Manistique in da moonlight
When the moon was dark on May 24, I was enjoying the wonder of the
stars that shone more brightly without the glow of the moon. In front
of a crackling fire. In the clean fresh air of Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula. Surrounded by trees and nature. Listening to the call of
the whip-poor-will. What a wonderful place to be. It is amazing to see
the night sky without all the light pollution. Who needs sleep on a
clear night when the Big Dipper is right above you. There were bugs
the first night, which was annoying, but after that it was too cold
for them.
We stayed at a little cabin by Thunder Lake in Manistique, which is
located in the Hiawatha National Forest. During the day we drove north
to the Ishpeming and Michigamme areas in search of old mine sites. We
found beautiful stones of crystal and hematite, and other rocks that
are found in Michigan. I even found a “black diamond”, at
least what we think is one, positive ID has not yet been made. On the
drive back we stopped at a boat launch on Lake Superior where I found
a fossil.
We saw the Mt. Shasta restaurant where the movie "Anatomy of
a Murder" was filmed. This year is the 50th anniversary of
that movie and some events are planned. If you are a fan of that movie
or of movie sites, you may want to visit there, go to http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us/pwpl//Anatomy
for a list of planned events. Side note: my mother's grandparents
were friends with the man who plays the judge in the movie, and he was
an actual judge!
All in all it was a great relaxing weekend. One I didn’t think
I could afford until the Powers That Be stepped in and provided me with
the means to go. Thank you to all the people who were so generous at
the Gibraltar Holistic show, I hope you are enjoying the purchases you
made from me. I sent a request for the money through a spell, a request
that was fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams. I thank the Powers That
Be for answering my request. And I’ll share this spell at the bottom
of this newsletter.
I Lost an Aunt and Gained a Cat
On the drive home we received news of the death of my aunt. This was
one of those cases where moving on to the next world was the best thing
for her. She did not have a good quality of life and her mental problems
made it hard for those of us who tried to help her. I was one of those
who tried. I had, in fact, given up a few months ago. While I am sad
at her passing, I am also relieved.
Have you ever tried to care for someone who could not care for themselves?
Have you ever had this person undo hours of work on their behalf with
a single phone call? Have you had this person fight you and distrust
you when you are trying to help them keep their house? I have. If anyone
else you know is going through this kind of thing.....give them a hug
and all your support. If you yourself are going through this....give
yourself a hug and take a break from it, even if only for a day. Trying
to help someone who needs it is hard. I’m not talking about interfering
with another’s affairs that can handle it. I’m talking about
someone who cannot read or write and has the mind of a child. Someone
who really needs the help but is unable to always see that you are doing
the best for them. If you are doing this for another, rest assured that
you are making a difference in their life. The rewards may be few but
in the grand scheme of things, this person could not survive with your
help. You can make a difference in their life. I know I did.
Without me my aunt would have lost her house and would have been put
away somewhere. While assisted living would have made her quality of
life better, she would not have been happy. All she wanted was to stay
in her house. My uncle and I could see that she needed more help than
we could give but .....all she wanted was to stay in the house. Her
worst fear was to leave that house. So she didn’t. She died at
the front door as the paramedics were assisting her to the ambulance.
Now her spirit will always be in her home if she wants. She is much
better off without the handicap of her weight, she is again with her
mother, who she missed terribly. I’m sure she is happier now. I
am happier knowing her spirit is finally free.
The only one not happier is her cat. Poor thing. My uncle, who is living
in the house, said he would not take care of it. So two days after losing
the only constant person in her life, the cat found herself being put
in a carrier and drove to a strange house. She spent the first evening
in the cat carrier, afraid to come out. I let her be and placed the
water dish right by it so she wouldn’t have to venture out for
water. In the morning I could tell she used the litter box (thankfully)
but was now under the couch. When I got home from work she was still
under the couch and remained there all evening. This morning she is
still under the couch.
I am talking to her but do not want to scare her. Later today I will
try to get her out from the couch with some treat like tuna (which my
aunt used to give her). I am not sure I can keep this cat but didn’t
want my uncle to take her to the humane society. I’m giving it
some time to let her adjust. One problem is that the cat is not used
to men and always hid from my uncle. If she cannot adjust to my boyfriend
being here, then she will need a new home. Ideally some elderly single
woman who is home a lot as the cat is used to constant human companionship.
Children would be too much for her. She is an older cat, I think 10
years. Very sweet and quiet. If she comes out I’ll take a picture
and put it on the website when I put this newsletter in the archive.
