August Life in the US update.

 Blessings Darlings!

So, back to more mundane daily life-during-coronavirus.  I'm enjoying a bit of hypomania and the higher energy levels.  House is getting more deeply cleaned, two blog posts I'm really proud of, reading is being done without me falling asleep, etc.  Yes, folks - the pillows are in the wash even as I type.  Maybe it's not hypomania, maybe this is what 'normal' folks without anxiety and depression feel every day.  Whatever.  

I'm trying to incorporate a second daily offering in my life, an offering of some of my coffee to The Morrigan in the morning.  Been meaning to do that for a week.  Last night I put a sticky note on my coffee cup.  This might be just the thing I needed - I MIGHT now be able to do an offering before I actually have my daily coffee! 

But Coronavirus drags on, with more than 5 million infections in the US.  Schools are opening, masks aren't begin worn, infections spreading there, lots of students/staff getting quarantined.  The Spawn's college starts again 2 weeks from today.  We know that one class will be online.  The other 4 are all supposed to be In Person. I have invested in more masks.  Hospitals still full, respirators still fully utilized, deaths still up.

Sturgis is full of bikers going around mask-free, who will infect each other then spread out across the country.  There might be many a Harley on sale cheap in a few months.

Economy still fucked, because folks don't want to become ill or die.  My job is GONE.  The hotel is going to be a dorm for the local college, so the college can do only one student per room.  The dorms do not serve meals.  I worked in the kitchen.  My only job options right now are McDonalds and Dairy Queen, and maybe the Food Lion is hiring.  Both would require lots of exposure to, ya know, people.  For minimum wage.

Grocery prices are still way up, especially for meats. There are new episodes of contamination of lettuce every few months.  We're getting by on Swiss Cress from the garden instead of lettuce. This will be more of a problem come winter, of course.  I don't have quite enough veggies to not have to buy any, but maybe I'll do better next year.

The Chubby Hubby's birthday is coming, and there's really no where to take him for the day.  Museums?  Surely you jest.  If it was MY birthday, we'd hike.  But MY birthday is in December.  His is on the anniversary of the National Park Service, later this month.

While the Spawn and I were getting our Coronavirus stimulus money, we saved most of it.  The govt might start it up again, but Constitutionally money stuff has to start in the House.  Not as executive orders from POTUS.   At any rate, we could save a lot and did save a lot.  We'll be okay for a while, unlike lots of folks.  Most renters here in West Virginia are delinquent on their rent.  

Here in the US we haven't even had the national conventions leading to the election.  But this election has already dragged on for ever.  And the stupid push against voting by mail, especially during the pandemic is, well, stupid.  At least here in WV - a mostly Republican state, so POTUS is okay with it here - I can order my vote my mail ballot online TOMORROW.  And you can bet your ass that I'm going to.  But if I had to vote in person - I'd be there, with a chair, drinks, food, umbrella if needed, etc.  I . am . going . to . vote.

Frondly, Fern

Black Mass for Shut-Ins.

Blessings Darlings!

As I started blathering about yesterday, lots of us are at home with time on our hands due to lock downs due to Coronavirus.  Not just at home - but due to not being able to go to 'nonessential' shops we can't get more 'supplies' locally ... and since many of us have lost our jobs, we can't even order them online.

What's a witch to do?

It's a little late to stock up a Casting Cabinet if you don't have it in place already.  But all you really 'need' for minimal offerings would be light (usually candles, but you can use a lamp) and fresh water, or even use reading a poem or toning or for some Gods and spirits, repetitions of their names.  Tho' if you're doing any baking ... most won't turn down the first slice of bread off a loaf or a cookie or piece of cake.

If you've been told that to ground you have to go outside and be barefoot and whatever - it's WAY past time to drop that belief like the foolishness it is.  You should be able to ground anywhere, any time, and get to the point that you can do that in literally one breath.  So practice.  You're 'staying in' in an apartment on the 4th floor of a building?  That doesn't matter.  This is energy work.  And as Byron Ballard is fond of pointing out - this energy work is like the energy work in hugs.  You feel that energy just fine even if both of the people hugging are in huge winter coats. 

Many Pagan and Magical authors have moved the 'free' line on their products during this.  Jason Miller has one of his courses for free.  Morgan Daimler has some of her Fairy stuff for free.  Others have done the same.  Go look.

If you can exercise at home - some Gods and spirits will appreciate doing that as an offering. 

Have a spice cabinet?  Learn the esoteric and medical uses of all of the herbs and spices.  Make a cup of tea out of each of them, sip it, and see what your body thinks of it.  Get to know the actual spirit of the plant. 

Do . the . work . now that you have the time.  Not having money for the 'exact' item you want, not being able to hike the woods of the Appalachian Trail (and to stop the spread of coronavirus, they HAVE asked folks to keep off the trail) are NOT limiting factors.

Frondly, Fern

You asked for it, you got it!

Blessings Darlings!

I'm assuming that most of the folks reading this are not 'essential workers' and working full time (or more) during the pandemic.  Which means y'all are at home, and have more free time on your hands.  But along with that free time, you don't have money since you're not working.  And most of  y'all aren't trying to adjust to homeschooling (I suppose I should blog about transitioning to that sometime, too.)

Have you ever said that you wished you had free time to work on your magic/spirituality/etc?  Well my dear - you asked for it, you got it!  All the free time in the world.

So what are you doing with this time?  What books are you reading and working?  What courses are you taking?  How much more time are you putting into your daily practice?  Doing more offerings?  More meditation?  Are you doing your basic self care, and drinking water, getting some exercise, eating your 5 - 9 servings of fruits and non-starchy veggies a day?

I'm trying a little desperately to catch up on the Strategic Sorcery course, reading several pagan/magic/esoteric books, failing on drinking enough water, and ... now that the restaurant I worked in is closed, failing on my fruit and veggie intake most days.  It was so much easier when I had a full salad case to make my salads out of!  Already chopped red onions, tomatoes, lettuces, spinach, cucs, carrots, etc.  Ah well.  I'll continue to work on improving that tomorrow. 

Most of you have that time you longed for.  So are you using it?

More on this tomorrow ...

Frondly, Fern