Merry Meet Monday: Witchy News of the Week (Jun 29 - Jul 5) 🌕

[georgia]

@Greenbriar

final preparations for our trip

Your trip sounds like a perfect vacation to me! Enjoy your visits and your birthday celebrations!

@BryWisteria

Welcome to the Forum and the Infinite Roots Coven!

@emma2 - @tara - @Darhiss - @BogWitchLisa - @holli1 - @jennifer31 - @mrs - @bethanie - @cihan - @alejandra

Merry Meet! Welcome!

@BryWisteria

Shout-outs from this past week go to:

• @Moonbeam for sharing the most hearts and posts (on a two week shout-out streak!)

Thank you for all your time, wisdom and care! Congrats!

@Feathertip

two perfect little chrysalises!

I have new pics to add to the pupal process! Thank you for sharing!

@dan3

The water leak that lasted two years undermined houses and property so all that is being fixed.

Do you think it affected some of your pre- renovation issues?

@Amethyst

1776, Jaws, and Independence Day.

I have 1776 out for a good musical. Forgot ID4! Thanks for the reminder! I’ve been going through historical documentaries, not all of them are about the Revolutionary War. Found an old copy of Cricket on the Hearth, too.

Last year, those who were putting off personal fireworks were not being safe with them. This year, there is animosity in the family, so I get the feeling that once the sulphur hits their blood stream, it will be even more dangerous for innocent bystanders. I have let my driver know I’d rather be safe, even if it means missing the fun and beauty of the season. Thus, I ought to pull out an old fireworks screen saver.

@Amethyst

And I have to leave this here:

The best inspirational speech I’ve ever seen! We need more like this!

@Greenbriar

none of us wanted to go in the sea because of the movie.

@katharina

I can’t bring myself to light even a single candle on my altar.

I’m not as crazy as some seemed to think, a month and a half ago, when I put away my candles and incense.

Stay wet, especially the hair. Recline in order to allow more body heat to escape without traveling across your head. Wear a hat or umbrella outdoors, but take the hat off as soon as you hit the shade because hats hold in body heat. Carry water with you wherever you go. Remember that caffeine and sugar take water out of your system, and you need that water right now: flavor and fitness activities can wait until the weather breaks. Wash the face often as any oils on the skin hold in the heat: beauty treatments can wait, too. Aloe vera helps reduce sunburn- do not use animal fats as they make the burns last longer and damage deeper. If you have windows across the room from each other, put one electric fan facing in, and one facing out to create a flow of air. If you start feeling exhausted, snack on something both salty and sweet to replace electrolytes. Don’t cook in the early part of the day: keep the house as cool as possible for as long as possible by closing the windows as soon as the morning chill starts wearing off. Electric lights put off a lot of heat, too, so dim everything as much as possible in the heat of the evening. Eating ice cream actually creates more body heat in the long run, and environmental humidity is not your friend. Some of these are old wisdom from my grandparents’ time, but we don’t share them enough just because we have air conditioning.

UPG: gelatin seems to help cool me when my brain starts to feel like it’s boiling. I eat it instead of a “solid meal” in the heat and add as many fruits and salads as possible.

I pray your heat calms soon!

[dan3]

@georgia

Do you think it affected some of your pre- renovation issues?

We are farther up the hill (it is somewhat steep) so it didn’t affect us although the rework on the street is now less than one house away. We are on a knob of sorts and most of the house is above any water level.

We never imagined that water would be an issue. Darn water does what it wants to.

Birds were the real issue - the woods behind us have three different kinds of woodpeckers and they decided our siding was great for poking holes, nesting, and storing food. We installed cement infused siding. One tried to bore in yesterday but gave up.

[Greenbriar]

I feel so bad for everyone in England and Europe having to deal with the heatwave. Your homes are all built specifically to stop heat from escaping in winter, which of course is the opposite of what you need at a time like this. I hope the weather breaks soon and you get some relief.

Wonderful photos of the Strawberry moon. It was very low in the sky wasn’t it?

[katharina]

@georgia

Stay wet, especially the hair.

Thank you, dear @georgia for all your helpful tips and tricks!
We also keep a hot-water bottle in the fridge to take into the bed when we go to sleep. It helps, too.
When at home we fill the bath-tub with cool water and lay in it to cool off.
Yes, I´m drinking lot´s of water and only one cup of coffee a day.
I´m not even very hungry and snacks of veggies, fruit and yoghurt will be enough for me.

I shall survive this heat wave.

[katharina]

@Greenbriar

built specifically to stop heat from escaping in winter

Yes!!! You´re so right!

@Greenbriar

It was very low in the sky wasn’t it?

Yes, it had just climbed over the roof top.

[georgia]

@katharina

We also keep a hot-water bottle in the fridge

Ah! That’s something I forgot. I have a gel pack for medical issues which I used to keep in the fridge for hot nights … I wonder where I put it…

My driver’s grandson got me interested in Oorbies- tiny gel balls which expand in water. Can be sewn into a neck tie and kept wet for cooling at work. I keep a necktie in a zipper bag to go from fridge to purse to neck and back again when I go out shopping.

