Samhain's Sirens, Day 14- October 16

Wow, can you believe we're already half-way through the celebration? Time sure does fly when you're having this much fun!

We have another great blog and offering today from Kourtney Leaf and Kindred Creations.

Since we're half-way through our celebration, I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek into the grand prize giveaway. I'll post it again next week, but I thought I'd at least whet your appetite:

Every time you enter, you get a chance to win all of this, so keep playing!

Ok, on to the celebratory fun!

Today, we honor Jimi Hendrix

Kourtney Leaf of The Multi-facted Experience

For us witches, Samhain (aka Halloween) is the biggest day of the year. It's about much more than just costumes and candy, though that's not going to stop me from pulling out my pretty pointy hat and snagging a few chocolate bars from the kids' stash. But it does also serve as a reminder that everything is fleeting, that everything must come to an end eventually and that there is always a new beginning just around the corner. And as witches...we get a head start!

That's because this Sabbat doubles as our marking of the New Year. This totally makes sense to me. I mean, why not say good bye to the last year as we're saying goodbye to our loved ones? The sun is saying its goodbye, everything has stopped growing, the animals are settling in for the winter ahead; everything is coming to a close, just as our year is coming to a close.

It’s at this time of year that I like to reflect on all that the last year has thrown at me. I find meditation an excellent tool for such work. Grounding myself and focusing on the changes I've encountered over the last year, how they've affected the world around me and my family. I try to find the positive energies and aspects to events that have happened in the last year. Sometimes things can happen and we’re so entrenched in the why’s and how’s of them that we can’t see the positive effects and/or outcomes until much later. And most of the time, I find anyway, they aren't all that obvious. We sometimes have to dig in to reevaluate the circumstances. Sometimes it’s this reflection that can show us that the Universe really does knows what it’s doing!

When you start to look forward though, you’re going to want to make sure that you've released all the negative the last year may have dished out as well. But this is why I like to focus on the positive first; sometimes the negative isn't actually negative. So taking some time to make that distinction is a definite must. Once you have made those distinctions there are several ways to release them. My favorite is writing them down, including any and all feelings you have about them; any details that may carry forward or don’t seem to want to relent. I like to take a flame to them and watch them release through the smoke. I pay attention to the swirls of the smoke or the pattern the flame is taking through the paper. But I make sure to focus on letting them go. The smoke or the flame is just the path they take out of my life, out of my mind and off of my path.

Once the negative of the last year is reduced to nothing more than ash, I rely on the elements to do their thing. I’m most connected to Water, so I like to send them on their way on the waves of the ocean. But you can also let the Winds take them or even bury them in the Earth. It’s whatever feels right to you. I also make sure to pay homage to my Gods with an offering and a prayer. But this is also up to you and your relationship with your Gods.

Now that we've done away with the negative it’s time to look forward to the New Year. But I personally believe that New Year’s Resolutions are pointless. You can set goals but they tend to set you up for failure. I prefer setting intentions. “I intend to be healthier, feel sexier and love my reflection!” Vs. the goal of losing 15 lbs. and going to the gym three times a week. You’ll end up beating yourself up every time you skip the gym or when you don’t see the scale moving. Instead, set an intention and then repeat that intention each and every morning to reinforce it. Soon you’ll be eating better, becoming more active and all because you intend on feeling healthier. You aren't as concerned with the scale as you are with just being healthier all around.

And this year I intend on taking my own advice. I have a lot of things changing, moving and working right now. But I’m setting the intention to make the best of whatever situation presents its self. I’m looking forward to this New Year and all the wonderfully positive opportunities I see right over the horizon! And I hope ya’ll are as well! So here’s wishing you a Happy Samhain and a Wonderfully Witchy New Year!

About Kourtney: I'm a mother of two beautiful daughters, and the wife to an amazing man! I am a Gnostic Pagan practicing solitary, and have been on the path for nearly 10 years now. I love to craft, write, read and dance. You'll find me at several social networking sites, and I blog over at The Multi-Faceted Experience (The Multi-faceted Experience) and selling my crafty wares at Kindred Kollections on Etsy.
I'm truly honored to be a part of this great project and look forward to a wonderful month!

Slow Cooker Pork and Apples

1 1/2 lbs boneless pork loin, cut into 6 pieces or 6 boneless pork tenderloins

4 medium golden delicious apples, sliced  (can peel too if you want)

3 Tb brown sugar

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Place pork in the slow cooker.  Cover with apples.

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in small bowl and sprinkle over apples.

Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. 

Great with potatoes or mac and cheese !

*You can shred it and put it on buns for a great sandwich too.  
Blessings

Autumn

You can visit Autumn's blog at My Moonlit Path and her shop at Verbena Lane Botanicals!

Our giveaway today comes from Kindred Kollections. A Witch-Craft Tote.

Photo Credit - Kourtney Leaf

This very roomy, drawstring tote is the everything - everywhere essential bag; perfect for your crafty projects on the go. A beautiful embroidered Crafty Witch (courtesy of Urban Threads) adorns the front of this bag This beautiful tote features a drawstring closure and a slide interior pocket with elastic closure.The reinforced lining gives this bag the ability to stand on its own, making it an easy bag to use on the go. You'll be sure to turn heads with the green, black, purple, orange and gold pallet of this festive tote. The handles are 14" long and feature our signature inlaid design. The tote measures apx 8" high, 7" wide and 4 1/2" deep.

Here’s how to enter: You have until 6am EDT tomorrow to enter. Drawing is held by random number generation and winner will be notified in email (that's why you have to have an email address listed). Announcement will be made on the October 10th blog post at 9am EDT.

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited.

Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)

You MUST provide a valid email address to enter the contest.

1. Go to the Kindred Kollections Etsy Shop  Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2, Go to Kindred Kollections and like the Facebook Page. Come back and tell us  you did (1 entry)

3. Be a follower of Samhain's Sirens via this blog. Let us know you are (1 entry)

4. Like The Sirens Facebook Page. Be sure to comment below and let us know. (1 entry)

5.  Blog about this giveaway (make sure you link back here), come back and leave us a link to your blog. (1 entry)

6. Tweet about this giveaway (link to us, please), come back, and leave us a link to your tweet (1 entry)

Note: If you want your entries to count as separate entries, you must post them separately. If you post 1 comment with all three on it, it will only count as 1 entry.

Canadian residents, by law, instead of the above, you must answer the following question to be eligible:

What is 14-11?

What's cool about being a Canadian? You automatically get 6 entries per giveaway for just answering 1 question!  Remember, you still have to give us a valid email address J

The winner of the PIP Designs Blogger Blog Makeover is:

Hex Parker

The 3 winners of Wendy Callahan's Phenomenal Book Giveaway are:

Danni Supplicki

Hex Parker

TK

Tune in tomorrow for more Siren Fun!!