What Awaits Us In 2012?

As a natural clairvoyant who has had premonitory dreams, I have found myself truly hesitant to speak about 2012. Instead I've enjoyed the barrage of goodwill, healing suggestions, and positive preparation for the dates people in our time have marked as \"the end of the world,\" \"the beginning of a new time of light and love,\" and \"Heaven on Earth.\" I know there are many other ideas around what 2012 will hold, and in my own dreams, I have seen dozens of parallel tracks of possibility. In truth, however, our future is still not decided. Each day, we choose whether this will be a year of ongoing struggle or a year of breakthrough.

As a global community, we have certainly created a cultural meme out of \"2012,\" and I support all that we can do to places our hearts in alignment with our inner wellspring of ebullient, overflowing, ever expanding love. The earth itself is shifting on its axis, and I believe that because we are already energetically shifting in alignment with the earth from which our bodies have developed, we also need to shift our mental innerscape to line up in this new way. What does that shifting look like?

On the outside it has looked like revolution and the conscious shedding of ideas that are no longer serving our spirits. It has looked like people in small communities and families discovering, quite suddenly, that their lives must change because they are no longer happy.

As we move into 2012, that shifting will also increasingly look like people saying things to each other that they have always held deeply in their hearts. You may find yourself in dialogue with strangers who are voicing thoughts about spirituality, the nature of reality, and life in ways you always believed but were afraid to say because they didn't quite fit into the mainstream. Well now the mainstream is changing.

If you are reading this, then I have no doubt that on some level you've been called to healing, and you've been called to the deep awakening of your inner healer. So for you, especially, you can release the struggle, or the \"uncomfortableness\" of 2012's transitions by making this pact right now: That you will always look within your heart, and speak your heart's truth.

Why should that make life easier? Because 2012 is, above all, a year steeped in Awakening Spirit, and spirit is not grounded in logos or intellect, it is grounded in our hearts!

Happy New Year!

blessings. Namaste.

Dailey

November 2011

Blessings and Happy November!

Dailey

October 2011

The rain has snuck up on me. For the past few weeks I have been pouring candles in preparation for winter. The store is going through a much-needed overhaul of inventory, and paring down to its original spirit. Stay tuned to see where this lands us this winter!

Dailey

September 2011

Really?! Already?! I have nothing more to say! Lol.

July 2011

I hope you are enjoying the summer! If you are inside reading this right now, please promise me that after you finish browsing the site (and buying, lol) you will go outside and stand in the fresh outdoor air, and tell the world around you five things you are thankful for. I am totally serious! It is a wonderful way to open the heart, reconnect with the world around you, and get the positive vibes going for a kick butt day.

I have to confess, when I was overworked in an underappreciated job, I usually required a good 15 minutes and a list of 100 positive reasons to be thankful! But 5 is a good place to begin. :-) Cheers!

Isis Blessings,
Dailey

June 2011

The theme of these year really is dramatic growth. We move into summer with a big bang; a solar eclipse on June 1st, a lunar eclipse on June 15th, and yet another eclipse on July 1st. What does this mean? In my books, it means not only a time of deep reflection and shifting on an internal spiritual level, but a time of making changes and committments in the outward physical sphere.

I watch my store continuing to shift beneath me, particularly forgiving despite the major challenges that the first half of this year has presented. It often feels like I am a turtle, moving painfully slow, but when I look back I understand how far I have come.

It is often easier to see this transformation in my friends. Everyone around me is living the warrior life right now, cutting away what does not serve them, exhalting their truths, and opening their hearts. I see people changing names, some moving away from Witch into Priestess, others discovering Shaman, Healer, or Witch for the first time. I love it!

How can these physical spiritual tools continue to help us right now? They are a reminder of the path we walk, of its solitary nature, but also of the loving community energy we can tap into and be a part of as we walk in and out of shadows.

This month I have been generous in burning incense. This is the way my spirit is calling to Spirit. I am mixing alchemical perfumes and oils. I am journaling my thoughts and printing up colorful pages with my favorite discoveries for my Egyptian book of shadows. I am trying to living in the spirit of Abundance, seeing all of my blessings with deep appreciation and joy.

