Clearing the Way for a Successful New Year

We've had a little trouble accessing Blogger today. Probably me in retrograde, again!

It is New Year's Day, so, of course, I wanted to talk about cleaning and clearing and welcoming in new, positive changes.

This site is all about resolving problems, so, throughout the year, I am bringing in everyone's spiritual "dirt." We all collect our own problems and those of people we care about, and not clearing results in challenges building up and creating blocks, illnesses, and chaos.

It looks like my hosting platform has some cleaning and clearing to do, because it is glitchy today. I can't sign in! So, here are a few of the tips covered:

1. Clean and clear -- Sweep the floor, clean and re-arrange altar areas, dust, and go through those old boxes for things to recycle or donate. I did a load of laundry and got all my rugs. Adding some magickal ingredients is a great way to remind yourself this is more than just cleaning--I used lemon and vinegar, as wel as lavender and eucalyptus.

2. Clean your cleaning implements (some say buy new) -- Now is a good time to replace brooms and garbage cans and other cleaning implements. I've heard some say it is time to buy new, but, I like to avoid over-consumption (and it has been too cold where I live to get out to buy new items for nearly two weeks now!). If it is time to get rid of something, now is the time, but also: clean. I ran all my floor cleaning supplies and garbage can through hot water with cleanser today. Get rid of all that build-up from the year! I threw out an old sponge--if it is time for something to go, now is definitely the time to do it!

Look at all the stuff that collects your dirt as you go--dish drainer, strainers, drains. It may be time to clean those areas!

Don't forget magickal implements. If your herbs tend to be as out of sorts as mine tend to be, it's a great time to organize and sort.

3. Make new cleansing potions! I started my year fresh with a new bottle of quick cleansing wash (coffee grounds, lemon, salt) to use on my self, pets, and floors/house as needed.

4. It's time to eat traditional foods--for me, cabbage is the most important. I have some lentils going with a little spinach, quinoa, and seasonings in it. Later, I'll cook up some potatoes and cabbage. If I get lazy, I can eat the cabbage cold in a salad or slaw. It is a good time to share with your ancestors through an altar offering or scattering some of your bounty outside for critters!

5. We are living in modern times with things to clean and clear our ancestors didn't have. Take a look at getting rid of extraneous apps, websites, and unused services!

6. This isn't Oprah . . . but look at those habits! Just this past week, I was able to resolve a chronic pain problem by adding a breathing exercise. Undisciplined breathing, habitual/pain-avoiding movement patterns, and my habit of being tense and not relaxing combined for a lot of pain. I made a lot of progress using yoga, but wasn't able to get rid of the last bit of pain until I changed these habits.

Making Your Ancestor Altar

Maybe you spent a quiet day of reflection, or maybe you choked down greasy food while your uncle ranted in his MAGA hat. Even when our living and known ancestors aren't people we easily love, ancestors are the best source of spiritual connection.

An ancestor altar can be large or small, in an out-of-the-way corner or in a prominent spot. Someone with roommates or privacy concerns could have something as simple as a picture of a departed loved one with a candle.

There are no rules, except not to mingle things of the living on the ancestor altar, less the ones who have passed on call to the living and bring them over too soon.

My altar recently grew, partly with the addition of some great art. Spending money and having artwork isn't needed--an altar can be simpler or even feature your own artwork. Besides the work I bought from an artist--and supporting artists and rootworkers is important to me--most items on the altar are things I already had.

This lovely shoe artwork is the center of my altar. It represents justice and diversity, and was made by the wonderful Auntie Sindy at Todomojo, who offers lots of reliquaries, artwork, and readings. The mirror with shells around it  was made by my Grandpa and is positioned to help show off the back of the shoe. All animal products were humanely gathered from naturally-deceased animals. 

The back of the shoe has vertebrae (again, humanely collected). It reminds me of my need to work on my root chakra and remain mindful of the needs of my spine, a particular challenge through my life. The scarf belonged to my grandma. 

