Upcoming Long Night's Moon

The sun is rising over the trees in the back yard and shining in through the back door.  I have a japanese bowl filled with very strong coffee and heavy cream.  Lots of sugar.  The light around me is amber.  The house is warm.  I could still be in bed, but then I'd have missed watching the sun make it's way over the trees, and I would not have realized just how dirty the windows on the back door are.  Time for Windex.  I'll get to that later.

I have bed head, and no plans to change that any time soon.  I have no reason to leave the house, and I'm grateful for that.  The house is quiet.  Everyone has left to go off and do whatever it is they have to do today. School, work.  I'm alone save for the fur babies who are having breakfast. 

I didn't get much reading done yesterday.   Instead, I doodled - created the title page for my new grimoire.  My old one is still useful and filled with things I learned in the 1990's, but it's time for a new one.  Since I put the finishing touches on the old one (1999) I haven't kept a formal book of shadows or magical journal.  I've scribbled notes here and there instead.  I'm ready to have one big book into which all my scribblings may go.

The moon is new born -- three days old.  Waxing to fullness on December 4th.  I am planning something special for the Cold Moon.  Coming back to life spiritually prompts me to rededicate myself, reintroduce myself to the elemental powers, to the spirit of this house, this land it sits on.  I have a new name, too.  One that fits me like no other I've ever had.  I like the practice of changing your name to reflect where you are in your journey.  I guess I've never been really comfortable with where I am, since I've switched out my name from Willow to Lupamaer to Saffron and now to Ivy.  Ivy after the ivy growing on the brick out back.  Ivy after the Celtic tree moon of my birth.  Ivy after it's ability to hold fast the way I have held fast in high winds and storms.

Last night, I created an incense blend that pleased me - frankincense, cedarwood, hibiscus, and cedarwood essential oil.  A pinch of dragon's blood resin to give it a bit of punch.  The 'flavour' is woody, heady, and exotic.  Not too sweet.  Next time I think I'll do some of the grinding in my herb grinder, because an hour is too much time to spend with a tiny mortar and pestle.  My arms ache.

I wasn't thinking too much about what herb corresponded to what intention.  I just played with the scent until I got what felt right.  Cedar is for purification and healing.  Dragon's Blood is for power.  Frankincese is for spirituality and protection.  Hibiscus is for love.  A good, all around general incense.  Healing, Power, Spirituality and Love.  What a lovely thing to fill the house with.

Hibiscus is also for lust, as was proven by the mad dash upstairs after the smoke cleared and it was time for bed. ;)

***

Today I will finish up the last two loads of laundry that need to be done, paint another wall (red earth....beautiful colour) and plan what to make for dinner. It'll just be the boys and I since Dark is moonlighting tonight.  I have at least a glass of wine left over from last night's bottle that we split between us, so I'll be enjoying that after dinner.  Oh...and I'll be cleaing the windows in the back door.  I want the sun to stream in unhindered.  All those finger prints and dog nose prints and cat paw prints have got to go.

As Always,

Ivy