What has spirit been calling you to do? How are you celebrating life?

Isis Blessings,
Dailey

May 2011

I will not tell you how amazed I am that almost half of the year is over! It feels like time itself is getting faster, even more so than usual. All around me I see people striving to connect with their inner wisdom, and forging new connections with spirit all around. I hope this is the case for you, too, in May. It is a time of flowering, pollination, and --this year in particular--action. Our year began with a bang (a few, actually), and it has not slowed.

The store continues to be a lot of fun, and a personal spiritual challenge for me as I balance the rigors of single-motherhood and entrepreneurship. Yesterday as I ground fragrant dried herbs for one of our ritual kits, I was filled with the positivity and power of the magick of that kit. After, I thought, This is such WONDERFUL stuff! I do a lot of energy work, but there is a different satisfaction in working with the herbs, oils, and resins to create a physically oriented magick. I am delighted that I can continue to offer the results to those of you in need of it!

April 2011

Goodbye March! I will not miss you! To be fair, you offered me a number a personal private and professional successes, but I will never forget the overwhelming experience of witnessing the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. It continues still, and I know that this is yet another wake up call for those of us around the world to STOP SLEEPING THROUGH OUR LIVES and RECONNECT WITH THE EARTH. We are being asked to remember that we are one large human tribe. We are being asked to connect with a global sense of love and respect that not only extends to our comrads in other countries, but to the physical earth itself.

The truth is, nuclear plants will never be safe. Neither will oil rigs, drilling through the ocean floor. We go about our lives, doubtful that letters or protests will change these sweeping policies, but they can. Look at how Egypt united for a change of regime. That is magic in action.

A few years back I attended a retreat on Mindfullness and began to understand how deeply disconnected from reality many of us are. We do so many things without thinking about them. But if you are reading this today, I implore you for a moment just to take a day of reflection and look at the many ways that your personal actions may or may not be contributing to the policies that we live within. I beseech you to gather with friends in small circles (or on the phone!) and come up with action items together that can initiate an even deeper healing process for our earth.

What does that look like? Here are some ideas:

* recylcling & composting
* shopping for locally farmed vegetables only (cuts down on gas), and organic wherever possible
* cutting anything pre-packaged of plastic out of your diet, and replacing ziplocs with sustainable, reuseable packaging
* switching household chemicals for quick five minute solutions (vinegar goes a long way!)
* shopping on consignment and thrift (cuts down on 1 gallon of gas per garment that you purchase... average that by the approx 50 clothing items people buy per year and add that up by the millions!)
* walking instead of driving locally, and carpooling whenever possible
* hosting fun letter writing parties once a month or quarterly to write to your politicians
* become educated about the causes that inspire you personally

Take action rather than just thinking about it. 5 minutes of pulling recycleables out of your trash right now are a start, and it takes only one person to initiate a wave of change. Remember, we are a living matrix that is, essentially, just atoms all moving at various vibrational rates in space. Even physics can not explain it much better than that. Like chicken hearts placed near one another in a scientific experient, if we can all align our hearts to a new rhythm and a new way of interacting with earth, then that wave of change can be just as powerful as the one we saw in March.

I, for one, am hoping that April carries just that kind of wave, one that awakens us all from our sleep and lends us the courage to make the changes necesary for long term sustainability and the healing of the earth. For me this goes beyond politics and religious preaching, and it is simply about the responsibilty we carry to protect life, beginning with our own.

blessings,
Dailey

PS: Oh yes! In other news, I am continuing to offer Oracle & Distance Healing as a Monthly Alignment. I will also be explanding magickal oils offerings, and placing a number of items on Clearance. They are great items, but it is time for them to find the right home, and I need to make space for some fun new works coming in. Blessed be! Namaste!

March 2011

This morning I was rudely awakened to the fact that it is already March and we are a quarter of the way through the year. WHAT??? I was shocked, and yet it is true. Time moves quickly, doesn't it? Tonight the moon is new, filled with the Piscean energy of water, and outside the rain falls in steady sheets. I find myself reflecting on how easy it is to forget about goals as the regular patterns of life step in and eat up time.

