My Stuff Mondays and Tarot Wednesdays: catch-up

So opening weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival went well, if wet.  But playing catchup from the weekend has lead to me needing to catchup on this weeks posts.

My Stuff Mondays: As I'm sure everyone has heard by now, tomorrow is the second Full Moon in August, making it a Blue Harvest Moon.  Personally I feel like having an extra harvest moon is great because the strength will help to power through the harvest season reaping as much as possible.

I like to keep most of my everyday magic simple and sweet so I will share with you the following spell/blessing that can be used tomorrow night:

Hold a candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  As you light your candle, concentrate on your desired outcome and say (either aloud, or to yourself):

                Lady of the Moon, I ask that you grant me your blessing.

                In the fullness of your light let my intention become reality.

You can find the entire spell and a New Moon Cleansing spell in my etsy shop.  Use the coupon code KAT10 for 10% off anything, just for being an awesome person.

Full Moon Blessing and New Moon Cleansing Spell Kit

Tarot Wednesdays: I feel like if I were to pull some cards for some of the regional pagan community I would be pulling the Moon and it would read as "you're too emotionally invested to see the problem clearly, consider taking a step back... way back".  The situation is beyond frustrating and I hope that the coming season of darkness will allow everyone involved the time for reflection and re-birth.  But right now, it's The Moon: There are mysteries here that have not been explored and if one can be open to hearing them, they will be rewarded.  However, if one can't step back then they will be fighting the tides and what could be inspiration will instead be madness.  Like the waning and waxing, the moon is a two edged card.

"The Moon" from The Stolen Child Tarot, a Major Arcana Deck by Monica Knighton

Featured Favorites Friday: The MD Promotion Team is having a SALE!!!

In case you missed it, the MD Promotions Team is holding a Fall Into Autumn Sale!
From August 15th to the 31st, you can save 5%-30% on spectacular handmade items by using the coupon code "MDFIAS" at checkout!  Over 40 Maryland Etsy shops are participating in a huge sales event!  Check out our captain's blog for the full list.

Did I mention we are having a huge GIVEAWAY too?  You can enter here.


For this weeks Featured Favorites, I would like to share a Treasury Collection of artisans participating in this sale.  Check them out, click through their awesome stuff, and don't forget my own giveaway here.

'Harvest Blue Moon' by ReadingsByKat

Over 50 Maryland artists and crafters are participating in the Fall into Autumn Sale with gorgeous handcrafted designs.Coupon code MDFIAS gets discounts in all these fabulous shops!

Stained Glass Trinket B... katescauldron $29.00	Pinwheel Star Pin Cushi... Springwaterdes... $8.00	Bracelet with Blue & Gr... PurpleDotBouti... $28.00	Pastel Powder Blue Croc... bettesbags $23.00
Beard for a Beanie Hat,... TimeWasJustADr... $12.00	Quilted Coffee Cup Hot ... DebLeeCreation... $10.00	PRICE SLASHED---Sodalit... joyaslindas3 $39.00	Vintage Johnson Brother... MontageDecor $19.95
Toddler Hat and Infinit... CraftMeCrazy $20.00	Turquoise and Jade Crys... RockefellerCry... $21.95	The Blue Lagoon Bag SeasideSiren $70.00	Vintage Glass Mason Jar... rustbelttreasu... $25.00
Nautical Table Topper isewmuchtime $23.00	10 Blue Flower Petits Purplecorner $2.00	Necklace Guitar Pick Bl... TheCraftyPanda... $12.50	Yellow Rose Lavender Ir... RealisticFlora... $40.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

MD Promo Etsy Team - Fall Into Autumn Sale and GIVEAWAY

The MD Promotions Team is holding a Fall Into Autumn Sale!
From August 15th to the 31st, you can save 5%-30% on spectacular handmade items by using the coupon code "MDFIAS" at checkout!  Over 40 Maryland Etsy shops are participating in a huge sales event!  Check out our captain's blog for the full list.

Did I mention we are having a huge GIVEAWAY too?  You can enter here or at the end of this post.

Autumn is a season of change and transformation and I'd like to honor that while featuring Maryland Promotions Team-members. I have asked hem to share with me their most trans-formative or life changing fall memory and they have agreed to allow me to share these moments with you.

large fabric covered button earrings

Mary from KissemHut is a a preschool teacher and an eclectic crafter who has a wide variety of jewelry, accessories and decor in her shop.  You can find her at her etsy shop where you can get 15% off with the code MDFIAS, blog and facebook.

We didn't have four seasons in the Philippines where I grew up. The things I knew about fall were entirely based on movies and tv shows that I've seen. I moved here to the US about 5 years ago - right when the leaves were changing. I was so fascinated with how beautiful everything was. That view was one of the first things I loved about moving here. I thought to myself that if this is what I'll see every year, then it wouldn't be so bad. The drive from Reagan Airport to our house was one of the most beautiful routes I have taken in my life and it was one of the things that assured me that I was in a whole new place. I will never ever forget how scared and excited I felt at that time.

Peridot and Pearls Multi-strand necklace

Janet from A Gems Journey and Janet's Fun Jewels has passion for the creation of jewelry and thrill of the hunt for gems.  The code MDFIAS will get you 5% off at JanetsFunJewels and 10% off at AGemsJourney.  You can also fan her on facebook.

I would have to say fall, in general has some very bitter sweet memories for me. I was way too young when my father passed and it was a cool November day. The 8 short years I had with him were the foundation of what made me who I am today. I learned to love and let go of someone who treasured every little thing I did. We loved to walk in the woods and look at the wildlife in all seasons, but fall had a special kind of magic. But best of all, I LOVED to sit and in his lap while thunderstorms rolled through. The fall storms were the BEST ... watching all the colors fall to the ground. To this day a good thunderstorm and the beginning of fall brings back all the warm memories I have of an amazing Dad.

