tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71342032123765623762024-03-05T17:30:26.348-08:00Alchemist's Tea PartyMagic, herbalism, alchemy, the joys and terrors of running our occult shop (Lodestone & Lady's Mantle), life in a mountain village, and Pagan life in general.Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-52022890676341293982011-07-25T17:36:00.001-07:002011-07-27T11:53:42.046-07:00There and Back Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb5PMtx-E3Y6WUoG9o7E6_PD6-Cppb8ofueJs_ybksht58S4UKeE0NWSfas3yPwbfCGKxUYtLjhJjlXjx31wSL3g0IIBbp3lEQSiMRAhtmCeIi_9RIL9iPXMwN1R2gFAbPxl8ijGkkJBo/s1600/sugar_grove_cemetary_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb5PMtx-E3Y6WUoG9o7E6_PD6-Cppb8ofueJs_ybksht58S4UKeE0NWSfas3yPwbfCGKxUYtLjhJjlXjx31wSL3g0IIBbp3lEQSiMRAhtmCeIi_9RIL9iPXMwN1R2gFAbPxl8ijGkkJBo/s200/sugar_grove_cemetary_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634100961110974994" /></a><br /><br /><br />I took a week off. For the first time in four years, I actually took a vacation. Road trip to the wilds of Illinois, to meet my sweetie's folks, and explore some of the historic sites, hauntings, and legends of the Prairie State. <br />To be honest, I came away with more questions than answers. Little cemeteries hidden by the wayside, gorgeous old homes falling into ruin, skeletal remains of stories half hidden in the mist. <br />We went searching for the "Ghost House", said to appear on certain nights on a lonely crossroad in McDonough County, and the hidden history of Crybaby Bridge. <br /><br />All in all, I came back wonderfully relaxed, with a plethora of research material to sort through. I missed you guys!<br /><br />The shop is back up and running full tilt, and we're shipping out on the regular schedule now. I've also put in a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lodestoneandladysmantle?section_id=5644415">Sales & Specials section</a> in the Etsy shop. Handknit Tarot bags, dream pillows, and Pagan garb are 20% off right now!<br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-25907222161593434582011-06-03T02:18:00.000-07:002011-06-03T02:30:42.463-07:00May Giveaway Winner!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Gather_Ye_Rosebuds_While_Ye_May.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 439px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Gather_Ye_Rosebuds_While_Ye_May.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03849001845597244668" rel="nofollow">Indigobjects</a> is the winner of the Come to Me minis! Shoot us an email with your shipping address at lodestoneandladysmantle [at] hotmail.com<br /><br />Thank you all for entering!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-73305254031645299632011-05-19T18:27:00.000-07:002011-05-19T18:58:04.087-07:00Spreading the Love: May Giveaway<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5s8FgBBgJQdcxzZgkFg7H2LHW4Hn5qKePzhRq3HZ2-E8HZsupg11Rqs6BKp_l55j2Dn_kP3gqlgg4GcJ4AvJwPCMDGswXLtyVLjPDFxmU8LSajsgzwvHKvVPuH13N-GPK9HIvjD_8rR8/s1600/come_to_me_mini_candle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608610913689860834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5s8FgBBgJQdcxzZgkFg7H2LHW4Hn5qKePzhRq3HZ2-E8HZsupg11Rqs6BKp_l55j2Dn_kP3gqlgg4GcJ4AvJwPCMDGswXLtyVLjPDFxmU8LSajsgzwvHKvVPuH13N-GPK9HIvjD_8rR8/s200/come_to_me_mini_candle.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><strong>Come to Me mini spell candles</strong> copyright Lodestone & Lady's Mantle </em><em><br /><br /></div></em><br /><div align="left">"The month of May was come, when every lusty heart <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">beginneth</span> to blossom, and to bring forth fruit."</div><br /><div align="left"><br />-Thomas Malory<br /></div><br /><div align="left">Well, it's the tail-end of May, but maybe your heart is running on Pagan Standard Time ;)</div><br /><div align="left">This month, we're giving away a set of our handcrafted Come to Me mini spell candles!<br /><br />From our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73701346/come-to-me-spell-candle-floral-minis-set">site</a>:</div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">"Come To Me is a famous (or infamous) Hoodoo formula, used to attract and seduce a lover.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Unapologetically</span> sexual, this powerful attraction formula is handcrafted and all natural, made with soy wax, natural cotton wick, organic herbs, organic roots, organic spices, and natural organic high quality essential oils. These richly scented <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">votives</span> are topped with organically grown rose petals."</div><br /><div align="left"><br />To enter to win, leave a comment on this blog post. The winner will be drawn via random number generator June 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span>. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-87471581827560413212011-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:002011-03-31T10:00:01.470-07:00"But What Do I Say?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Y%C5%8Dsh%C5%AB_Chikanobu_Takiyasha-hime.jpg"><br /></a>Charms, Chants, and Spoken Spells.<br /><br />I wrote this to address a problem that many new spell casters face, and a question that has been posed to me many times. "What should I say when casting a spell"?"<br /><br />Rhyming chants seem so much a part of the archetypal spell. When many people say witch, the first image to pop in their mind are Shakespeare's trio, cackling "double, double, toil and trouble".<br /><br />But how necessary is a chant in spell casting?<br />First, it's main purpose is to focus your intent, raise, and direct energy. Spells work best when they are personal and tailored to your need, and this is one aspect of the successful spell that is most easily customized to your situation.<br /><br />Working a spell by rote is fine if the symbolism jives with you. As magic is so much about your own inner workings and landscape, if a chant as written doesn't appeal to you, ditch it and write something better. Rhyming couplets are popular because they are easily memorized after a few repetitions, and your conscious mind doesn't have to focus on them. You can get down to the nitty-gritty of magic while giving your "monkey mind" a bauble to play with.<br /><br />It all depends on how your senses are aligned. Are you more of a visual person, more attuned with scent, sound, or touch? Always play to your personal strengths, ( whatever they may be), and emphasis those in spell casting.<br /><br />Basically, you won't get in trouble with the powers that be for flubbing a line, so relax and get to work :)Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-44729461463139728942011-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:00:00.090-08:00A little Something Sweet...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.206875100.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 570px; height: 420px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.206875100.