March Pagan Circle

[Valerie.Qc]

New month, new thread!

Have your favorite drink, take a seat and lets chat!

[sweetsunshine85]

Good March to all!

[revolting]

Dude, where did February go? Only three more weeks until spring! I'm ready.

[wombatclay]

I am sooooooo ready for Spring!  Yesterday's rain turned much of the snow to slush but last night's freeze turned that slush to ice.  It's seriously dangerous outside with several inches of solid smooth as glass ice covering the ground.  The ice is so thick you don't break through to the foot or so on snow under it, but because of the snow the ice is all wavy... so even harder to walk on.  Feeding the chickens this morning was sort of "three stooges" meets ice-capades.  LOL

We've now watched, re-watched, and even memorized the dialog to every MythBusters disc in the Netflicks collection.  So I've started the girls on Changing Rooms.  We saw the episode with the "bedroom wormery" and now they want worms in their bedroom.  :)  I think it's a fun idea too so I think DH might have a project on the way.  Of course, we have to finish building the bedroom.  Sigh.  Our next house is going to be DONE DONE DONE when we move in or I'm not moving.  I want a house where the only thing I have to do is decide on a paint color and maybe change a light fixture or two.  That's it.  And you know the really crazy thing is... with another kiddo on the way we're going to be in a space jam no matter what.  We're trying to come up with a way to fit another bedroom in, but it's twitchy.  We just don't have enough "exterior wall" or "interior floorspace" to meet code for a bedroom.  Maybe a den that we could put a bunk bed in?  But that would require that we give up the living room that we JUST built and moved into.  I know a babe doesn't need much space right off the bat, and I still hope to move in the next 3 years or so, but argh!  We're a solid "one babe behind" already!  LOL

Starting to plan our Equinox celebration and dd1's birthday.  She turns 6yo in April and it is all she talks about these days.  Seriously.  her conversations go back and forth between mythbusters and what she wants for her birthday.  (the two share more than you think since she wants "mythbuster birthday" with gifts like a remote control helicopter which she refuses to call anything but "heli" since that's what they called it in the postage stamp myth.  sigh)  I have relatives with a guest house in Philly so I think we'll go to Philly for the weekend... IKEA (a bday request) and the Zoo or Museum (another request).  Then I need to find an affordable remote control helicopter, a backpack, and a "silk crown" just like the one dd1 saw somewhere.   But Equinox comes first... we'll have our Spring Baskets in bed (seeds to plant and a few peat pots, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, maybe a ribbon wand or wind catcher), then our "spring shower" where everyone takes a quick quick shower with mint or rose oil to wash off winter, then a trip to a park to wave ribbon wands, throw birdseed and flower seed, and make lots of "welcome spring" noise.  I'm glad we'll have a whole Sunday to do it all!

[Aubergine68]

Happy March, everyone! Surely spring *must* come soon!

Was up very late and very early doing extra laundry.and cleaning. If I wasn't too bleary to go dig out the coffeemaker, I 'd be breaking my no-coffee streak today, for sure. Ah well, a head lice experience sure kick-starts the treasure map housecleaning!

The New Moon is coming on Friday, I believe - I really want to get some garden planning done, some seeds started with the grow lights indoors -- I'll do most of the seed-starting in early April but can't resist trying for some early starts in case we get a warm May and can plant out early.

I have never seen Mythbusters - we have a free trial of Netflix (new here). I"ll have to look for that. I saw my first Superwhy episode last night....

[earthmama369]

This is the first year both kids have really dialed in to the concept of holidays and they're reeeeeally excited about Ostara. I'm excited, too, because we've found a group of local families who are either pagan or pagan-friendly and into celebrating holidays, so we're going to have other kids to play with on Ostara.

I'm on the disabled list now, so we've seen a lot of changes this winter. DD started first grade at the public elementary school a bit over a month ago, and DS started a full-time preschool program. We were homeschooling before that. I miss them a lot, but I'm really happy with how the preschool program is working out for ds and dd is happy to try public school, even if I'm not too thrilled with the general structure of the school system and the academic approach they have. The kids really needed a break from my illness and I know this is best for them right now. It gets me some rest during the day, too, which will hopefully help me get on top of my symptoms. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last summer and I seem to fall on the severe end of the spectrum.