Both sides of the shoe are gorgeous. My deceased protector/familiar dog watches over from behind.

The front of the shoe pushes forward, the dollies representing diversity. My husband's family is more highlighted on one side of the altar (mine on the other--but they are not strictly segregated), and we use battery-operated candles for a 24-hour burning without fire worries when we are gone or asleep. 

Our altar is the top of an entertainment center. The dolly to the right is made of my Grandma's old scarves. The tin cup belonged to my grandparents and sat by their sink; I use it for liquid offerings. We honor human family, but also our deceased animal companions and musicians (such as the print of John Lennon's Little Flower Princess lyrics). 

Witch Balls: Holders of intention

Briefs and Brooms usually focuses on justice, and often that means looking at the ugliness that shows us there is a need for justice. It is easy for me to forget that magik can be . . . magical!

Witch balls allow focusing energy and intention. The round globe is continuous and a perfect container for long-term vision. Hanging in a window, the ball shows off beautiful selections of herbs or other materials and emits beautiful scents as the sun's warmth come through . . . a reminder of intentions set yesterday or months ago!

My first three witch balls were made on a whim. I had three globes from a chandelier. A little research refreshed my memory on the use of witch balls. One ended up packed down with herbs for protection, one with general prosperity herbs, and one with fun reminders of a friend who moved away (herbs associated with her ancestral path). They hang in my window today, and are a focal point--spurring discussion about my craft.

Later, I made a witch ball as part of a course. This ball incorporated a piece of money (prosperity), a charm, a written intention, and herbs. The ball was smaller and more portable, of the "Christmas" variety. Today, its lavender scent encourages me as I write and plan.

This weekend, I introduced witch balls to a new crowd--planning to take this modality on the road to a party, I realized it would be attended by children. I packed down a supply of beads, sparkles, and fun supplies for kids. The results were amazing as the kids dug in, eager to exhibit their creativity. I told them to pack the balls with things that made them feel happy--and they did!

One packed her ball to the brim--it was so heavy, I had to design a reinforced holder rather than relying on string:

Larger charms that didn't fit inside the balls were tied to the outside!

True to my heart, several chose purples for their balls--here, two bffs made nearly-matching balls:

Stickers can further embellish the exterior of the balls!

The flurry of hands as the kids worked was amazing; they thought of new ideas and reached for new colors and shapes more quickly than I could replenish supplies!:

Beads, glitter (the big kind, so the parents wouldn't kill me), ribbon, stickers . . . .

Making a witch ball is easy and can be fun and profound. 

On my own, I begin with gathering some of my favorite materials and setting an intention. I then add materials charged with my intention and, if possible, associated with the qualities I seek. Some of my favorite herbs are listed here.

Fun add-ins include essential oils like bergamot for attraction or lavender for cooling out. These can add to the scent and intention of the herbs. Written intentions (in corresponding colored ink or on corresponding papers) can add to focus. I even have one ball that includes a folded piece of money--for prosperity! 

Although making the ball can be meaningful when done alone, it is fun is groups (as the above pictures prove). If you would like to "Witch and Wine"--making witch balls or other crafty tools in a group, contact me via personal message.

For those who are more solitary, here's a partial list of supplies to get you started (wine not included!):

Balls or shapes (try fun shapes or designs!):

Don't forget fun fillers and add-ins!:





Nice scents enhance the balls (be sure to leave the top unsealed or otherwise provide ventilation):
Don't forget pretty ribbon or string to hang the ball!:

It's Coming Out Day!

It's coming out day, and we celebrate our LGBTQ friends and people of all orientations and genders.
In the meantime, is it time to come out of the broom closet with a pretty like this one?

We made it to Friday! Hope you didn't have to unleash the monkeys too many times this week! Time to accessorize for the weekend . . . and upcoming Halloween! This is a great image and greeting for the witches and bitches in your life: