THE RAVEN'S QUILL

FOR ALL THE PAIN, THERE IS NOW PEACE

2010-08-25T20:48:00.001-07:00

Even though things did not settle down after the first of the year, around the time of my last entry, I have to say that I would not trade one single moment for what I now have.

Through abuse and neglect, through 2 moves, through watching my Mother die, through betrayal and lies; I have come...

If there are things that I have learned they are these;

~~Stand firm.

~~Give it over to the Universe.

~~Show love.

~~Accept those things that come your way that just seem RIGHT...

So much goes on under neath the surface. So much there is that can not be seen. When you find that person who sees beneath, who hears the unspoken, who touches you with magic; Accept them--accept the Gift.

It has been a long time.....

2010-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

It has been, hasn't it? A long time, I mean, since I have been here and written anything.

I don't know if any others had as bad a year last year, as I did. It was exhausting, depressing, difficult and just plain ugly at times. I learned some things about myself that I am not going to share here. Suffice it to say that I am stronger for the lessons, no matter how much I wished they weren't happening at the time.

I have begun the new year, 2010, with a whole new outlook. I have changed. I have even started to see things in a different way. It isn't easy. Sometimes, I start thinking like that depressed person that I was late last year. Then, I remember some of the things that I have learned....

1~~Sometimes, they really are just little things blown out of proportion. In which case, I have to stop, slow it down and remember what the lesson taught me.

2~~The Goddess that chooses you and becomes your patron Goddess is not always kind and gentle. She may throw you into the snow and let you shiver for a while...until you use the sense that you were, hopefully, born with.

3~~ALWAYS finish the things that you start---ESPECIALLY if it is related to your spiritual path.

4~~State things in the positive, always.

These may seem small things at first glance. But, if you think about them....really think about them, they become very 'deep'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of the things that really weighs on my mind and has been for about a year, is that the Witch / Pagan / Wiccan community here in Show Low, AZ. is very disconnected. I know that there are groups, covens and solitaries up here. But, those that are new to the area and on this Path don't always know. And the population is so spread out that it is difficult to meet those of like mind. There is a certain 'aloneness' that is felt. I have felt it. But, I have come to terms with being alone.

Perhaps that is why I have done what I have done....Out of a need that I feel in the Witch community. I have created a group; "Witches of the White Mountains" to eliminate the disconnectedness of the Pagan / Wiccan / Witch community here in Show Low and the surrounding areas. I have created a page on FACEBOOK. Here is the link;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Show-Low-AZ/Witches-Of-The-White-Mountains/250237498749

If you are local, or know someone who is local, to this area, Please send them in my direction. Our first meeting is in the Spring, probably late March. It will be announced on the Facebook page.