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />for your Valentine:<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65582951/love-drawing-incense-and-oil-set">Buy the set and save 10%!</a><br /><br />We have other lovelies to stoke your heart fire; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60162000/sweet-heart-bath-salts-for-love-magic">Sweet Heart Bath Salts</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45953411/true-love-powder-traditional-authentic">True Love Powder</a> (a wonderful formula dating back to the Middle Ages), <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67401631/aphrodesia-sexy-alluring-solid-potion">Aphrodesia</a> (an exquisite floral solid perfume) <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58319519/theo-broma-chocolate-kyphi-style-heart">Theo Broma</a>, a chocolate kyphi style incense, and the ever-popular <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55599538/come-to-me-spell-candle-attract-and">Come to Me</a> candle and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61362427/come-to-me-oil-authentic-hoodoo-formula">Come to Me oi</a>l.Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-42318761971636905492011-02-03T20:55:00.000-08:002011-02-03T21:12:17.898-08:00Blessed Imbolc!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Imbolc_2007_Fire_Hare.jpg/600px-Imbolc_2007_Fire_Hare.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Imbolc_2007_Fire_Hare.jpg/600px-Imbolc_2007_Fire_Hare.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A belated, blessed Imbolc to you!<br />This is one of my favorite fire festivals, a time to nurture the "fire in the belly"; ideas and plans for the coming months. Though the overtones of the festival are heavily focused on physical fertility, this is a great time to cultivate a fertile mind and spirit, clean out the old, and await the growth sure to come.<br /><br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-10876949886375087382011-01-18T03:48:00.000-08:002011-01-18T03:53:31.283-08:00Van Van Candle Giveaway WinnerWinner for the candle giveaway is Rowan! Please send you shipping info to us at lodestoneandladysmantle[at] hotmail.com<br /><br /><br />Thanks!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-72864696364428947362011-01-04T16:47:00.000-08:002011-01-04T17:41:59.926-08:00Blessing the New Year: January Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.182966120.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 570px; height: 548px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.182966120.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Welcome to the new year! Beginnings and cusp times are always magical. They tend to be fraught with danger, as well. Most legends and folk customs involve certain ritual elements to assure good luck for the rest of the year.<br />Lighting a candle to carry light from one year to the next, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_footing">first footing</a>, eating black eyed peas (one for each day of luck)putting money in every wallet in your home; not to mention the things to be avoided: laundry (lest you wash away members of your family) quarreling (lest you argue and fight the entire year).<br /><br />In the spirit of the new season, we'd like to offer our wishes for your luck and prosperity throughout the year. Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a lucky Van Van spell candle!<br />Handcrafted with non-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">gmo</span> soy wax*, therapeutic grade organic essential oils, organic herbs, with a wee lodestone tucked in to draw good luck, these candles pack a hefty magical punch.<br />Burn to attract good luck in all spheres of your life, particularly love and prosperity. This old time formula is also used to repel malevolent magic, so if you've been having difficulty drawing good fortune due to someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">else's</span> meddling hands, it's a potent boost to your spell casting.<br /><br />The winner will be drawn January 15 via random number generator.<br /><br />Wishing you the best and brightest,<br />-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Carmin</span> & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Azzerac</span><br /><a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/">Lodestone & Lady's Mantle</a><br /><br /><br /><br />*Non-gmo: soybeans were not genetically modified. Genetically modified crops can have untold, often devastating effects on local flora and fauna. We only use guaranteed non-gmo soy wax to make our spell and ritual candles in the interest of preserving the Earth and our relationship with Her.Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-41948804261619052952010-12-29T21:37:00.000-08:002010-12-30T23:18:33.652-08:00Effective Spellcasting:Creating a Spell Target Profile<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnIVeYZ29KKMLXZ8_0mqXnCoh3bbG_akp2u4CBQ8btEHbC61Ejw964FZRNFd0CpK44AU4kLhKxrxIQLNAdnZzeBwimP5ld8i-OAjqvuwnuN_kJoQ_Fckv0xgD4w85EFDa_prhtyg2yjVW/s1600/Waterhouse%252C_JW_-_The_Sorceress_%25281913%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnIVeYZ29KKMLXZ8_0mqXnCoh3bbG_akp2u4CBQ8btEHbC61Ejw964FZRNFd0CpK44AU4kLhKxrxIQLNAdnZzeBwimP5ld8i-OAjqvuwnuN_kJoQ_Fckv0xgD4w85EFDa_prhtyg2yjVW/s320/Waterhouse%252C_JW_-_The_Sorceress_%25281913%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556725535498187282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Obligatory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pre-Raphaelite</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">witchy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Waterhouse</span> image courtesy of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wikimedia</span></span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />(say THAT 3 times fast!)</span><br /></div><br /><br />Ever wonder what causes some spells to go off like a rocket and others to fizzle?<br />Part of it is, of course, the items you choose for your spell and timing. The other, larger part, is emotion and directed intent.<br />You can have the finest spell ingredients on the planet<a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/"> (ahem)</a>, but without a clear idea of your end goal, the time, energy, and money that you've invested into the spell is unlikely to hit even the broad side of a barn.<br /><br />Since I've written my own spells nearly from the very beginning of my practice, or at the very least tailored old ones to my need, I'm going to teach you a little something that has been quite effective in practice: The spell profile.<br />A spell profile is a way of defining your end goal precisely, and is a good foundation to lay your spell work on for numerous reasons. The most apparent is when working magic towards (or against) a target. An example:<br /><br />Say you are having problems with someone in your workplace. They spread rumors about you, take credit for your work, are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">untenably</span> lazy, or just go out of their way to make your life a living hell. You've tried every mundane means of resolution possible without results and want to give them a taste of their own medicine.