Yule Advent Activities

The Yuletide season is fast approaching. You can feel it in the chill of the air and see it within the behavior of the wildlife. Squirrels are gathering food for the Winter and migrating birds are flying through. In fact, I saw my first Goldfinch of the season just two days ago while walking little Jacob in his stroller. 

Due to knowing December will be here before I know it, I decided to create a custom set of printable Yule advent activities. I made some from Popsicle sticks last year, which were a great source of holiday fun. However, this season I decided I wanted some I could fit in my little felt Yule countdown calendar that I created years ago. So below you will find my printables in jpeg form. There are over 21 activities you that you and your family can pick out the ones you wish to do, or print out the blank set to write in some of your own activities! Make sure to comment any that you made up for everyone else. 

*Also, I'm not an expert in photo editing. These are not aligned perfectly. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes in cutting them out. 

Pagan Friendly Children's Books

When I was a child, I always went toward the more pagany oriented style of books. I loved to read halloween themed books that dealt with witches and illustrated stories based on myth and lore. Now, being a parent, I'm searching more and more for these styles of books. I want to fill my son's head with stories of mythical beings, fantastical legends, seasonal wonders and more. Finding such books can be a difficult task. So far, many of the books I've collected have been found by pure luck....or a long hunt through titles at the library. And I've decided that here is where I shall list the titles and authors of my discovers for those also on a similar search. Now, this list will not include actual children's books designed for pagan children but more of the books that I found that seem to align with the ideals of the pagan spirituality. 

• Flight of the Last Dragon by Robert Burleigh
• Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Jones
• Little Rabbit Waits for the Moon by Beth Shoshan
• Where Have the Unicorns Gone? by Jane Yolen
• Snow Moon by Nicholas Brunelle
• Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Berger
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• ABC of Halloween by Patricia Eubank
• Halloween 123's by Patricia Eubank 
• Ten Flying Brooms by Ilanit Oliver

Do you have any favorite pagan friendly books for children? Please list them in the comments for all to see!

Buyer Beware

I now fully understand the saying "Buyer Beware" when it comes to online shopping. I like to find discounts and deals to make my life easier on my budget and with my recent interest of essential oils, I turned to discounted amazon items in exchange for a review from a website my cousin suggested I try out.

I was in love with this. I was getting oils for $1 or less. It was almost too good to be true! Turns out it was....

Yesterday, I received some castor oil and tea tree oils from a brand called Majestic Pure. They had high reviews, so I decided for a total of $1.10 that I couldn't beat this. I had been in need of castor oil anyways for some homemade beauty treatments that I have been wanting to try out for a while now. However, the second I looked at my product, I noticed something was wrong. I could clearly see a label under the one on it. I removed the label to find another brand's label was originally on the bottle. It had a different manufacturing location and everything.

I was stunned. Isn't this type of action illegal? How can one sell this?

To be safe, I suggest when dealing with oils, one should buy from a local health food store from trusted brands. Look into 3rd party testings of the products to make sure you know what you are buying. You want to make sure what you are spending your money on is 100% safe to put on yourself and your loved ones. I will never purchased online oils again as I want to know that what goes on my skin and what may go on my child's is as safe for us as possible. Even if that means spending a little bit more for the name brand oils that have been professional tested to meet high standards.

Social Media Break

Facebook. I hate to admit my addiction to the site. I have absentmindedly wasted many hours staring at my phone screen keeping up with posts of all those in my close and outer circles. It can be a wonderful tool to stay in touch and even to network with other pagans far and near.

However, with a small one to care for, this form of social media has become an issue. My son, now 6 months, has learned that his mother enjoys staring at her device and that it therefore interests him. One of my parenting goals is to avoid the technology dependence that is becoming more and more of a problem in society. I want my boy to play outside and know the joy of fishing in the backyard creek.

This is something I must show by example. So for now, Facebook has been deleted from my devices. Then each day, I must learn to go back to the times before smart phoned and apps...I must be more present and enjoy activities that don't involve technology. This is my best life change yet.

Distasteful Funeral Service

Two days ago, I attended a funeral for a baby whom was born stillborn from a premature birth. I did not know the parents personally but the mother was a good friend of my ex husband. I could only imagine the emotional turmoil she was facing and after the sermon at the graveside service, I could only imagine it made it far worse....

I've never particularly liked Christian funerals. They have often times seemed too much like a church sermon and in no way related to the life of the individual that had passed on. I've only known two services that ever did so. One my mother went to where she raved about a live band and everyone wearing Hawaiian shirts and flip flops. The other was a dinner for my Uncle Robert where the point was to talk about him in good light and to tell the funny stories that made his life memorable. These have been my favorite forms for remembering those who have crossed the veil. However, both involved someone who had lived many years and led a good life. So what does one do for a baby that didn't even live a day? 

It seems the situation called for the telling the family, including both parents, that if you do not live your life well and accept Jesus that you will never meet this beautiful baby in heaven. I was shocked that anyone would say to a grieving mother who just lost her precious baby, who never once even got to see him smile or coo, that they may never see their child in heaven. Being Wiccan, I do not have to dread the idea of that feeling of pressure to do right by "God" so to see my baby in heaven. However, it is still a very insensitive thing to ever hear at any funeral I have attended or heard of. I know in the Christian views that it makes sense that one might not be reunited with loved ones, but to actually hear this at a funeral for a baby? I was appalled.

I guess this is the downside to living within the bible belt. *sigh*

EO Shopping

My mother and I decided we wanted to attempt making a natural mosquito repellant today but lacked the required oils needed for many of the recipes we had viewed. Therefore, a trip to the local health food store was in order.

As with all purchases at the health food store, we managed to wind up with more than what we came in for. While looking at the oils, we noticed a recipe taped to the shelves for thieves blend. My mother couldn't resist and before long our buggy had ever essential oil to create it. Then I remembered a fantastic blend for edema, which I suffer from due to a knee injury. I got oils for it as well. We ended up with quite the set of oils by the time we left.

Looks like tomorrow is going to be another day of essential oil alchemy and I can't wait!

Wet Weather

The weather this year has been somewhat odd. Seems there is a flash-flood warning every other day in this neck of the Texas woods. Parts of this state are already heavily under water such as Austin and Houston. The next town over even had flooding issues. I can't say I ever remember a year like this before. Even as I type, rain is pelting down upon my roof and lulling my little one into a deeper sleep. In the morning, however, there will be more downed branches and plants in the garden getting root rot. I pray this rain wains and the sun makes it's way out. It might just be time to call the coven to gather for a ritual to repel these storms. The land just can't take it.