A nightly prayer to the Goddess

This is a prayer I wrote, and I thought I would share it with all of you, if you ever find yourself at a loss for words to say to the Goddess before bed. Just a small way to give thanks, and to ask for guidance :)

Goddess, now I take my rest
Knowing truly I am blessed.
For all the things you give to me
I thank you Goddess, fervently.
And as you guide me through the day
I ask you now to light my way
And lead me to the land of dreams
Where all is not quite what it seems.
Please keep me safe and sound this night
So I might wake into the light.
Thank you for watching over me.
Goodnight, my lady. Blessed be.

Moving Breath

Recently I've been listening to a lot of well known pagan chants and although I've heard them many times, I had no idea that my favourites were all recorded by a group of women calling themselves Moving Breath. Their CD "She Changes," was released in 1997, and I've discovered it a mere 10 years later. I have a sequence of chants stuck in my head such as "We all come from the Goddess." I'm really interested in finding similar chants to listen to or to use in ritual. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know! I found some interesting ones on YouTube like "Spirits of Fire," which is really nice, and I also really love "The earth, the air, the fire, the water." Chanting is something new for me. My rituals tend to be very quiet, and if the urge comes over me I hum quietly, but some of these chants just flow out of me so freely, and I truly hope there are many more for me to learn. I'm going to keep hunting through Amazon's "new Age" music section in hopes of finding more!

Also! New winter themed layout! Yay

Ebb and Flow

I've never been very good at maintaining a balance between my spiritual life and my working life. When I become too involved in work I begin to lose touch with my spirituality, and I become lazy and unmotivated. When I stop myself and take time to reconnect with the earth and the goddess, I suddenly feel energy and motivation. Why then, do I allow myself to lose my spiritual focus, even though I know I will always feel better if I maintain my connection to the goddess? I really don't know the answer to this question.

Samhain just passed, and for those of you who aren't aware, Samhain marks the beginning of a new year in the wheel of the year. It's a time for new beginnings, and letting go of old hindrances and burdens. It's also a time to honour your ancestors, and to connect with them as the boundaries between the earthly and spirit realms become blurred. I took this opportunity to honour my grandfather who just passed away about a month ago, and also to ask the goddess to take into her all of the negative things that have been holding me back. I asked that if she cannot remove the burdens, would she please teach me how to learn and grow from them, and that she help me to learn the reason as to why they have fallen on me. I'm already beginning to experience a new clarity in my life. I feel as though I can see behind me and before me, and know that nothing is without reason, and that everything is cyclical. I just wanted to share that.

Falling Leaves

As a pagan I believe it's important to understand your environment in order to find a deep connection with the earth. It's especially important to understand your local environment as far as weather patterns, temperature norms and native plants and animals. It's also important to be aware of major changes in your region that may have impacted your local environment.

That being said, Autumn is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere! Our nights will now be longer than our days, and thus the leaves will begin to change colour. As the days grow shorter, the trees don't have enough light and energy to photosynthesize, therefore the chlorophyll that made the leaves green is no longer present. The lack of chlorophyll allows the true colours of the leaves to come through. All year there were trace amounts of yellow, orange or red in the leaves, and without chlorophyll, these colours are able to intensify.

There are ways to of knowing just when you can expect the fall colour show in your region. Typically the best way to know is to be observant. There shouldn't be much difference year to year in when each tree changes colour. Pay close attention this year, and even keep a log of it so that you can become familiar with the trees in your environment. Next year you can be ready with the camera, or even the paint brush!

Another way to predict the brightness of your trees is to pay attention to the weather. The brightest colours are often produced when the trees get sunny days with the high above 15°C followed by cool nights with a low below 10°C. This combined with enough rain to keep the trees from withdrawing water from the leaves early will mean great fall colours. If there is drought, the trees may take water from their leaves early, which will cause the leaves to appear dull.

Research your local trees. There are online resourses such as wikipedia and The Tree Guide that can teach you what to expect. When you begin to know your environment, you will notice the subtle beauty around you in nature. Being in tune with your environment doesn't come naturally to all people, so don't be discouraged! You can get to know the earth slowly and carefully, and when you do, you can reap the beautfiul rewards!

For more information on tracking the fall colours in your region, visit The Weather Network Fall Colours Index (for Canada), or for the US The Weather Channel has a video guide for the fall foliage forecast!

Name Change!