This month I am devoted to keeping a strong sense of mindfulness as I go forward, watching with wide open eyes where I spend my time, and how my actions are directly linked to the goals I set at the beginning of the year. I have been burning a lot of candles. I find them a quick and easy way to anchor back into my inner fire, focus, and passion. Try it!

blessings,
Dailey

February 2011

A few years back I was given an orchid for Mother's Day. It was beautiful, but since I had killed dozens of orchids before that one, I figured it, too, would die in time. However, days passes, then weeks, and the orchid continued to thrive. I would talk to it as I washed dishes in the morning, gently touching the stem with warm, wet fingers. It never ocurred to me that my gentle attention was helping it to live. Now, I look at that orchid today, still alive and thriving in my new home, and I am reminded how far a little focused, gentle attention can go towards healing.

I hope that each and every one of you give that kind of gentle time to yourselves this month!

blessings,
Dailey

January 2011

What an amazing year it has been so far. Everyone I know continues to go through tumultuous change, and yet there is definately a current of positivity running through everything. Have you made your goals for the year? I have! But rather than talking about them, I would like to go out and play with the fairies. I would like to escape that sense of responsibility and work, and just have fun. And you know what? That's exactly what the Universe would like all of us to do.

I am not actually saying to throw responsibility to the wind, but rather to find balance within life, and to know that this year, our work can also be to play, to connect with joyfulness, and to honor ourselves in refreshingly simple ways.

Do you have Lose Weight, Make More Money, or other larges changes on your to-do list for the year? Well before you dive in, take a moment to breath, to watch dewdrops on the branches in your garden, or to sing prayers to the Goddess. Honor the Healing Stillness that comes before Great Acts, that comes before Victory.

Many blessings in your New Year!
Dailey

December 2010

We made it to the end of the year! Please remember, as we head into this darkest and most joyful month, that this is a time for burrowing deep with loved ones. It is a time for forgiveness, love, and generosity. If you find yourself cornered in a superstore pulling out hair because you don't have enough money to get everything you want for people, or if conversely you find yourself purchasing a poop load of instant-joy wal-mart specials to the detriment of your credit card, please take a deep breath and repeat after me: Love is not about 'Things.'

If you are in the grips of fear, anger, angst, disappointment, or depression because of the holiday rush, then make a simple change. Reaffirm your love for yourself and others by deciding to do things differently for once. What would the holidays look and feel like if you set a budget and stuck with it? Or if you planned in low-cost events such as home-karaoke, crafts, and family walks in the park, instead of expensive shows. What would it look like if you removed stress-inducing requirements that everyone must gather on one day, and instead left open one or two days for casual visiting with loved ones? What would happen if you affirmed to yourself that this holiday season would be about acceptance and love, and then applied that to: gift-giving policies, gift-receiving policies, the personal choices of family members, and your own self-expectations?

My favorite holiday memories for this time of year include making tamales with family, decorating Christmas tree ornaments, drinking eggnog until I had a stomach ache, listening to poets share their interpretations of Kwaanza, and burrowing under 5 blankets with my little sister while my toes froze.

Other than the very first Nintendo I ever received (which incidentally did not work and had to be returned), the many gifts I have given or been given do not actually count high among memories. More than individual gifts, it is the spirit of giving, of togetherness, community, and love that I remember. For me, this season is about that no matter what we call it.

In a country that focuses on materialism, capitalism, competition, and commercial tradition, we can easily forget how to operate outside of these paradigms. I hope you will join me this season in reclaiming December as a time to celebrate our human connection, sanity, and joy!

happy holidays,

Dailey

November 2010

Happy November! I hope you reach out to loved ones and share your deep appreciation for each other, even if it is the tough work of appreciating hard learned lessons. I hope you eat healthy, abundantly delicious food, and that the worries of the year melt in the face of a few clarifying moments as we step into the dark of winter. I hope you have fun!

