Gargoyle Dogs

It's that time of year...

Pet costumes seem all the rage right now and not just for dogs; more than one cat is into hats these days.

Meanwhile, I spend my free time at local stores looking for pretty witches to add to my collection, cute (not scary) black cat images, and things that make me smile, like the picture above.

The Chicago Sun Times notes that

Witches are again the most popular costume for adults this Halloween, but vampires are chomping in with a close second because of their newfound popularity in books and movies..

Saving Money on Halloween

You don't have to spend a lot of money on a costume this year. Your local Good Will has lots of great costumes on sale, especially for kids. Call a friend or neighbor and see if they have something you can borrow. Or, arrange for a costume swap. Get together with friends, all who agree bring a bunch of costume items to swap, loan and trade. Also, look around the house and see what you have there, already. Anyone can buy a costume; for many of us, half the fun is making it or putting it all together for ourselves.

Sia

Related Articles:

Keeping Your Pet Safe This Halloween

Photo: found at Boris Kitty blog.

You Say "Witch" Like It's A Bad Thing: Thoughts On Our Image At Samhain

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Thoughts On Our Image At Samhain

A friend just called to say that decorating elves in her office had put up the ubiquitous warty, green faced witch figure on the wall, next to the Frankenstein, Dracula and the other holiday whatnot. Here's the good news: they were good enough to take it down the evil hag image when she asked them to. Thank you, nice people.

A lot of folks don't know why we dislike that image. In short, it is for Pagans the equivalent of black faced entertainers to African American feelings. (And for some of us that's putting it too mildly, see "She Returns: The Halloween Witch" below). I appreciate the fact that her co-workers listened to my friend and honored our heritage and beliefs, even though they do not share my spiritual path. Which brings me to the image I've posted here. It looks to be the exact opposite of the Halloween Hag, yes?...or no? Or is it just another cliche? (Click on the photo to see the larger image and get the full effect). Speaking for myself, I have a love/hate relationship with this photo. It is beautifully done. The women and the silky, golden-eyed black cat (1) look great. At the same time, I could wish they were laughing or looking more like women together really do then posing in such a serious, witchy woman-gazing-into-the-distance kind o' way. (Fine for a album cover, sure, but not quite the image I think of when I remember the faces of my women friends in circle who do, I'll admit, look fab in costume). In fairness to both the photographer and the subjects, they may have chosen to do it this way simply as a gothic giggle - no harm at all in that. But when I look at it, as a Witch, I think that this is, in many ways, how we Pagans like to see ourselves - beautiful people in romantic clothes, mystic ..er...mist whirling around us, eldrich gazes that hint of things not normally wot of and, of course, the Hogwarts owl. Such a mythic, muggle tease this image. Somewhat limited, as well. As Terry Pratchett likes to say "It bodes".

You Say "Witch" Like It's A Bad Thing !?

This stuff is fun, I know, you should see my closet. Still, I keep thinking that this photo really doesn't capture the Witches I know, women who tend to have armfuls of laundry, or kids or food. Often as not you'll see them with garden dirt on their shoes and a book on their minds. What if we took a photo that's a bit more real, one that showed three witches in a kitchen where we see a cauldron (used, not showy) next to the recycling bin? Let's put some tarot cards (or beads or knitting or a CD) on top of a long To Do list. Put them in street clothes, with the pentacles and such tucked inside their clothes, close to their hearts. Not nearly as sexy an image, I know, but it's a bit more true to form. (2)

Here's another thing: As a Green Witch who does, in fact, live in a forest, I'm thinking, "Gosh, they must be freezing out there". Go ahead and laugh, I've known covens go out in into the cold wearing much less and others who think they have to drum the sun up in February and then wonder why they all get so sick every year. Our great-great grandmothers knew better then to wear fru-fru outdoors in winter, and those candles! Unshielded?...in the woo-eds? Somebody's gonna start a fire. Still, the girls are lovely aren't they? Not a wart among 'em. So, I'm of two minds about this one, even as I love the idea of the fun they must have had when making it.

