So I've been thinking...

It's Samhain tonight.  I can feel the importance of the change already today.  I feel sort of like the anticipation of Christmas but without the wish for gifts. I'm planning a ritual with DH (Dear Husband) but the very circumstances of the ritual are a representation of the changes in my life.

Previously, I would have spent nearly the whole of today getting ready.  I would be doing all sorts of tasks from clearing up the house to preparing candles, the whole shebang.  This year, however, I can't focus my entire day on Samhain. There is a small Cub to think about and he just insists on being fed, entertained and generally demanding of attention while he is awake.  So, I have to capture the moments when he is being fed by DH or asleep to sort out the rest of it.  This has necessitated a slight downsizing of events until he is more independent.

No more fancy altars.  No more complex menus to share with the Honoured Dead.  We may well end up with chips from the chippy (which is a nice treat).  I always started my ritual at dusk.  I would watch like a hawk for it but this year (and the next couple of years, no doubt) I will be watching the Cub in his attempts to roll over and make a break for it.  Today's ritual will take place later, after he has fallen to sleep so that could be any time up until 10pm if I'm honest.

So, instead, I'm 'going back to basics'.  We will have our evening meal (possibly even with us both eating at the same time!) and put some aside for the Spirits.  Later on we will remember those who have passed on by lighting a candle.  This year feels important for remembering our family across the Veil.  We have made a new family this year so we need to call to the family and remember them for the Cub.  I've a feeling this will be an emotional day for us here.  It's time to let go of some old feelings and move on.

I will also be going back to much simpler practice.  For a practical witch, I seem to have collected a lot of tools and things to pretty up my altar.  I may even take down my altar or simplify it to a couple of objects in a corner.  Meditation has been an issue for over a year so I am re-examining my meditation practice (or lack thereof) and finding new ways to do it.  Instead of going off on my own to sit down and go 'Om' as it were, I shall instead be spending a few moments living mindfully.  I shall try and remember to report on how it all goes. :)

In other news... I am taking the opportunity of Samhain to start writing 'properly' again.  I will be carving out a couple of hours a week to sit down with pen and paper (going old school) and just write.  As Picasso said, "Inspiration exists but it has to find you working."  It's time to get back to work.

Samhain Blessings everyone.

Unscheduled hiatus

Its been a month since I blogged and I have really missed it.  Ive missed the 'me' time of it. I've missed the process of it.  And, boy, has it shown.  My temperament has been a little... testy.

Cub is growing leaps and bounds.  Everyday happens so fast its hard to keep track of the weeks going by.  He's had his tongue tie fixed, he's now sleeping through the night, he's also now wearing 6-9 month clothes even though he is only 4 months old!  He is so long!  He also weighs the same as my bestie's baby who is almost 10 months old!  He is my lovely monkey.  There have been some fun times, some stressful times but it is just so worth it.  However, it has left me with little time for that little pressure valve of mine called writing.

And now we are rapidly coming up on Samhain.  I can feel the pull of the changing year already.  So much has happened this year that I really need to take time to recognise it.  My spiritual practice has been severely neglected this year and Im not happy about it.  So, time to start thinking ahead again.  I cant go back, that just wont work.  I need to figure out a way to adapt my practice to fit in around life now.  I shall ponder on this a while and see what inspiration I can find.