Ostara vs. Easter

Which do I celebrate?  I saw this type of question a lot around the Holidays last year.  Yule or Christmas, then of course there's the current holiday Ostara or Easter, and let's not leave out Samhain or Halloween.  You get the idea.

My question is, why choose?  Very few of us grew up celebrating Yule, Ostara, Samhain or had any idea about the wheel of the year.  When we were kids Spring meant Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and lots of candy; Fall brought costumes, going out at night, and more candy; Winter was all about Christmas, Santa Claus, presents, and of course...candy.  There were family traditions that were followed year after year, passed down through the generations and some new ones thrown in occasionally.  These are the things that stuck with us as we became adults and started our own families.  So why should we turn our backs on all those good memories and traditions just because we've chosen a different path for ourselves?

I say don't!  After all, being witchy is based on tradition and lore passed down through generations.  I say celebrate both!  Follow your path and acknowledge the turning of the wheel but don't forget your roots.  Celebrate the generally acknowledged holidays as well.  Have fun with them!  Keep the family traditions you enjoyed as a child and maybe incorporate your current path and make some new traditions.

Remember, this isn't a secret club that will revoke your membership if you celebrate Easter (or Christmas, or Halloween).  That's the beauty of it...nothing is set in stone!  Do what works for you because there's only one rule..."And ye harm none, do what ye will."

~ Heathen

For Your Consideration

Okay friends, I need a little input from you all.  I'm considering hosting my own giveaway sometime this Spring and I'm wondering what you would like to see as a gift.  Tags, art boards, something else entirely?

This is your chance girls, majority rules, so tell me what you want.  I will be making the art myself, but I am happy to include something of yours if you're interested.

Just leave your ideas in the comments or send me a private email.  I look forward to reading your ideas!

~ Heathen

Gone Thrifting

Today I succumbed to my girlie side and went thrifting at a few local consignment shops.  I found some beautiful pieces but my favorite looks something like this...

image found at arhdecor.com

It is all white, more shabby/vintage than this one, with less glass and the top shelf is open.  I couldn't find a photo of the actual piece.  But alas, it is out of my price range.  Such a shame, wouldn't that be perfect for displaying seasonal decorations?  I figured I didn't really have a place to put it anyway.  That is until I came home and realized I have the perfect wall for it. *sigh*  Even though I didn't come home with this wonderfully perfect piece, I had so much fun looking through all the beautiful things and getting great ideas.  Definitely not a wasted trip!

And after feasting my eyes and daydreaming, I just had to re-watch the new Alice in Wonderland!  If you happen to have Netflix, they've finally added it to the instant streaming.

I just love this movie!  Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

~ Heathen

Feeling Good

Those of you who know me personally know that I am not your typical girlie girl.  But for some inexplicable reason this Spring, I am head over heels in love with this...

and this...

and this...

and this color...

I don't get it and I can't explain it but I have this crazy urge to move into a cottage, plant a garden, and decorate completely Shabby Chic, claw-foot tub and all!

**all photos found on Google Images keyword Shabby Chic**

A Few Of My Favorite Things About Spring

Warm afternoons and cool nights

The smell of orange blossoms

Blooming flowers and trees

More daylight hours

Relaxing rainy days

A sense of renewal

Farmers markets

Butterflies

Enjoy the season!

~ Heathen

Extended Absence and a Book Sale

Hello all.  I've been a bad blogger friend lately.  It's been nearly a month since I last posted!  I have no excuse, I just apparently needed a break.  But I'm back and will try to be here on a more regular basis again.  Now, on to the book sale...

In case you don't know, most of the Borders locations are going out of business.  Yesterday we popped in to see if there was anything left at a good sale price; last time we were in there the sales were only 20% off.  Not bad, but not exactly great so we left empty handed.  The sales are now 50-70% off and there are plenty of great finds left.  I managed to pick up two, count 'em two, current magical/witchy almanacs for 50% off!  I nabbed the Spring 2011 to Spring 2012 Witches Almanac and the 2011 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac.  I was so happy to find these, I thought for sure they would be long gone by now.

You have to do some digging and things aren't always shelved where you would expect them to be.  At my local store there are still some good things to be found in the magical/metaphysical section, the horror section is pretty much depleted, but the mysteries/thrillers section is still brimming.  No new releases, obviously, but lots of books left at great deals.

Just thought I would pass this along to you.  Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

~ Heathen