I've realized that Twilight Wind Chimes doesn't explain to people what this blog is all about. I want to change the name to something that's catchy, and that explains the purpose of the blog. Here are some options that I've come up with:

1. Sustainable Magic
2. Green Magic
3. Bewitched Earth
4. Potions and Preservation
5. The Preservation Pagan
6. Kitchen Witchin'

Please let me know which one you like the best, and if you have other suggestions feel free to give them! Thanks, everyone!

Shop Green

Recently my regional municipality implemented the Green Cart, which is a compost receptacle that is picked up on garbage day. Acceptable items include, but aren't limited to, coffee grounds, egg shells, bread products, meat products, veggie products, paper towels and rolls, non-plastic food packaging and pet hair. Since the introduction of the Green Cart I've found that I am more aware of what I throw out, and what I can recycle or compost. In the past I would use a tissue, then throw it in the garbage. Now I put it in the Green Cart, and when the tissue box is empty, I remove the plastic sheet from the opening and then put the box in the recycling bin. Now on garbage day, instead of putting out 2 garbage bags, we put out a full recycling bin, a full Green Cart and half a garbage bag containing only plastic, Styrofoam, and drier lint (items that are not recyclable). I feel really good about this new development. I see people on my street who have gone out and purchased a second Green Cart!

I've also realized that I don't use plastic sparingly, unfortunately. I buy milk in plastic bags, I put my produce in clear plastic produce bags at the grocery store, I take my groceries home in plastic grocery bags and I buy meat pre-packaged in plastic wrap on Styrofoam trays. There are alternatives:

Simply placing your produce in your shopping cart will not hurt it. Presumably you wash it when you get home anyways, so what's the difference? If you don't want your apples rolling around, place a shopping basket in the cart, and put your produce in that! Alternatively, Marie Naubert has come up with the wonderful Moukisacs, which are resuable mesh bags that can not only be used for produce but also for bulk foods, like nuts and lentils.
If you live in an area that allows you to choose between paper, or plastic, choose paper. Yes, paper bags are a product of forestry, but most forestry is sustainable in North America and the paper is recyclable, wheras the plastic will end up in landfills. If paper isn't an option, bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping, such as the BYOB (bring your own bag) line of reusable shopping bags (they also make for great totes, and they're costomizable).
As far as milk goes, paper milk cartons are recyclable, and you might be surprised to know that some in areas in Canada and the US, you can still use refillable glass milk bottles. Do not use glass bottles for your milk if they aren't refillable because they're energy hogs. Those big jugs of milk in the thick plastic are also recyclable, but plastic milk bags make for nasty landfill.
Meat is easy: buy it at the deli or at your grocery store's deli counter. Tell them what cut you want, and they'll wrap it in paper for you. No plastic to speak of!

The lesson: if you shop green, you wont have to do the small things, like tear the plastic out of your tissue box. It will all be done for you, and all you'll have to decide is whether your waste belongs in the Green Cart, or the Blue Bin!

» Picture from Veer

Sage

Common sage, or Salvia officinalis (pictured left) is a Mediterranean evergreen plant used most often as a flavouring herb in cooking. It has a strong, unique scent and a slightly bitter, peppery taste. You're probably familiar with it as a key ingredient in turkey stuffing, but it's also commonly used on pork. Easy does it, though, as it can be very overpowering.

Salvia is a latin word, from which we also get the word 'salve,' which is any herbed ointment meant to be used for healing. The meaning of "salvia" is literally "to heal." For centuries, sage has held a high position in the healing world, being used to treat minor cuts and burns, nail fungus, bug bites, perspiration, bad breath, indigestion, dandruff and hot flashes. Studies suggest it can be helpful in preventing the onset of Alzheimers disease. This thick little plant seems to pack a big punch.

In magic, sage has often been used for purification. Salvia officinalis, however, is not the herb you will find if you're purchasing a sage and cedar smudge bundle. These bundles should be made with Salvia apiana, but more often you will find that they've been made with any number of plants from the genus artemisia rather than the genus salvia. It's best to cultivate and create your own sage and cedar smudges (as directed here).

As for common sage, it can be burned to purify a ritual space or a home. It can be carried in a spell bag for protection and wisdom. It's also used in spellwork to attract money and wisdom. It is a magically powerful herb, but if you're cultivating sage, it's best to ask the herb to what purpose it should best be applied. Very often certain plants, even if they're of the same species, will be specialized for certain purposes. To ask the plant, hold it between your palms and pur your question to it in your mind. Go with the first slight feeling or hunch you get about the plant.