What are y'all planning for Ostara?

[singin_angel]

Happy March!

Feeling exhausted today. DD who is 3.5 is co-sleeping with us and she is shoving her head in my back all night and I just can't get comfortable. Needless to say, I need more/better sleep.

Aubergine - lice! eek! Hope those little things are gone quickly!

Clay - more space...I would love that too. DH and I often think of our ideal home...with space for a library, temple space, bathtub we can actually stretch out in or sit in semi-comfortably...lol. I hope you are able to find something that works for you. This season of decluttering may help reveal some new thoughts for you (and maybe floor space?).

Treasure map - I am defiantely feeling the urge to clean and prepare although I still find my map the most beautiful thing I have ever made, so I guess that is a good thing! I am also in the space of wanting to make space for baby. We are in a fairly small space so the kids will share a room (technically) but we will co-sleep with the little one for sure and hope that buys us some time. It is more the clothing space we have to work on. I think with the closet size that is in that room, it should work out fine.

[redveg]

Happy March all:)

I am so ready for Spring!  This has been one tough Winter for me for some reason.  Too long, too cold and too dark! 

[_ktg_]

Happy March!!  Bring on the lions & the lambs!   I am ready for spring to be hear and to finally open up the house to let that fresh air in!  I can't wait to be done decluttering so I can then clean and scrub it all down.  I'm thinking about adding a bit of boost with some EO to my cleaning solution to welcome in the spring, any ideas?  I love mint and maybe some rosemary i love that combo so much!! Also any suggestions for hanging up a broom?  I have a lovely decorative one which I want to hang over our back door, but I'm perplexed in trying to figure out to mount it. 

Goals for this week -

Finish & file our taxes (they are like 90% done) and I'm hoping we do not have to mail them in and can e-file them 

Continue to declutter and get pictures/items up on Craigslist for the stuff to be rid of.  Also setting a deadline of being sold in 1month -otherwise its going to be donated

Send off xmas gifts (finally) to the gparents

Goals for the month:

Figure out DH's birthday present and help him figure out mine

Select pictures of the kids & Hang up pictures in the house

Figure out little alter areas for my house (some high, some low for the kids to get into)

Scrub down entire house & air it out

Aubergine - *squick* at those little buggers! I hope you are enjoying your cuppa as I just finished mine for the day and now I'm on to my first cup of tea for the day to keep me sane.

Clay - we're a netflixes house here too.  I'm digging on season 1 of Buffy (and wow I feel old watching that!) and I think I set aside the Madness of King George to rewatch again,  the kids are totally in love with Phineas & Ferb (very cute,& smart cartoon) and DH loves the comedy specials.

Earthmama- Glad to hear of your plans!! woohoo for schools, recouping with illnesses (especially chronic) and all that jazz.

SA - yes on the sleep front - MORE SLEEP please.  I might ask for that on my birthday.

I'm trying to figure out what to do for Ostara and I'm thinking (if I can pull it off) to dye some hallowed eggs and either glue or wire them to my grapevine wreath for the holiday.  I did see an easter tree (vinyl wall decoration) and that looked super cool to hang up on a wall with some added personal touches.

Ok off to work!  hi ho hi ho...

