A Wandering Fox

The Summer Solstice is in a couple of days and I'm excited. I've been feeling the Norse Solar Goddess Sunna poking at me over the last few months. I'm working on a kid-friendly ritual to honor Her with my family, without the wasps and sudden possession this time! Yes, last year, I hosted a Summer Solstice ritual with a local group (before I had joined ADF).  We had the ritual in a shelter at Delaware State Park (Ohio) and I was unknowingly standing under a wasp nest that was beneath a sign.  I was stung 5 times--once on my thumb and 4 on my thigh.  Some of the attendees were surprised by how I handled it.  I wasn't crying, cursing, or hating the wasps or myself.  After some ice and a few minutes to sit, I just moved the altar and continued.  Don't get me wrong, it hurt!  But whether I was sitting or performing the rite, it'd still be hurting, so I decided to go on with ritual that I had worked so hard on planning.  Honestly, the worst part of the stings came in

 This is a Copy/Paste from my Hearth Fox Blog : Boo! I've been sick this Vestalia and haven't been able to do my usual stuff, minus a deep spiritual cleanse of my home and a re-warding. First I cleansed my home by asking the Norse Solar Goddess Sunna to cleanse my property and vehicle with sunlight. Then I went inside and opened the windows and curtains for that spring breeze and sunshine. The weather has actually been pretty nice this Vestalia, with temps in the 60's-75F. I've been spending a lot of time outside resting, reading, and crocheting. Inside, I lit the sage bundle by saying, "In the names of Hestia-Vesta and the Vestals, I light this sage to cleanse my home of all unwanted energies and entities. You are not wanted here and must leave!" I walked my home counterclockwise to banish those unwanted energies. Then I declared what energies and entities are welcome. I cleansed the home again with energy, to get those pesky nooks and crannies, like

( Copy/paste from my Hearth Fox Blog )  The Vestalia is a Roman festival honoring the Hearth and Home Goddess and the Living Flame Vesta; I also honor the Greek Hearth and Home Goddess Hestia and the spirits of the Vestals.  I've been celebrating this holy time for a few years, since learning about it back in the early 2010's, when I was exploring Roman and Greek Paganism.  The festival is from June 7th to the 15th.  This is one of my most important holy times, especially now as a Priestess of Hestia-Vesta (a Hearth Keeper for Hestia and a Vestal for Vesta--Their words, not mine).   You may notice that I often hyphenate Their names, because sometimes They appear as one goddess and other times as two, purely a personal choice, not a historical one. My Vestalia Shrine. June 9, 2023 Starting in the back, left to right: a statue inherited from my grandmother representing family love, a satchel of my kids' altar stuff, a red protection satchel sitting in a bowl one of my kids

 There we go, not only did I submit Essay #9 on Friday, but I just mostly finished my Vestalia ritual, which can be found in the  Rituals page .  It is  mostly  done, I just have to figure out the Working part, other than blessing black salt and sprinkling it about my property part.  Oh, and also find a Vesta prayer that I like for this rite.  Because this is my 10th Vestalia, I want to do something else special for it.  Maybe a re-dedication to Vesta and the Vestals?  Or perform some divination and see what They want from me.  I'm already a Hearth Keeper for Hestia and a Vestal--seems that as such I should probably ask what They all want.   I won't be doing the ritual until the 9th, so I have some time to think. Once the essay gets approved, I'll post it on the Dedicant Path Essays page, too.  I hope it gets reviewed soon.  I need to know if it passes before I start on the next.  I spent a month working Essay 9, mostly because of writer's block and overthinking.  I'

 On Memorial Day, one of my friends cat died suddenly and traumatically due to a pre-existing heart condition, I believe they said.  I wrote a Cat Memorial Rite and performed it the other night.  I tried to do a FB Live in our study group, but my internet connection wasn't very good, so after the third try, I decided to just record and post. The first attempt of the rite was a lot better than the recording.  The recording was also very casual because I've known this person since high school.  I personally prefer a little bit of humor in my death (and it's a decision that I don't just make on my own)--and with my friend, I asked about some silly things about her cat, Minion.  Cutesy names, typical annoying asshole cat shit, good memories.  I talked a bit about my experience with cats and spirits pets, as well as with grief.  I tried to balance the silly with the serious.  There was a lot of off-script talk about grief, too, and about pets and family.   This is my first

 First, Blessed Full Moon, yall! Second, look at what arrived yesterday! SnakeCharmerArt For the psychic part of my business, I accept cash and trades.  Usually for non-local strangers, the trade option is my Amazon Wishlist (wish I could do an Etsy wishlist!  I heard they have a mobile app, but I hate dealing with my phone).  But this artist reached out to me asking to trade art for a reading.  After mulling it over and talking to my guides, I decided to take a chance, after all they were taking one on me. I'm really glad that I did.  Cameron was wonderful for work with.  Given that I had never traded art for a reading, I gave them mostly free range for this piece.  They said that they were trained in digital and other mediums.  I said that I love bright colors, Loki and/or a fox, and whatever size and medium they wanted to do.   Yesterday came a little cute fox drawing on the envelope and this high quality, approx 8.5x11 inch piece of Loki.  Also, the foxes eyes are a lot like mi

