
Of the wisdom of the Earth

And the people grew
With the knowledge she gave them
Herbs to heal their bodies
Spells to make their spirits whole
Hear them chanting healing incantations
Calling forth the wise ones
Celebrating in dance and song

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna (x4)

There were those who came to power
Through domination
They were bonded in their worship
Of a dead man on a cross
They sought control
Of the common people
By demanding allegiance
To the Church of Rome

And the Pope he commenced
The inquisition
It was a war against women
Whose power they feared
In this holocaust
In this age of evil
Nine Million European women died

And the tale is told of those
Who by the hundreds
Holding hands together
Chose their deaths in the sea
While chanting praises
Of the mother Goddess
Their refusal of betrayal
Women were dying to be free

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna (x4)

Now the Earth is a witch
And the men (we) still burn her
Stripping her down with mining
And poisoning her wells
Still to us the Earth is a healer
A teacher and a mother
A weaver of a web of light
That keeps us all alive
She gives us the vision
To see through the chaos
She gives us the courage
It is our will to survive

Isis, Astarte, Diana
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

By: Charlie Murphy ©1991

Written by Mama KellyTags:pagan song

Much of the Wiccan Year Wheel is based on an agricultural lifestyle in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere – in which there are four distinct seasons.

The Sabbats remind us of the cycles of these seasons and of nature itself.  They reflect the times to plant and to harvest; the times when livestock are born, weaned, and slaughtered; and the times when we will know plenty or know only want.

They remind us of our our own life cycles as well that we are each born, live, only to ultimately die.  They remind us of the simple fact that there will always be times when we will be forced to live off what we have been able to store or starve.

And while Lughnasad and Mabon are fairly obviously harvest festivals, this is not necessarily so with Samhain.  In my part of the world, the trees are losing their leaves and growing more bare each day,  gardens are essentially bare, the nights are turning cold.  Traditionally it is time to remember our beloved dead, to contemplate our pasts and our futures, and to dole out candy offerings to costume bedecked children.

Beyond that though, Samhain is (as I was taught long ago) a blood harvest.

In the times of our ancestors this time of year meant culling ones livestock.  Sacrificing these animals was not only as a way to have meat to preserve and last the coming cold season, but was done out of necessity.  Most people simply lacked the means to support the animals until spring came again.

Here, North of the Equator, we approach that time in only the span of several days.  And while most of us do not keep our own livestock, or slaughter our own animals for meat there is wisdom in reflecting on this practice nonetheless.

Have you done enough to see you through the coming dark season?

Have you put aside enough to sustain you through the coming months?

Are there things that you might need to sacrifice or cut out of your life in order to survive the long Winter ahead?

Just some food for thought

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:pagan, samhain, wicca

Please visit this older post in which I share the lyrics to the song “Every Woman Born” by Ruth Barrett.  Not only was I pleased when she found my post but I was thrilled when she herself was pleased to see me sharing it with you our readers.

I have fixed a lyric line and added a little background as to how I first came to hear the song.

I hope you enjoy it

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:music, pagan

Princess Nibbles’ is doing alright overall.  She’s not enjoying school as much this year as she’s not too fond of her teacher, or more accurately is convinced that her teacher is not all that fond of her.  Luckily I have parent teacher conferences for her in a couple of weeks and I plan to get to the bottom of it (nicely, subtly …  I promise)

Additionally I think she’s a little overwhelmed this year with the combination of school, the gifted program, flute, and Taekwondo (especially as we go three times a week now).  But, she’s determined to do it all and while she continues to enjoy everything and keeps her grades up all we can do is let her try.

At the same time we have to watch her a bit because she tries to be perfect even though we encourage her to not be so hard on herself all the time.

On another note, she is determined to get an American Girl doll one way or another, come hell or high water, by hook or by crook, even if she has to save up the money herself.

Now don’t spoil the surprise, but odds are we will get her the one she wants for Yule/Xmas (especially as I talked her down off the ledge of wanting the even more expensive My Twinn doll with the lure of knock off costumes and accessories on Etsy).

I even promised her that once she saves up enough for her doll (cough, cough, wink wink) that I will teach her how to crochet and we will make stuff for her.

In case you’re curious we’ve settled on the Julie doll, mainly due to her hippie wardrobe and long (very long) blonde hair, both of which Princess Nibbles approved of.

My main concern, aside from the frightening expense (somewhat offset by the fact that I know their dolls’ quality), is that I know how fleeting this adoration will last being as that she’s just turned 10.

Oh well.  When I think about how much money I’ve wasted at the holidays each year on gifts that were used a couple of times (or only once) before finding a home in the bottom of a toy box, a doll she’ll adore for a year or two probably isn’t all that bad a deal.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:American Girl, children, Christmas

It’s been a long week.

