The Sharp Knife of a Short Life…

Lo do I see my Beloved on this anniversary of her passing.
I feel her peace and contentment and know that she is at rest.
My heart still aches but it isn’t quite as sharp.
May we meet in the Hereafter and say and do all those things we meant to.

“If I Die Young”

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in a river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh,
And life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, oh well
I’ve had just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, oh well
I’ve had just enough time

And I’ll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger,
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holdin’ my hand,
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by…

…the sharp knife of a short life, oh well?
I’ve had just enough time

So put on your best, boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh, no, I’ll sell ’em for a dollar
They’re worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when you’re dead how people start listenin’

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
Save ’em for a time when you’re really gonna need ’em, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, oh well
I’ve had just enough time

So put on your best, boys, and I’ll wear my pearls.

https://youtu.be/7NJqUN9TClM

Samhain Offerings 2015

I made sure to do little things throughout the day so as not to drain my batteries all at once. I paced myself well but still have after effects to deal with; This is due to mundane activities as well as spiritual. Cleaning and resetting of my main altar. I have homemade turkey soup from the Thanksgiving bird my Mother in Law made. Great for when you are feeling under the weather and apparently the Dead love the stuff too. I had some for lunch and left a cup on the altar for the Dead. My spouse decorated the front of our place, making sure to have an offering spot for me. He’s a good man and I am blessed to have him. I left a half smoked herbal cigarette and moved the soup out there. Before bed I left a special offering to the Spirits, those in my Family and those without family, and for the Good Folk. Local raw honey, whipping cream, and a splash of Canadian whiskey. They were quite pleased. I left a chocolate and almond candy on the altar. I will respectfully enjoy it later. The Gods and Spirits that I find myself surrounded by are much happier when I enjoy the offerings I give Them after letting it sit for a time. Some items are exempt, like the soup; Basically anything that can be safely left outside will be (liquids, food, etc), things that might cause health issues with the local critters isn’t, like chocolate.  I picked some of my beautiful orange ‘mums and left them on the altar. My Mother in Law recently told me they are a “funeral flower” which makes me love them all the more. I also leave a tea light lit in the window so the Dead can “find” me. I took my son for a wee bit of trick or treating and did my best to remain present with the Dead. 

What did you get up to for Samhain dear readers?

   
   

 

New Altar Set-Up

Cleaning and setting up shrines and altars has always been a great love of mine. Here is the latest rendition.

   

       

Amphitrite



Menfolk

The Menfolk are confusing these days. Himself is still here-nothere, there are moments where I can almost feel Him and then poof! He’s gone. I’m thinking this may be part of His nature and I will have to suck it up and deal with it. Not too often though I hope. Blarg.

Odin says hello almost every day. This last week I even had the pleasure of seeing actual eagles. Most people associate Ravens with Him and while I do, I connect them more strongly with An Morrigan and Himself. I guess it’s more that Eagles are specific to Him while the other is shared. He’s been my rock this week…of two weeks? Things are pretty intense on the temporal front so yeah. His support is much appreciated.

I’ve also seen a couple of Herons, Great Blue Herons to be exact. Those I definitely associate with Himself and the whole liminal thing in general. I was prompted to pick up a small pot of crocus for Himself. Note the type in the photo. I see what you did there Mister.

Ares(*cough*Thor*cough*) is otherwise indisposed…ahem…it’s all the SisterWife’s fault.

Poseidon is back. Being very…Uhm…friendly. The rains are pretty intense here right now. Another “Pineapple Express” blowing through. It’s warm, 7-12C, and large volumes of rainfall. His closeness is unnerving but oh so comfy. This coming from someone terrified of open water, tsunami’s and earthquakes. I’ve always loved the water though. Either way, I ramble, I left out an offering of milk, honey and an Ambrosia apple (ha,ha…just realized that now). I asked for the storms to be gentle while I was out walking today. It barely rained. When I stepped off the train to finish the route home the skies OPENED and I got soaked but that’s alright. While I was thinking about the waters and Poseidon and such I told Whoever was listening that I would have to thank Them personally when I figured out exactly Who they were. A short while ago Poseidon showed up all like this. Oh hi…

Shrines

I’ve always been a big fan of shrines. I’ve had a large personal one for about 17 years. There was a point where it took up a whole corner of my room. I don’t have the luxury of that kind of space anymore. Thankfully my spouse has a very good eye for detail and symmetry. He’s never really said specifically that he is making shrines but that’s how they feel to me and it’s how I treat them. We went on a cleaning and rearranging rampage today. We are planning on relocating before the end of the year, hopefully six months, so we have to make things more presentable for both our sanity and to appeal to potential buyers. I am a borderline hoarder, I’m better then I used to be but there is a good amount of old stuff that still needs to be cleared out. Combine that with our tendency to procrastinate and it becomes a bit of an issue. ANYWAYS back on topic…shrines! In our cleaning today we set up some nice displays(*cough*shrines!*cough*). The photos of the one with multiple candles I did myself. The others my spouse put together. He calls the statue-candle holder tree, “Old Man Willow”. He was also the one who found it and was immediately drawn to it.

January 2015

So far…

Fungi

As mentioned in my reblog from A Forest Door, I’ve had a bit of a mushroom obsession for the last month. Here are the pictures I’ve taken. I even had a tiny little mushroom sticker show up on my hand after reorganizing my craft bins that I put on the face of my cell phone.