Michael and Jaspenelle

Woodburned Altar

Last week (just before the plague hit) I finished woodburning the top of our family altar. A friend made the solid pine piece as a handfasting gift to us. I struggled for a long time with what I wanted on it and I decided in the end that simple was best. The wood still needs to be finished. I am going to do that this summer with tung oil.

Up until last week, I was certain I was going to do my full personal symbol on it. Now I think I am going to leave it as is and engrave the central moon triquetra on that glass disk That will have to wait till after the move though. Tonight we are taking the altar over to our new home and doing a small house blessing ritual, so I am glad I finished it.

each separate dying ember…

…wrought its ghost upon the floor

I occasionally make photo manipulations, but I rarely share them, obviously this being an exception. For the most part, all my them are strongly inspired by my dreams, this one is no exception. One chronic problem I have in my dreams is not being able to find my glasses, so because of that I purposely left this thing a little blurry.

Stock from mjranum-stock, InKi-Stock and diamondie-stock.

The bird character I am thinking about designing is going to be similar to this dream being if you are wondering. Only less intimidating more colorful. I am really liking the sun conure for that.

Bird Question

A question for my bird loving friends. I am designing a character that I want to be part avian (and part human.) I am looking for a bird that is orange (surprise!) or has orange markings on it’s body (not head.) If possible, I would like it to be a fruit eating bird (mmmm fruit.) I’m looking for one that really stands out.

Any suggestions?

Knitting

I am so proud of myself, laugh if you want, but this is my first attempting at knitting! (Okay, my grandma tried to teach me when I was 6, but I am not counting that…) This is just a knit stitch, I haven’t learned the purl stitch yet, but still! Behold! I knit!

I can totally see how this can become addicting. Next stop purl stitch and then, the WORLD!
Mwahahahaha.

(Orange yarn is love.)

Wheel of the Year

This is something I have been working on for a couple days, all the photos are my own. I am not sure if it is done yet. That sun is part of my logo/personal symbol that my friend turned into a vector for me. I am probably going to make this a charity print when I am sure I am done with it. (Profits going to Médecins Sans Frontières.) Need to finish revamping my site first too.

Dream: Aura

I had a dream the other night that Damian (my son) was surrounded by different colored lights. I have had similar dreams in the past but this one was particularly vivid, so I thought I would draw it.

I don’t know much about auras but it kind of reminds me of aura drawings I have seen. I thought I would post it because I like how it looks and thought someone might have some thoughts on interpreting it.

(Helaris posted and interesting interpretation of this here, on my deviantart.)

Book of Shadows: Cover Page

This is the dedication and cover page of my Book of Shadows.

A Book of Shadows is a book containing beliefs, gods, goddesses, rituals, herbal lore, chants, songs, dances, spells, divinatory methods, articles and other spiritually related topics that a witch (or coven) writes or collects. It can serve as a guide and a reference to their craft and tradition. The Book of Shadows is sometimes called a Grimoire.

Many witches make their own, usually written in journals. I keep mine in a D-ring binder. Three of them actually, one with ideas and miscellaneous notes, one with first drafts and articles, and one with final drafts that are all glitzed up (like this cover page.)

I tea stained the paper for this page and used ink, color pencils and watercolor to do the designs. It is printer paper sized since I keep it in a sheet protector in my binder. The little paper insert on this page has the Wheel of the Year on one side and a book dedication on the other. The crow/raven is one of my totems, he treads the barrier between waking and dreams. He guides us to a greater understanding of our consciousness. This is why I chose to put one on the cover page.

Autumn Altar Wreath

A little six-inch grapevine wreath meant for indoor decoration, themed for Autumn and the abundant harvest. It is decorated with faux leaves and flowers, as well as rowan berries, candlelit peppers, maple keys, beans, Indian corn and an apple slice cut to reveal the star (Gaia’s pentacle!) that I collected and dried myself. Oh and the raffia bow!

I really love how this turned out. I wanted to make a wreath similar to the pentacle ones I have made in the past, but a little more discreet and natural then them. I think this would be perfect for an altar or seasonal display.

I’m selling this for $25.
(Email me if interested: info@gracefulsymmetry.com)

Backpacker Jerky Stew

This is the dehydrated stew we are taking camping with us. I dehydrated all this stuff myself but I suppose you could buy it all pre-dried if you don’t have a dehydrator. The veggies can vary in it depending on what you have. The batch I made for this weekend’s camping trip also has zucchini and extra potatoes in it. Just add extra water if you intend on adding more of course, basically you want to just cover the ingredients in water to rehydrate.

For my fellow ounce counters, the dry weight of this is 5oz (not including the carrot.)
Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups water
• 1 cup dried tomato pieces
• 1 cup jerky pieces
• 1 cup dried potato slices
• 1 cup dried green beans
• 1 cup dried corn
• 1 tbsp dried bell pepper
• 1 tbsp dried onion
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Fresh carrot, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup dried brown rice

Instructions:

1. In a camping pot combine 4 cups of water and all ingredients, except carrot and rice. Let sit for 30 minutes to rehydrate. You can do this while you are starting the fire. Once you get the fire going boil the remaining cup of water.
2. Mix one cup boiling water with your rice. Cover and let rehydrate for 15 minutes. While rice is rehydrating put your stew on to cook, after 15 minutes add rice to stew. You can add the carrot here if you wish.
3. Cook for 30 minutes to one hour, until jerky is tender.

I’m going to be serving this with my whole-wheat cornbread while we camp (I can post that recipe if you wish, it is cooked in cast iron.) Oh you can also do this stew in a crockpot at home and simmer it on low for 6 to 8 hours. It is nice to have in your cupboard for an easy meal.

The Shape of a Mother

While talking about postpartum bodies the other day another mother said:

“This belly button is 3 generations in the making: my mama gave it to me and my babies decorated it.”

That was enough to make me look at my postpartum body in a completely different light. I am not ugly, I don’t need to hide away until “ideal beauty” is reached again (as if that were even possible, or desirable.) Michael has been telling me daily that I am beautiful, inside and out. He is right, I am beautiful.

Carrying Damian has changed me forever, I am learning to love this change, after all I wouldn’t have him if not for it.

The Shape of a Mother

My belly may or make not shrink. I am at peace with that.
36-inches around and I have never felt more beautiful.
A number cannot define me, I will not give it that power.
Body, mind and soul I am balanced and I am healthy,
– waist size notwithstandingl
This body brought forth life.
What greater beauty is there then that?

I am the vessel from which life poured.
I am a mother.

These stretch marks will always be with me.
Commericals may tell me to laser them off,
– but I love them all.
My son has changed my soul forever, for the better.
My body too is changed forever, for the better.
These marks are my tattoo of motherhood.

I have crossed a threshold.
I am a mother.

My hips are bigger, my old jeans don’t fit.
These hips birthed my son, they are beautiful.

My breasts are bigger, they soak my shirts.
These breasts nourish my son, they are beautiful.

My heart and my soul are bigger, my emotions overflow.
This heart and this soul love my son, they are beautiful.

I am a mother.
I am strong.
I am beautiful.

I am a mother.

~ by Jaspenelle Stewart

I may submit this to The Shape of a Mother, not sure yet. Eitherway, check out the website and all the beautiful mamas who have contributed. I think we can all agree that the mainstream view of beauty has to change, we can begin this change within ourselves and the minds of our children.