  Today I honor all Bee Entities, Pollinators, and Ethical Beekeepers! - Dedicant and Hearth Keeper Foxlyn - 

 Yesterday was Mother's Day, which was a wonderful day, made more magikal by starting the day off with a male ringed-necked pheasant.  These birds means good finances for me--who doesn't like that omen?  It was a great financial day!  My family took me to Half Price Books, where I got a Funko Pop Sabretooth (fav villian) and two books--both on my wishlist (because I have rule for myself to keep me from buying whatever interesting looking book that may just leave me disappointed): Yup, when I go to bookstores, I visit the metaphysical/witchy/pagany/psychic section first, the mythology section second, the psychology/trauma/disorders/self help sections, and finally the death section (for my death doula independent studies).  THEN if I haven't found anything, I may go to the graphic novels/gaming/nerdy sections, art, nature, and fiction.  Always in that order, unless I'm there for something specific. There, two pieces of useless trivia about me.  Read on for more! I also sa

 This was me yesterday, while trying to begin the 9th essay: " I'm trying to write an essay on the Kindreds, when Writer's Block hits me and suddenly I can't remember what the hell an ancestor is ." Luckily, I was able to work through that bit of writer's block by looking at pictures of my ancestral shrine, as well as the next bit about the Nature Spirit.  Although with that one, no altar photos, but gentle inspiration from Them instead.   However, the Shining Ones...writer's block once again.  I'm following that altar theme throughout this essay, but I just hit a wall yesterday.  I think I took too long of a break after the Nature Spirit part.  I've been walking the polytheist path for over 30 years, and I've had many interesting encounters with many different entities over the time.  I'm a "godphone" as it was jokingly called on Tumblr years ago ("godbothered" is another term), meaning that I can communicate with Them

 I just attended Three Cranes Grove's Calan Mai ritual honoring Cerridwen cia Zoom.  The bandwidth was weak and the words garbled at times, but it was lovely overall.  They also did officer oaths of Vice Arch Druid Rev. Jan Avende, Senior Druid Traci Auerbach (I think is the spelling), Secretary Jessica Mingus, and Treasurer Deborah who's last name I couldn't hear because of low bandwidth.  As well as the Maypole. Zoom Screenshot Spring Equinox's omens were talked a little bit about and then Rev Avende did this rite's omen using the Animal Spirit Oracle: " Bear.  Jaguar.  Sheep. the mothering energy given to us provides us with transformation so that we may access the tools and skills we need; in return, we should be community and provide for each other. These are good omens! " Zoom Screenshot The Maypole almost  fell over, but it was all good fun, with a great song from the bards.  I wonder if Three Cranes has a CD or something...are CD's still a thi

Speaking of Druidry, I have a business called Hearth Fox Oracle , where I offer psychic readings and handmade divination tools, plushies, and artwork.  For psychic readings I accept money and trades from my Amazon Wish List (or in person if the person is local).  I had a client last week go with the trade option--which is pretty popular among the online clients I've had.  I received the package and did the session with them.  Yesterday, I got another package in the mail from them, which was a total surprise.  It was Kristoffer Hughes' new deck, the Bee Tarot !!!!  That's the "speaking of druidry" part, because he's a Druid.  If you open up the box, you're greeted by this quote: " Did the bees understand the mysteries of the Druids...or did the bees perhaps give them access to those mysteries? " (Oh, the bees definitely taught us!) The deck has beautiful artwork and I love the texture of the cards.  One of my favorite decks is a set of Bicycle pla

More intense spiritual shit happened this weekend, my friends.  I'm still tired despite the self-care.  I guess today is another day of rest.  I did finish one of my Book Reviews for the Dedicant Path yesterday, which I'm super happy about.  But I also learned that I need to finish all three to turn them in, ALTHOUGH 350 words isn't that long of an essay, so I could easily go back to another book that I attempted to read for another category, I'm happy to report.   I've struggled with these Book Reviews.  I've done book reports, of course, but a book review?  I didn't really know how to take notes, despite the numerous examples.  Some people said to summarize each chapter, but like the word limit is 350 words...  Others said that the Reviewers just wanted to see that you read the book.  Like, okay?  How do I show that in essay form?  Luckily I really enjoyed reading  Gods and Myths of Northern Europe  by HR Ellis Davidson, so it was easy talking about why I