Sandy with her new toy "gopher"
***I wrote this newsletter on friday morning (5-29). Many things happened
this weekend to keep me from actually sending it. Cat update
sunday evening (5-31): she came out from under the couch Friday night
as I sat watching TV. She jumped on the couch and I petted her while
she purred. She jumped down, then back up, then went behind the couch.
She explored back there until my boyfriend came, then back under the
couch where she has remained all weekend. Unfortunately things beyond
my control kept me away from home most of the weekend. As far as I know
she has not come out from under the couch except maybe at night or while
I was gone. The food is untouched. She purrs when I talk to her and
looks at me. I brought another of her toys from my aunt’s house
and she looked interested but still wouldn’t come out. Hopefully
I can get her to come out again tomorrow night.
Cat update monday afternoon (6-1): She came out last
night after midnight and stayed out for a while. I could not get her
to eat but she wanted both me and my boyfriend, Brian, to pet her. I
guess it was just my uncle she didn’t like cuz she seemed ok with
Brian. He didn’t want to scare the cat and wanted to let the cat
get used to me first so all weekend he didn’t bother her. But on
Sunday evening he peeked under the couch and talked to her, this was
before she came out. Anyway, she explored more and seems to be OK She
was out exploring after we went to bed too. She must be eating because
she used the kitty litter again but honestly I couldn’t tell how
much. I’m just glad she is coming out and exploring the house on
her own and there is signs that she is eating and drinking. She is,
of course, under the couch as I write this : )
Cat update 6-26: Sandy (my aunt named her) is doing good.
She still prefers to stay in the living room but does occasionally sleep
on a kitchen chair. She is very playful, preferring a piece of string
to the store bought toys. She still disappears under the couch for a
bit every day but 80% of the time she is out and about. She has gotten
into a little mischief, see the Midsummer
newsletter, but all in all she's a little sweetie.
A Simple Prosperity Envelope Spell
In Llewellyn’s 2009 Magical Almanac , in the chapter called
Magic In Your Cupboard, I found the following prosperity spell: "To
begin this spell for prosperity, you will need a plain sheet of white
paper and a plain envelope. On the paper, write the amount of money
you need - be sure it’s a reasonable amount. Over the paper, crumble
a pinch each of these three money-attracting ingredients: mint, oatmeal,
and wheat germ. Fold the paper like a letter and seal it in the envelope.
Keep the envelope in a secret place or carry in your purse. When the
spell has done its work, burn the envelope and contents in a heatproof
dish or fireplace."
I thought "ok, I need some money to pay my rent this month"
so I got a sheet of paper and an envelope. On the paper in green ink
I wrote the amount of $500, which is the amount of my rent. I looked
in my Magickal Herb Closet to decide what to use. I had dried peppermint
leaves. I did not have any wheat germ and to me oatmeal didn’t
seem right. I chose cinquefoil (five finger grass) and patchouli. I
have always had more success with money spells when I include patchouli.
I set the containers on the counter by the paper and envelope. I folded
the paper to fit into the envelope then unfolded it and in the center
added a pinch of each herb. I made up a spell on the spot as I added
each. You can make up your own or use mine:
A pinch of peppermint to start the spell
Then cinquefoil to blend it well
Last I add patchouli leaf
To bring to me this relief
Ok, not my best work but it rhymes. I then folded the paper and put
it in the envelope. I sealed the envelope then addressed it to "Me"
from "The Goddess". I said "I thank the Goddess and the
Powers That Be, in advance for this money sent to me" then put
the envelope in my purse. That‘s it. No circle, no rising of power,
just good old practical magick.
The next week my Michigan refund came. The amount was $542. Ok, my
rent is paid. Next I got the notice that my Home Heating Credit went
to my heating company, so now I won’t have gas bills through the
summer and into the fall. Then I did the Gibraltar Holistic show. I
did $310 in sales. Now I can go up north!
Now some could argue that the refund would have come anyways. Yes,
but when? Would it have come before rent was due? And the Gibraltar
sales wasn’t $500 but I still think the spell was working. In this
economy I think it would be hard to make that much without Divine help.
Alicia did not make that much at the same show and in the same spot.
Altho I wish the wealth had spread, her prosperity was in the form of
the spiritual people she met and the contacts she made. I too count
that as part of the prosperity of the weekend.
While up north I placed the envelope in the fire and thanked the Goddess
for answering my request. Now I know that if I find myself short on
cash to pay my bills, I can request the help and it will come. The Goddess
always provides.
Until next time,
~~~~Rhiannon Rose