[wombatclay]

The TM vibe is definately pulling on me... even without a new babe to be I think I'd be feeling the floor space issue.  LOL  I NEED places to put stuff.  Especially since one of our storage sheds collapsed under the snow (it's a metal shed, the snow bent the ridge beam and while we have a house jack preventing total failure... that shed holds a LOT of very important stuff that simply doesn't fit inside the house yet) so there is that sense of urgency too.  I've been saving magazines for the TM... new to me and not yet looked at by me so that counts, right?  :)

mythbusters- there is some profanity/sass/adult content (it's a Discovery Channel show, there are visits to fetish shops, discussions of semen and unwanted pregnancy, almost every episode involves someone getting injured, etc) so do keep that in mind if you're showing it to younger kiddos.  But basically they take "myths" and test them... kind of scientifically, always amusingly.  So things like "do you get more wet walking in the rain or running in the rain?", or "can bug bombs blow up a house?", or "can pop rocks and soda kill you?" or any of those things that turn up in massively forwarded emails.  LOL  The girls love it, there's a great "maker" vibe and try-try-again creativity ethic, and it's nice to see women "doing science, blowing stuff up, and looking fabulous along with the guys".  And of course, Dh and I watched it from season one when we had tv access so it's fun for us too.

[aweynsayl]

why is it telling me my mobile browser can only load basic editor? hmmmm......

huzzah and happy march!

aubergine, hugs!

ktg, lurve the wreath idea! i have some blown eggs we did last year (yep, i managed to move them back without breaking them! wheee!), and want to do more this year, including some for the wreath. right now my wreath is snake-a-fied.


space issues.... the three of us spent more than 4 years living almost entirely in one 12x12 bedroom.... so, i hear ya! upside, i decluttered a LOT in that time, lol. it's been splendiferous unpacking-- and unpacking more...things i didnt really realize were still "packed"... til i realized i dont have to keep things all crammed inside pillowcases stacked upon themselves in a tiny closet..... that was mind-broadening, to say the least.


march look-ahead..... i'm still doing my "constitutional" FE and cell salt for the whole month of march... love watching/feeling things unravel and change. feels like a nice thing to be experiencing as spring approaches! hoping to feel somewhat of a "done"ness with a phase of it by TM time.... this whole process was totally set forth by my 2010 TM, so that feels possible. have a feeling learning about FEs and cell salts, and maybe a certification course in FEs will make an appearance on my 2011 map...... and probably some Real Flowers in my Garden as well. lol. guess it's likely to be a very flowery map!


did a little cleaning this morning~ felt really nice. i am so ready for the warmer weather.... supposed to get to 80 tomorrow..... must be sure to make it to the pool!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc Have your favorite drink, take a seat and lets chat!

Posh coffee for me, please. Heavy cream or half and half, no sweetener

Originally Posted by revolting Only three more weeks until spring! I'm ready.

I think Spring starts at Imbolc, really. It's gotten entirely too warm here, already, though. I would like a Last Blast of winter so I can be sure to appreciate the warmer weather. We did have a spectacular, if very short, thunderstorm last night, though!

Originally Posted by wombatclay But Equinox comes first... we'll have our Spring Baskets in bed (seeds to plant and a few peat pots, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, maybe a ribbon wand or wind catcher), then our "spring shower" where everyone takes a quick quick shower with mint or rose oil to wash off winter, then a trip to a park to wave ribbon wands, throw birdseed and flower seed, and make lots of "welcome spring" noise.  I'm glad we'll have a whole Sunday to do it all!

Love it! Oh, backpack...I found a killer almost-new one at Goodwill for only $2. Got it for ds's 10th and filled it with all sorts of outdoor/survival stuff. He went nuts.

Originally Posted by Aubergine68 Ah well, a head lice experience sure kick-starts the treasure map housecleaning!
 

Yeah, I saw that on the tail end of the Feb. thread. EW! Did you manage to get rid of them?

Originally Posted by earthmama369 What are y'all planning for Ostara?

Here's hoping you get much-needed rest. We also homeschooled, till I hit a wall with having no me-time at ALL (single mom) and so put ds in school. Ostara-- no idea. It's so far from Easter this year, and ds expects (ha) baskets on both. As if. I know I'll probably go to the public ritual, and if it's outdoors, probably offer my help with kids' activities. Even though it's now more little-kid activities. I used to do it when ds was very little. Now he's aged out, but sometimes I still pitch in with the littles.

