Special Thanks!

Thanks so much to Carolina at The Hoodoo Shop Blog! I woke up this morning to an email from her that I had won her giveaway! That's so cool! I love her shop and, as she knows, have made a few purchases from time to time. Carolina has been very helpful to me, especially with my new curiosity in Hoodoo. Her crafts are beautiful and I greatly appreciate her willingness to answer any questions I have had. So, thank you again, my friend!

I've just recently finished reading The Voodoo Hoodoo Spell Book by Denise Alvarado. It was a GREAT read! I learned so much! And on that note, I'd like to introduce Oshun. I have been reading a lot about this Orisha and I am quite drawn to Her. “I am the honey-sweet voice of the waters. I am the flowing of a woman's skirts as she dances her life.” Oshun is the Santeria Goddess of love, art, dance and the rivers. She delights in the creation of beauty, art, sensual delights and self-adornment. Which says to me…she’s very girly Goddess! (Like me!) Oshun provides gifts of money, sex, love, creativity, fertility, compassion, beauty and laughter. She radiates beauty and teaches us how to love and please our bodies. Everything beautiful belongs to her. She adores fine clothes and beautiful objects. Oshun believes that all is fair in games of love! Her symbols are mirrors, jewelry, honey, golden silks and feathers. The peacock and vulture are sacred to Her. The number associated with Her is 5, her colors are yellow or amber, and metals are gold or bronze. Oshun loves offerings of sweets like honey, white wine, oranges or pumpkins. She also loves perfume! When Oshun is pleased, her blessings know no limits. Praise Oshun when you are tired, and she will enliven you. Call on the river when you are dry, and she will refresh you. Sing to her when you are broke, and she will provide what you need.

Bright blessings!!!

Stopping In....

to say I'm still around. I read everyone's blogs daily - I just haven't had time to sit and work on MINE! So I'm taking a few moments here to say that I'm all good, and all cool and things are going great around here. When I'm not working, seems like I'm resting or spending time with Son or Sweet W (my lovie man). << Gosh he'd hate that! The grass is growing and Sweet W has given me a push mower to cut it with. I was SO thankful. I was just about to go buy one. The nice men that cut my grass last year are deployed...both of them! They are supposed to be back in May. Sweet W also gave me a grill! It's a very nice one and Son has been getting a LOT of use out of it. Now if Uncle Sam will just GIMMIE my first time home buyer's tax credit monies...I can build my privacy fence and start working on my garden! I do have several pots growing of herbs and flowers - I'm just too afraid to put them in the ground without protecting them from neighbor dogs and the lil' kiddos who run back and forth every afternoon.

I'm contemplating getting a puppy now that Son is home and can help out with it when I'm not home - but still thinking on what kind, size, etc. Goddess knows I've had PLENTY of suggestions! Also, I'm not sure how Willie cat will like it, but I'm assuming that as long as it's a puppy, he'll adjust. Willie's pretty chilly.

Also, a week or so ago...someone told me that I didn't have any faith (because I didn't believe in their god). I had to weed through that rough patch and I decided to just let it flow like water off a duck's back. But it's still kind of eating at me.....somewhat. Some folk just refuse to have understanding or be understanding and when they don't even try....I don't have the time. I really hate it when a converation goes from one topic to the next and suddenly lands on my religion (or in their eyes a lack thereof)! But wait, I thought we were talking about makeup? Oh, no....now it's faith....gosh I can't keep up! ~laughs~

Okay, now I'm off to go have dinner at a friend's house who has been just as busy as me and we have TONS of chatter to get caught up on. Bright blessings!

Ramblings....

My awesome son is home from Army basic training all graduated and in tip-top shape. Isn't he a cutie!? Oh, please try to ignore my wispy "do" - I had a long hard morning of baking and getting ready for his belated 21st birthday/coming home party! There are no words to express how proud a Momma I was seeing him at graduation. My heart was in my throat the whole time. I'm a very patriotic person and seeing my son in uniform, marching across that field and knowing what he has gone through and accomplished in the past 3 months was close to overwhelming. Since he's been home, he has been a good motivator for me in the early mornings! I'm up at 4:30 and doing at least a mile walk before heading to work.

Spring has popped up and my yard sure does need some tending! So far, Son and I have planted pansies and put in new mulch in the front flower bed. I have catnip and castor oil plants popping up in my planters, too (thanks to Carolina!). Which reminds me - I need to check on the mandrake that I've had soaking in the fridge....it might be ready to put in some soil, too!

So...I keep getting "christian-type" emails from a few friends and certain family members at my work and home email. Do any of you get those still? And, no, most of them to not know I am Pagan - only a select few. I don't advertise it one way or the other. I've contemplated sending them a really nice email asking them to not send biblical humor and/or christian type emails to me....Or, should I just ignore it. I am not going to receive a miracle if I forward this or any email to 8 people! I don't send them Pagan emails, or Witch humor. ~shrugs~ Maybe I should, or maybe I'll just send them the link to my blog. Think that might do it? I guess it's time to "come out" some more. Well, I'm off to contemplate this a bit more and do a little work around the office. Many blessings to you all!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I've not been around blog-land much lately. I've been doing lots of things around my home - freshening things up and making things pretty for my son's return home from basic training and AIT. This weekend I painted my living room, foyer and hallway! My Goddess, am I ever sore from that! It's hard work, but it is sure beautiful and bright! The color I picked is Almond Cake - sounds good, right?! Tonight I have to pack and get ready for a long (8 1/2 hours) road trip to Ft. Benning, Georgia. I can't wait to see him! We will be returning home sometime late on Saturday. I've planned him a party for the following weekend since he turned 21 while he was away. I'm inviting family and friends. Plus, it's a good way to show off my pretty new living room!

Take care all and many blessings!

Shimmering Ways Blog - Check It Out!

Over at Shimmering Ways, there is a wonderfully informative interview with Carolina Gonzalez today. Also, she is giving away this beautiful handmade pendulum! Go check it out! ~~~So, I'm off to do a little bit of work today (at the office). I hope all of you are doing what you love and enjoying the slight hint of springtime in the air as I am. I have a new pair of cardinals that visit my patio every morning now along with all the little sparrows and a pair of dove - the seed these sweeties to through! Oh Spring, oh Spring! Do come soon!

Blessings!

What's in a Name...

Do you ever think back to the day you created your blog? After reading Carolina Gonzalez's blog post today, I did. What thoughts or ideas helped you in choosing your blog name? Why did I decide on "Pagan in the Rough?" There were a couple of reasons. First, because I am Pagan and second because I consider myself still very rough around the edges. I'm always digging, always reading and studying, always trying new and different spells, rituals, etc. Yes, there are those tried and true that I stick with, but I am always open to new ideas and ways of doing things. I don't confine myself to just one. There's just too much out there! I've got books on Italian and Celtic witchcraft, Egyptian Gods/Goddesses and history and, most recently, Hoodoo is on my reading table. My tarot cards are Celtic and Bast watches over my alter. I have rearranged my bedroom so as to be able to see the Moon at night because that is very important to me. This is what works for me. It may not for others. I glean knowledge from many different sources and use a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

So do I call myself a Witch? No, not yet. I'm still just a pagan in the rough.

Blessings!