Sabbats by Edain McCoy

So I work at a large-chain bookstore part-time and I'm able to check books out like at the library. I checked out Sabbats by Edain McCoy one day. I'm not a huge McCoy fan, but I liked what I saw as far as recipes and craft ideas in the book. My gods! I loved the book and had to buy it! It has so much good history and so many recipes and crafts in it. I checked quite a bit of the history online from different sources and most of it seems pretty accurate. There are rituals and guided meditations inside, as well, though I'm not much into those. I create my own rituals, instead....
Anyway, I really recommend this book if you're looking for good ideas for celebrating the sabbats each year.

Blessings to all.

Zahra

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Today, I am thankful for my mom's puppy, Stick, my mom and my brother. I am thankful for all of my brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends. I'm even thankful for Dad. I am thankful to John, the turkey we will eat. I am thankful to the Mother Earth for providing all this wonderful ... FOOOOOD!!!!! I am thankful to Father Sun for helping us all grow and to Sister Moon for pushing and pulling us through our comfort zones and out. I am thankful to water for keeping us from shriveling up into little balls of skin. I am thankful to earth for giving us the clay of our bodies. I am thankful to air for letting us breathe, this miracle that keeps us alive. I am thankful to fire for keeping us warm and safe. I am thankful to the pilgrims for killing Sue on that first thanksgiving and starting the wonderful tradition of eating turkey one day a year. I am thankful to pumpkins and eggnog. And tea. Always tea.

What are you thankful for?
I'm thankful for you.

Night of Terror

Okay, so I think I mentioned before how I did a real nice Samhain ritual and how a few days before then, I kept getting little premonitions. Well, truth be told, when those started, right before Samhain, something had changed. I keep seeing things. Out of the corner of my eye. Usually just startling me a tad, they mostly seem benevolent. No biggy, yes? Right. So tonight, Mom and I walked together into downtown, spent some time at the all-night cafe, enjoyed ourselves. Near the end, before we left to walk home (30 min. walk), I got real sleepy and just kind of zoned out. It was about 2:15am or so when we left. All was well as we passed the town clock and I 'pentacled' myself, still fine when we passed Memorial Park. But as we started walking right past that, I saw something. Not a big deal, yet. I'm freaking out as I type this. So we continued. We walked through the parking lot of the Bad Building (a building housing a brotherhood ... it has a demonic feel to the place), crossed The Bridge (not certified safe), started walking the trail. Once we got past the gated boundary of the building's property, I kissed one of my guardian trees as thanks for safety and, at this point, we were enjoying ourselves and chatting. We crossed the street to the next trail and I was showing her where certain things happened in this one dream I had had a while back.

In the dream, Mama and I were walking the trail at night. Our friend, Clara Luna (doggie), was walking with us and we told her to go back because it wasn't safe. Like ... spiritually unsound. She finally ran back to town. We continued and I don't really remember what happened next. Nothing bad, but there was a bad, forboding feeling to it.

So we continue walking ... I keep seeing shadows (you may say, duh[!] it's night[!]), but they move. And Things are popping up and I am FREAKING OUT. We pass this one part of the trail where there's a sewer thing above the ground, raised by this cement pouring. I see Mama and I's shadows pass on it and I grab her arm, because at this point, I almost can't take the fright. By the way, the other shadows aren't Mom's and they aren't mine. I tell her kind of what is going on. It is a BAD feeling. We keep walking and I just want to burst out crying and run as fast as possible outta here. But I keep walking with Mom and trying to shield as best I can. We cross under the bridge for the highway and I am still seeing tons of shadows. As we continue walking, Mom informs me that her entire body, but especially the backs of her legs are getting chills.
We are at the Faerie Park and the faerie mound is in sight. I feel like breaking out in a run. But I walk at a steady pace, instead. Right as we reach a split in the sidewalk and stay on our path, the Thing behind us, following us, stops. I can feel it. It kind of fades as we walk farther away from it. But then a ... almost a probe is sent out from it. I can tell that what is following us now isn't IT, but it is still a conscious watching. I tell Mom to hold on as we reach the faerie mound. I walk up onto it, into the circle of trees of the grove and lean against one tree. I'm just shaking like a leaf, tearing up. But peace pervades right away and I walk between a 'doorway' of trees and the faerie 'shield' stays with me. I can still feel the Thing back there, but I feel safe and confident now.
Mom tells me she felt it, too. We continue and as we cross the next street, the Thing stays behind. I feel safe now. We go home.
Boy, oh boy, was that intense!

So now, I'm sitting here, typing this. I can feel ... the back of my neck is cold. I'm facing away from a window in our laundry room. Th- Okay, nevermind. There ... dammit! Okay, well, there WAS a probe watching me, but I was okay. Then as I went to type that, it went away and when I went to type THAT, it came back. So indecisive, eh? Ha.

So anyhow, I was trying to figure out what could be going on. Two things. There is Something right on that second trail that I can feel all the way here. I felt it last night, but not as strong. Tonight, I'm sure it's stronger because we went into its Territory. Speaking of Territory, it got me to thinking. I just explained to the 'probe' that I realise now, that the trail there is It's Territory at night. Between dawn and dusk. I didn't know before. East of the Mound/Grove ... that's my Territory. West is Its. I will no longer go west of the edge of the grove, unless I'm on the busy road. I'll stay out of the Territory at night. And the Thing is allowed to visit my Territory, but tonight it must go or I will be pissed. Well, it went. We have an understanding now.

All is well.
Blessings and Peace.
I apologize to the Thing.