More Isis Blessings!
Dailey

October 2010

How quickly the dark time of year has sprung upon us! Frankly, it feels odd for me to say so because it is 80 degrees outside and sunny, but I know winter begins to slip into the cracks. The evening holds a chill bite. The stars twinkle with mystery, and the magic of October bleeds into the busy rain-filled patter of California winter.

October has always been a power month for me. Many witches celebrate it as the Witches New Year. I am still quite attached to January for all of that, but this is, indeed the month in which I have traditionally begun many new things. Over ten years ago, it was in an October that I received my Buddhist shrine. It was also in an October that I was Ordained a Priestess, in two separate traditions, in two separate years. In Octobers past, I have honored the dead, celebrated life, and looked one last time at all of those yearly goals, promises, and challenges before disappearing into the dark breast of the mother.

At the very end of this October, I will be doing another "first," and teaching a local Witchcraft class in a public setting rather than the semi-private and private stuff I usually adhere to. It will be fun! And challenging. And somehow, the perfect sonnet from me as Priestess to the Lord and Lady.

I hope your October is filled with magical preparation, beauty, and delight!

Isis Blessings,
Dailey

September 2010

Bright Blessings! Surprisingly in line with the changing seasons and the search for balance that the Autumnal Equinox engenders, our own small family is undergoing some healing changes. We will be moving before the month is out, and shrinking by one person.

For me, the Fall season has always been a time to question, "What am I harvesting? What must I cull and trash so that it does not make me sick as we go into the dark season?" I have been asking that of my own life, I will be doing the same in my store, and I encourage you to look within for your own answers to those questions. It has been an amazing year so far, filled with joy and struggle, so where do we go from here?

In the Egyptian story of the Contentions of Horus and Set, these two dynamically different and powerful gods struggle to defeat one another. On the surface, it looks like the classic story of the fight between good and evil, light and dark, but pitting these forces against one another will always result in the same thing. Like the whirling double helix of the DNA strand, neither can win. Theirs is the dance of life. Our changing seasons reflect this dance, and so the deeper reading of the struggle between Set and Horus is coming to a place of understanding, compassion, and balance about what both forces have to offer. How are Set and Horus struggling within us? What would it really mean of one of them was eradicated? How do we honor our lives when we pay homage to them both, drawing on their strengths (our strengths), and using the sword of our own Will to help balancing the playing field whenever one is about to go under?

This is what I am thinking about this month, and as always I would love to hear the autumn stories going on in your head. Email me anytime!

As for store stuff, there is still time to get a new and beautiful Book of Shadows before the Witches' New Year!!! We can customize anything for you. We can make a coven tome, a small grimmoire, or an elaborate treasure. Talk to us!

* Leather Book of Shadows Customized for your needs

* Practical Magick Book of Shadows

* Portable Grimmoires with Pentacle, Triquetra, \& Moon Designs

* Velvet Fairy Journals featuring Art by Jessica Galbreth

* Buddhist & Rumi inspired Journals

* Magickal Workbook Journals with Basic Wiccan Info \& Exercises for the Year

blessings of harvest,
Dailey (aka Ren... I will be returning to my birth name)

August 2010

It always amazes me how fast time flies. We are already near the end of August, and the shop continues to putter along quite happily. What did you do this summer? Here, we spent tons of time in the garden. My toddler learned all about how seeds turn into plants that give food, shade, and more. Spiritually, I have also been re-learning that process. What does it mean to plant a spiritual seed and tend to it? I had forgotten the work involved, and also the generous rewards of sticking with it.

Shopwise, with my partner's renewed devotion to his own work, I have scrambled to fill orders in a timely way this summer. Thank you everyone for your patience, and for the sunny reports of magickal life all around the country! It has been so fun to read and share with you, and a reminder of why I stick with this work.

Look for more changes at BBCS over the next few months, especially in our candles categories. And enjoy living your magickal life!

many blessings,
Ren

June 2010

Happy Summer Everyone! We finally have alkanet root back in stock. We also updated our magickal oils section with new oils we are currently making for people. Also, check out some of our new leather books of shadows listed. If you need something custom-made, we can do it, just send me an email.

many blessings,
Ren

May 2010

I hope everyone had a beautiful May Day. Mine was filled with gentle love and joy, which was just what I needed. I attended the birth of a very good friend and was amazed once more by the power and alchemy of a new baby coming into the world.