<br />But wait. Do you want to give them a taste of their own medicine, get rid of them entirely, or just run damage control ( bind them from gossiping, taking credit where it isn't due etc)?<br /><br />Take a deep breath and grab a notebook. You're probably pissed off and ready to channel that rage into a spell RIGHT NOW (and raw emotion is an effective means of raising energy), but prep work makes all the difference.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spell goal:</span> write down exactly what you want your end goal to be. It's okay if it's a little rambling at first; you will be narrowing it down later.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reason for the spell:</span> what exactly has this person done? Are there certain areas that this person routinely attacks you on?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Target's mentality, strengths, and vulnerabilities:</span> This includes motivations. Honestly contemplate what their motivations are, what they most likely seek to accomplish, or what satisfaction they gain from hurting you. What is their mental state (are they easily swayed by suggestion), are they skilled at manipulation, do they have allies within the company that enable them to continue this behavior? Do they use their looks to gain favor, and are threatened by possible competition? Write down any tendencies you've noticed in the person. Many people operate on near-autopilot, and react instead of respond to certain situations and dialogue.<br /><br />Now, read through your goals as written. You can start paring them down, or you may have gained insight and inspiration into the heart of the problem.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Method of casting:</span> The tools you will use to accomplish your end goal. In this particular example, if you have chosen to simply bind and silence her, a <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Poppet.htm">poppet</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51016172/stop-gossip-spell-oil-12-oz">Stop Gossip oil</a> can be employed. If your target has allies that would prevent their fall, you can incorporate separation magic into your working. If you wish to sour their life, a name paper (with personal concern) and vinegar bottle spell will do the trick.To get them to leave your workplace entirely, Hot Foot or <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Flying_Devil_oil.htm">Flying Devil </a>products are the best way to go. If you want them to get back exactly what they dole out, a mirror box (or mirror bottle) spell will reflect all of their deeds right back to them.<br />Re-evaluate your goal and narrow it down.<br /><br />Grab a Tarot deck, or your favorite means of divination, and do a reading on the situation and the effect your spell will have. Write down your tarot spread, the cards you drew, and your interpretation of them. Note any feelings or images that pop up.<br />This is your last chance to pull out. Your subconscious can let you know if the whole thing will blow up in your face, if the situation is well on it's way to resolution (big boss is firing them next week, etc), or that you might just want to reevaluate the spell goal entirely. You get more flies with honey than vinegar, and a sweetener spell, or heavy protection magic for yourself may be all that is needed.<br /><br />If you get a "full speed ahead" reading, you now have a very clear method of effectively casting on your target.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A note on cursing:</span> I gave this as an example because people tend to get very emotionally invested in revenge and retribution magic, even more so than with love spells. For the same reasons, many magicians go off half-cocked without thinking of the full implications or motivations for their working. I am of the personal belief that allowing an evil to exist in the world is just as bad as perpetuating it. By allowing someone to walk all over you, you grant them the power to do it to others in the future. Witches are people who take responsibility, not ninnies who say "someone should do something about that", but rather "what can I do to change this".<br />We all teach each other life lessons, and refusing to engage because of fear of karmic retribution is a good way to get slapped in the face by your concept of karma.<br /><br />For the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Wiccans</span> reading this, I respect your Three-Fold Law, however there are still means to accomplish your goal without violating your vow and ethical structure. This is yet another reason to clearly define your end goal before casting. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Unfortunately</span> my experience has been that the people that scream white light the loudest are the first ones to throw a curse for the tiniest slight. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't pick an ethical structure that you can put away when it becomes inconvenient.</span><br /><br />I could give you other examples of how to use this spell template, but frankly, you guys are clever and can work it out for yourselves.<br /><br />If you're still feeling a bit lost, here's a quick example of a money spell profile which would- Include goal: comfortable prosperity, a charge of luck, promotion, job, $100, etc.<br /><br />Here,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> you are the target</span>. Evaluate strengths, vulnerabilities, etc. What have you done to get what you want in the mundane realm?<br /><br />Define your method of casting based on your end goal.<br />Do a reading to see if you're on track.<br />Now go do that hoodoo that you do so well!<br /><br />As always, if you have any questions, please write them in the comments section.<br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-18143433116578098712010-12-28T09:07:00.000-08:002010-12-28T10:29:05.035-08:00Practical Magic: Clearing Out the Winter Doldrums<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbGmmvnOomH1BX2SwEAjqa2ePl1M9rlWNfbU3mB6iIJGCbRYvEdnlF-v7NTqzeMBDN5yPWXzXLMxlc9gQBXtu3njcMnIvKmTDAWgknv940ouXfjjvnpllzm0ZL2uSrIGf6LEbVGbPe8Sd/s1600/rue.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbGmmvnOomH1BX2SwEAjqa2ePl1M9rlWNfbU3mB6iIJGCbRYvEdnlF-v7NTqzeMBDN5yPWXzXLMxlc9gQBXtu3njcMnIvKmTDAWgknv940ouXfjjvnpllzm0ZL2uSrIGf6LEbVGbPe8Sd/s400/rue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555794966680785650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Pictured: Rue (ruta graveolens) courtesy of Wikimedia</span><br /></div><br /><br />By now many of us are restless and downright claustrophobic with the omnipresent winter months. The energy your house and ritual area feels stale, heavy, and close enough to be oppressive.<br /><br />This is usually caused by an excess of residual energy (from spellwork, ritual, or just everyday emotion) that isn't grounded properly. Even if you carefully ground from your magical workings, bits and pieces tend to hang around.