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Re-use Score!

Last night hubby and I went to the store to look for some cloak clasps for the shop.  We walked in the store through the garden center and I saw these cute little trees from Christmas.  They had artificial flowers in them and other decorations.  They were in a metal pot and were on clearance.


I picked one up and carried it in the store to check the price.  I scanned it and it said “.02”.  Yes, two cents.  So after we finished our shopping I went back to the garden center and found five of the little trees.  They’re probably about 8-12 inches tall.  I grabbed them all and went to check out.

The cashier rang them up for indeed two cents apiece. 

This morning I went outside and planted the little guys.  I’m not sure if they’ll live or not but check out what I got for a total of ten cents.


Photo Credit - Renee Olson


And here's what it breaks down to:

Photo Credit - Renee Olson


Five tree, five metal containers, five plastic planting containers, red cellophane for packing or wrapping gifts and lots of decor I can use for wreaths!

Photo Credit - Renee Olson

Major Score!

I hope they live.


Namaste and Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
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Pagan Blog Project 2012 - Y is for Yggdrasil



In Norse mythology, there is a giant ash tree, Yggdrasil, supporting the universe.  This tree roots travel from the underworld, Niflheim into the land of the giants, Jotunheim and a third into the Gods home, Asgard.

Urdarbrunnr or the Well of Fate, Mimibrunnr or Well of Wisdom and Hvergelmir or Roaring Kettle.  These three wells at the bottom was said to give the knowledge of Odin.  It is said that Odin gave one of his eyes for this knowledge.  

Sometimes depicted as a tree with large branches and roots that mirror them, Yggdrasil is often used in pendants and tattoos.  I’ve seen it with the words of the Wiccan rede around it and “As above so below”.

This is Yggdrasill, the World Tree, Tree of Life or Laerad.

Photo Credit - Elijah Olson - Tattooist


Within the tree four deer live in the branches and eat the buds representing the four winds.  Also in the tree is a snake (Vidofnir) a rooster and a squirrel (Ratatosk) noted for gossip. The roots of the tree are chewed upon by Nidhogg.

In the myth, demons are trying to destroy Yggdrasil this represents the constant power struggle between good and evil.  

On the day of Ragnarok, or the end of the world, a fire giant named Surt will send fire in all directions and the nine worlds held up by Yggdrail will burn causing the earth to fall into the sea.

I had read this several years ago and even played an online role playing game that referenced this story.  We always had to get back to the tree!

Namaste and Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
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December Traditions - Christmas Tree

Whether you cover your tree in tinsel or leave it off. Choose to use a star or an angel; each Christmas Tree is individual and represents it's owner. It has been called by many names, Yule Tree, Christmas Tree and Holiday Tree.

As a kid, we always had a tree.


That me, the tall one, without the big pink fuzzy feet.


I still love this time of year. I love the chill in the air and the crunch of the ground beneath my feet. I love the Yule time season and I do still love a Christmas tree.

The history of the Christmas tree has Pagan roots. (Pun intended) Druid priests in Great Britain used evergreen plants/trees in Yule ceremonies to celebrate the Winter Solstice. In the 1500's German's began using evergreen trees as a symbol of hope for the coming springs.

The modern Christmas tree is a descendant of this same tree used in Druid ceremonies. It's thought that the first was introduced to the US by German immigrants in the mid 1700's. Today there is a great deal of controversy over the words Holiday vs. Christmas tree. In order to be more inclusive of those around us, some in the US have started to use "Happy Holidays" and "Holiday Tree" to make those who have other holidays in December feel included.

For more information on Christmas around the world check out this cute site. I have even found a great page on the History Channel, that has lots of info on the history of Christmas.

Here's a great video on the life of a Christmas Tree.




Wishing you all a GAGA Holiday Season!




Namaste & Blessed Be!
Sosanna
)O(
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