Rich Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

2 ounces aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon olive, avocado, or jojoba oil
2 ounces organic apple cider vinegar
1 ounce powdered milk

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl, stirring to blend.

2. Apply to freshly-washed damp hair.

3. Rinse with warm water.

Read more @ http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dry-damage-hair-rich-conditioner.html

No, I'm not refering to the end result of yesterday's lunch, but long locks of hair!  I blog browse in my spare time....sometimes....I blog browse a lot.  I can't help it, I love their ideas and information, and am secretly jealous of how they seem to have it all together.  It makes me feel a bit in adequate, and inspires me to do more at the same time.  My two favorite blog types, pagan blogs and mommy/housewife blogs.  Why the latter?  Especially since I not a mother and definatly not a housewife....I'm jealous of their cute artsy pictures of dinner and the perfect little household inspiration. 

While reading threw the latter catergory, a blog I am particulary fond of due to its DIY nature, I found a post about not using shampoo.  Now, I have very long, very thick, often times hard to manage hair.  I also love said hair.  All I can picture is it greasy and stringy, and gross.  What shocked me was the number of people who said that their hair actuall looked better, had less frizz, and it brought out more natual wave than when they used shampoo.  I admit...it has me thinking.

After research, it seems people use a tablespook of baking soda in a cut of water, then rinse with an Apple Cider Vinigar in water rinse....there is a sometmes painful transition period, then people seem to settle into great hair.

We will see! I am terrified to drop the shampoo, but the idea of less money spent, better for me, the enviorment, and my hair has really got me intrested!

A lot of the time I think apps are a good idea, I download them, I set them all up....and then I never use them.  I am always looking for something that will make my life easier, more productive, more streamline....and apps always seem to let me down.  I end up finding them more cumbersome than anything.

That said, I love ZipList.

ZipList is an online/app combo designed to help you organize meals, recipes, and your shopping list.  Now, I have an obsession with food, and this intense desire to have meals planned, organized, and have back up meal ideas.  I buy too much food, resulting in a fair amount of waste, since there is only two of us. 

I steps ZipList.  This App works seamlessly between the website and the app, you can save recipes, and then add the ingredients to your shopping list on the app with a single touch.  It then brings up a window which asks if you need any common items (like salt, sugar, etc.). This makes adding everything you need, and the right amount of it to your list super easy!  It them will even search for coupons, and let you organize your shopping by store.

Another great feature is that you can plan your meals right on it, and set it to a calendar date, something I love since I have yet to find a meal planning that I feel really works for me.

Now, to see if I still like it after using it for a while!

I admit, I am horrible about mainating a journal.  Even look at my inconsistancy with this blog.  I love the idea, but struggle to maintain it.  ADF emphasizes how important maintaining a journal.  "There is no single annoying chore that will make you thank yourself later quite so much as journaling" (quoted from Our Own Druidry).  It is a means of not only record keeping, but also a way for you to look back, and see your progress.  You can find trends, what worked for you, what did not, and see how far on the path you have come. 

I do think journaling has an important tole in Paganism in general, after all, is that now one idea of what a book of shadows is, but a journal along your path?  I do think it is important to journal in one way or another about what you have done.  It is a great way to track things, and let you look back to see what you have done in the past.  I can only imagine now what my journal from the start of this Pagan journal of mine would have looked like...

So, my advice to all is not to do as I have.  In my many years of Paganism, I have no records of my travels.  I do not even have a well documented BoS, meaning scraps of paper tucked into books.  Keep a better record than I, record you thoughts, feelings, triumphs and struggles.  One day they will hold a special place in your heart and be markers on your path.  Now, its time to actually do what I say....

Anyway, the real point is Initiation.  This is my topic because in all that time, I have been a solitary.  I did for a while visit a coven, but I have mainly practiced on my own.  In all that time, I have never dedicated myself to anything, or any deity in those ten years.  I have also never been initiated.

Normally Initiation is a right of passage into a coven.  Each group has their own standards and requirements for it.  Due to how I practice, I never considered this option.  I have never wished to be initiated before.  I liked my freedom in my faith, and I like my solitary practice.

A couple of years ago, I was feeling a bit lost, and disconnected from my belief's and from the goddess.  I got two books, in hope that they would help to renew my spirit and dedication to my path. One was The Mist Filled Path, the other was Clan of the Goddess.  I have read the first chapter of both of them, though I found it interesting that Clan of the Goddess jumps right into initiation.  Her standpoint is a bit different though. She brings it from the approach that we are initiation ourselves with the goddess.  It is a private joyous ceremony, welcoming yourself to the path of the goddess tradition.  I admit I sort of the the idea.  Why not initiate ourselves into our own practice.  True, it is not a coven, and it is done alone...but she lays out a fairly easy ritual, full of positive energy to initiate yourself in the "Clan of the Goddess."

