another little peek @ BOS and cleansing crystals

continuing on through the book of shadows ~

When I first ever saw this photo of Daisy, I knew immediately that I wanted to do something with it.... we both loved Wizard of Oz, so I glittered up her shoes with red glitter glue and made her a little, black tuille skirt. And of course the black cat - all witches have one, I am told.... Although I didn't know her when she was small, I am sure she was a wise little girl. On the right hand page - another piece of the mystical castle with collage words "she believed in magic" - and of course, she did ..... next is Imbolc....

Daisy thought it would be a good idea to start off with the sabbat, Imbolc.... on the left page is a pocket made from an old encyclopedia page about marsh flowers and tucked into the pocket, I placed a tag that could be used as a bookmark, I was also going to put a packet of seeds into the pocket. I painted the right hand page with white paint, leaving some words that actually made sense for the season.... then stamped 'spring is coming' on some old fabric... and next we have Spring Equinox ~

first of all I painted both pages pink and I made a fabric quiltie for the right hand page, using some vintage lace and flowers. On the left hand side, I copied a Spring Blessing onto some rice paper and glued it down one side......

and underneath ~ just a few pictures of spring...... and some words that I thought springtime would be for Daisy ~ butterflies * march hares * seeds of hope * violets so that is a little more of this altered Book of Shadows .

yesterday, I went out to lunch with Joe and after, I ended up going back to my favourite shop of the moment - Frou-Frou, (I must take some photos to share) and bought some wonderful vintage buttons, some old pearls and some real ostrich feathers! I also bought a wonderful old lantern to hang in my kitchen. I used some of the ostrich feathers on my Elemental spirit doll, which I might add is looking quite gorgeous.. i will share her when i have finished. It was a really chilly day - a cold that goes into your bones, it has been like this for a few weeks now... so I have had my fire burning constantly over the past few days - I love living where I do, here in the mountains, it is truly a special sacred place. at this time of year, when I go outside, I can smell the wood fire smoke... I love it, so comforting..not good for the environment I guess....but well, I need to keep warm.

a few of you have asked how to clean crystals. There are many ways and many opinions. You can run them under water but some crystals actually dissolve in water, you can put them out into the sunlight but some fade, some people even bury them into the ground, which works I guess, but good luck finding them again! I find the best, easiest and the one that suits my soul is to smudge with a herbal smudge stick or incense. All you need to do is hold the crystal and circle it with the incense, letting the smoke fully engulf the crystal. Imagine all the negative energies being drawn out and dissipating with the smoke. The moon is not used to cleanse crystals but to charge them and I will share what I know about that in a day or two.

Another thing too, I am thankful & blessed to have so many friends here.. the past weeks, i have realised just how many of you are my friends, thankyou xoox

oh and don't forget to comment on the post about the Imbolc giftie!

*~* I hope your day is filled with butterflies, magick, colour & fripperies! ~*~