<br /><br />How to fix?<br />My go-to herb to combat magical muckery is <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Rue.htm">rue</a>. Renowned for breaking curses, removing negative energy, and powerful protective magical properties, rue is a good first and last line defense against general negativity as well as focused curses. If things seem to be consistently going wrong in your life, you feel distinctly uninspired, are troubled by nightmares and uneasiness in your home (when no mundane cause is apparent), or just need to get your magical juices flowing again, a ritual cleansing and purification is in order.<br /><br />This is one of my very favorite Kitchen Witch recipes:<br /><br />Take about a half cup of rue (ruta graveolens), wrap it up in cheesecloth, and let it brew in boiled water for about 10 minutes, or until the water has turned dark green. Add this to a wash bucket of Murphy's Oil Soap. Scrub your home from back to front, paying special attention to ritual areas, the floor, and openings (windows, doors, etc.). Toss the remaining water onto your porch and sweep it away from your home.<br /><br />After most purification rituals, I generally recommend filling the space with positive energy (Nature abhors a vacuum). Rue tends to work in a double action sense (removing negativity and filling the atmosphere with bright protective energy), so this may not be necessary for you. You may choose to burn a bit of frankincense or copal on an incense charcoal block to speed the entrance of positive energy.<br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-29785508606720828972010-12-28T08:13:00.000-08:002010-12-28T08:32:24.602-08:00The Goddess Comes for You When She Will; or, you cannot push the river<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Hecate-blake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 488px; height: 357px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Hecate-blake.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Many times in the past, I have advocated the practice of aligning yourself with a patron deity or saint, as much to strengthen your spellwork as to deepen spiritual practice. Having a mentor to guide you through the ups and downs is a marvelous, enriching part of ritual work.<br /><br />Though, admittedly in the past, it's usually accompanied by admonishments against calling up random gods from a table of correspondence and ordering them to make your spell go "zoom".<br /><br />A number of frustrated practitioners have approached me over the years, saying that they aren't sure how to find their patron, if the one they think is their patron really IS (or just wishful thinking), or are too wound up about offending any deity to even approach and ask for mentorship and help.<br /><br />I'll approach these ideas back to front, just because I like the scenic route ;)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The First Date</span><br /><br />I'm a firm believer that the very essence of good communication is understanding what the other person MEANS, not necessarily just what words come out of their mouth. The flow and arrangement of words, pauses, and gestures really give insight into the heart of the other persons intent. In approaching a deity, a sincere attitude and well-thought offering will get you miles further in their favor than flowery but trite rhyming couplets and expensive but meaningless trinkets.<br />For example, if the god that you wish to engage with continually has a certain food or flower appear in their mythology,incorporate that into your offering.<br />Many modern practitioners believe that it "vibrates" or aligns easily with their energy, effectively filling your sacred space with so many pieces of their collected earthly consciousness that the rest can't help but follow. This relates to the principle of "like attracts like".<br />Speak from the heart about why you wish to have them as your patron, pay attention to any feelings that you get within the Circle. Even if they have no interest in working with you, respectfully end the ritual and thank them for their time. You CANNOT take the offering back. It's bad manners.<br />This is a good way to find even temporary magical partners, though I will strongly caution you to research any entity that you intend to invoke very, very thoroughly before hand.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wishful Thinking</span><br /><br />You feel a strong affinity with a god or goddess. Their mythology inspires and moves you. You see parallels between their life and yours.<br />These are all good bases for a magical partnership. But how can you "tell" if they've taken you under their wing?<br />It's easiest to tell if they have decidedly not. If I were to draw a parallel in the mundane world, it's kind of like trying to convince yourself that you're in love. I worked with many different goddesses before my patron chose me (and they usually choose you, not the other way around). When it happens, you WILL know. In the meantime, enjoy the ride.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Journey is Half the Fun</span><br /><br />"Never work with a god you couldn't have a beer with"<br />-Carmin<br /><br />In other words, knowing what you do about this deity, if they were a physically manifest person and you couldn't stand their personality, don't expect it to be any different without the fleshy bits. Always remain grounded in the physical world.<br />That said, read and study as much as you possibly can about their mythology. Address older sources whenever possible, and stay away from books written about gods specifically for the magical crowd. These tend to be excessively watered down and "spun" to suit the authors needs. Instead of hitting the Wicca and New Age section of your library or local bookstore, haunt the ancient history (particularly of the culture they appear in most often), mythology, anthropology and archeology sections.<br />Many people lament the lack of "advanced" magical texts, but it's a bit of a misnomer. To get to the meat, you really have to sift through dry bones, but the discovery and application of the knowledge is itself the Advanced material. The upper echelons of magical practice really confirm it as experiential: you cannot be Told, it must be Shown.<br /><br />I hope this has answered at least a few questions you might have been pondering; if you have any questions that weren't addressed, please feel free to ask in the comments!<br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-76659985512303515742010-12-15T08:30:00.000-08:002010-12-15T08:30:00.918-08:0047° 9' S, 126° 43' W<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAWl24Y26yYJM5658H5gQxeUbn_la77jXxVqAIC4xsuJJq2QPCo5zUF0tqNrszI4qkB9gwD5PDI4LScMFRQg72AutpwiqA-ChQSEXgvPmNd5s_1Q5aioR_5yOMoW30IG4Ec2R0x-IRM2I/s1600/Yog-Sothoth.