I should probably come forward to say that there have been a lot of critics of this book.  It is more of a beginner book, but even now, after all my years I find it encouraging.  She is positive, and happy, and joyous about the path of the goddess.  She also clearly states that it is not a religion.  This I like because my connection with the divine is more spiritual than anything. 

Last night, for the first time in 10 years, I initiated myself onto the Goddess path.  It was for me, and just between the goddess and I.  Maybe after 10 years it is time I make a commitment... :)

This time, when I stumbled upon it, I read more. I looked deeper. I took the plunge. I have felt drawn to Druidism, and wanted to explore it for the past few years but have never taken the actually step. Why? And why not now?

I joined the ADF, and true to form, I am going to follow the desiccant path and future expand my druid knowledge, as well as the depth of my understanding in my own spirituality.

I have started a new blog, called Let the Gates be Opened. There is a link above.  This is to be my journal on this new path. The name:  It is one of the things said early on in the start of a druid ritual. I use it now not to be disrespectful of its place in ritual, but as symbolism. We do ritual to honor the Gods, and open the barrier between us. I am opening the barrier between myself and the Gods now to deepen my own connection with them. For me, it seemed fitting.

So here it starts. Day 1 on the druid path.

I glance up and shrug, avoiding answering.

I have been increasingly devout in my pratice of the craft lately.  Why? I feel insecure.

I have had a lot of challenges in my life over the past few years, and each time one hits, I dive deeper into my spirituality.  It is my safe place.  It grounds me, and holds me togheter.  My tarot cards give me answers and direction.  My prayers to the Goddess comfort me.  My bare feet on the earth as I cast a circle in the yard ground me.

When life gets unsettled, I become a better Witch.  Now, I am a good witch.  I have been a solitary for over a decade now, and while my pratice has waxed and waned in its intensivty, my heart has always been pagan.  I have always spoken to the Goddess, even before I knew who she was.  Nothing can change that.  When I feel unsettled, when I am triggered into insecurity, I study harder.  I buy new books to pour over.  I cast more frequent circles.

This time has been a bit different, because it came out of a steady insecurity that has haunted me for months.  It is faint, but ever present, and my diving deeper into my faith came on slowly at first, then it hit me strong and sudden. 

On Imbolc I decided to study for a year and a day.  With the help of Timothy Roderick's book for guidence, I have studied almost daily since.  I held and imbolc dinner for supportive friends of mine.   I joined a few pagan e-lists.   My tarot cards come out regularly.  I speak to the Goddess more.

Do I think it is a bad thing that I turn to the Goddess and my Religion to give me stregnth when I feel like I am wavering? No.  I can feel her stregnth, so I turn to her, and my faith in her when I feel weak.

Oh Great Goddess
Bless this day
Keep me safe and whole

Oh Great Goddess
Bless my path
Help me to act on thy wisdom

Oh Great Goddess
Bless my family
All life on this Earth

The past few years Beltane has taken place on a weekend, and JR and I have taken to making a large fire and camping outside in some place sacred to us.  While JR isn't pagan....he is at least supportive of his witchy domestic partner <3.  We drink mead, eat lots of traditional foods, play music, dance, jump the fire and preform the great rite. 

Sadly, this year, Beltane falls on a week day, which does not flow well with out busy work schedules, so plans are changing!  This year, I am planning to attend Beltane at the Beach, which is a tradition in Maine, my home state.  I've been celebrating Paganism for over a decade and I have somehow never been.  Every year at or near Beltane, the pagans in Maine gather at one of our state park beaches and celebrate together.  They have torch races, a pot luck, and dance around the May Pole together.  Sounds like a great time to me!

In order to help continue my learning, and growing, I also decided to participate in About.com's  Get Ready for Beltane 7 Day Course.  They send you an email every day for 7 days containing links to related pages on their site.  It is easy, and not overly detailed or deep, but it has given me some great ideas and certainly helped me to get more excited for the upcoming holiday!

 Another thing I have been trying to do is build my book of shadows.  If any of you read my Grimoire Post, you know that my current Book of Shadows was a birthday present from JR last year.  It is a leather bound BoS, with handmade paper.  It is large, and gorgeous....and exactly what I always wanted for my BoS.  I've been trying to add to it slowly, so not to disrupt its natural beauty.  As each holiday passes, I've been trying to add what I want from that holiday to be included, as well as decorate each page.  I did decorate my Beltane page today, yay!  I'm certainly not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, and being handmade paper makes it really hard, because you can't pencil's do not show up well, and you can't erase your mistakes!  I like it though...it has been a great way to infuse it with my own energy.

Next....content :)  I will probably add a post about that as well....once I can get around to it.