To me, this photo begs a question: When do we move beyond both the scary Hag and the dark, sexy/dangerous (Succubus! Incubus!) fantasy images in the public mind and become just Jack and Jill, the Pagan folks down the street? When that day comes, you and I will be much safer. Yet, when we move from being "the other" to "just folks" we will need to lift our fair share of the civic load. I hope we are up to the task. Are we willing to do that as a group? When you think about it, it is so much easier to stay in the shadows, looking "Cooler than thou", and chant......

What do you think?

Blessed Samhain, Happy Halloween, A Peaceful All Soul's Night and a Joyous Dia de los Muertos to you all,

Sia

Related Articles:

Pagan Celebrations Honoring The Dead At Samhain
article at SF Gate

She Returns: The Halloween Witch

Those Pretty, Sexy Witches

Pagan & Earthwise Groups Doing Charity Work

Day of the Dead Feast & Recipes
Lovely video, too. I want to eat at Mama's place.

Dia da los Muertos (Day of the Dead) webpage
This is a lovely page filled with history, recipes, art, crafts and altar notes and photos.

Go Vote!

Endnotes:

(1) Only one? Not bloody likely. But major points for showing the image of a happy, friendly and well cared for cat instead of the spooky, evil or frightened beast we usually see this time of year.

(2) A cat is sleeping on top of the (very full) bookshelf. Perhaps there is a dog nearby waiting for that walk in the park. Add a cell phone and maybe a lap top. There is pot of bubbling soup on the range or maybe a cake in the oven Put some sacred herbs in the spice cupboard and a pile of bills on the counter, held down by a handmade trinket from someone she loves. Now add a busy bulletin board to the wall. It is covered in photos of friends and family, and some greeting cards with nature images or art pieces she finds compelling (you might not recognize the meaning n all these images but she'll explain this if you ask). Add the odd poem or two. Look closer; there's a note reminding her about that rally/fundraiser/charity drive/PTA event she's organizing even though she said she was going to say "No" more often. There, I think we have it.

Hat tip to Mindmist for the image by Isselinai

Note: Old Samhain
Old Samhain is the midpoint in the year between Autumn Equinox and Winter Equinox or Yule. A Cross Quarter holiday, Samhain occurs when the sun is at 15 degrees Scorpio; this year it is Nov 07, 2008.

Herbs, Fruits, Veggies, Spices, flowers, and Evergreens I use to celebrate Samhain:
Acacia, Acorn, Alder, Allspice, Almond, Amaranth, Angelica, Apple, Asphodel, Basil, Benzoin, Betony, Bindweed, Blackberry, Blessed Thistle, Borage, Broom, Burdock, Carnation, Catnip, Chrysanthemum, Cinquefoil, Cinnamon, Clove, Cocoa Leaf, Copal, Corn, Cowslip, Cypress, Dahlia, Dragon's Blood, Elder, Enchanter's Nightshade, Evergreens, Frankinsense, Gourds, Hazel, Heliotrope Mint, Marigolds, Mugwort, Mushrooms, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oak leaves, Pomegranates, Pumpkins, Rue, Sage, Straw, Turnip, Yarrow, Yellow Cedar, Wormwood.

Recommended Reading:

The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy

Rodale's Herbal Guides

Black Cat Adoptions for Halloween and Samhain

I posted this notice about black cat adoptions to The Witches Voice last week and it is getting a good amount of traffic. I hope this means that some black cats in this area will get good homes. (1) Right now, most shelters and rescue groups are full, yet many other cats (and dogs) need help. The home foreclosure crisis has hurt pets, as well as humans. (2)

Give A Black Cat A Home for Samhain

Lots of black cats and kittens are looking for forever homes just now. Why not add one to your family at Samhain? Below is an announcement from the Cat Adoption Team. CAT runs a No Kill Cat Shelter in Sherwood, Oregon and it is a cheerful, friendly place. (Also check the website for an outreach center in your area) . The adoption fees are listed at the website. All cats come with a health check & shots. They also come spayed or neutered and with their own micrcochip. If you already have a black cat, they have lots of other colors, too! The shelter has up to 400 cats and kittens at any one time so you will have lots to choose from. Some cats are in large cages but most are in the many beautifully decorated rooms (like the Jungle Room or the Lavender Room) where the cats can play with each other, roam, relax, and greet visitors. Please allow time to make your choice, and set aside at least 30 - 40 minutes for the adoption process itself.