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAWl24Y26yYJM5658H5gQxeUbn_la77jXxVqAIC4xsuJJq2QPCo5zUF0tqNrszI4qkB9gwD5PDI4LScMFRQg72AutpwiqA-ChQSEXgvPmNd5s_1Q5aioR_5yOMoW30IG4Ec2R0x-IRM2I/s400/Yog-Sothoth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550429944375442626" border="0" /></a><br />A little something short and sweet for today, courtesy of Neil Gaiman: <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff/Short_Stories/I_Cthulhu">I Cthulhu</a><br /><h1 class="documentFirstHeading"><br /></h1>Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-61943663282100077242010-12-13T22:06:00.000-08:002010-12-13T23:14:14.859-08:00None the Worse for Wear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaR1zGFVv0_kNCkkT5NKmsz8LBKrJzPQXa_w_gGGlktdpe085SNVC3iGuDBhchBh0cg965VxznryU2M9A_UTV5B9FbsAArLskiLYYyBXiD-6FtqgJvYkDE4rsyAO9bPJdm8yA37ejieaH/s1600/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaR1zGFVv0_kNCkkT5NKmsz8LBKrJzPQXa_w_gGGlktdpe085SNVC3iGuDBhchBh0cg965VxznryU2M9A_UTV5B9FbsAArLskiLYYyBXiD-6FtqgJvYkDE4rsyAO9bPJdm8yA37ejieaH/s400/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550426588591322242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TrsBW4kF2ouY7H6fHA6qTHxoxnQt4oytO9-eTwPhlku0TBgl0qkmlBIFfhq2qi62LGryT_-LA8fSPcn12sHTP0m_k-gxWtW-ATL03F5lAhcCJgGuqUBQ5_sa6ctOQXLkRrywVHwWd_2y/s1600/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TrsBW4kF2ouY7H6fHA6qTHxoxnQt4oytO9-eTwPhlku0TBgl0qkmlBIFfhq2qi62LGryT_-LA8fSPcn12sHTP0m_k-gxWtW-ATL03F5lAhcCJgGuqUBQ5_sa6ctOQXLkRrywVHwWd_2y/s400/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550427287988479554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lCR9KDkajJ_hOhlCle77WbuXcPYkPa-_MDzKJRyxtVpUKGX7IgXv8mO61X5MAfu9oxPgDO09kyef7VN4z3dRfrArEZatFj-bkbmfdSOKYBXDNJtD9iIR5xEKeX7s3EFp9FfwdH1SbfVN/s1600/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_1.jpg"><br /></a>We had a lovely time at the Yule Ball, despite running a bit behind schedule and having an epic tire blow out a mere mile to the location. Some awfully kind attendees and organizers rolled up the sleeves of their smashing tuxedos, hitched up their ball gowns, and pitched in to make it happen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCiVwzWdTpCtWDasheOxvb7vPCgXj1FsBYyRc0LKwB2oaEne6d_HUf6b5LQTME5q_9aTXuCX-s_WaFvoB13qgtJSUCt2FrD7BFOuuHiNthdXF1GJMOO4uWqZNUHGIypd1Y3-M_eFfwrSz/s1600/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCiVwzWdTpCtWDasheOxvb7vPCgXj1FsBYyRc0LKwB2oaEne6d_HUf6b5LQTME5q_9aTXuCX-s_WaFvoB13qgtJSUCt2FrD7BFOuuHiNthdXF1GJMOO4uWqZNUHGIypd1Y3-M_eFfwrSz/s400/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550426690388894946" border="0" /></a><br />There were a ton of fantastic vendors present, wonderful music, and a lovely ritual led by Soltahr.<br />The best part was getting to meet you guys in real life!<br />If you couldn't make it to this show, we hope to see you in the flesh for their Mardi Gras celebration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeG9cWDSZU2IgRAkP6eqL01IZn41-LjRSlA7WfNAqNggnPCwUZMLpYLFJj1CuhcOcbta8395eVR1W6YpsmAwKll3rbrqnFL1AvZbn18VdM0uAlLcFrUrP9sQPkII_NLQqxMt-RC5eJCW4/s1600/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeG9cWDSZU2IgRAkP6eqL01IZn41-LjRSlA7WfNAqNggnPCwUZMLpYLFJj1CuhcOcbta8395eVR1W6YpsmAwKll3rbrqnFL1AvZbn18VdM0uAlLcFrUrP9sQPkII_NLQqxMt-RC5eJCW4/s400/L_%2526_L_Yule_Ball_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550426888587897682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More pictures to come!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-91679288785338024702010-12-08T11:26:00.000-08:002010-12-08T12:37:42.159-08:00Sneak Peak:New Elemental Candles!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWfrEcNJ-HO50SMIiw5nP8FHC2XLz2TA7xBwy0WcHSuUxqd_IyE5QzKHQwhCKh9k7xpFExKXfPyzXrIl5Mwfu_E4UjJsThidgvSrUw4IDKoy0RvtG_82Hj8I-qFxupD9wkqgfWvYcPMoV/s1600/candle_pillar_elemental_sylph_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWfrEcNJ-HO50SMIiw5nP8FHC2XLz2TA7xBwy0WcHSuUxqd_IyE5QzKHQwhCKh9k7xpFExKXfPyzXrIl5Mwfu_E4UjJsThidgvSrUw4IDKoy0RvtG_82Hj8I-qFxupD9wkqgfWvYcPMoV/s320/candle_pillar_elemental_sylph_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548403116154541618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFe1VGDc4KRVtsp_ekpT9CYpI3YQEVtExeCuyaojLyh5-G7Hq5iqwSd2tsgTeTB1LF8dp6PBzF7GgaGL19VFlLj623iscTHZRY9ghW0IGNl0PDfvub542uhvvDAl0JTR5MxxldbuoM76u/s1600/candle_pillar_elemental_nereid_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFe1VGDc4KRVtsp_ekpT9CYpI3YQEVtExeCuyaojLyh5-G7Hq5iqwSd2tsgTeTB1LF8dp6PBzF7GgaGL19VFlLj623iscTHZRY9ghW0IGNl0PDfvub542uhvvDAl0JTR5MxxldbuoM76u/s320/candle_pillar_elemental_nereid_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548407033683596082" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcRVPgFYCAuYqJeeAU4A1u6YAqnOVG62Bs9ZJSA6y6FP0RGWwfkzmOQozrJNfy1r3cpfm47MFABI57CIzRqaqsLHwRAVuIkjQztt07-4H29-c8w10r6WcxbGvB32KvfQfqipbB3Vd5Akl/s1600/candle_pillar_elemental_nereid_1.jpg"><br /></a><br />"Sylph" and "Nereid " will be making their online debut tonight in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lodestoneandladysmantle">Etsy shop</a>.<br />Ac is busy pounding leather into submission/ tarot bags for the upcoming Yule Ball, so new candles and oils will be landing on the <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/">main site </a>whenever either of us can find a handful of minutes for coding.<br /><br />"Earth" and "Fire" are on their way (soon!) but I'm still designing and inking their labels. Elemental sets will be available as soon as none of the candles are naked :)Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-74313905080043481342010-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:002010-12-06T08:00:09.043-08:00Io- Easy Rainbow Scarf Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnitPurlSwear/42819591/knit_scarf_rainbow_1_medium2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 640px;" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnitPurlSwear/42819591/knit_scarf_rainbow_1_medium2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Not really inspired by the mythology of Io, but by her nature.<br />The image was of a bright rainbow springing forth from the mouth of a river.<br /><br />Intricate stitch patterns usually get buried in self striping yarn, but this dramatic drop stitch pattern nicely showcases long color changes. I found that a thicker garter stitch pattern between the drops highlighted them more dramatically.<br /><br /><br />1 skein Wisdom Yarns Poems. You may also substitute Noro Silk Garden, Crystal Palace Mochi Plus, or about 90 yards of any beautiful self striping yarn.<br /><br />US #10 needles. Gauge isn't terribly important, but a loose, open, lacy look is. Use bigger needles if you want a more dramatic drop stitch pattern.<br /><br />Cast on 15 stitches.<br /><br />Row 1- 5 Knit<br />Row 6: *k1, yo, k1*<br />Row 7:*k1, drop yo, k1*<br />Row 8-11: Knit<br /><br />Repeat rows 6- 11 until the scarf is the desired length. Knit the last 5 rows and bind off.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnitPurlSwear/42819641/knit_scarf_rainbow_4_medium2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 630px; height: 472px;" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnitPurlSwear/42819641/knit_scarf_rainbow_4_medium2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Legal blah blah: You may not sell this pattern. This is for private use only, etc. etc.