Holiday Ho-Hum

Holiday Ho-Hum

The winter holidays were a bit quiet this year, and I prefer it.

On the eve of the Winter Solstice, I celebrated with a group I belong to, The Moonlit Grove. This is an eclectic group of witches, pagans, shamans and other magical folk. I've been a member for quite a while, and beginning in February I will co-lead the group for the next two years. The previous leader recently finished his term, and asked if I would help out. I am a bit apprehensive about taking on another leadership role, but this wonderful group of people have been meeting together for a long time, and this step seemed necessary to keep the group going as there was no one else to take the reins. We will be taking turns organizing things, I think it will be OK.

I had a bit of seasonal depression this year, feeling down and wondering if things I do really make a difference. I snapped out it, but with a new resolve to do more things that really matter to me, and a complete and utter disregard for what others may think. As the saying goes, "It's time to get real". I was still debating whether I really wanted to continue with a formal website/blog or not, but I decided I really do. I have a lot to say, lots I want to share, and I think in this unpredictable world we live in now, I still want to be a voice for equality, creativity and magical spirituality.

On Christmas day, it was just me and Matt and we had a very relaxing holiday. He gave me some wonderful things (see photo), Harry Potter Pop Vinyl figures-I love those little things, I have about 24 of them now. The Fred Weasley one was a gift from a friend.

We went to see Fantastic Beasts again. I really love it. It's not as epic as Harry Potter, but still, it's an expanded universe of that world I love so much and still live in...

Matt is learning how to quilt and he wanted some quilting supplies, so those were my gifts to him. He is very excited about making quilts, there are even some Harry Potter and Star Wars patterns. He found a website from a guy-quilter, a website called "Man Sewing", which cracks me up. I guess quilting can be a guy-thing after, all. Why not.

Matt also gave me a bronze statue of the Celtic Goddess Cerridwen. For years, Cerridwen has been my personal guide, teacher and a spiritual mother figure. There are even subtle glimpses of her in Harry Potter. One of the things I love about Cerridwen is that even though she is revered as a Goddess, she still has human qualities. She is not all-knowing, all-powerful or omnipotent as other deity figures are portrayed. She does not require subservience or worship. She is simply a Celtic magical being with three aspects (witch, goddess, mother) who will guide, teach and share wisdom from her cauldron of inspiration with those who choose to follow her. I made a fancy picture of the statue, and put it with the other photos. I'm still trying to figure out how to add photos here, but it's not working for me...

I should be using this time to work on my book, but I truthfully haven't written a word. I just want to enjoy relaxing and not worry about having to "be" or "do". I envy people who don't have to work full-time jobs and can spend an entire day writing. I have to plan ahead and set aside time for writing. That is my project for 2017, finish writing Ways of the Draighean: Blackthorn Druid Witchcraft.

I was actually more excited about having three days off from work than I was about it being Christmas. I have anxiety at Christmas time, because of the expectations people have and the obligatory gift-giving. Some people seem to care more about what they're "getting" than they are about the person who gave it to them. Yes, I have alot of "things" that I love and enjoy, but in the end they are just things. My Harry Potter collection, which I keep adding to, means nothing compared to things that really matter, like Matthew, our family and friends. We have our health, a roof over our head, clothes to wear and food to eat. That's all that really matters. And coffee. Coffee matters.