Howling at the Moon

Here it is, only two weeks into my blog and I already have 10 Google followers, lovely comments, and . . . wait for it . . .

AN AWARD!! ::sniff:: I am overwhelmed!

Okay, enough of the dramatics (though it is pretty cool). Thanks so much to both Wiz over at Go out Beneath the Naked Night and Witch by Nature at Antics of a Tamaran Witch. Now I get to share seven of my favorite things and then pass the award on to 15 bloggers. That is going to be tough, I have read so many great blogs. My one criteria is going to be to try to stick to people who have not yet been honored.

But first, I have to figure out how to get the blasted award thingy on my blog!

WhoooHooo! Well, that only took about six attempts before I picked the right one -- but I succeeded. Oh, and here are the 'official' rules for the award:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

So, now I guess it is time to get a little personal (as if discussing stones in my bra is not personal :P).

#1 The moon! Yes, I am sure that you are all surprised. I have always felt her pull and frequently can be found sitting in the back garden at night gazing skyward (even in the winter).

#2 Wolves! Hmmm, is anyone sensing a pattern here? But seriously, I have always found the Wolf to be a beautiful and noble animal. Wolf is one of my spirit animals and she (yes, she) came to me long before any of the others.

#3 Gardening! I absolutely LOVE to get my hands dirty. I hardly ever wear gloves because they get between me, the earth, and her bounty. I am itching to get out in the garden -- but it is still too early where I am for planting.

#4 Curling up by the fire with a good book on a cold day or a stormy night. There is something about being cozy warm while the weather is doing its worst outside that makes any book more enjoyable.

#5 The contented sound of my beloved dog snoring. She has such a dainty little snore! It means that she has had a good day's work (she is a Service Dog) and is really relaxing. Oh, and then there is when she is having a happy dream and wags her tail in her sleep . . . is that two things? Naw, I'll count it as one.

#6 Candles. I just love the light that they give off. I actually prefer it to most electric sources of light. Maybe I was born in the wrong century . . .

#7 Crafty stuff . . . particularly crocheting. I find it both relaxing and productive -- a great way to pass a little time and not feel like I'm lounging around like a lump.

Well, now for the really hard part -- can I just say ALL OF YOU? No? Well, it was worth a try.

First, a shout out to Marie at Art from my Heart. She is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment so stop by and brighten her day (and take a look at her AWSOME Goddesses/Angels.

Second, Momma Kelly and Lady Rose over at 2 Witches Blog. Your candor is refreshing -- I am praying to the computer gods for you!

Third, Bogaman who writes the amazing, masculine Bogaman's Blog. (Ego and all -- LOVED that post, btw)

Fourth, Bridgett at Peek-a-Boo. I just love the new name and look!

Fifth, Diane at Good Mourning Glory! I just couldn't stop laughing at Barbie's peeing puppy! You made my day!

Sixth, Bella at Memoirs of a Crazy Witch. How do you manage to come up with so many signature buttons!

Seventh, Mary over at Moontides. You always get me thinking, thanks!

Eighth, Mother Moon. Great messages that are very reflective.

Ninth, Ryan over at Old Man Sutton. Another lovely male voice in Blogland. The pictures from the Natural Wildlife Reserve were gorgeous.

Tenth, Halloween Spirit over at Black and Orange. If you love Halloween this is the place to go!

Eleventh, Magaly at Pagan Culture. Your posts usually leave me feeling very light at heart, even on my more stressful days.

Twelfth, Tammi Lee at Spirithelpers. Full of photos that truly rate a Beautiful Blogger Award

Thirteenth, Jessica over at The Magical Mundane. I hope you are digging yourself out of all that snow!

Fourteenth, Lyon at The Wandering Hearth. Though she is taking a little hiatus at the moment . . . sort of.

And finally . . .

Fifteenth! Anastasia . . . Deep Inside My Broom Closet. I just adore your topics.

Whew -- of course, there are some that are not on this list but I love you anyway! ::kiss::

Now I must be off to spread the joy!

Recently, Sparrow over on eWitch posted about practical protection and shared a method she calls The Bra Barrier. I was tickled pink to read this post because it is actually a method that I use (with a slightly different process). Sparrow uses three stones while I usually only use one (or one of each stone needed at the time) -- on the left side, by my heart.

This started me thinking . . .

How do I shore up my body/soul when I am feeling particularly vulnerable?

First and foremost, there is my jewelry. Just about every item I wear has some kind of significance. Either they have been given to me by an important person in my life or they have special significance to me, personally. Ideally, I prefer to wear many items (yes, I fulfill the stereotype -- sorry!) But, I can very easily limit my jewelry -- though even limited, it usually exceeds 'normal' jewelry wearing quota.

In the event that I must, I will cut down the rings and bracelets, but I always wear a single necklace and my ear rings. I must admit that there are very few instances in my life where this is necessary. I kind of have the attitude of 'take me as I am . . . if you don't like it, lump it'. But, I do recognize the value of breaking new people in when it comes to my little idiosyncrasies -- so sometimes the jewelry comes off for a bit. When this happens, if I feel it is necessary, I will put stones in less observable places -- either using the Bra Barrier method or having my version of a medicine pouch that can be placed in a pocket or worn around my neck under clothing. I have even been known to slip a little something in my sock on occasion.

Some of these techniques are very helpful if one is still firmly intrenched in their broom closet. I am neither in the dark recesses of my closet any longer, nor am I bouncing up and down howling at the moon outside it all the time. I guess I take each situation as it comes, deciding how much of my spiritual path to share as the need arises. Some people in my life have intimate knowledge of my spiritual practices, others know my label but have little idea of how that plays out in my life, others make assumptions (usually incorrect), and still others have no clue. If I do not wish to challenge those with assumptions or disrupt the status quo with those who have not clue, I usually chose more subtle decorations -- hence, the 'stealth' shielding and enhancing. Of course, there are the times that I just use energy and attitude alone . . . but that is probably another post!