<br />Enjoy!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-46474398930621041452010-12-05T13:27:00.001-08:002010-12-05T13:42:34.721-08:00The Best Laid Plans...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRc5SdldhwLMTjRofx_O0KgrTCF8BJOvUV9i5jSdB77c52Fx22LEoGE1jGMnxbPtOMyMT0elC72kP93kftQ6jzpxKn8q-MWxKmHHbCx1v0plKGxEE5x4nrf_Go5qtHPqlsR1tI4_z_-9Fm/s1600/blog_best_laid_plans.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRc5SdldhwLMTjRofx_O0KgrTCF8BJOvUV9i5jSdB77c52Fx22LEoGE1jGMnxbPtOMyMT0elC72kP93kftQ6jzpxKn8q-MWxKmHHbCx1v0plKGxEE5x4nrf_Go5qtHPqlsR1tI4_z_-9Fm/s320/blog_best_laid_plans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547313165685146354" border="0" /></a><br />... sometimes go awry.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhibit A:</span> One of our handcrafted Van Van candles. This particular specimen is afflicted with spots.<br />I usually take candles that have minor cosmetic defects, melt them down, and try try again. They are structurally sound, but if the stars don't align, or the wind shifts during composition, these wonderful spell candles look a bit funky and don't get to go to the proverbial ball.<br /><br />A few artisans that I've met over the years sell their mistakes or odd-balls at a steep discount. My inner anal retentive perfectionist has resisted this for awhile, but I'm honestly curious to know if you guys would be interested.<br /><br />Thoughts?Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-87366844503770284762010-12-04T20:03:00.000-08:002010-12-04T20:24:01.982-08:00Yule Ball- December 11th!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg/800px-William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 681px; height: 472px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg/800px-William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg/800px-William_Blake_-_Oberon%2C_Titania_and_Puck_with_Fairies_Dancing.jpg"><br /></a><br />Front Range Pagan Pride has graciously invited us to attend their annual Yule Ball as vendors, and I'm very happy to announce that we WILL be attending.<br />Their Pagan Pride Day was an absolute blast, and we were delighted to meet so many talented artisans, dancers, musicians, and all-around fantastic people in the magical community.<br /><br />All of your Lodestone & Lady's Mantle favorites will be for sale, as well as many <span style="font-weight: bold;">new</span> oils, candles, perfumes, and incenses and one of a kind items. If you're running on Pagan Standard Time for your holiday shopping, we'll have all sorts of unique gifts ready for your stocking or the Yule Tree.<br /><br />You can grab tickets to the Yule Ball ahead of time or at the door. For more info, see the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115634941826669&ref=ts">Front Range Pagan Pride fan page</a>.<br />We hope to see you there!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-64868775073858339352010-12-04T11:16:00.000-08:002010-12-04T14:51:55.587-08:00Looking A Hot Mess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_PExvu5X_kRsaGPU0PQ5K4BFnYvA8tyCckegwhLXv_ZXjdJEp2fzxIqZqzaXNNyLpmwWKwsZW_23ZlChdouTFjhfwdEPiuqQHbCJTHN10c-XAGmTT9V8q7s20b9wlb1k0IzqMO1oV1kh/s1600/blog_aphrodite_facial.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_PExvu5X_kRsaGPU0PQ5K4BFnYvA8tyCckegwhLXv_ZXjdJEp2fzxIqZqzaXNNyLpmwWKwsZW_23ZlChdouTFjhfwdEPiuqQHbCJTHN10c-XAGmTT9V8q7s20b9wlb1k0IzqMO1oV1kh/s320/blog_aphrodite_facial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546963570350213314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ac suggested that I share some of my natural beauty concoctions on the blog. These are tried, true, and tested. Many were inherited from family or friends, or are just successful kitchen fiddlings I've used consistently over the years.<br />Nearly all the recipes contain ingredients that are more than likely sitting in your fridge or in the cabinet, or are easily available and inexpensive.<br />The holiday season is the time when you're most likely bedraggled from work, have added financial pressures (ah, gift giving), lack of sleep, and an excess of social functions. Not to mention freezing temperatures and blasting heat.<br />While not magical per se, it's a neat bit of folk alchemy courtesy of Mother Nature.<br /><br />The "Graced by Aphrodite" Facial<br />Good for: dried out, dull looking skin, enlarged pores.<br /><br />This facial is very, very gentle and works well for every skin type under the sun. It moisturizes skin without clogging pores, is a gentle exfoliator, and gives you a fresh glow.<br /><br />A dollop of plain yogurt (use vanilla yogurt if you don't have plain)<br />A tablespoon of honey<br />A small handful of oats. You can run these through a coffee grinder for best mixing results. Lacking that, just stir them in until the mixture has thickened. Mixed in whole, it's harder to keep the clumps from falling off your face (in which case you will be harangued by a trail of hopeful kitties trying to get more). Fair warning.<br />For older skin, or thin skin with a tendency towards breakouts or red veins, add either a drop of chamomile natural essential oil (wretchedly expensive stuff but worth it) or brew a strong cup of chamomile tea and add a few teaspoons to the mixture.<br /><br />Mix all ingredients thoroughly, until it is about the consistency of dough. For especially sallow skin, take a warm washcloth and lay it on your face to stimulate circulation. Smooth the mixture on and let it dry. Rinse with warm water, and apply a light moisturizer.Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-83142345632885539992010-09-19T13:14:00.000-07:002010-09-19T13:24:55.764-07:00"PragMagic"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg740Es8HHLKLmWi3ojWODH6wNLlQnsK5qOWKM0dGopPd6Mtk-YzvN7ZJd8xEZb1tPjWquVvr7HzGyBapvVKfvt94ElSvuo-MsNgGBcaeqvQOebu1cbkX99IFvCjmkijgvqGqIF09EsO0Uz/s1600/CinnamonStickCandles.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg740Es8HHLKLmWi3ojWODH6wNLlQnsK5qOWKM0dGopPd6Mtk-YzvN7ZJd8xEZb1tPjWquVvr7HzGyBapvVKfvt94ElSvuo-MsNgGBcaeqvQOebu1cbkX99IFvCjmkijgvqGqIF09EsO0Uz/s320/CinnamonStickCandles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518723129290093522" border="0" /></a><br />We have enjoyed producing a variety of "Olde-Schoole" mixtures for Lodestone & Lady's Mantle, and we have many, almost countless mixtures to test & add to our catalog. As well, we have been designing & producing New Mixtures, Tools, & Supplies with the modern practitioner in mind!<br />We call it "Pragmagic".<br /><br />The self-standing tapers & Cinnamon Stick Candles (for the Broom-Closeted Practitioner), are just the beginning. Along with other prototypes, like the portable "Magical Circle", and other works, they are geared towards working magic with the modern difficulties.<br />"Olde-Schoole Magic with a Modern Approach." That is Pragmagic!<br /><br />Look forward to the additional objects on our Home & Etsy Sites!