BLACK CAT ADOPT-A-THON at C.A.T.

Learn what good luck you’ll have when you adopt a ‘dark’ cat this Halloween. Visit the haunted CAT shelter for some Halloween fun: see CAT staff in costume, enjoy Halloween trick-or-treats, have fun with CAT’s Bobbing for an Pumpkin of an Adoption Discount game, and find the ‘dark’ cat of your dreams. You could get up to $20 off your regular adoption fee today. Spin the Ghost Wheel to receive a shopping discount at CAT’s in-shelter Boutique. No ghosts or goblins, but you are guaranteed to have a ghoul of a good time looking for your next furry feline friend. CAT is open from 11 am – 7 pm on Halloween. Date: October 31st Place: CAT’s Haunted Sherwood Shelter 14175 SW Galbreath Dr.

Event Location: Cat Adoption Team in Hillsboro

Event TIME Details: 11 am - 7 pm

Directions: Please see website for directions to the shelter and for the locations of 8 outreach adoption centers in the Portland Metro area and beyond.

Phone: (503) 925-8903

Website: http://catadoptionteam.org/

Mailing Address: 14175 SW Galbreath Dr, Sherwood, OR 97123

Sia

Related Links:

Petfinder.com helps you find adoptable pets and adoption groups in your area

Related Articles:

Those Lucky Black Cats

Halloween and the Black Cat: Superstitution and Urban Legend

You Call It Hallowe'en...We Call It Samhain

Endnotes:

(1) This is unusual. A lot of shelters won't adopt out black cats for fear of weirdos in some cases and , frankly, a bit of uninformed "Satanic Panic" in others. Sadly, they aren't wrong to worry. Shelter workers really do see more of cats harmed this time of year but not, of course, by Pagans most of whom can best be described as "Cat Slaves". It's best to err on the side of caution. Please remember to keep your cats (especially the black ones) safe and indoors this season, and never, ever "give" a cat away for free. If an adopter can't pay a reasonable amount for the cat, they probably a) can't afford to feed and care for it and b) might want it for the wrong reasons.

(2) The Zwillow Blog offers this advice:

What can you do to help? This abandoned foreclosure pets article offers some things you can do if you suspect a pet might be in danger in a foreclosed home:

• If you know that a home in your neighborhood is being foreclosed upon, why not ask the occupants if they have made plans for their pets?
• Some home owners might willingly turn over their pets to an animal welfare agency that specializes in rescuing stray and abandoned pets, if they knew where to take their pets.
• Leave animal rescue literature with the owners; it’s better to offend and apologize than to do nothing.
• After the owners have moved, check on the home to see if any pets were left behind or tied up in the back yard.
• Call your local humane society to find out how you can help to rescue abandoned pets.
• Call a local real estate agent and ask the neighborhood specialist to inspect the home for abandoned pets. Most will gladly oblige at no obligation.
• In some states, animal cruelty is against the law. If you suspect animal cruelty, call the police.

According to a recent USA Today article, the number of pets being released to animal shelters is also increasing by alarming rates in places where foreclosures are high. These pets are the “luckier” ones – at least they have a chance of being adopted. Some shelters are even creating special programs to help foreclosure victims and their pets. The Pennsylvania SPCA, for instance, offers their “good-home guarantee” program, which promises the shelter will keep the pet as long as it takes to find a new home, free of charge for foreclosure victims.