Originally Posted by wombatclay The TM vibe is definately pulling on me... even without a new babe to be I think I'd be feeling the floor space issue.  LOL  I NEED places to put stuff.  Especially since one of our storage sheds collapsed under the snow (it's a metal shed, the snow bent the ridge beam and while we have a house jack preventing total failure... that shed holds a LOT of very important stuff that simply doesn't fit inside the house yet) so there is that sense of urgency too.  I've been saving magazines for the TM... new to me and not yet looked at by me so that counts, right?  :)

Yes, it counts! I do  that, too. Though I do buy a couple of new ones also. Space-- I want LESS space.

Clay, when I was in college, I lived in a split double room (so had the space of less than a single, really). It was popular to have a loft bed in that situation, if you could get one. It was basically like a bunk bed without the bottom bunk: 4x4s with a platform for a single mattress up top, and a ladder built in to get up there. And a railing all the way 'round for safety. It was WAY up high, and I kept my drafting table underneath. It really freed up a lot of space. I'm picturing also, for you, bunks for the kids, those stretchy nets for stuffed animals on the walls, shoe storage thingies for the backs of doors (but not necessarily for shoes), lots and lots and lots of shelving. Only up high (or since you're building, maybe built-ins? So as not to take up valuable floor space?).

Originally Posted by aweynsayl why is it telling me my mobile browser can only load basic editor? hmmmm......
and probably some Real Flowers in my Garden as well. lol. guess it's likely to be a very flowery map!
 

As opposed to...fake flowers in the garden?

Yeah, mine did that when I tried to reply to February. How annoying, huh?

[sweetsunshine85]

Hello lovelies. I had a whole reply typed out last night, but my computer ate it! :-\ So let me see if I can remember what I wrote.

Well, I am sick again. Sore throat and wicked nauseous since yesterday. I got saltines today and had them in my purse at work. One of the ladies came over and asked me if I "ate them in the morning"? That made me laugh. Kinda missing an essential component in getting pregnant! ;)

I got lost in the last couple pages of February with all the FE, cell salts and varied diet talk. No clue what any of it was about.

So yesterday I found this book called The Pagan Book of Days. It goes through every day of the year and its pagan roots. Turns out my birthday (march 16) is the beginning of the two day festival of Dionysus(aka Bacchus), the god of wine. :)

Um, in other news....I babysat my friend's 4 month old this Saturday, and brought her to visit my family. I haven't been home since Christmas, so it was pretty awkward. My sisters asked some questions, then my youngest sis started really asking questions and getting upset when I didn't answer them anymore. Blah.

Oh, I start my herbal apprenticeship on the 12th! I am so excited. I'm doing the Gaia School of Healing in VT, for the next 8 months! =)

[Aeress]

Afternoon Dears!

February, mayou become a very distant memory~

Clay- space- What about a murphy bed? Might help free up space, while adding a bed type space.

Aubergine- lice is a real bugger, isn't it? I worked for a woman who tried everything, we cleaned, we washed, we treated and it was over a month before her one dd was rid of them. Mom finally chopped her hair. *hugs*How is ds feeling?

Aweyn- I was thinking of you this morning but after the day i had, I can't remember what I was going to ask you.

I would really love to run away! My normal taking a bath and reading retreat hasn't even broken my funk. Maybe I can get the kids out of the house, and do some shopping therapy. All 3 girls need new undies, which I was going to put in their baskets, but dh thought it a bit odd to put them in there. I am thankful we can celebrate Ostara and later easter. I was browing etsy for basket ideas...something fun and unique to use for their baskets. I didn't come up with anything, but lately I have been purchasing soap for the girls and they enjoy that as a gift. I am also thinking new garden gloves, an electric candle (they love them) and some small chocolates.

I also totally lost it with the girls today- I went to help the 3yr old get dressed and I couldn't even open their door cause they had crammed clothes, shoes, toys and blankets behind it. *ugh* And if dh doesn't complete his darn masters program, he is going to put me over the edge- he isn't even working on it and I can't figure out what the hell is up, since he won't talk to me about it. He says he is getting stuff done, but he is home every night, and goes to bed when I do, so there is no way he is working on it. I just don't want him to keep putting it off, cause everytime he does, I end up putting stuff off.