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm Inventing as Fast as I Can</span><br />~AcLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-74864158727694841152010-09-13T10:34:00.000-07:002010-09-13T11:21:38.922-07:00Front Range Pagan Pride Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxapYOFQi6uNPm4hygN80p0w15w1l5gHBUfozH_k1pQYCXwaj-KqnD6JB0aamDPZDm-m-Etab-m3ZYHTPQWFKozQT-ejX9TTGl467Uwf4bXMMHfQRpq8QYtOUejJvJ3oOdlmTnpfMI6VEA/s1600/candle_cinnamon_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxapYOFQi6uNPm4hygN80p0w15w1l5gHBUfozH_k1pQYCXwaj-KqnD6JB0aamDPZDm-m-Etab-m3ZYHTPQWFKozQT-ejX9TTGl467Uwf4bXMMHfQRpq8QYtOUejJvJ3oOdlmTnpfMI6VEA/s320/candle_cinnamon_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516454421417888994" border="0" /></a>September 18th, we will be attending the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/brandoncwoods?v=wall&ref=profile#%21/group.php?gid=81854483719">Front Range Pagan Pride Day</a> as vendors!<br />I am very excited by this opportunity to meet more of the local magical community. We're bringing along lots of your old favorites, as well as many new items (like the beeswax cinnamon stick tapers up pictured above), one of a kind ritual tools and some magical goodies that will be making their debut that day-shh, it's secret!<br /><br />Admission to the Fair is free, but the organizers encourage you to bring canned goods to donate to the <a href="http://www.aidswalkcolorado.org/foodbank.html">Colorado Aids Project Food Bank</a>.<br />Many, many thanks to the wonderful people organizing this event for such a great cause, and we hope to see you there!<br /><br />-Carmin & AzzeracLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-43886335579878146492010-08-20T09:11:00.000-07:002010-08-20T10:28:52.444-07:00Kickboxing Geisha<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ7FU28Q683dkyVB6NoB3id7Zj15D1ie39YrINRh8h9Hne2sg2qKHTp96kEGQDeF6IUuDVo9Jr_BqUlaGtzEr5YB7863qT9m3wfSc8YOh_yBZXQGByFcelxTUm9Os3x6LIiy5Bkz1dY1T/s1600/kickbox.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ7FU28Q683dkyVB6NoB3id7Zj15D1ie39YrINRh8h9Hne2sg2qKHTp96kEGQDeF6IUuDVo9Jr_BqUlaGtzEr5YB7863qT9m3wfSc8YOh_yBZXQGByFcelxTUm9Os3x6LIiy5Bkz1dY1T/s400/kickbox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507543239973323330" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.veronicachambers.com/home.html">Image from author's website</a><br /></div><br />I love books that have a strong application to magic or the Pagan community, without being written directly for them.<br />Gender studies have always fascinated me, and this one in particular was both an entertaining and eye-opening read.<br />In the context of a highly structured society, the women within it casting off expected roles to pursue something more in line with their desires than secretary and housewife is inspiring.<br />The crossover?<br />This isn't a storybook in which success and a happy ending are guaranteed for our hero. Making those giant, scary, unprecedented steps to a more authentic version of self and speaking of the journey can certainly draw parallels to the modern practitioner, particularly those with Goddess-centric spirituality.<br />In later chapters, the author delves into an interesting side effect. More men are feeling free to pursue the path (in life and career) that vibes more closely with their soul than the traditional salary man and provider role, due in large part to their female trailblazing colleagues.<br />Too often I meet people within the Pagan community that fear their own power and the consequences of it's exercise. This book, to me, spoke of a healthy display and movement of power without the bogeyman of a cautionary tale. As you free yourself, you allow others to do the same.<br />Just like us, this community of unconventional men and women are finding their way and testing the waters.<br /><br />Quick question for my lovely readers: How how you seen the evolution of gender roles within the Pagan community over your years of practice? How have things changed, stayed the same, and how have you evolved within that context, for positive or negative?<br /><br /><br />-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Carmin</span>Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-61203075592601890972010-08-12T22:57:00.000-07:002010-08-13T00:33:19.489-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUswID7Ro6qR3pruBFWbEO255Yb_9Fwi2o4XPmvkb7bxa2kWPyNuge7GMyngS5Z078wpMA-gNVX1EdZq1yZSJISOz5xyu3tcw2ANSdNwtTfiEGZJdwvxL6ttnSbPyxMHdoS_VxHR3Y4flA/s1600/oak.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUswID7Ro6qR3pruBFWbEO255Yb_9Fwi2o4XPmvkb7bxa2kWPyNuge7GMyngS5Z078wpMA-gNVX1EdZq1yZSJISOz5xyu3tcw2ANSdNwtTfiEGZJdwvxL6ttnSbPyxMHdoS_VxHR3Y4flA/s200/oak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504793136691242850" border="0" /></a><br />Winter never really leaves these mountains. Even in the height of summer, there's a hint of dark, star-spattered nights and a soft chill behind the wind. The growing season is regrettably, short. As the second harvest festival approaches, green thumbs begin measuring the garden in eyedroppers of time.<br />The first <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Candle_Scented_Confections.htm#Samhain">Samhain candles</a> of the year were poured today. Today, a treasured member of the occult community <a href="http://neopagan.net/blog/?p=259">parted the Veil between the Worlds</a> and crossed over. Today, the<a href="http://www.keenobservers.com/2367/perseid-meteor-shower-2010-scatters-in-the-sky-tonight/"> Perseid meteor shower </a>lit up the night sky. I wrapped a thousand prayers into a thousand stitches and hope to send them soon.<br />Utterly ordinary events beating measure for the extraordinary ones. Witches sing a threnody while the night sky burns.<br /><br />-CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-26136343933850373982010-06-25T00:11:00.000-07:002010-06-25T01:04:09.789-07:00Brand Spanking New Handcrafted Occult Goodies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbSA1E07vI-7OKcN_1zfHbUuJ_pVAwXS8Xd3uGm-D5QqYcCwQohMRWggNrwVsBTchD_OMmmEBYocFFztzBRw5OwdKam4TVvL9t7IVhp2nzvCojA8Gfx0w3uL227JTFYHl-7djCxACK0Ti/s1600/candle_pyramid_soy_white_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbSA1E07vI-7OKcN_1zfHbUuJ_pVAwXS8Xd3uGm-D5QqYcCwQohMRWggNrwVsBTchD_OMmmEBYocFFztzBRw5OwdKam4TVvL9t7IVhp2nzvCojA8Gfx0w3uL227JTFYHl-7djCxACK0Ti/s400/candle_pyramid_soy_white_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486607058997053042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Freestanding taper candles, simple, elegant, and practical, from Azzerac's original mold. We have a lot of candles and other goodies jostling for their premiere at the moment, but I couldn't wait to start casting these!