Howdy Friday the 13th, yall!   I hope the month has been gentle. I'm still here, although not posting as often.  December's are exciting and fun, but also heavy with grief for me.  I've been working on being present for myself and with my family.  Focusing on living our paganism and prepping for the 12 Days of Yule...although technically, Yule is all December for us.  December's are usually full of rituals and activities.   Course last year, after my mom's death in October, I was watching A Christmas Story Christmas 10 or more times a day, everyday for two months.  Spoiler alert , Ralphie's dad dies in the beginning, and Ralphie tries to make Christmas super special, but in the end realizes that you don't need all those traditions and activities to have a great holiday.  Sometimes less is better, especially when you're mourning.  I've been keeping this in mind. Last December was a month of joy and grief.   This Dece...

  Happy Krampus Night! We have made our Krampus lore more kid friendly in our home (we don't need the threats of physical pain and kidnapping boogeymen to discipline our kids), and he is a beloved entity in our family. Instead of Elf on the Shelf, we do a Krampus on the Prowl using this Funko Pop Krampus. Everyday the kids search the house for his next hiding place. Rules are that Krampus has to be able to see them, high or low, which keeps them out of cabinets, draws, and our bedroom. On Krampus Night, we create an altar for him, with offerings from the kids, and mead or whiskey from the adults. We wear scary masks and dance around with jingle wands, giving energy to power Krampus so he can do his job more efficiently. In the morning, Krampus is gone, leaving behind a pile of coins and treats if they've been good...or nothing at all if they've been bad. Either way, when its time for Krampus to leave, the kids always miss him. Funny enough, the kids haven't found Krampu...