(Note: Sorry it's a bit long. And I don't want to re-read it tonight for edits, so I'll do that later. If there's a typo or something, I'll fix it soon.)

New Book

I got a new book from the library and when I read the cover and looked at the author's picture, I didn't think I'd like it. But I had placed it on hold, unseen (bad habit of mine), so I checked it out.
The book is called Garden Witch's Herbal by Ellen Dugan.
When I got home, I looked through it and read some things. The more I read, the more I liked. I guess it is true that you can't read a book by its cover.
Although the publisher is Llewellyn (ew), and the author spells magic with a 'k', her writing is marvelous. She has practiced magic for more than 25 years, as well as having received her Master Gardener status through the University of Missouri. So she really seems to know what she is talking about. There is a lot of information in the book and the drawings are beautiful.
Definitely a book I want to own.

Look What I Can Do!

I can write a post here, promoting my new post on my other blog!
Yes, this blogpost is only to say that Miscellaneous Insanities has a new blogpost.
Okay, well ... almost. I also wanted to say that it is absolutely GORGEOUS outside. Bitter cold, but it is beautiful in the snowy mountains! Also, nestled in these very mountains, there are so many fairy parks and places with lots of wonderful activity.

Much Love

Bad Party Luck or No Alcohol Equals No Guests?

So I was joking with Sammy and Mama tonight about how it is very likely that no one will come over for the Samhain Stop-By on Saturday. Because it seems like whenever any of us plans a party or get-together, no one can make it or they're all busy or they're not busy and they just don't come over.

When people actually get themselves to visit, they absolutely love it and talk about how lovely and peaceful and wonderful it is here with us. So why don't they come more often?

Well, we noticed that the only two times when everyone seemed to show up was when either someone brought alcohol or we had bought some beers or wine or something for the guests. You see, Sam hates the taste of alcohol, I don't much like it, either. Mama is allergic. A sip of beer makes her woozy. So we don't often have alcohol. Not only that, we don't see the point in drinking fermented stuff that is unhealthy for you.

Now ... if this is true, that people will only go to parties when there is alcohol, that is really very stupid. And I don't hate to say that. Drunk people act like idiots and what they find funny is only funny to those who are drunk (or stoned ... same thing there). People who are just nervous or socially uptight without something to focus on, without something to relax them, should know that if they are creative, they can relax and enjoy themselves without alcohol. Hell, at our house, if you're needing something to relax, we'll set you up with Unwind tea and you can even take a warm bubble bath for all we care.

Anyway, I could go on about how retarded (and I mean that by the definition of the word) only going to parties with alcohol is, but I would be repeating myself with different words. So what I'm going to say now is this:

At our house, the atmosphere is usually so peaceful that there is no way to be uptight after a few minutes. We have really good energy here. Not only that, but there is little-to-no friction between Sam, Mama and I. We are friends more than we're blood-family. As a result, there is no familial tension in our house. We accept you for who you are in the stage of life you're in, so there is no need to worry about what we'll think. But please, don't avoid our get-togethers like the plague just because we don't serve a drug. Be aware. On a blessed night such as Samhain, I'd think that you'd want to be aware enough to see any fairies or spirits that come a-callin' ... and remember them the next day, as well. I know I do. And I know that I want to be clear-headed on a very holy night like that one is.

Blessed Be

Samhain Stop-By

Okay, so I have nothing going for Samhain. I'm gonna get dressed up and probably go trick-or-treating (I'll tell you the story of why in my Samhain blogpost), but other than that there's not much.
So I'm opening my house. Well, technically, it's Mama and Sammy and I's house. But we love visitors and people love our house ("It's so peaceful!") but they never come by. Which is annoying. When we invite someone to stop by, we mean that. But they don't get it.

Back to what I was saying! Folks in Colorado can come by after 10am on October 31st. After midnight, I'd like to go to sleep, though. You can just stop by sometime between those hours or stay and visit for however long. We'll have tea water and coffee. Bring a snack or your favorite kind of tea, if you want. Or not. Just bring yourself.

If it's not too wet and if I'm (or Sam, if he's not working) not too lazy, there might be a fire in the firepit.
We do have a dog who is very hyper. His name is Stick, and he is a Pootalian. No joke. That's a new breed, which is made from Miniature Poodle and Italian Greyhound. So he's a hyper lap dog. When you walk through the gate, he'll jump up and snap his teeth in your face, but don't be scared. He just likes the sound. He would NEVER bite someone (heavens-to-Betsy, no)!

So for directions or answers to any questions, email me at fearofsanity@gmail.com
I check my email every day, so you'll get a reply directly. OR! If you have my phone number, you are welcome to give me a call, as well.

Blessings and Belches

Meet Another Fajr Witch

After each blogpost from here on out, look to see who wrote it at the bottom. I have a new contributor! My lovely sister, Leyla Fajr, is a new Wiccan/Witch/Pagan/Chick ... well, I mean she's not a spring 'chick', but um. You know what I mean.

Much love!

So I need to give a shoutout to my surrogate Uncle Azzerac, and his lovely partner, Carmin.
They own an online Premium Occult Supplies store, Lodestone & Lady's Mantle. They also hold Occult Science classes at a local bookstore and a weekly Sunday Witch 'n Bitch at a local cafe (during the cold season. Summer, there is hiking).

So I was reading their latest blogpost. And I decided to give a shoutout to John Unger, as well.
Anyone who reads this, please pass this on or buy one of his beautiful pieces of work to help him out in his case.

Hugs