The Road Not Taken

In reading the poem below again for the billionth time (it is one of my favorites), I have decided to take the road less traveled by and do things my way and not what everyone thinks I should do. Today is a new day and as of today I will no longer be stepped on, talked down to, or made to feel like I am less than anyone else. I will hold my head up high, speak my mind, and be the me I want to be.

Image From Flickr

The Road Not Taken 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claimBecause it was grassy and wanted wear,Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I marked the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

-Robert Frost

This poem has always been one of my favorites, ever since Ms. Smith my 5th  grade teacher introduced me to Robert Frost. I've understood the meaning of the poem for some years, but never how it applied to my life till now; so I would like to say, thank you Mr. Frost for such a wonderful poem and thank you Ms. Smith for introducing me to the works of Mr. Frost and thank you Universe for opening my eyes to it's meaning in my life.

What a difference 20 years can make

So if I flashback 20 years ago, I was a shattered person, stuck in the worst kind of relationship, and I had just been told I would never be able to have children. To me, my life was over; I was just going through the motions. just kinda living a half-life.

Found this pic on Google, if you know the artist let me know.

Fast forward a few years, and the universe decided that I was not meant to live a half-life and granted me the best and most glorious gift, the gift of motherhood. Though still stuck in a horrible and abusive marriage, I now had a reason to live, a reason to dream again. Then, miraculously, the universe decided "Hey, lady, it's time to throw you a curve ball" and bam! Daughter #2 came in 2000, so I went from being told "You will never be able to have a child" to being the mother of two beautiful daughters.

The year 2000 was full of changes for me; I became a mom for the second time, got brave enough to end my marriage, and get myself and my daughters away from the abuse. I also fell in love with my soul mate, and started down the path to my life, a whole life, a life worth fighting for.

Jump ahead to 2002, and I became a mom for the 3rd and last time to the most beautiful baby girl. By this time I had fully dedicated myself to walking a pagan path. I had known for a very long time that I was a Witch, but due to living in the deep south and having a very Christian family, I was not just in the broom closet, I was all the way in the back hiding behind an old, dirty mop.  

The past 20 years has been full of ups, downs, surprises and heartbreak. Of all the changes that have happened, I would say the biggest one has been "Me" I have learned to love with my whole heart; I have embraced who I am and love and accept the person I've become.

Image from www.vanessaroy.com.au

And who am I today? I am a 40 year old wife, mom and a very proud Witch. I am happy, secure in who I am, and I know that I may not be where I thought I would be, but I am extremely happy to be who and where I am.

This is a glimpse into who I am, I hope to continue sharing my adventure with you.

Blessings

Ash-Lynn

New Beginnings, New Name, New Me!!!

Which Came First, the Witch or the Housewife? In my case, they came to be at about the same time, and I hope to meld both of those worlds together my everyday life and the Witchy one; I hope you continue to take this journey with me as I start this next chapter.

I know I said it would be a few days/weeks before the new look, name, etc. was ready, but the creative juices would not stop flowing and I just kept working. I hope that after some 40+ hours of being awake and working nonstop, you enjoy the new look and name as much as I do.

I still have some tidying up to do, but first I must sleep; then it will be back to writing and sharing my life with you.

Many Blessings

Ash-Lynn

Changes Coming Soon.....

I have had a lot on my mind lately, My health, turning the big 40, and this blog; or I should say this blogs name. Let me explain...

When I first started this blog, it was to go along with a forum I was running with some friends; and the name "Cauldron Of Pagan Ways" fit perfectly, because we all came from different backgrounds in the pagan spectrum; now, however, the forum is no more; and this is now my personal blog, and the name just does not fit anymore.

Image found via Google

So I have decided to change the name of this blog (I have picked a new name,but for now it's a secret), and quite possibly the look. As of right now, I have no plans on changing or deleting the FB, though I may change its name as well. I will be implamenting these changes over the next few days/weeks. Please bear with me while I make these changes.

What you can expect:

1. New Name and Look 

2. Post will vary from personal to pagan, and everything inbetween.

3. There should be no downtime, but if there is I will let you know ahead of time.

Thank you for your patients and understanding while I make this transistion.

Many Blessings

Ash-Lynn

Blessed Mabon!!!

The sky is turning dark, there is a chill in the air, and once again Persephone has returned to her husband in the underworld.

Image from Google. If you know the artist please let me know so I can give full credit.

Today is the Autumn Eqinox/Mobon, it's the time of year to check your stock and prepare for the long cold winter, a time to rest, relax, and refelect on the past year, it's a time of balance. Today is also known as the Witches Thanksgiving, give thanks for your blessings, big or small. 

My plans are not massive for today, I have beans on cooking, and will be making a delicous apple cake this afternoon. I will be taking a lovely walk in the woods later(if the rain holds off). No matter how you plan on celebrating today, I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Mabon.

Many Blessings

Ash-Lynn

A Prayer to the Dark Mother

Mabon/The Autumn Equinox is a time for honoring the Dark Mother(Persephone for me), here is a great Prayer to her.  

Day turns to night,

and life turns to death,

and the Dark Mother teaches us to dance.

Hecate, Demeter, Kali,

Nemesis, Morrighan, Tiamet,

bringers of destruction, you who embody the Crone,

I honor you as the earth goes dark,

and as the world slowly dies.

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