  The total eclipse yesterday was incredible. Photos and videos don't do it justice, even the highly detailed ones. It was just awesome. My oldest was outside every half hour checking the skies for clouds and once the eclipse began around 2pm in our area, he was recording the times and "sun bites" and "sun crescents". I didn't take great photos, because I wasn't sure that I wanted to risk damaging my old DSLR. For my phone and DSLR I did use the glasses for some shots. Then for the big event, when it's safe to look without the glasses, I took a couple not so great pix. But really I just stood there and enjoyed this awesome surreal scene with my kids. Our neighborhood was cheering. My kids were celebrating. My eldest was excited to see the stars. It was insane and beautiful. The energy was so peaceful and powerful and just awesome. No strange animal stuff, just silence, minus the cheering humans. Of course my lack of good lens didn't do

I'm in the early stages of working with Thor, so today I decided to ask what He wants me to focus on: I saw and drew Hagalaz - Shelter from the storm.  Thurisaz - Thor.  Kenaz - Guidance.   Thor said that while I am in my shelter, to focus on studying: Runic Magik, focusing on healing (I've been wanting a book on runic healing!) Runes Ogham Confidence And to start wearing Mjolnir. First, the Hagalaz storm shelter that I'm in is a period of grief and healing.  My mom died back in October and she and I had a complicated relationship, and I've been healing from all of the crisis and trauma.  I've also been instructed to do no magik--unless it's an emergency.  It's also been a bit of a fallow period with many of my deities, save for Hekate and Odin, and recently Thor.  This has been my storm shelter : no magik, surrendering to my Gods, letting thing go, and just flowing.  No rushing, no future plans, to be present and patient.  And to focus on runes, ogham, seid

Last night I attended Virtual Fire Proto-Grove's Loki and Sigyn ritual. During omens I drew my own runes from these two. Basically this message is a duel blessing from Them over my family and relationships with the Shining Ones, but another incredible thing was this black hair. No one in my family has black hair, much less this length. We don't have pets.  Only I enter my office.  Nor was it there before.  I was quite perplexed by it. Loki confirmed it was from Them, a sign of acceptance of offerings and a "gift for a gift". I put the hair someplace safe.   Thank you Kindreds and Spirits All! (Rune cards by Magick and Mayhem Imaginarium ) Trickster entities tend to get a lot of hate and dislike, but personally I rather enjoy Their company and lessons.  Life is chaotic, there's no getting around that.  I'd rather have the tools to navigate those waters, instead of drowning in chaos.  In my experience, Tricksters can teach those tools. It's not "invitin

First off, Happy Trickster's Day! Hail Loki, Hermes, Dionysus, Coyote, Fox, Corvids, and the many other Trickster entities in the world! Second thing, my brother was on a podcast: Inside the Mind of a US Army Colonel: Strategy, Leadership, PTSD, Purpose, Resilience, and Adversity . Third thing, Holy crap I just woke up from a wild fuckin dream. Me and BFF went to some park, walking a muddy trail. There was a lot of other people, too. Grieving, worried women/fem presenting. The park was filled with cougars and panthers, but no one was worried about them, just their grief and sorrows--blind to the dangers around them. I was more worried about the big cats, though. Alert ears, head on a swivel. We kept hearing cougar growls and unbothered women just throwing sticks, branches, and rocks at them, and the big cats would back off. I think they all looked the same, too--the women. They were all the same person, just hair and clothes might've been different. Each one in a grief tran

 Ugh, dyslexia is so annoying.  Here I am struggling to read and take notes on A Brief History of The Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis and Gods and Myths of Northern Europe  by H.R. Ellis Davidson, thinking that one's for the Indo-European book review and the other is for the ethnic study, only to realize that they're both for the same category. Well, I know which one I'm picking for the ethnic study book review, the one that I'm actually enjoying, the second one. Now to see if I can actually read the first one without the pressure.  Those celtic names and words significantly slowed my dyslexic ass down.  Despite my dyslexia, I'm actually a fast reader--now I may not comprehend everything I'm reading, but that would be true if I was a slow reader too.  Dyslexia's a pain in the brain.   However, I've been studying Norse paganism and history since about 2020, so I'm far more familiar with it than Druidry.   These book reviews have been difficult for m

On Sunday I attended Three Cranes Grove's Spring Equinox rite-- Anestheria , a Hellenic festival honoring Dionysus and Ariadne's marriage.  Being congested, I attended via Zoom, and it was a lovely ritual.  I had never heard of the Anestheria until this month, which is funny because I used to be a Hellenic Polytheist, AND I'm a godspouse and Maenad of Dionysus and a Priestess of Ariadne (albeit the Minoan Ariadne, not Hellenic).  So that was fun to attend.  One of the members read a version of Their love story that I hadn't heard either--well, the after events of Ariadne leaving the island that She was abandoned on in the myths.   Of Her being killed, Dionysus travels to the Underworld and asks Persephone for His love back.  Ariadne becomes immortal and Her crown--I think--is turned into a constellation.  The versions that I'm familiar with, Ariadne sometimes dies on the island, sometimes not--either way, Dionysus falls in love with Her, and makes Her immortal. It a