<br />A variation on the traditional pyramid, being taller and a little more narrow, (perfect for small altar space), these have a wide base that can fit an array of spell items underneath (name papers, money, photos etc. for attraction spells) and nice flat sides for inscribing symbols, runes, and sigils for spell casting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3hjfgtGD0knsL6jD1qO6DYwSDYCteSl0izOFgN-HSlFC7BFiRXljEz_-6kTTYD5FQNIbZLiQIMGogdDyIV1jIXIRBtawhJKqoCDuNCjToAk3Q-eHXnLhyphenhyphen5d01SK32uItgLF-c4jV59F5/s1600/tarot_bag_entrelac_wood_elf_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3hjfgtGD0knsL6jD1qO6DYwSDYCteSl0izOFgN-HSlFC7BFiRXljEz_-6kTTYD5FQNIbZLiQIMGogdDyIV1jIXIRBtawhJKqoCDuNCjToAk3Q-eHXnLhyphenhyphen5d01SK32uItgLF-c4jV59F5/s400/tarot_bag_entrelac_wood_elf_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486608930156163330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCvMAXwgO-ygJgHSW0d3Q__B_1paS-iCTXsl0B5QBFRh54KBFy6uPvKLnfXC31ZySM2GsnHuKVtSa3D4LVDiKhu_4iRf-YuW7BWxGXEcnRjXZyHA5cLufwiydSRDiIuR9z8UwZcQZ2oxy/s1600/tarot_bag_entrelac_wood_elf_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCvMAXwgO-ygJgHSW0d3Q__B_1paS-iCTXsl0B5QBFRh54KBFy6uPvKLnfXC31ZySM2GsnHuKVtSa3D4LVDiKhu_4iRf-YuW7BWxGXEcnRjXZyHA5cLufwiydSRDiIuR9z8UwZcQZ2oxy/s400/tarot_bag_entrelac_wood_elf_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486610705826120722" border="0" /></a></div><br />The colors remind me of a forest in autumn, just before dawn. Knit with a blend of wool and soy ( awesomely versatile plant, isn't it?!) and adorned with a simple wooden button. I've finished another of these, in shades of pearl, and a few more are on their way (knitting as fast as I can!). <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50162637/wood-elf-entrelac-tarot-bag-in-shades-of">This one is for sale in our Etsy shop</a>.<br />Just as a heads up, I tend to flit from one project to the next, and rarely remake a finished piece- unless you ask nicely ;) Because everything in the shop is handcrafted, each item is unique, and recreations will often have differences, ones that often even surprise their creator!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBx6uqfhh2iIQMK3z9W8fjufQAZh5kjqHbDH62HQIFAoqTkdA51C7hfDSdrDT_dW_ozXSh_rm-f07onFGWhllWknkmnSfDopwtzCVo9tZhpIWZJztTdfGmyKvdkRmyrOcEauDDaa69rr3/s1600/dagger1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBx6uqfhh2iIQMK3z9W8fjufQAZh5kjqHbDH62HQIFAoqTkdA51C7hfDSdrDT_dW_ozXSh_rm-f07onFGWhllWknkmnSfDopwtzCVo9tZhpIWZJztTdfGmyKvdkRmyrOcEauDDaa69rr3/s400/dagger1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486616763367775986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUU8mwPPlZ3ACO60ah5THKPjFoOvGRpS25V2JglP6QmTnVhfQmJ4pDAb5RfR9Ntzch-pfKweq0JJVhS59cdF3l3Rfi-8or0G17_hhMIDSvKzy4nsQzq-2feGNZQf8GFd3Gp8gcXph9zX9/s1600/dagger3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUU8mwPPlZ3ACO60ah5THKPjFoOvGRpS25V2JglP6QmTnVhfQmJ4pDAb5RfR9Ntzch-pfKweq0JJVhS59cdF3l3Rfi-8or0G17_hhMIDSvKzy4nsQzq-2feGNZQf8GFd3Gp8gcXph9zX9/s400/dagger3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486617261207874098" border="0" /></a><br />Saved the best for last: from the anvil of Matthius, a gorgeous hand forged, spiral-handled athame and boline set. You can see <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Crft%20Crner%20Mathias_Athame%20Set.htm">this set</a>, and more lovelies for sale, on <a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/Crft%20Crner%20Mathias.htm">his Craftsman's Corner</a>.<br /><br /><br />Hope you all are well, and had a lovely Solstice!Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-13590498789386344512010-06-19T21:45:00.000-07:002010-06-19T22:22:49.108-07:00June Giveaway Winner<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0PcRpZtMbpebJNUzbYINcEPwW4zAjJNs-EUUo0WFZ94rt_rveERvkLUIirpUIgcAahzrSelEuvS_C3Ny85F-je9jG6lv96kypMMCYtRTHxIKdRUdjbr9D7v3M6CJ-q1tr4VmC53BLPeC/s1600/418px-Edward_Robert_Hughes_-_Midsummer_Eve_(1908c).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0PcRpZtMbpebJNUzbYINcEPwW4zAjJNs-EUUo0WFZ94rt_rveERvkLUIirpUIgcAahzrSelEuvS_C3Ny85F-je9jG6lv96kypMMCYtRTHxIKdRUdjbr9D7v3M6CJ-q1tr4VmC53BLPeC/s400/418px-Edward_Robert_Hughes_-_Midsummer_Eve_(1908c).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484713857819757746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Midsummer Eve" Edward Robert Hughes, 1908</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">The winner this months giveaway, an Attraction Spell set, is K(Banterings of a Basketcase). Email your shipping info to lodestoneandladysmantle[at]hotmail.com , and we'll have the box of goodies off to you on Monday!<br /><br />Zahra Fajir is our runner up, and wins a bottle of our delicious Attraction oil.<br /><br />Thank you all for entering, and keep your eyes peeled for next months giveaway.<br /><br />Wishing you a beautiful, magical Summer Solstice,<br />-Carmin & Azzerac<br /><a href="http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/">Lodestone & Lady's Mantle</a><br /></div><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17926370065535783676" rel="nofollow"></a></div></div>Lodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7134203212376562376.post-10604185622546684882010-06-12T21:31:00.000-07:002010-06-12T22:08:00.441-07:00I'm a Wrecky Master!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRpgUkJSl3zZeVCWe8b3vkJqy61cd2nUPs5VDx28My0Au9JEpqXmrvVxB_D43eymxwCZyheIPNahA-rm1qSYYMSYE-nplulXjHKK6chq553yyT8i7htBsaYGy9yJ1jyxwtREfaw6OI2S0/s1600/wreck.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRpgUkJSl3zZeVCWe8b3vkJqy61cd2nUPs5VDx28My0Au9JEpqXmrvVxB_D43eymxwCZyheIPNahA-rm1qSYYMSYE-nplulXjHKK6chq553yyT8i7htBsaYGy9yJ1jyxwtREfaw6OI2S0/s400/wreck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119859721883922" border="0" /></a>Detours on the Reiki Path. <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons<br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><br />Setting the scene: Today, I covered for a friend who wanted to play hooky and go to the Renn Faire ( a noble cause). The following conversation took place at his bookstore.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Woman rushes in, 5 minutes after closing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> We're actually closed, but I can still ring you up if you're looking for something specific".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woman:</span> "I'm looking for Rac*mumblemuble *for Dummies".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "All of our 'For Dummies' books are just over here".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">5 minutes later</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woman:</span> "I don't see it. Do you see it?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand. What were you looking for?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woman:</span> "Wrecky for Dummies."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> *long pause* "Do you mean Reiki?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woman:</span> "Uh-huh. It's an exercise system" *mimes jumping-jacks*<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> " It's actually a healing system... a specific type of energy work".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woman:</span> *Gazes intently at bookshelf* "Yeah. I'm thinking about teaching it"<br /><br /><br />You can't make this shit up.<br /><br />- CarminLodestone and Ladys Mantlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150459595718191806noreply@blogger.com6