We were hibernating a little bit last month, but the beautiful blooming flowers and birds, and the outstanding heat of the past few days are a reminder that summer is on its way and this is the time for Living, Loving, and Doing!

many blessings,
Ren

April 2010

We are one third of the way through the year, and swinging along just great. I wanted to post a reminder that we are now officially doing a free layaway plan so you can have the book of shadows of your dream. All you need to do is purchase your desired book with the check/money order option and notate in the checkout notes that you are interested in layaway. I will then split the cost of your order into three payments (more if necessary) and send you a paypal subscription. Once you pay all three payments, your order will ship.

I chose to do this after seeing people who have seen the books in person, fallen in love with them, but needed a chance to gather the funds. I really hope you will find it useful!

many blessings,
Ren

March 2010

Is the month really already over? OMG! Happy Spring Equinox everyone! Did you celebrate in any way? In past years I have really worked with the idea of balance and using that centering in order to catapult personal growth in the spring. This year, however, it was all about my son. We helped to plan and attend a public ritual in which my little toddler was able to take part. We danced with the Fae, did a sacred egg hunt, and there was even consecrated face painting. Imagine that! The highlight for me was watching the young children play in the bright sunshine, unaware of how the tall green grass dwarfed them all. The adults wore hats and smiled indulgently, but I came away feeling like we old farts were really the ones being indulged--by our children.

May you plant many fruitful seeds this season. And please, may some of you email me updates about how your witchy lives are going. The store is doing well but the chatty emails have been quiet lately. Many blessings to you all!

bright blessings,
Ren

February 2010

Many blessings and Happy Imbolc to everyone! I hope this month ushers in some fresh energy as you begin to hammer out the details of your work for the year. Over here, the rainstorms have been beautiful and terrible in their fury. I have watched trees fall, and the small creeks around my house are teeming with fresh life. At night, the frogs are singing once more.

My work desk continues to waver from being a haven of peace to a pile of waiting promises, but I like it that way. I love the work I do.

This month I am happy to report a few new connections which are making my work-- and our products-- even more exiting. I have met a wonderful witch named Star who creates books of shadows that make my soul take flight. We will be offering more of her books in the future, but you can check out this one for now: Wicca Book of Shadows. The pictures are not the greatest but I am working on that (always something to be done, lol).

I hope you go forward this month with inspiration in your mind and peace in your heart, just as I am.

bright blessings,
Ren

January 2010

It has taken me 13 days to admit that we are in the new year, but now I am absolutely ready. Happy New Year! Are you someone that makes New Year Resolutions, or do you shun them in horror like many of my family members do? Lol. Either way, I wish you a year filled with warmth, magic, transformation, and laughter!

bright blessings,
Ren

December 2009

Happy Holidays! The final month of the year is upon us and I feel the nervous rush of knowing that in a blink of an eye, the year will be done. Are you doing your holiday shopping? Please remember that we are here for you! If you have concerns about needing an item by a specific date, I encourage you to email me directly through the "contact us" page, or even to simply place your "need by" date in the notes at checkout. Most often I can make these deadlines as long as I know in advance. If I can't do it, then I will let you know right away.

Another concern people often have at this time of year is MONEY. How do you make more of it? How do you cover existing bills while purchasing gifts for others? Well I am excited to present our new Affiliate Program. I am still working out some of the tiny kinks, but if you have a facebook page, myspace, blog, or any other sort of website, you can place a link to our store and make money everytime someone purchases from us through that link. For details on how this works, take a look at our Affiliate FAQs, located at the very VERY bottom right hand of our home page. The link is: http://www.bellbookandcandlesupply.com/affiliate_info.php.

That about sums things up here. If you feel like more of my blabbing, you can check me out on blogger or twitter!

blessings everyone!

