FUN FACT: “Candy corn was originally called chicken feed”

I’m finally back to it! It’s been a long while since I’ve written anything personal. Even journal entries haven’t been at the forefront of my mind lately.

In all honesty, life has been a bit up and down. A rollercoaster of winding confusion and a bit stagnant here and there and if you know me, you know I can’t stand to be stagnant in any way. With that said, things are starting to balance back out and balance is something I’ve been craving for a very long time.

And what better time for it to all “fall” together? The cool embrace of autumn has finally come into play! 🍂 Thank the gods because the this summer was scorching hell!

I have a new job, it’s work from home. I haven’t really had the chance to tell anyone about it. I’ve been trying to find a routine that fits me, but the struggle is real and I can’t seem to put my foot down when it comes to my sleep or my down time.

Between my day job, writing, and streaming, it’s hard to fit in my personal time. This becomes a problem…and when “me time” can’t be incorporated into any part of my day, I start to unravel a bit. (A “bit” is an understatement😅) However, I am doing my best…and that is all I can do for now.

I used to be really hard on myself about it. I would constantly bombard my mind with negative self talk like “really? you need down time when others are 100 steps ahead of you and they barely get down time.”

It’s moments like this I like to remind myself, I am no one but myself. Also, those who don’t give themselves their own time are never usually happy. Everyone has different thresholds that fit their lives. The same goes for pain thresholds. Not everyone is going to experience pain at the same level in the exact same form. It’s impossible. Instead, we all have our own levels and times that we function with and there is nothing wrong with that. It brings to mind that old saying about “not expecting fish to climb trees.”

Random ADHD thought: If I were a fish I probably WOULD try climbing trees. 😅

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for Halloween! As far as I’m concerned, it’s Halloween 6th and no one can tell me otherwise!! 🎃

I’ve been trying really hard this year to reconnect with my craft. I’ve been working a lot with my tarot and oracle cards. There’s a specific deck that I have fallen in love with and I use it every day. The deck is called Liminal Spirits Oracle “witch’s spirit cards” and they’re wonderful! They were created by Laura Tempest Zakroff, a wonderful witchy author who has some amazing and uplifting content that I really admire and follow. Of course, Dana Newkirk will always be the number one witch I enjoy following, but Laura Tempest Zakroff has easily pushed right up to number one along side Dana! When you get the chance, if tarot cards are your thing, or if you’re just curious about them, definitely give this deck a try!

I’ve also been delving a bit deeper into working with spirits. I was always weary about it in the past, just because of the experience I’ve had with spirits, but I’ve learned a lot about myself and my craft since then and finding your trust is important. Not just with the spirits but with yourself. I came across a really helpful affirmation yesterday that resonated and helped me. “I love and approve of myself.”

So often I feel as though I’m going about life all wrong…then I remember, there is no plan, no set path. You can live your life exactly as you want and the beauty in that is so very powerful. We have the ability, while we are in a safe place, to create our own reality. To manifest what we want in life. There is something about this time of year that really inspires me to do just that!

I think it’s the thinning of the veil. Spirits from the other side leaking into our realm. I firmly believe our ideas and worlds meld together more often than we think. It’s a spooky thought…but also comforting. To know that, even when you’re alone, there are entire realities existing along side our own.

I’ve been working on letting things go…making space for the new things in my life. I’ve always had a huge problem with allowing myself to relinquish…anything really. I’ve held onto a lot in the past. But this year, I’m working to clear out all that doesn’t belong in my life. Things that are already decaying and and forming back into the universe…I need to let go. Old pages of spelled memories just waiting to drift back into the ether…if I would just release my grip.

I did my first seasonal ritual for Mabon a few days ago and it was wonderful. I gave an offering of apples to nature and the Green Man.

The entire experience was liminal and inviting. Nothing else could compare really. And the crazy thing? It was so simple. It’s amazing how we get in our minds that we have to include all these fancy things in our craft, when really all it takes is you and your intention for most things. If you do decide to use tools, use what you have, especially if money is tight!

The whole process got me thinking about how many things in my life could just be simple if I let it. What parts of my existence could be made easier if I would simply use some perspective. And then that line of thinking started to leak into this spooky time of year! We didn’t get to decorate as much as I would have liked and…as much as I hate to say it, we had to throw away a few of the Halloween spoops just because they were so old and tattered. But Halloween isn’t in the decorations and the lights, it’s all in nature and this time of year. The spookiness is there regardless of whether you decorate or celebrate.

As someone who used to be entirely too materialistic, this minimal way of thinking was scary…but also very comforting all at once.

So, if you can’t afford to decorate, just create! And remember that even if you don’t do a single thing for Halloween, it’s still there, creeping along at our doorsteps in the fog, sailing across the sky with the ravens, and cackling with the witches behind the clouds. Pumpkins will always be Jack-o-Lanterns, and the cool breeze will always be there to remind us that the spirits do in fact roam these dark and mysterious halls.

Gentle Advice: Like the leaves, allow yourself to breathe and let it go.

May the spirits be with you both night and day.