Of synchronicity and... saints?

I had a real OMFG moment this morning when I was having a, what my partner and I like to call business meeting. We usually go over things we need to take care of business wise and touch on any projects, look over each others calendar of events to be sure we've got our ducks in a row.

Christmas is a huge deal for him and he has been wanting to work in his heritage into December celebrations (he is agnostic) create new traditions, etc. (we did this without knowing of Graveyard Dirts wonderfully similar campaign! Check it). He mostly identifies as Swedish, so he was going over some important dates of celebrations he wanted to include. What was on the 13th? Santa Lucia Day.
Now, take a wild guess at what my orris roots name is, mind you, the name she gave me. She told me her name about a month before I asked which day she'd like to be consecrated to pendulum work. Now, I wasn't raised Catholic. I was raised non-denominational Christian, and I have no beefs with my Christian past, I think it is definitely something you have to be open to when practicing/studying hoodoo. I've never given working with Saints a second thought, just because it doesn't really flow with my normal way of, doing things.

So when I saw that her consecration day was SAINT LUCY'S DAY my jaw fucking dropped. I understand that she is honored as a light-bringer (which makes me think of my light-bringer, Hekate) and patron of the blind. I'm still trying to work out what this means exactly. Perhaps my soon to be root pendulum will allow me to see things that I am normally blind to? I don't know, I'll have to give it some deeper thought. But I do know, that I will be giving a nod to Saint Lucy on the 13th and both she and my little root, who is resting sweetly in her box, will be getting (veganized) lussekatter and lots of candles.

Weeds weeds weeds,

I've been thinking about this for a while and Sarah got me thinking a little further about Entheogens and Self-Control. However, this is more about my recreational weed habit and not as something I use for spiritual experiences. Rather, it's about how it is hindering me from further spiritual growth.

I love pot. I've been smoking it regularly for about 10 years now, a few breaks here and there for good measure. My husband smokes it to help his appetite and stomach problems. I smoke recreationally, for pleasure, relaxation, sleep (my dream work suffers though when I smoke before bed), tunnel vision, warm blanket feeling, etc.

In the recent months and in the past though, I find myself burying a hole and staying there for weeks, months even and I don't get anything done - spiritually speaking. As much as I hate to admit it, as much as I don't even want to admit this to myself, it clogs me up anymore. Like I mentioned, my dream work will suffer horribly. I refuse to do trancework when high or even coming down, it feels counter intuitive and just plain awkward.

I keep thinking I could just set a time limit on when I smoke during the day, like smoking hours. Or consider doing it only as an occasional treat. Another part of me is nagging that I should give it up altogether, for the sake of my spiritual practice and development, because at this point I think that my habit is hindering me more than anything.

Sacrifices. They must be made. Noumenia is coming up and I think that that would be a good way to enter the next month. I'm going to do it.

*

I've spent most of the day cleaning like crazy. My husband surprised me when he said that I should take over the spare room of ours. We don't use it for anything other than bike storage, cat tower and TV that we never use. So, we've moved the television to the bedroom and I've been moving all of my books and sacred things into my, "lady time" room as we both call it. I'm pretty excited and happy.

Of cartomancy and datura,

Look what I got in the mail today!

I'm in the midst of giving cartomancy a good faith effort. I haven't delved too much into any form of divination, except for the odd tea leaf reading, dream work and just everyday omens and signs. I have been working with a tarot deck (for a few years, but not seriously), but I wanted to give old fashioned playing cards a go. The NWW Guide to Cartomancy got my wheels spinning, as well as directing me to this lovely deck by Corina Dross!

My datura is growing so damn fast, its almost frightening. I know that this plant can be quite mischievous, dangerous and abusive by just being around it, so I have been extra respectful and careful while handling. The interesting thing is, it seems to almost demand attention and is luring me in with its gloriously green and fuzzy foliage. And this little guy gets my attention, as you can see. Also, that picture was taken about a week ago, and its grown a LOT more since!

Being a novice gardener, I jumped the gun thinking I would be able to grow a crap load of veggies (in many varieties) and a crap load of herbs. I don't know if my baby green thumb ass can handle that much to start, so I've decided to give the herbs and poison plants priority over the veg. As I am in a financially secure position right now, the veg would be nice, but it isn't necessary for my survival. I will be going forward with the pepper, tomatoes and eggplants. Probably lettuce and an ornamental melon called a plum granny - that was apparently used in the Victorian era to perfume under petticoats, in purses and other places. There will also be lots of bee and hummingbird flowers. Melissa officinalis is popping back up next to the raspberries, my favorite!

I'm looking forward to stang hunting once the full moon comes around, which is soon. I have hazel in mind. It grows all over and it is a tree that has always managed to capture my attention, and not to mention all the magical attributes it carries.

A storm is about to rumble through and sleep is calling to me.