Ren

November 2009

This time of year, the leaves have gone from orange to brown and the rain is washing away the last of our vineyard harvest. I am so happy to welcome November, and yet the deep reverberations of October's Samhain celebrations are still lingering and asking to be heard. I am promising myself that despite the upcoming rush of Thanksgiving and the Yule Holidays, I will spend time with myself to remember the lessons of Samhain and remember the siren calls deep in my heart.

Part of that promise includes making gifts for the holidays and spending more time in meditation with the very products I sell. I love the delicate scent of our pure essential oil candles from Montserrat (which always come with surprises such as gemstones or charms). I take such pleasure in items like the Zen garden (perfect for career people who need a desktop reminder to Breathe). Items like the lucky goard tassel and all of these beautiful tumbled crystals give me courage and strength each day to face my personal challenges.

As the season grows darker, I hope you find the same inner strength I am finding from my own magical work and tools. I send you blessings and bright hopes as you light your own candles in the dark and find your way through the season.

Bright Blessings!
Ren

October 2009

Bleep! Are you kidding me? October is here already??? It happens to be one of my favorite months, all the more so now that my son's birthday occurs in October. Well the month has started off well. I took a business trip and the result was a bunch of new products I have yet to upload into the site. I am so excited about some of our new feng shui items (which I promise you will see before this week is out!), and also some new journals by Jessica Galbreth (who has, incidentally, become so adored that she can no longer hand make them so they are now mass-produced, but STILL lovely!).

We did not harvest the grapes in our vineyard this year, and there is something sad in watching them dry on the vine, but the longer I watch, the more I see the microlife that is benefitting. The peacocks come around to eat them when they think nobody is watching. And the bees have returned, beating out the wasps who seemed so present last year.

I am already thinking about Samhain/Halloween even though there are still three weeks to go. I find the dark time of year cathartic, magical . . . inspiring even!

The downside of my business trip was that my internet and cable television did not work almost the whole time! It was a disaster! Try entertaining a toddler in a strange rental without tv while balancing business meetings and hunting for an internet cafe! It was difficult at times, but even as I grumbled about not being able to keep up with all of our orders, I still felt so deeply grateful to be living my dream and running a store with such wonderful friendly, interactive customers as you!

Back home now, and I could not be happier! I can't wait to upload these goodies! I only wish I had more hands. Can I apply for that somewhere? Lol.

blessed be

Ren

September 2009

Fall has finally arrived. I actually heard it this morning! With a crash of thunder and flicker of lightening, the sky let loose a surprisingly gentle rainfall. Kids are back in school,the unpicked fruit in our orchard is dropping to the ground, and my spirit feels the darker season approaching.

I love it! This month has been all about inviting fairies and angels into my shop. We are getting in new velvet journals by Jessica Galbreth, and I just spotted some lovely angel sculptures I hope to be able to share with you. In the meantime, check out our new, exclusive mini spell-kits with colorful tealights and spells for quick transformation.

Also take a look at the new additions in our Kuumba Made Perfume Oils. These are incredibly fragrant but not overwhelming, and they are made with natural plant matters. They make a good gift for yourself, or pair a perfume with a fairy journal for a great gift for others.

Have fun shopping! Oh, and guess what? We are finally crawling out of our hovel and joining the social sphere! Look for us on twitter as BellBook or on Myspace! See you soon!

Ren

August 2009

Another month is flying by and I am astounded. Work has been punctuated by the birth of my neice. It was so incredible to spend time with my sister as she ferried this new baby into the world. I was reminded of how quickly the years fly by and how important it is just to stop, sometimes. To hunker down close to the earth, and listen to her heartbeat. What does that mean?

For me it means making time to sit in a garden and watch butterflies even if work is waiting to be done. It means really opening my ears to hear what the people around me are saying rather than rushing to share my own angst. It means lying down in the bare grass and listening to the trees whisper. It means following the intuition in my gut so that I know how to give comfort to people in life who so often nurture me. And it means allowing myself to BE nurtured without guilt, for the people and environments in my life ARE Mother Earth incarnate, and she will give her nurturing life blood for us if we allow.

