44 Days of Witchery


A favorite goddess- Sekhmet

Egyptian goddess of war and destruction, but also a multitude of other things such as medicine.  She is known as the eye of Ra.  Sekhmet is tied to Bastet, both being cat-like goddesses but not related, as well as Hathor, the cow goddess.  In some mythologies it is said that Hathor and Sekhmet are one being, Hathor being of life and love and Sekhmet being of death and destruction.


Their is a story that says once humans tried to overthrow the gods.  Ra heard this and sent Sekhmet to cease this rebellion.  Sekhmet descended onto the humans and slaughtered them, drinking their blood as she went.  She relished the taste of blood so much the gods feared Sekhmet's wrath would leave no humans left.  Ra had beer mixed with plants and blood so it would become red and tempt Sekhmet.  When Sekhmet came upon it, she drank it all and became intoxicated.  Her rage was soothed and peace returned to the land.


I like the goddess Sekhmet in the same way I am drawn to goddesses like Kali-Ma and Artemis.  Stories of these fierce women prove a very important point.  Women can be just as angry and battle-savvy as men.  Too many people associate the feminine with docile or weak.  Sekhmet proves this not to be the case.

Day 8 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - 3 Things in My Home


Today's question is what three things in your home are you thankful for.  I take things to be inanimate objects, not the other two nouns.  As I've already mentioned my computer and my clock...

1. The Stove
Thank you stove for doing your job.  Your burners may cook a bit unevenly and not simmer well, but you do your best.  You don't even get mad when I drop tater tots into your oven.  You just let me know with the slight burning smell.  Thank you for helping me cook for my family and not give them food poisoning.

                                                         2. Books

Not just one item, I know.  But they all deserve recognition.  Can't think of a word?  To the dictionary!  The power is out, you say?!  Whatever shall we do?  READ A BOOK!  Allow the physical presence of words on a page to grace you with it's wisdom.  Even if it is fiction.

3. My Dry Sink

Also known as the place where Kristina keeps most of her pagan stuff/drying herbs.  The poor thing is a mess of disorganization right now, but I intend to change that shortly.  Without it my four (yes I said FOUR) mortars and pestles would have no official home.  My massive store of candles would be sitting in a bag somewhere.  And the gong... where would the gong go?!

Alright.  I think I'll stop with my attempts of funny melodrama.

Day 7 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - 3 Inspirational Songs


Today's question is what three inspirational songs are you thankful for.  I have an extremely eclectic taste in music.  From hip-hop to Gothic rock, techno to classical.  I like a little bit of everything.  So the three songs I picked, while inspirational to me, are quite varied in style.

1. Lionheart by Amberian Dawn 

This song is about one of my favorite Egyptian goddesses, Sekhmet.  She is the lioness-headed goddess of war.  I have always been drawn to lions, as well as certain goddesses that portray qualities that aren't typical of "the feminine".

2. Isle of Inisfree by Celtic Woman

Most of the songs sang by this wonderful group are beautiful, but this one is one of my favorites.  Orla has such a great voice and is so talented on the harp.  This song speaks to the country girl in me that yearns for simplicity.  

3. The Reason by Hoobastank

I like this song for two reasons.  One, the lyrics.  Loving someone enough to try and better yourself for their sake is a beautiful thing.  Two, the music.  There are so many harmonies you can sing to this song.  I always like singing it with my sister when it comes on the radio or a CD we have.

Day 6 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - 3 Things You Can See


Today's question is what are three things you can see right now that you are thankful for.

 1. My Faith
I have a dry sink to my immediate right that holds a majority of my pagan things.  Most of my books (save one my mother has yet to return), my cauldron, my candles etc.  Paganism has enriched my life so much it's impossible not to be thankful for it.

 2. My Connection (a.k.a. my computer)
Without this lovely piece of technology, I would not be typing to you right now.  I never would have reconnected with an old friend from New York, nor would I speak to my friends nearly as often.  So many people get caught up in having the newest, shiniest thing on the market.  I'm just happy to have internet service and a computer to access it.

