Friday, January 11, 2013

PBP - Air

So, for this second week of the Pagan Blog Project, I really had to think about what to write? Do I want to cover a new topic, or should I expand on last weeks?
As you can see from the title, I have decided to cover a new topic. The Element Air. As with all posts I do, this is for my practice, and my no means the end all be all.
So, what about Air. For me, Air represents all that is free and light, Slow and relaxing, not fast and invigorating (Water to me).  Birds, Butterflies, Flying Insects, and Fairies all represent Air to me. While they obviously all fly, they are also free to go and do as they please. Springtime embodies Air as everything that you expect to see in the air and around you has finally come back after the long cold winter. Everything is coming alive and feels more alive again. When combined with its direction East on an Altar, incense is one of the simplest representations for Air. Others could also include Athame, a Feather, picture of a bird, Air Representation (instrument, picture), or a bell. Again, whatever feels right to you.
I am keeping this post short, as I am having problems with my Internet tonight, but hope that I have been able to pass along a little bit of knowledge and information to everyone. Until next time Blessed Be!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

FLYing

So, with this being a new year, and us moving sometime hopefully in the next 6-8 months, I have decieded to turn over a new leaf when it comes to housework, and keeping the house clean. I remember when it was time to move from NC and what a nightmare it was to get packed and cleaned at the same time. DO NOT want to do that again! I have heard about and actually looked at previously a site called Fly Lady. The short version is that it is simple for anyone to have a home that is ready for people to come over with as short of a time as 15 minutes a day. Basically, instead of tackling the housework in one marathon session, everything is broken down into Zones, and done in 15 minute blocks of time. After all, who doesn't have 15 minutes?

When you start as a Fly Baby, there are 31 baby steps that you are to start with. This is a way to help get used to the program, as well as establish a routine. The first one is Shine your Sink. The concept of this is that if you shine your sink, when you wake up the next morning, you will be greeted by a clean shiny sink, and will motivate you to accomplish the rest. Lets give this a try. I just followed the directions that are provided on the site, and now have a nice shiny sink in my kitchen! It did help, that I decided to pretty much clean my whole kitchen this weekend, but that is not the point. So, along with the baby steps, there are zones of the house for each week to work on as well as missions each day to accomplish in that zone.
This weeks zone is the kitchen. If you are just starting out, she suggests that you start off small in each zone by de-cluttering first. Once that is done, then you can move onto more detailed cleaning. So that's what I did, got rid of some of the clutter on my counter as well as my microwave. Also accomplished the mission for today which was to clean the cabinet doors.
So far so good. Lets see how this works out. If anyone else out there is FLYing, I would love to hear how it has gone for you. I will continue to post about this as time goes on to let everyone know how it is going.

Friday, January 4, 2013

PBP 2013 - Altars

So since this is the beginning of a new year, I have decided to once again participate in the Pagan Blog Project. So starting at the beginning if the alphabet, this week, I bring you A for Altars.
So, what is an Altar? That depends on who you are. If you are Christian (any denomination will do) it is where the priest/ pastor/ etc stands and gives there sermon. However, if you fall under the Very Large Pagan umbrella, the Altar may be a little bit different. It may be where you perform your "spells", or other works. It may be simple set up for daily devotions to the divine. No matter what the purpose, it is uniquely yours. No two are ever the same. Sometimes even with one individual person. I personally set mine up differently as the mood suits me.

So if you are Pagan, what goes on an altar? Again, this is different for each person and the purpose. "Traditionally" you will see representations of the elements and something to represent the divine. So what can you use? ANYTHING YOU WANT TO! Don't be fooled into thinking there is only one thing that you can use. For example, incense has been used to represent Air. I myself do use incense, but I also have a votive holder that has a feather as well as a charm of a bird. To me both represent air, since they fly.

Altars seem to be a topic that many people like to discuss. However, how many people actually are willing to share what they have. I personally love to look at what other people have used to set up their altars. I love seeing the creativity that they put into them, and the attention that clearly goes into one that have been constructed to suit them. It is allot like getting a look at someones personality, and seeing that they hold close to them.

Since I mentioned sharing altars, I have included pictures of some of the altars that I have set up in the past. Please feel free to look at them as inspiration only. As I stated there is, in my opinion, no set way to set it up. Do what feels right to you.


Set up for Ostara 2011. Notice the stuffed bunnies!

This was the first time I got it set up when I got to Germany. Had to go to a smaller table to make the most of the little space I have.

HAPPY 4th of July! There is no reason why blessing cant be performed for "normal" holidays

Memorial Corner set up for Memorial Day

First set up for Samhain
Hope you enjoyed looking at what I have done, and that this helps anyone who may be having issues deciding what to put on their altar
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