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My Visit to Plum Village

Today I went to Plum Village.  I didn't go on a plane or a train.  I didn't travel by road or rail.  Today I went to Plum Village. I heard the words of a poet and our spirits were joined together in unity and compassion.

Over the past few months I've been exploring Buddhism. I have always been interested in learning more about it as many of my psychiatrists have recommended mindful mediation for treatment of my bipolar diagnosis. I find the guided meditations to be quite calming.  I wanted to take a moment today and share a couple with you.  Feel free to leave a link to one that you find useful in your daily, weekly or monthly practices.














Did you try one? Which did you prefer? Do you like un-guided meditations instead?  Share your thoughts and feelings. I would love to hear from you!

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NaBloWriMo - Witchy Wednesday 4 - The Altar


For this week’s Witchy Wednesday I've decided to focus on one of the most popular tools in the witch’s possession.  The altar can take on many forms.   From an outside space to be joined with nature to an inside private area to complete chants, the altar can be as complex or as simple as desired.

I’ll start by dissecting my own altar.  I am Hecatean, which means I am a follower of Hecate (Hekate).  I do not have a consort or a male deity that I set alongside of her.  She is my only deity. 




Photo Credit - Renee Olson


Above is my altar to Hecate.  I have a red candle plate that holds round dishes that my tea light candles go on.  These are for the directions. When I call the quarters I light each tea light starting in the North and circling around to the West.  In the center is a large red taper. This is my candle for Hecate.  To the left is a painting of the Goddess and incense burners which hold my sage are here as well.  To the bottom right of the photo is my chalice.  This is to represent again the feminine on an altar.  Many accompany this with a wand or a dagger/Athame.  I do not have either of these on my altar but I do have a large wooden walking stick that sits on the back behind the triple Goddess emblem. I'm still searching for the correct dagger for my altar. This is the only “phallic” type object that I keep.    To the top right there is a small tin of salt, a wooden pentacle and a ceremonial broom that I made to help “sweep” the negativity out.

Photo Credit - Renee Olson


This next photo shows a close-up of the red candle and the Triple Goddess symbol that is carved into the back of the wooden Altar.  I have a bell in the rear for air and to the right there is a small bottle of water and some dirt.   Just next to the red candle dish is a small green candle that I've added for prosperity.  To the back right is my hand fasting cord.   Hubby and I plan to renew our dedication to each other on Samhain, our ten year anniversary using this cord.  It’s been on my altar for a month now collecting energy. 

Photo Credit - Renee Olson


Most altars will have representation of the particular Deity.  I have several of Hecate on my altar. I've the painting above of the Goddess in Red.  I have a key, a piece of Lapis Lazuli as well as a small red bag that contains the cord I used in the “Rite of the Red Cord”.

The representation can be something as simple as a small stone or a candle or as complex as a huge statue.  Many believe that making the object yourself adds more power to it, however I believe that if this is something that speaks to the individual, which gives it a power of its own.  Selecting an image for your deity is a completely personal decision and can take years to complete.

Here are a few examples of some of the Goddess representations I've created.




Photo Credit - Artist - Renee Olson
Purple Goddess

Photo Credit - Artist - Renee Olson
The Goddess & Offering Bowl

Photo Credit - Artist - Renee Olson
Golden Goddess

Photo Credit - Artist - Renee Olson
Natural Goddess

Photo Credit - Artist - Renee Olson
Small Red Goddess


Creating your sacred space to work with the deity of your choice is a very personal process.  Each item can take years to find its way to you.  You will know when you find it.


When I’m working with my altar I use a playlist on Youtube to help me get in the Witchy state of mind.  Recently I found a new chant called “The Charge of the Goddess”.    I’ll leave you with that now.







Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(



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Sosanna's Closet

Over the last few months I've been thinking about what I'd like to do with my life.  Yes, one of those, there's no grandbabies so what am I going to do with my retirement.  Granted I'm only 42 years old, and retirement is still a really LONG way away, still it's been in my mind.

Last month hubby and I chatted and I said, you know, I'd really like to work for myself.  Be my own boss.  Get a little store front and open a shop where I could sell stuff that I like.  Pagan stuff, metaphysical stuff, candles, skulls and the like.   I think having our little booth at the Earth Day Event at Truely Unique in Wilson really nailed it for me.  We made over 100.00 with some little things that I tossed together.  I was really pleased with that.

He said ok let's do it.  So I went down and registered my business name.  I've been using Sosanna's Closet for a while on Etsy, Facebook and on my web page and figured, what the hell.  I registered Sosanna's Closet.  This week I've spent some time on two tasks.  One, review web hosting plans and find the best deal for my money and two, prayer beads.

The first was pretty straight forward, I would prefer to get my domain name included as well as not having a host that shoots elephants in his off time.  :)   The prayer beads were a bit more challenging.  I've been looking into them for a while and found that many pagan's use these.  I've not used them myself however, I do have to save they are absolutely gorgeous!

So I tried my hand at making a few sets over the weekend.  They turned out amazing!  I added a few to the website and to the esty shop as well as adding the new elemental boxes.  I've posted some photos here for you to enjoy.











I'm now reaching out to my blog followers and those that see me on Facebook or Twitter.  Sosanna's Closet has her own Twitter Account and Facebook Page.  We'd love to have new friends, likes and followers.  If you have the time head over and check us out.

Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(

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