Other things have come about for me. But, this entry has been wordy enough, I think. I will have more to tell. Hopefully, it won't slip my mind amidst the busy-ness of this life.

~~~~~~Blessed Be~~~~~

~v~Red Raven / JoBeth

My First Ofiicial Renaissance Faire..as a Vendor

2009-07-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, I was vending at a Ren Faire locally. It was named 'Medieval Mayhem' and this was it's second year. I was the official "Mayhem" vendor, which means that I helped the people who Faire sponsored and put on the Faire with their booth, which was attached to mine....sort of.

The event was 3 days; July 10, 11 & 12. It was in the forest and it was amazing! I promised photos of the event and I got as many as I could from the booth where I was. It was suprisingly busy so I was not able to spend a whole lot of time away from the booth. But, here are some photos of the event.

FOR PHOTOS OF LAST YEARS EVENT GO TO http://www.azmayhem.com

PAGAN ROSARIES AT A LOWER PRICE!!

2009-06-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

FOR ONLY 8 DAYS, my Pagan rosaries will be marked down. Just go to my Etsy store at

http://www.redravenscauldron.etsy.com

to see these beautiful necklaces at LOWER prices. These are ONE-OF-A-KIND and no two will ever be exactly alike. So, if you are interested, go have a look!

Thank you!!

~~Red Raven

Something new.

2009-06-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

If you have visited my Etsy store lately, you might have noticed that I have started to make jewelry. And more specifically, Pagan Rosaries.

Now, you might ask yourself, "Why in the world would any one want to make a Pagan Rosary? Let alone many of them?"
My answer to this possible question is this: I make them to take back something from an organized religion that was stolen away from Pagans / Witches in the first place.
So many Seasonal / High energy 'holidays' in Paganism, Wicca and Witchcraft have been stolen away and turned into christian holidays or days of observance. Such as Easter. Do some research and you will find the truth of the major christian holidays and where they came from. It isn't difficult to find.

But, without going into detail on a side note, I am just going to explain a little about the rosaries.
One form of the traditional rosary has 10 'aves' or smaller beads in five sets, along the necklace. In addition, there are 4 pater beads and a pendant in the form of a cross or some other religious medal / trinket.
On my Pagan Rosaries, I have replaced the traditional 10 aves for eight--one bead for each of the Sabbats on the Wheel of the Year (Although I did make one with 9--for the NINE LADIES OF AVALON). Also, There are FIVE sets of eight beads, one set for each of the points of the star in the Pentagram that represent Earth, Air, Fire, Water and one for SPIRIT or Ether.

At the bottom of the necklace, on the portion that reduces from 2 strands into one, there are 3 more smaller beads for either the three life phases of the Goddess (Maid, Mother, Crone) or the three visible Moon phases--Full, Waxing and Waning. This can be modified to include 4 beads or even 5 to emphasize the points on our star.

Then, the pendant at the very end of the necklace, the bottom-most point...This pendant depends upon the theme of the Rosary. I have used Goddess symbols, Hearts, Pentagrams, Crescent moons and many more things to complete a theme, all based in Paganism, Witchcraft, Wiccan and similar beliefs.

I use semi precious stones, real Crystal beads, Fire polished glass and Mother of Pearl as well as other elements such as Sterling Silver, Pewter and (eventually) gold.

SO...why make a Pagan Rosary? To TAKE BACK some of what was stolen away.

Even if you are not in a position to buy one of these gorgeous pieces, go take a look! It's free and only takes a moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.redravenscauldron.etsy.com

PAGAN PACKS ROCK!!!

2009-04-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

Yep, another ONLINE faire is just around the corner. I am so excited!! It is a MYSTERY FAIRE and this is the first time EVER that I will be offering a MYSTERY AUCTION!! I have so much that I can add to my box. Things that I have taken photos of and just not had the time to list. AWESOME things!....Things that I would just love to keep until I think about how happy they could make someone else!

So, join us!! Just go to http://www.paganpacks.com on APRIL 24th and enjoy the company, conversation, games and PRIZES! It runs from 8 am to 8 pm PST so there is no excuse for you if you don't show up, for at least a minute or two. You won't be sorry!!

AND...If you go, be sure to mention ME...Red Raven!!

Blessed be!!

The Making of a Cloak

2009-03-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Some people might find sewing tedious, frustrating and pointless. I used to be one of those people. When I was a little girl, my Mother tried to teach me how to sew. I don't think she really had the patience to teach and I could tell. I became very frustrated with sewing and pointedly avoided it for many years, proclaiming 'I can't sew to save my life!'.

When I started my own small business online, selling used items (mostly clothing), I found that I enjoyed the online retail world very much. I had enjoyed retail in the stores that I had worked in, off and on, all my life. I enjoy the shipping, stocking, inventory, and sales. Mostly, I adored the part where I got to work face-to-face with people, suggesting products and listening to what a person might want or need. It was FUN!

Now, in the online retail world, I don't work 'face-to-face', exactly. I work with dozens of people a week, yes. But, it is all online. To remedy this impersonal method of retail sales, I try to relate to people on a personal level, answer questions promptly and ship quickly.

The stores that I have in existence now are IN existence primarily due to my success with the cloaks that I make. I enjoy MAKING WHAT I SELL so much more than buying items and selling them for profit. The cloaks are actually a statement.

When I was a little girl, I wanted a cloak and couldn't have one. Being a kid from a family of eight children made it necessary to be frugal. As I grew up, that desire to own my own cloak followed me. I was always sort of a dreamer, day-dreamer and fantasy believer. Perhaps that is why cloaks appeal to me so much.

When I became involved in the Craft, the desire for that cloak increased! But, WOW, were they ever expensive!!! I mean, it would cost half a paycheck (back then) for me to purchase one! As I became involved in this online retail world, I made up my mind that I was going to MAKE AFFORDABLE CLOAKS....and here is why......

I remember what it was like to do without for so long. I remember the disappointment in finding out that such a garment was WAY beyond my means. So, recalling those feelings in myself caused me to have a desire to be able to give the opportunity to others to HAVE that cloak!

I take great pride in my workmanship. I don't line my cloaks because that makes it possible to sell at a lower price. I try to make each and every one slightly different so that NO TWO ARE EXACTLY ALIKE...I mean, after all, who wants to go to the Ren Faire and see someone with THEIR cloak on?? Right? I take pride in my attention to detail and I am always open to suggestions.

Curious? To see some of my cloaks, you can visit a couple of my stores. NO PURCHASE NECCESARY!!!

Just go to http://www.jobeth.etsy.com or to http://www.ooak-auctions.com and click the store tab. My store is called CHAOTIC CREATIVE. But, while you are there, check out some of the other stores! There is so much talent there, it is almost unbelievable!

Until next time, enjoy the Springtime. Enjoy each other. Life is GOOD simply because you are alive!

~~Red Raven

Welcome to RED RAVENS CAULDRON!!

2009-03-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hello and Merry Meet!

This is my first blogspot ever. I really never 'went in' for things like this. But, as the world grows smaller thanks to computers and technology in general, I see the need to create a space where I can write about RED RAVENS CAULDRON, and my adventures.

Yes, adventures! I see all of life as an adventure, a journey, a Path....Something to enjoy and learn from.

So, visit here and find out what I am up to....find out what wonderful things I am creating or thinking of creating. Oh...I have creative ADD--Did I mention that? Sorry, it is a major point of my need to blog.

You can find my creations in many places online...
http://www.ooak-auctions.com
http://jobeth.etsy.com
http://warningshot.deviantart.com

And, coming soon, RED RAVENS CAULDRON at www.witchmarket.com

So, Be well...Merry Part...Unitl we meet again.

~Red Raven / Ravens Dream