Miss Artistic is having a rough time of it.  Not only is her depression in a spike again (related to some new and disturbing revelations that trace back to the days she was missing 2 years ago) but we are again, as we are each and every bloody year, dealing with poor academic performance due to late or simply missing homework assignments, projects, and whatnot.

I had a meeting last week with her guidance counselor and then this week were the parent-teacher conferences which, for the most part, were one just like another.  How bright and sweet and creative, etc. they think she is and how frustrated each and every one of them is over her inability and unwillingness to get it together so she can reach her true potential.

Now I am not trying to make it seem like she can just start off next marking period and get straight A’s (though she is academically capable of it) but I’d like to see her trying a little harder than she is.

I’d also like to see her lose the attitude – the lovely teenage one that involves eye-rolling, huffs, sighs, and exclamations of everything from “so?” and “why do you care?” to my all time favorite “get over it!.”

On the bright side …

Both girls tested for their next level in Taekwondo and are the proud owners of their high blue belts.

We have a function this weekend with our fellow school families which should be a lot of fun (although much too crowded for my taste) especially as there are raffles (I splurged on 28 tickets over the past month) and demos by the Masters.  The girls’ main instructor is supposedly going to be breaking blocks of concrete.

Hope you each have a fun weekend.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS my laptop is still down, but it is next in line for a trip to the repair shop once the girls’ machine comes home, thus postings will be irregular at best

Written by Mama KellyTags:parenting, school, teenagers

As I mentioned previously, I was planning to attend the 6th Annual South Jersey Pagan Pride Day Event, well I did! And it was a very enjoyable day and I am so glad I went.

I left early in the morning, but the directions that I printed out from google were wrong (they said to take 70W, but I should have gotten off at 70E), and I ended up about 2 hours out of my way traveling back and forth on route 70 determined to find the street I was suppose to turn down to find the park where the event of was being held.   I had planned on arriving when it started by 9 a.m., but ended up arriving just before noon.

I stayed calm, played my Celtic Woman cd, and eventually called hubby and had him look up the directions again using a different online source. After a few more calls, a few more wrong turns, eventually I arrived at the lovely Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.  There were small Pagan Pride Day signs along the road near the park, and off in the distance I could see a large open area where lots of tables were set up, a play area for kids, lots of trees along the water, and sail boats on the lake.  The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold.

I found the welcome table easily, located right at the end of the parking area and before the very large grassy area where tables\booths were set up in a semi circle, with a small stage area in the center (labeled Mt. Olympus stage on the event map).  I introduced myself to the friendly folks behind the welcome table and picked up a booklet with the schedule and a map outlining where classes would be held, and brief bios for all the presentors.    On the right were stone bleachers all along one side of the grassy area with signs designating different class areas (labeled Athena, and Apollo).   There was also Pan’s Playground – an area set up for the kids to work on craft projects.   They also set up a collection bin near the welcome table for collecting nonperishable food items for donations.

I was just in time to take a class on crystals so headed over to the Apollo area of the bleachers.  The instructor, Nancy Tursi, gave everyone a few small crystals of rose quartz, peridot, and amethyst along with a nice printed out informative card for each.  She led a mediation first without the crystals and than again using each of the crystals one at time so we could feel the difference.  She encouraged each member of the class to discuss what they sensed and which stone they preferred.  We were than put into pairs and worked on each other sending healing energy to our partner using the crystal of their choice. 

After the class I made a tour of the various booths and tables - there were lots of vendors with a variety of  witchy wares (oh the temptations!), artists and green cleaning products, one for reiki and another for massage, two doing readings, and a few representing wiccan\pagan groups.  Not everyone had a business card or flyer, but I did pick up as many as I could and will list them below.

After I made a full circle of all the booths, I stopped at the last one and bought some raffle tickets (lots of various donated prizes from the various vendors) and you picked which one’s to drop your ticket(s) into for a chance to win including a handmade hooded cloak, books, tarot cards, items for children and much more.  After that I decided to eat my lunch which I had packed with me.  I found a picnic table near the parking area and read over the pamphlets and various handouts I had picked up while I enjoyed the sunshine, the music, and the relaxing atmosphere.  

After lunch, I strolled leisurely back to the booths and make a final decision on what to buy but also to see if I could find Karen – who I had only spoken with online through Facebook.  It was a posting on facebook by Karen that alerted me to the event in the first place and she said she was planning on having a booth (Karen does Angel Essence Massage and is a Bach Flower consultant).   I managed to find her and we shared a warm hug and smiles.  Her friend at the table with her turned out to be the instructor from the crystal’s class I had just taken.   Her friend is the founder of Double Visions – paranormal investigations.

