May the God and Goddess bless you this day and may your summer be a joyful one!

An important epiphany that I need help on...

Hmmm...where to begin. Lately I've felt called (well pushed really) in a way I never really have been before. I've always been the quiet, rather shy rose of the group and my career choices have always reflected such. But now I find myself intrigued, pulled even, to the idea of owning my own herbal/pagan shop. And not only that, but the desire to correctly teach future generations of crafters fills me with a feeling of immense love and purpose. Because of this, I am now turning from my former plans of attending public college and instead enrolling in online ones. I'm studying for a major in business management as well as degrees in both pharmaceutical and magical herbalism. Also, and only because I want to know as much as possible and be prepared for the task of a teacher, I am beginning the path to becoming an ordained Priestess. I'm very nervous, yet confident. It's strange. I feel as though everything else I've done in my life was just procrastination and I am only now finally finding my purpose. I dream often now of Gaia smiling down at me with love and tears of pride in her eyes. During all the things I've endured...my childhood, my marriage, all the pain and hopelessness...I've held fast in my faith and love for the Earth. I want to make a difference, I want to share the love and healing that Gaia offers and now I finally feel that I can. For my shop I plan to make herbal remedies as well as offer homemade products such as beeswax candles of various colors, robes (I'll have a small stock but also take requests if one should want a specific style or size made), and other small items like books, pendulums, jewelry, etc. If I don't have something, I will order it on request. My remedies and card readings will be love offering only, I won't charge anything and I'll only charge the cost of materials on the things that I make. I hope this will help the pagan community. I know a lot of shops charge ridiculous prices for bulk bought and shoddily made items. My classes, likewise, will be love offering only. Here's the thing....I want opinions. What do you, my friends and fellow crafters, think? I know I am young, but each degree is a year to progress through and it will be awhile before I have the funds to start up. It all feels so right, almost...predestined, though I know that is silly. But honestly, don't spare me, please leave comments?

In Love and Light,

@}--- Rose

I wish it to be known that this is not a shameless plug for attention. Lol. No, this is an update for my friends. I just wanted you guys and gals to know that I've just added many new pictures to my gallery. Well, not "new" exactly, but never before on this site. ^_^ Bright blessings and much love to all.

 Rose @}---

*dances happily* Today I am 20 years old! My divorce is underway and should be completed by the middle of January. I shall be free of that woman beating tyrant at last and ready to become the woman I know the Goddess would wish me to be.  I am performing my dedication on the night of the full moon this month, the "Oak Moon" and will be on my way down the path of the Celtic Kitchen Witch. Also, though my new job started off a bit rocky (I've never worked in retail before and was suffering terrible panic attacks), it is now going wonderfully and I am making enough money to finally keep up with my rent without being dead broke every month. I don't believe I've ever had a more wonderful birthday ever! And now I must go to bed so that I may enjoy the 8th of December fully throughout all of today's planned celebrations. Yawns tend to ruin parties. ^_^ Brightest Blessings to All!!!

One of my favorite and most popular poems! I am so proud of it, I actually got featured in Magicka School's Magickal Light EZine this month on page 39. ^_^ I wrote it just after leaving my soon to be ex-husband. It was a very bad relationship and after being in a cage for so long the world was a very large and scary place. I wrote this as a personal pep-talk to remind myself of my beliefs, my roots, and the facts that not only am I beautiful, strong, and intelligent child of the Goddess, but that "no one has the power to hurt me anymore". I am safe from him and my past and don't have to let it drag me down everyday. I read it to remind myself of these things every day. I hope that I can help other women through the nightmare that some of us find ourselves in...and perhaps this poem is a start.

 

 Who I Am
Like Brother Tree, I am strong.
Rooted in my Mother, but reaching for the sky.
I drink in the pure love of moon and sun, and am fed by the Earth.
The Green Man is my friend and all life, my family.
Love comes natural and flows through me and into those I meet.
I am brave...through many hardships have I prevailed with the Lord and Lady by my side.
I am beautiful. Like the flower in the field, I am unique and wonderfully made.
I am intelligent. Long and often have I sat and learned the great mysteries with stars and wind as my tutors.
Most importantly, I am Rose.
Nothing more and nothing less...
And no one has the power to hurt me anymore!