ivyskeep | Entries tagged with heathen

Hub had to have emergent retinal detachment surgery last week. He's not a happy camper. He's had one post-op appointment and has a follow-up appointment next week. We're trying to remain optimistic that it won't severely affect his job and he has some vision left in that eye. He's going a little stir-crazy since he can't drive. I have to work, so I'm not able to drive him around except to his appointments. If the weather is okay this Saturday, maybe I'll drive him to Chik-fil-A. He's having withdrawals.

Our dog needs a cyst removed from each eye, and her surgery is scheduled for January.

Otherwise, things have been quiet. I've had a pleasant Yuletide so far. I do small offerings of water and incense each day to Heathen deities, ancestors, land wights, etc.

I hope the new year finds you all well and refreshed.

Current Mood: hopeful

I hope you're enjoying your October. Work is busy before the usual December slow down. I'm taking on as much as I can to be able to get through the winter financially. I'm still taking time to de-stress with adult coloring and crafting.

Bridget the dog's stretch of good health only lasted a few months as she's had another cyst burst. The vet didn't immediately suggest surgery this time, so we're doing our best to clean the wound, and she's on a course of antibiotics. Fingers crossed we can avoid another surgery.

I'm happy to have come across Heathen Mike Smith's Patreon page. I haven't seen him around in a while and I've enjoyed his past writing.

Have a Happy Halloween however you celebrate.

Current Mood: artistic

I hope all who celebrate have a Merry Christmas.

I'm continuing with daily brief blots for Yule.

I've usually done apple pie as a holiday dessert over the years, but this year I'm doing pumpkin pie, which I'll start in a bit. I've been wearing only a sweatshirt or my light winter coat to take the dog out, so I don't see any signs of a white Christmas.

The orientation for the new contract seems to be going good. I'm learning their platform and way of doing things. I plan on making soap sometime next week. Some for the shop and some for me. I'm curious about shampoo bars, so that'll be the batch for me. I recently made some lotions bars and lip balm. They turned out good.

The vet gave me some estimates for meds she wants the dog on. Yikes! Even with getting some reimbursed, I can't afford the monthly shot. There are two others that are doable though, so that's what we're going to get for her.

Current Mood: awake

On this day last year, Nightcat, a YouTuber I followed passed away. I wrote about it here and here. Two things that drew me to her channel were her virtual temples and her meditations. She/they was open and inviting to people of many different backgrounds. As long as you understood that her focus was the gods and not dogma and you weren't hateful, she welcomed you. I now consider her an ancestor of the spiriit and light a candle and offer a prayer in honor of her this day.

She loved many gods, but she was a Lokean at heart, hence the fox image.

Current Mood: thankful

I'm getting used to juggling my three work contracts. I'm so much less stressed than I was with the bad place, and I'm learning some new things to add to my skill set, so all is good.

Pink snapdragons are growing up in cracks between some wood pieces in the back yard. It's a pleasant surprise.

I did a short blot for King Radbod today. Some info at Wyrd Dottir's blog.

I made another batch of pesto to freeze. At this point, I might have to invite the neighbors over for pesto for a year. The basil plants are huge! I'll see if some neighbors would like some fresh leaves. I also dried some in the dehydrator for the winter.

My knee is to the point where stairs aren't as painful. However, when I turn and don't lift my leg up properly, I feel it's about to twist. I've been doing home exercises and still use a cane when I go for walks or am out and about to force myself to remember to be mindful of my movements.

Current Mood: awake

My summer solstice blot this year was to Thor and his wife Sif as well as the ancestors. Work has been greatly on my mind. I gave thanks with an offering of homemade rhubarb cordial for continued good health and the ability to work.

I said prayers of gratitude for my recently deceased uncle, an ancestor of blood and bone, for being instrumental in extending my existence by helping my mother and her two kids escape a bad situation in the '80s, something I neglected to say to him when he was alive. Private prayers were said to the ancestors for myself and many family members. I also offered prayers for Nightcat for her creative and spiritual inspiration as I consider her an ancestor of spirit now. Not a traditional summer solstice blot, I guess, but it's what I was called to do.

Whether you celebrate or not, may this season bring you many good things. Happy summer to you.

Current Mood: calm

Happy Winter Solstice to all who celebrate. May the season bring you many good things.

Current Mood: cheerful

I'm still shocked at the news that a favorite YouTuber died suddenly on Saturday. I've enjoyed her polytheist content for a couple of years and became a member. There have been times when her channel was my spiritual home. She was unabashedly real about her beliefs and her struggles with mental illness, both of which I could relate to. But she also included fun gaming content and held a safe space for gay Pagans. She was welcoming to everyone who was kind and respectful.

I know that those who knew her personally are suffering more, but the closest word I have to describe what I'm feeling is grief. I know I'm not the only one if the comments on her channel and Discord are anything to go by. Rest in peace, Sweet Nightcat. You're in the arms of your beloved holy ones and ancestors now. Thank you for your honesty, food for thought, laughter, and the comfort you brought to my mind and heart.

Current Mood: sad

I'm not sure what to title these entries sometimes as they're usually meanderings of just random stuff. As per a previous post, I watched The Northman, which I enjoyed. I didn't go in expecting much as far as it representing Heathen religion. I'm just glad that there are non-Marvel type offerings out there of people who worshipped northern deities. Maybe one day we'll have films that feature Pagans and Heathens just as a matter of fact as modern worshippers and not as sorcerer or Viking wannabes. No, that's not a jab at Marvel or comic books. Sometimes, you just want something different. With the film's Hamlet undertones, it piqued my interest in the alleged origins of the Hamlet story which I've yet to dive into.

Bridget got her pre-surgical blood work. If nothing is wonky with that, then she's scheduled for her cyst removal surgery next week. Hubs went shopping for some type of ramp to help her get into the car because she's having trouble bringing her backside up.

Current Mood: awake

I celebrated the first of Sunwait this week in anticipation of Yule. This modern practice starts six weeks before the winter solstice and focuses on the first six elder futhark runes.

I understand it's a contested holiday in some circles. I'm not a reconstructionist, so I'll leave that for others to argue about. It's a moment of peace in a chaotic world. I feel that honoring the gods whenever I can is a good thing. It's not just devout Christians that find the growing secularity of this time of year distracting. Celebrating Sunwait helps me focus.

As Veterans Day was yesterday, prayers for the military dead were given as well as for those still living and a small monetary donation to my chosen veterans organization.

Current Mood: calm

I'm a little late to the party, but I'm waiting on The Northman film from the interlibrary loan system. I've read good and so so reviews about the film, so I want to see it for myself. Since we aren't going out to the movies and we don't have Prime or basic cable, I finally got around to checking it out of the library. Can't wait to see it.

Current Mood: calm

Our washer died. We've replaced several of the '90s-era appliances in our house over the last couple of years, so it was expected. There was some mumbling, but I'm just grateful we both have jobs. Bridget may have to have a cyst removed. She has a vet appointment today.

Because of work, my Alfablot will be belated and performed tomorrow. I've adapted a ritual from Mike Smith's Ways of the Asatru for solitary and personal use.

Current Mood: busy

I created a short video for contemplation/meditation with a version of Sigdrifa's prayer set to the background of a winter theme for one of my YouTube channels. My goal is to create something similar for all four seasons. If I didn't say before, this account will cover everyday minutia as well as Heathen and Pagan content, usually brief. Honestly, I'm trying to break my Twitter doomscrolling habit. That's why I'm here.

Watch on YouTube