(no subject)

I reset my altar for Ostara. I knew exactly what I wanted to use for an altar cloth. I'd made a set of table runners, years ago, out of cotton fabric I can only call a sort of "gingham plaid." It has deep pastel blues, pinks and yellows, two-inch stripes on white, and where the colors cross they make green, lavender, and light orange squares. I made 18" square napkins in quarter-inch gingham in all those colors, but there's been some attrition as the napkins got used for dresser scarves or basket liners or pillow backs or some such. But the runners' colors are perfect for my Equinox altar.

I left the copper candle stand with the verdigris oak leaf, replaced the pillar with a green frosted glass votive holder with leaf designs etched in the color. This goes on the back corner, because the flame through the etching throws flickering leaf shapes on two walls of the alcove. The pale green tall pillar went on the left back corner, in a shallow frosted glass bowl to catch drips. The square-based bisque candlestick handpainted with grapes and leaves went center back, turned so that only the green leaves show--I'll turn it to show the grapes in summer. A tall white taper's flame reflects in the three mirrors above the altar. Front left corner holds a yellow frosted glass votive holder, stepped from a wide lip to a narrow base. The right front holds a deep aquamarine glass votive, with deeper aqua swirls in the opaque glass. A small white frosted votive glass shaped like a lily contains sea salt, for ritual and to hold joss sticks. A small white boat-shaped frosted tealight holder is center front. A tiny blue-rimmed ricegrain pattern duck sauce bowl holds brown rice in offering, my bronze bear with turquoise chip eyes, a cast stone owl and a Wade pottery turtle represent my totems. The tiny besom made from pine needles and a willow twig is there, as is my willow wand and my wooden-handled athame. My chalice is a cordial glass with an amethyst bowl on a tall, rope twisted glass stem. Now all I need is a tiny pack of Cadbury mini-eggs, since I'm not agile enough to rob songbirds' nests, to place in a tiny basket, and I'll be pleased.

H and I watched Seven Samurai tonight. Wonderful. But three hours and a half is a very long time.

(no subject)

I reset my altar for Ostara. I knew exactly what I wanted to use for an altar cloth. I'd made a set of table runners, years ago, out of cotton fabric I can only call a sort of "gingham plaid." It has deep pastel blues, pinks and yellows, two-inch stripes on white, and where the colors cross they make green, lavender, and light orange squares. I made 18" square napkins in quarter-inch gingham in all those colors, but there's been some attrition as the napkins got used for dresser scarves or basket liners or pillow backs or some such. But the runners' colors are perfect for my Equinox altar.

I left the copper candle stand with the verdigris oak leaf, replaced the pillar with a green frosted glass votive holder with leaf designs etched in the color. This goes on the back corner, because the flame through the etching throws flickering leaf shapes on two walls of the alcove. The pale green tall pillar went on the left back corner, in a shallow frosted glass bowl to catch drips. The square-based bisque candlestick handpainted with grapes and leaves went center back, turned so that only the green leaves show--I'll turn it to show the grapes in summer. A tall white taper's flame reflects in the three mirrors above the altar. Front left corner holds a yellow frosted glass votive holder, stepped from a wide lip to a narrow base. The right front holds a deep aquamarine glass votive, with deeper aqua swirls in the opaque glass. A small white frosted votive glass shaped like a lily contains sea salt, for ritual and to hold joss sticks. A small white boat-shaped frosted tealight holder is center front. A tiny blue-rimmed ricegrain pattern duck sauce bowl holds brown rice in offering, my bronze bear with turquoise chip eyes, a cast stone owl and a Wade pottery turtle represent my totems. The tiny besom made from pine needles and a willow twig is there, as is my willow wand and my wooden-handled athame. My chalice is a cordial glass with an amethyst bowl on a tall, rope twisted glass stem. Now all I need is a tiny pack of Cadbury mini-eggs, since I'm not agile enough to rob songbirds' nests, to place in a tiny basket, and I'll be pleased.

H and I watched Seven Samurai tonight. Wonderful. But three hours and a half is a very long time.