[Greenbriar]

I was on Moongiant.com just now, checking the moon phases for next month. I happened to see an ad for a portable air conditioner. The thing that caught my attention was the little video they had on the ad, which showed someone plugging it in to a very British looking wall socket. It’s an American company, but that ad was definitely targeting to Brits/Europeans. it says there’s no installation needed, you just plug it in.

Usbesty | Dual-Mode Wall-Mount Portable AC with Smart Cooling

[Amethyst]

@georgia

Thanks for the reminder!

You’re welcome! I’ve been wanting to watch that old film version of The Devil and Daniel Webster, but I can’t find it.

@georgia

This year, there is animosity in the family, so I get the feeling that once the sulphur hits their blood stream, it will be even more dangerous for innocent bystanders.

Yeah, fireworks and family drama are NOT a good idea. Add in the alcohol that usually gets thrown in for some people, and it’s an ER visit waiting to happen.

@georgia

The best inspirational speech I’ve ever seen! We need more like this!

It’s one of my favorites, that’s for sure!

[katharina]

Thank you, love! I will check it out!

[Moonbeam]

@katharina

@katharina

It is!!! And Vienna is not at all equipped to deal with it. The major part of living units doesn´t have any AC at all and in older buildings it´s even forbidden to install AC because of heritage protection. There´s also no AC at my workplace…

I knew that the UK is definitely not equipped to deal with heatwave conditions the older homes are both hard to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. I am shocked that AC is forbidden in some buildings and also at your workspace. Trying to cope with that extreme heat which is higher than where I am must be so exhausting.

I do have some more tips to add as I think everyone has covered most of it. I don’t have an appetite either when it hot.

• I put fresh grapes, blueberries and pineapple in containers and put them in the freezer it is a healthy snack and they freeze well.

• I eat lots of fresh salad plenty of cucumbers, celery, lettuce and fresh fruit, watermelon, strawberries etc as they contain high water content. All berries are good for antioxidants and can help with oxidative stress due to imbalance during the heat. I avoid ice cream as this can make me feel more thirsty so I have lemon sorbet really refreshing.

• Putting a pair of socks in your fridge during the day and then slipping them on at night helps as the blood vessels on your wrists and ankles are the closest to the surface this can cool the body down very quickly

• I have Magicool Body & Face Cooler you can get it on Amazon and other ones like it. Alternatively, filling a spray bottle with ice and water will work as well to spray the pulse points on your body. You can take it to work.

• Putting a bowl of ice next to a fan helps cool the room.

• I turned off electrical items that are not essential. I don’t have carpets only on the treads of my staircase. I do have doormats and take these up and put any furnishings ie, cushions, rugs away to create a better air flow as these items will absorb heat.

Hoping that the heat dissipates soon and you can catch up on some much needed sleep. Your photographs are stunning. It was cloudy here so did not see the Strawberry Full Moon but I did charge my Moon Water and crystals and Moon Bracelet and Anklet.

With love and light

[georgia]

@Amethyst

The Devil and Daniel Webster

Try this?

@Moonbeam

• fresh grapes, blueberries and pineapple in containers and put them in the freezer

Cherries and plums freeze well, too, but they lose their color when they melt. Strawberries and raspberries get really juicy when melted, but they are great over shortcake or angel food. Melons get wrinkled and rubbery, but keep their flavor. I have collected lots of fruit in summer for off season treats.

@Moonbeam

• ice cream as this can make me feel more thirsty

This is an idea for those whose sense of thirst is not working properly. When I am not feeling properly thirsty, I put a bit of butter on my food.

[Feathertip]

@katharina

in older buildings it´s even forbidden to install AC because of heritage protection.

Nice way to dodge the cost, too. I’m so cynical sometimes.

@katharina

There´s also no AC at my workplace…

That’s just wrong! Stay well, my friend!

@georgia

I have new pics to add to the pupal process! Thank you for sharing!

Of course! It’s my privilege to be involved with this little soul-birds, and my pleasure to spread their stories.

@Greenbriar

I swear Eric missed his vocation as a concierge tour planner. Several times now he has planned cross country road trips, planning overnight stops, side quests etc.

Your trip sounds awesome! Eric is clearly excellent with logistics and organization - truly a gift. Don’t be alarmed if you find me hiding in the luggage, I promise I’ll be quiet.

@Moonbeam - excellent tips - thanks love! We’re in the middle of our heatwave, it’s supposed to break on Friday. Triple digits F. for a couple more days. I’ve brought in all my potted herbs and some of the smaller potted annuals. Piled up birdseed at the feeders and the birdbath is getting refreshed twice a day.

I’m more concerned about the outdoor critters than myself, but I do know they can get by all right - they know where the shade is and I’m keeping extra water out there. Thank goodness this is a short-term heat wave.