[DaughterOfKali]

Haven't read this thread yet but wanted to pop in quickly.

Things are really busy and hectic here.  We are having a consultation with an education lawyer Wednesday morning to see what he recommends in regards to ds's school/IEP.

I don't want to give details here but I have a plan.  Just want to see if I'm on the right track and if they lawyer will push for it.

Hope that everyone has a happy, healthy, and prosperous March!

[witchygrrl]

Happy March all!

I have a sense of great things afoot....I'm hoping that for us all! If anything, I think we all need a happy break.

[revolting]

Originally Posted by _ktg_ 

Happy March!!  Bring on the lions & the lambs!   I am ready for spring to be hear and to finally open up the house to let that fresh air in!

***

Goals for the month:

Select pictures of the kids & Hang up pictures in the house

Figure out little alter areas for my house (some high, some low for the kids to get into)

Scrub down entire house & air it out

***

I'm digging on season 1 of Buffy (and wow I feel old watching that!)

I'm trying to figure out what to do for Ostara and I'm thinking (if I can pull it off) to dye some hallowed eggs and either glue or wire them to my grapevine wreath for the holiday.  I did see an easter tree (vinyl wall decoration) and that looked super cool to hang up on a wall with some added personal touches.

I'm so looking forward to airing out the house for good. A deep clean is definitely in order. We winterized, so even though we've had some unusually warm days this winter, I often couldn't open the windows, because they were covered with plastic (though all winter long my littles have been destroying this, so maybe if I just wait long enough they'll do it for me, lol). But yeah, right there with you with pictures and cleaning. My four year old has access to an altar, but I was wondering if anyone had good altar ideas that could be accessible to my 12 month old? Even with found nature objects, he will chew on it until it breaks into little pieces and he chokes. But I am definitely going to try blowing eggs and dying them this year. This will be my first vernal equinox as a non-vegan. Exciting.

Oh, and Buffy is just about the best show ever. I watched it as an adolescent, and I still love it.

Originally Posted by wombatclay 

mythbusters- there is some profanity/sass/adult content (it's a Discovery Channel show, there are visits to fetish shops, discussions of semen and unwanted pregnancy, almost every episode involves someone getting injured, etc) so do keep that in mind if you're showing it to younger kiddos.  But basically they take "myths" and test them... kind of scientifically, always amusingly.  So things like "do you get more wet walking in the rain or running in the rain?", or "can bug bombs blow up a house?", or "can pop rocks and soda kill you?" or any of those things that turn up in massively forwarded emails.  LOL  The girls love it, there's a great "maker" vibe and try-try-again creativity ethic, and it's nice to see women "doing science, blowing stuff up, and looking fabulous along with the guys".  And of course, Dh and I watched it from season one when we had tv access so it's fun for us too.

Sounds like a show my husband would love. Well, I think my daughter (4) might love it, too, but I might need to preview it before she sees it.
 

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

I think Spring starts at Imbolc, really. It's gotten entirely too warm here, already, though. I would like a Last Blast of winter so I can be sure to appreciate the warmer weather. We did have a spectacular, if very short, thunderstorm last night, though!

***

Here's hoping you get much-needed rest. We also homeschooled, till I hit a wall with having no me-time at ALL (single mom) and so put ds in school. Ostara-- no idea. It's so far from Easter this year, and ds expects (ha) baskets on both. As if. I know I'll probably go to the public ritual, and if it's outdoors, probably offer my help with kids' activities. Even though it's now more little-kid activities. I used to do it when ds was very little. Now he's aged out, but sometimes I still pitch in with the littles.

This winter has been very unusual in general, but one of the strangest parts of it has been all the thunderstorms while snowing. I can't remember the last winter I saw lightening when it was snowing before this year, and then we had two.