After visiting with Karen a bit, I made a final round of the booths, selected a vendor to make a small purchase from (a young woman who was just starting out and was so new she didn’t even have a website yet), and for a little bit watched from the bleachers the ritual that had started in the area near the stage in the center.  It was about mid-afternoon and I was getting tired from my very long winding driving adventure to get there, so I decided to head on home a  bit early rather then stay until 5 pm when the event ended.  Fortunately, finding my way home only took about 45 minutes since I now knew which direction I should be heading

I had a very good time, and it was a great way to relax and spend the day outside with fellow wiccans and pagans.  I really enjoyed meeting new folks and passing out our business cards for 2 Witches Blog.   I also invited a couple of folks to contact us if they were interested in doing a guest post.   Some of the booths were very busy so I didn’t get a chance to speak with everyone.   I was impressed by how organized the event was and the park itself is a great space for holding such an event.   Lots of folks were there with their families and children.   The weather was perfect  so the turn out was good.  I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this event next year and hope to attend in 2010.

Other classes\workshops offered:  Past Lives, Goddess & the Grail, Pagan Podcasting, History of Wicca, Feri Tradition, Dance & Movement in Magick, Runes, Interfaith Families, Druid, Drum Circle, Asatru Blot.

Crafts for the kids:  Shake n Paint Swirly Abstact Art, beaded necklaces-bracelets,zip-per fobs and bookmarks, felt pumpkins-acorns-medicine pouches; foamy frames-leaf men-wrath of thanks.

Sampling of some of the tables\booths:

Red Oak Grove - a Neopagan Welsh Druidic group.
Sacred Wind Sanctuary - community of Earth-based faiths.  Note:  they have having a Samhain Festival, Nov. 1, 4:30 – 10:00 pm in Howell, NJ, $10 donation or $5 with potluck donation – festive drum circle, handmade crafts, and fun.  (I already have reservations for a big birthday event that day so I can’t make it – otherwise I would be planning to attend.)
Witches Unite.com (The Black Hat Society) – worldwide lauch Oct. 31, 2010
Pagan Veterans of the USA (no website listed on their handouts)
Karen Bianco – Angel Essence Massage
Nancy Tursi - medium, psychic
Raven Lilies – spiritually inspired creations, woodburning designs.  Just starting out no website yet, email:  raven.lilies@gmail.com
Sun & Moon Metaphsyical Shoppe.
A World Apart – jewelry, gifts, new age items.
Wee Witches – handmade items (soaps, herbal teas, magical tools, wooden witches and more)
Water Gap Hiking Sticks – walking sticks, solar and green products
Wizards Towers – beads and gifts, special orders welcome
Miracles by Angel (no website) – portraits, muruals, custom designs (from photos), 856-669-8773
Thistlefish Studio (no website) – jewelry, 3D art, paintings, cards, 856-785-2727

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:pagan event, pagan vendors, review, wicca, wiccan vendors

Samhain (the Withches’ New Year)  is almost here.  It is a good time to review the past, cleanse away the old, release old hurt, pain and sorrow and prepare for a time of reflection.  It is also a time to honor loved ones who have crossed over, to release our grief and honor their memories, send them our love and good thoughts, and take time to be still and listen for their quite whispers of love and support in return.

Yesterday (Oct. 18, 2009) was the New Moon.  The new moon before Samhain (Phasma Priscus – days of ancient spirits) is the first day of the Witches’ Lunar Year.

This a time of year that can be very good for healing and taking time renew one’s spirit. As the days grow shorter, the wind more cold, take time to find rest and peace within the darkness and renew your strength mentally, emotionally and physically. Take time to reflect and draw wisdom from the depth of all that as happened before. Release all that holds you back and weighs you down to the Goddess, let your fears, guilt, pain, worry fall away like the leaves falling from the trees. Allow the Goddess to transform it all within the darkness of her cauldron, and allow yourself be transformed and connected to life, the earth, the turning of seasons, and stand between the worlds empowered and enriched by past, present and future.

Here is lovely poem I found that seemed to fit the season:

“Between the heavens and the earth
The way now opens to bring forth
The Hosts of those who went on before;
Hail! We see them now come through the Open Door.

Now the veils of worlds are thin;
To move out you must move in.
Let the Balefires now be made,
Mine the spark within them laid.

Move beyond the fiery screen,
Between the seen and the unseen;
Shed your anger and your fear,
Live anew in a new year!”
- Lore of the Door

May you walk in the light of your true nature, may you be at peace with an open heart and mind, may your spirit be strong and empowered with the wisdom of your ancestors.

Wishing one and all a truly blessed Witches’s New Year, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:new moon, samhain, wiccan beliefs, wiccan calendar

Today I am grateful for the influx of funds afforded to us by our recent refinance that allowed me to take off Friday to attend a meeting at Miss Artistic’s school without too much worry about the loss of pay.

Today I am grateful that Princess Nibbles’ birthday outing went off smoothly.  I can’t say that any of us loved the movie, but the girls all seemed to have a great time and my candy-based favor was a hit.

Today I am grateful for having a pretty good October, despite my usual dread of the month.  So much fun already had, and even more to come.

Today I am grateful for a day spent filling my ‘fridge with food and then curling up on the couch in front of a fire reading.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:gratitude