[Moonbeam]

@Feathertip

That is what concerns me as well the wildlife as some of them who regularly visit our gardens can rely on us. We can do our best and you do I know you are so caring in protecting nature and helping the Monarch Butterflies.

Bless you

[katharina]

Those are some really smart ideas! Thank you so much for taking the time and typing it all for me!

@Moonbeam

• Putting a pair of socks in your fridge during the day

I am totally going to do this!!! my feet are always soooo hot anyway!

@Moonbeam

• I put fresh grapes

Frozen grapes are just delicious!!

Also, with great joy, I can announce that the (first) heatwave has broken today and we´re blessed with some rain and cooler air.
Yay!

[Moonbeam]

@katharina

That is great news we have had rain here to and it is cooler. Everyone has given great tips your hot water bottle filled with water is incredibly useful I will use that thanks

[Greenbriar]

@Feathertip

Don’t be alarmed if you find me hiding in the luggage, I promise I’ll be quiet

ROFL!!! I wonder how many people will try and hide in the luggage

[Amethyst]

@georgia

Try this?

Thank you so much! Yay!

[Feathertip]

@Moonbeam

Bless you

Thank you - brightest blessings for you and your garden residents, too!

@katharina

Also, with great joy, I can announce that the (first) heatwave has broken today and we´re blessed with some rain and cooler air.
Yay!

Great news! It must feel wonderful! And for your part of the world, as well, @Moonbeam!

@Greenbriar

ROFL!!! I wonder how many people will try and hide in the luggage

A lot of us sneaky ones.

[Artemisia]

@BryWisteria

Shout-outs from this past week go to:

• @Moonbeam for sharing the most hearts and posts (on a two week shout-out streak!)

Congratulations on the double shout outs and for sharing so much of your love and wisdom with us!!

---

To the surprise of no one - all that busy busy required some time to rest and recuperate. I was back to adoption kitty care Monday morning and a bit of an easy afternoon. Extreme heat and humidity here have forced me inside most of the day, so I decided to try some jump roping for exercise. The day after, I understand why they suggest starting with only 5-10 minutes. 25 minutes humbled me the next day with sore calves, knees, and coccyx I did manage a little bit of a run yesterday and stuck to the trails around the lake near my house.

A rarity for me, I got 10 hours of sleep last night and will try to sneak out to move a bit of this remaining rock pile to the shady backyard here in a bit. My SO kindly did several wheelbarrow loads this weekend and got a huge chunk moved for me!

The rest of my day is planned for inside, drinking lots of water with electrolytes and catching up on long overdue phone calls, emails, and texts.

Sorry I’ve been a bit absent this year. Spring was a whirlwind of fun, meeting new people (and connecting with old friends) while visiting many sites in the state. As spring moved to summer, I’ve been inspired and energized to work on years-deferred yard projects and even expand beyond what was the original plan. It’s been hard to have the time and energy for everything, and my practice has been more intentional (connecting while I’ve worked or been outside), but I haven’t pulled a single tarot card, rune, or tree oracle token since late January. I wouldn’t say I’m in a slump or disconnected with my practice, as honestly, every run through the park, hike through the woods, and spade turned in my garden deeply connects me to the land spirits, but I do miss the divination.

Hope everyone is doing well and making sure to stay cool and hydrated! I’ll read back over the thread here in a bit, but I wanted to post before I got busy with rock hauling

[georgia]

@Feathertip

Don’t be alarmed if you find me hiding in the luggage,

Looks like your luggage is going to be super heavy, @Greenbriar with both of us hiding in there! Sorry, I couldn’t find Eric at the local travel club! Let’s see, now that you’ve caught me, I guess I’d better pay my way.

@katharina

my feet are always soooo hot anyway!

It’s a good excuse for self care. I have a plastic bin just big enough for my feet. To that, I add cold water and bath salts, sometimes herbs or oils. It’s perfect for relaxing when I get home from a hot day, especially if I still have more to do. It doesn’t cool my core, but it allows me to rest better in half an hour than I would without the soak. Best of all, I can cast a spell with the bath salts and any herbs or oils I choose to use while my mind and body are otherwise resting. Gratitude is a great spell focus for this kind of soak.

It would be great if we could save up some of this heat for use in winter! And vice versa.

@katharina

the (first) heatwave has broken today and we´re blessed with some rain and cooler air.

@georgia

Found an old copy of Cricket on the Hearth, too

I misspoke. I found Yankee Doodle Cricket in my collection- not even made by the same people. Sorry. Couldn’t find it online.

Yankee Doodle by Rankin Bass, Yankee Doodle Daffy

Yankee Doodle Dandy- about the life of George M Cohan.

@Artemisia

Sorry I’ve been a bit absent this year.

It is good to see you active, getting things done and having fun! Enjoy it! I am living vicariously through your pics and posts, though I’ve been busy, too. Thank you for taking the time to share bits of your life!