3. My New Clock

Yay for material things?  I;m by no means materialistic, but my almost brother-in-law bought me this about a week ago and I just couldn't leave it unrecognized.  It's a clock... in the shape of a tea kettle.  And it's vintage.  I apologize if this makes my sound like I'm bragging.  I just REALLY like this clock.

Day 5 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - 3 Animals


Cordelia asks what three animals, past or present, are you thankful for.  I have had many animals in my life, so this is difficult.
  1. October
October is my first kitty.  He's been with us for several years now and I hope he will be with us for several more.  He is a bit antisocial... meaning he is a typical cat that will only be petted when he wants.  October is not really a lap cat, but he will sleep at the foot of my bed some nights.


  2. Samantha
Ah Sammy, how I miss you.  This wonderful cat proved that female cats aren't always standoffish.  She was the sweetest cat you would ever meet.  Sammy was the epitome of lap cat and would always accept pets from whoever came by.  Both she and Webster were with us during the big move from New York to Michigan.  Unfortunately she got really sick and had to be put down.  She will be missed.

 3. Webster
Webster was an interesting cat.  You wouldn't know how he would act from one day to the next.  Once he escaped from our apartment and was missing for about a week.  Luckily some ladies saw him and remembered the fliers we had posted throughout the neighborhood.  When we got him back his fur was all matted, so thus began the yearly summer grooming session.  Also, when we first got October as a kitten, he mistook Webster for a female and tried to nurse.  Webster never quite got along with him after that.  Webster passed about six months after Sammy.  He stopped eating and was depressed, so he too had to be put down.  We miss him as well.


We do have other pets though.  There is Roxy, a doberman/German shepherd mix who we took in for a friend.  She has now become a part of the family.  There is also Maurice, a kitten Ada saved from the prison he works in.  He's become quite a roly-poly fellow... we think he likes it here. 

Day 4 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - Childhood


Today's question is what are three things from childhood you are thankful for. 


1) Being so close to my mom and sisters.  We've always hung out together.  My mom even found a preschool for me to go to that was right down the road from the college she went to get her nursing degree.  She would sometimes come and eat lunch with me.  My sister said I was too little to play with them at first, but that quickly changed.  There was one time we had a three way grass fight using dead rodents as territory markers.  (Ah, to live in the country with outdoor cats.)


2) My parent's divorce.  It was not fun at the time.  Or even shortly thereafter.  But old wounds have finally shown some semblance of healing and all five of us are better people for it. My mom and my dad have both remarried wonderful people and have grown into stable individuals.


3) Moving to Michigan.  The job market is atrocious and the economy sucks, but I'm glad we moved here.  New York held bad memories for all of us and I think we would have floundered there.  Here I've found purpose and friends that have lasted almost a decade.  Considering the fact that I'm only 20, that's pretty substantial.

Day 3 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - 3 Relatives or People From the Past

I'm not terribly close to my extended family, with a few exceptions.  I already talked a bit about some of them, so I will choose others.

Aunt Nancy-I've always liked her.  Sure, sometimes the things we ate at her house were a bit strange.  She's always been that cool aunt who knows what her opinions are but isn't one to throw them in your face.  I'm not sure to this day what she does or did as a career.  I think it had to do with publishing.  When my parents just had their divorce she was a stabilizing factor for me.

Mr. Rose-The principal from the first elementary school I went to, from kindergarten through half of third grade.  He was married to my kindergarten teacher.  I remember each fall he would bring out his apple press and each class would make apple cider together.  I've never fully enjoyed apple cider from the store ever since.  He was always really nice to any of the kids.  For your birthday you could go eat with him for lunch, though I never got to as my birthday is in June T^T.  

Samantha-My first real friend in 6th grade.  I had a hard time that year with people being really mean to me, but Sam was always really nice even though her best friend didn't like me.  I usually sat by myself that year but she would come sit by me and include me.