I went to a public ritual for Ostara a couple of years ago, but we haven't been to any public rituals since that group disbanded. I would love to go to a public ritual, but I'm not really sure how to find a little kid-friendly one.

Originally Posted by sweetsunshine85 

I got lost in the last couple pages of February with all the FE, cell salts and varied diet talk. No clue what any of it was about.

Me, too.
 

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by Aeress Aubergine- lice is a real bugger, isn't it?

I also totally lost it with the girls today- I went to help the 3yr old get dressed and I couldn't even open their door cause they had crammed clothes, shoes, toys and blankets behind it. *ugh* And if dh doesn't complete his darn masters program, he is going to put me over the edge- he isn't even working on it and I can't figure out what the hell is up, since he won't talk to me about it. He says he is getting stuff done, but he is home every night, and goes to bed when I do, so there is no way he is working on it. I just don't want him to keep putting it off, cause everytime he does, I end up putting stuff off.

Aubergine, that was TOTALLY a bad pun, you! Augh!

Do you give baskets for both Ostara and Easter?

I'm sorry about your issues...is there any way you can detach from them? And let people deal with the consequences of their own shyte? Unless it directly affects you. Then you have to take a different tack. Sigh.

Mamas....I took a hell of a fall today. I'm too old for this! I was going to have shopping therapy...got to Barnes and Noble and tripped UP the curb. Did not even see it at all. I'm so used to a ramp, I guess. So it happened so fast that I'm not really sure what happened, but I think I kind of flipped over and landed on my back, and must have used my hand to break the fall. I spent all the damn afternoon at the doctor's office and then at the imagery place getting an Xray. WITH hyper ds in tow. He behaved admirably, I have to say-- AND my hand is not broken! But it's very badly bruised and I can hardly use it. It's my dominant hand And it's starting to bruise horribly. It's very swollen. Even with ice on it most of the day.

The best news is it was only like $80 at the doctor's and $67 at the Imagery place! Remember, I'm not insured, so I was more concerned about the dang money than my hand. Driving is a challenge...so is typing.

But I have to say I am having high gratitude moments! I do not drive a stick. I can type and communicate even if I can't much write. I can eat with my left hand. I can do LOTS of things with my left hand. The morning ablutions are going to be fun But it's not broken. It wasn't expensive, even if I had to put it all on credit. We got out of both places in 3 hours total. It hurts like a beech but I think it'll be alright.

I really hope the bruising is gone by the time I go to M's on the 10th. I don't think it will-- I think it'll hurt for a good while. But I can figure things out
 

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by revolting My four year old has access to an altar, but I was wondering if anyone had good altar ideas that could be accessible to my 12 month old? Even with found nature objects, he will chew on it until it breaks into little pieces and he chokes. But I am definitely going to try blowing eggs and dying them this year. This will be my first vernal equinox as a non-vegan. Exciting.

I went to a public ritual for Ostara a couple of years ago, but we haven't been to any public rituals since that group disbanded. I would love to go to a public ritual, but I'm not really sure how to find a little kid-friendly one.

Which is why I got involved in the public ones here. I said "I'll be happy to organize the kids' activities!" Which, I don't think they were planning on having. But my boy was like 3 or 4 at the time and I am a single mom and couldn't go anywhere w/o him, so...I printed out coloring pages, and organized an egg hunt, and other things. If you want to do that for your area, PM me and I'll get more detailed about what-all I did. It wasn't hard. Or I can type it on here if everyone wants to hear it.

1yo altar-- I'm thinking of those Melissa & Doug wooden fruits and veggies that are velcro'd together that you cut with a wooden knife, or maybe felted fruits and veggies. They represent Nature but they are big and chewable!

[mamaofthree]

hey howdy hey!

time is just flying by! i can't believe it is march already. 

i am having a sort of spiritual hmmmm not sure what to call it. it isn't a crisis, but just sort of not feeling it right now. feeling a greater pull towards buddhism again. anyway...

house stuff in maine seems to be getting done and not as bad as we thought.

gonna have to get over to the TM thread... this last one went so well. :)

h