Copper colored Wreath

Rebecca from Wreaths By RebeccaB makes each of her wreaths as if they were for her own front door, with a unique flair and eye popping beauty.  Use MDFIAS for 10% off at WreathsByRebeccaB and fan her on facebook and her website.

The birth of my second son, 5 years ago this November was a beautiful time for us! What a way to end Fall and begin the Winter months...
Another fond memory I have is jumping into a huge pile of leaves with my sisters that my dad would rake up for exactly that purpose.

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Laura from Rockefeller Crystal got tired of salivating over mesmerizing magazine pictures of crystal jewelry so she decided to create her own.  The team coupon code MDFIAS is good for 15% off at RockefellerCrystal but Laura can also be found at RockefellerJewelry and her facebook page.

My most transformative moment has to be the birth of my son on November 20. Unfortunately it wasn't the happiest time for me since I had complications delivering and I recently married the boy's father who I knew in my heart of hearts wasn't the right man for me. However, the picture is of my two babies a few years ago and it's definitely a fall moment that I will savor for the rest of my life.

Fall Place Mats

JoAnn from I Sew Much Time boasts an amazing array of Handmade Quilts, Towels, Wall Decor ,Table Runners, Bags and more.  She eats, sleeps, and quilts, hence my shop name.  She is offering 10% off at ISewMuchTime with MDFIAS and you can also be one of her first fans on facebook.

One of most life changing fall memories was a few years back when my husband and I visited Deep Creek Lake in October. We took a quilt and a picnic lunch and sat near the lake on a crisp autumn day and I remember looking around at all the beautiful scenery. I remember taking in the moment with all my senses. I could hear all the sounds of nature like the birds chirping, the water lapping on the beach, and the leaves crunching under walking feet. I could feel the wind blowing on my skin and blowing my hair so much I could hardly see. I saw all the beautiful homes on the water’s edge, and the white puffy clouds in the blue sky. What a beautiful day we had that autumn day in October at Deep Creek Lake. And then, of course, reality set in and we had to drive home. But, what a day, and we still hold those memories.

Next Wednesday I hope I can share more Autumn Memories with you, including my own.  For now, please check out the list of participating shops and their discount.

Oh yea... and enter the giveaway!

Featured Favorites Friday: Lugh Time

As the wheel of the year truns those of us in the northen hemisphere have recently celebrated the first of the harvest festivals, sometimes called Lammas and other times celebrated as Lughnassah.  Today I am sharing with you some beautiful artisan crafted items that celebrate the Celtic God Lugh.

I love the idea of these Magical Melts from Moonlit Herbals.  What a creative way to combine multiple magical components together in a way that can be used without an open flame.

Her Light of Lugh Magical Melts are scented with Satsuma Oranges, Cassis and Pineapple and contain soy wax, organic herbs and flowers, glitter, crystals and the highest quality essential, essence and fragrance oils.

This gives me an idea to set up a long-lasting spell or altar, honoring Lugh and the Light to last all day, bringing blessings and strength to my home.

 You can also find this shop on facebook.

This beautiful hand-crafted Altar Tile featuring Lugh's shield was made by one of my favorite etsy sellers, Paula of The Whimsical Pixie.  The detail is amazing and I love the grain accents along the edges.

This piece honors Lugh as a sovereign protector and warrior. For Paula, his shield represents ability and versatility, attributes that have helped us survive long winters for century's.

This tile would be a beautiful seasonal accent for not just an altar but a home as well.

The Whimsical Pixie can also be found on facebook.

This hand-sculpted pendant depicting the Spear of Lugh crafted by Caeruleus Lady of Hooded Crow Crafts just jumped right off the page at me.  The detail is amazing and as the paint is metallic it will shine as it moves.

There are many myths surrounding the Spear of Lugh including one that tells the spear head had to be kept in a pot of water or it would ignite and cause fire around it.  This pendant surely brings to light that same fiery and powerful essence.

The talented artisans at Hooded Crow Craft would be happy to work with anyone to create a beautiful and meaningful pendant to honor their own gods.  Such work makes my hear joyful.

Follow along with the goings on of the shop at their blog.

Mickie Muller is one of my favorite artists when it comes to laying the might and majesty of the Gods onto canvas and paper.  I am familiar with her main shop offering various items with her artwork on them but I have just found out that she is also the creator of a Celtic Ogham Divination Oracle called Voice of the Trees.  This is SO cool.  No really... SO COOL!

In her Voice of the Trees shop you can find prints, mugs, tarot bags, mirrors and home decor with the deep and meaningful images representing the Trees of the Ogham.

Today I chose to share with you a beautiful wall candle sconce depicting Lugh for the card of Ash.  This card represents transformation and action, breaking inertia and taking care of business.  I wish all of us the power of this card in the months ahead!

You can also find Mickie at her blog and her art website.

Have a great Friday everyone!

A blessed First Harvest to you

(Tarot Wednesday will have to wait, it's Lammas!)

May your entire harvest season be blessed and bountiful.

In the East: Lady of wisdom and power, breathe knowledge into our lives.

As we begin to reap.

In the South: Lady of passion and living, warm our hearts and hands.

As we begin to reap.

In the West: Lady of tide and time, let each harvest hour flow sweetly.

As we begin to reap.

In the North: Lady of earth and stability, grant abundance and balance.

As we begin to reap.