Autumnal Equinox 2008

Autumnal Equinox 2008

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX (Mabon)

September 22

First day of Libra, waning moon

THEMES: Thanks & Balance

Ahh… the long days of Summer are slowly leaving us. The Autumnal Equinox is, like the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox, a time of balance. Both dark and light - day and nite - are equal. Preparing to move into a phase of darkness, we now reap what we've sown and use that to sustain us thru the dark times.

Have you worked hard this summer? Played hard this summer? Worked hard at playing this summer? If so, congratulate yourselves and give thanks. Make a list of all that you are thankful for, focusing on your own personal strengths. So often at Thanksgiving we are so busy thanking others that we forget to honor ourselves and the beautiful bodies that support us. How are we feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually?

Not only are the dark and light at balance today, but it is also the first day of Libra – the ultimate sign of balance. The scales. Are you giving too much of yourself emotionally or have you been withdrawn and guarded? Selfish or overly nurturing? Fasting or binging? Don't judge yourself, just assess and make some changes.

Remember Vernal Equinox (March 21^st)? At that time we planted seeds for ideas and projects to manifest throughout the spring and summer, to harvest in the fall. Well harvest time is here. Do you remember what your seeds were? Did you water & support their growth and manifestation? Personally I'm completely focused on supporting one of the seeds that I planted… the one to grow a baby and start a family. My partner and I conceived in between Vernal Equinox and Summer Solstice and are happily focused on the exciting and amazing growth of our unborn child.

Here is something I received from www.Tut.com this past Monday, the day of the Harvest moon. I find it valuable and a great exercise to do at this time of the year.

What happens when someone worries? Basically, they think of 100 reasons why something might go wrong. And all of those thoughts then struggle to become things, sometimes overriding their more constructive thoughts. It's like a train wreck. Ain't pretty. But that's the power of worry.

Now, let's say you want something fantastic to manifest in your life. Hypothetically, let's say you want a magical life and perfect mate. (I know you.) Have you sat down yet and listed 100 reasons why it might come to you easily, fast, and harmoniously? I think you should. Today works, The Universe

Traditionally this is a big-feast sort of Sabbat. Eat, drink and relax. Thank the Earth for her bounty. Give thanks for all the gifts you've received this year and for all the supportive friends and family that surround you (they are a gift).

probation

So, I've decided to put my photographer on probation. She has 1 month to get it together and provide me with better images for my Etsy site. Right now the photos are basic, you see the jewelry and focus points of each piece, but the lighting is inconsistent and the photos are just damn boring. They don't speak, don't give you a real taste of the personality of either the designer (me) or of the individual piece itself.

Now I just need to come up with some creative display and background ideas for her... She can figure out her camera settings and the appropriate lighting. If anyone has suggestions, please share!

Ok. Off to work on the rag quilt for my brother....

softcards.... halloweenie style!

Ok, so I started these cards a while ago then got involved in some other projects. (life, quilt, jewelry, etc). Finally I have completed them. It took some thinking and pacing around Swains (art supply store) to come up with the perfect paper for the signature page. In the past I've hand embroidered a custom message, but that isn't always practical.

My apologies for the crappy pictures - my photographer sucks, but she's cheap. Eventually I'll figure out the perfect lighting and angle for my jewelry and softcards and all the things I post to Etsy. Right now these will have to make do. They certainly get the image across clearly... but it seems to me that the photos could be much better and that makes a difference when you're trying to sell something on Etsy by photos and words only.

Anyways, here they are!

onyx. garnet. labradorite. beautiful.

So I've had these gorgeous faceted onyx teardrop points for a while now, but I've not found the perfect design for them. Usually things look either too busy or too simple. On a delicate silver chain is nice, but soooo boring. Then I thought silk thread with a few little silver accents might work nicely. Here is one with black silk and one with midnight blue silk.


Oh! And here's another take on the rough garnet pendant. It really looks like both garnet and labradorite are in that stone, so I strung some faceted labradorite beads on light green silk and added the garnet. Gold accents, for some lift and life.