Recently,

I haven't been updating because I've entered a bit of a nether-void. Emotionally, I've been on edge, stressed, negative and just plain bitchy. I've been doing my best to pinpoint where this is coming from, what I am doing wrong or if something is doing this to me. As much as anyone would like to blame their problems on something else, I cant do that right now. Its me. Getting to the root of things.

I'm still mulling over the tarot spread I did on the dark moon, I did it during communion with Hekate. It was harsh. It wasn't what I wanted to hear. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells around Her right now. Cant expect fucking sunshine and teacakes 24/7 can we? I have a lot of work ahead of me, spiritually. I mean, when don't we! But its the tough stuff, that is tough, but so worth it - I know. Feeling a lot of self-doubt right now. Feeling a lot of, "I wanna do everything now!" and total lack of patience.

On a less crybaby note,

I've taken a sudden dive into working hoodoo into my practice. I wasn't quite comfortable with it at first, but, I seem to keep going back to it for spells and workings. It isn't much of a surprise really. I may be a transplant, but me, my family and heritage is Southern as they come (Srsly like, really backwater in the swamp rednecks). I've been cooking up oils, herbs are piling up, jars getting filled. I love it.

Giving candle making a go. This is soy wax. Everything was going just fine and then about 15 after I took this photo it, a leak spot formed near the flame and a waterfall of molten wax basically pored out rendering the candle more-less useless. Meh. The votives are working out well, but I think I'm going to try another wick with this size of candle mold. I'll be making beeswax dip candles too I think. I had forgotten what pure raw beeswax smelled like. Made me so nostalgic.

I found this little guy in an offering bowl I had set out to get some sun. I took it as a gift and he is now sitting on my altar. Also, new skeleton keys.

I'm off to plunder the herb seed catalogs of the internet and plot my future garden of herb and veg!

The offering,

Hit the local herb shop (which boasts over 700 types of plant material!) today to collect incense supplies. I would have wild-crafted what I could find, but city living tends to send you to store bought instead.

I really wanted to add some storax to the blend, but this was a spur of the moment idea. I wouldn't have the storax till next week some time and I'd like to have this made during the dark moon.

I was considering (shed of course) snake skin as an ingredient, but I somewhat hesitated because A. I knew I had to ask someone for it. B. I didn't want them asking WHY I wanted it and C. weird? Whatever. I walked into the reptile store and was mesmerized by a great wall of tiny baby corn snakes: opals, lavenders, butters, bloodreds, fire, charcoals. They're one of the MOST colorful species of snake and the most docile (I once had a miami corn (R.I.P. Bartholomew) that disappeared while I was on a mad trip to Chicago once). Getting back on track now, there was a perfectly intact skin next to a little bloodred. The lady behind the counter wasn't at all threatening so I wasn't too shy to ask and she was happy to give it to me - no questions asked.



Shit yes, there will be snake skin in my incense! Something gives me the feeling it will add an extra kick of awesomeness.

Questionable vegan behavior by some I suppose, but look at it this way: little brothers skin isn’t going in the trash, it is being honored. As far as I'm concerned, if it fell off, died naturally, I found it, etc. I will USE it in my practice as it sees fit.