As I watch the dying summer, I am happy for the profound, private lessons I gained in helping the birth of this new baby girl. I am able to step outside of my small world of goals and dreams to feel, for a few moments, the beautiful rush of life that connects us all, and I feel a renewed sense of hope and love. Yeah for new babies!

July 2009

July always feels ripe with heat, the promise of my sad little garden finally coming to fruition. I am always surprised by the red tomatoes and slender beans that managed to make it despite how often I forget to water. This year I got smart and bought a water timer so the plants wouldn't suffer for my mistakes. This is really a lesson I am learning to apply to my whole life; if you know your weeknesses, then find ways to minimize their impact even as you are working on changing them. Doing this is really a form of self love and extreme self care.

As you look through our selections this month, I challenge you to bring that awareness of self care and thinking outside of the box. Try something new, spiritually, and enjoy the wild adventure it takes you on!

Many blessings,
Ren

June 2009

Bright Blessings and have a lovely summer! We are here for all of your needs. I will post if we take a vacation, but we are having far too much fun in our own backyard. LOL

May 2009

Happy May everyone! I just would like to take a moment to thank all of our customers who continue to shop here at the store again and again. It is a pleasure and an honor that you share your lives and stories with me. My baby boy is growing healthy and looking forward to running all over our small fruit orchard this summer. My loving partner and I continue to challenge each other (i.e. drive each other crazy in numerous loving ways), and the start of this summer could not be happier if I wished it.

I encourage you to email me with any questions you may have about our products. I am also looking for an additional book binder, as I have noticed that our leather books are becoming so popular we need more man power! But thank you for your continuing patience. I will try to do everything I can for the store to continue to run smoothly. I hope you enjoy visiting just as much as we enjoy having you!

blessed be!
Ren

April 2009

Okay, I am absolutely blown away by how fast the year is going so far! Is it just me? It feels like yesterday I was celebrating Imbolc, and tomorrow is Beltane. In our shop, we have been working with one of our book binders on some beautiful new book of shadows and I can't wait until they're ready but it will be another few months.

In the meantime, have you taken a look at our Egyptian section? We have a bunch of new statues in and they are quite lovely. I finally got around to unpacking the last of them yesterday, and soon I will be working on updating the description text so that you know as much about them as possible before you order. If you have been wanting to work with the Egyptian pantheon, beginning with a statue of Isis, Bast, or Anubis is a wonderful way.

I don't have any profound thoughts or feelings this month. The shop is peaceful and happy. On the home front I have finally perfected my chocolate-cake-from-scratch recipe. Just email me if you want a copy! I have also finally received my certificate and am now a Reiki Master so if you live in Northern California and you want a reiki attunement, let me know!

I hope April has been good for all of you, and I will try to write again when we turn the corner into May.

Blessed Be!
Ren

February 2009

This month we celebrated Imbolc with a lovely ritual for the Goddess Brigit. For those who are not aware, she is a Celtic goddess of healing, fire, creativity, wells, smithcraft, and fertility. I think she is also a catholic saint. It's amazing to me how the goddess continues to speak to us no matter what religion we take as our own.

Now more than ever it seems like we need the wisdom of the Goddess in our lives. I have so many loved ones in need of work and employment, and there are no easy answers. But we can call on the strength and wisdom of the goddess within each of us to find our way to brighter times.

To me, the creeping return of spring, the healing waters of Brigit's well, and the fabulous magic we do around these things are a lifeline to sanity. They are a reminder of the power of spirit. Need to heal? Need a job? Ned to save your home? This is precisely why we work magick, why we burn candles full of hope and intent, why we light fresh incense that inspires! In these symbolic acts we are reminded of who we are, what our needs are, and we are reminded that no matter how difficult things become, if we can hold on to love and hope, eventually winter turns to spring. Eventually the market comes around, the jobs reappear, new lovers crest the horizon. Sometimes we lose things we don't want to lose and its painful. But for every loss, there is the potential for a completely new experience. We can come to these with an even deeper appreciation for the cycles of life.

This, at least, is what I like to tell myself. I believe it too, and I invite you to reflect, on the tailend of winter, on the stories you tell yourself about this time of year. Many, many blessings for 2009.

November 2008

I seriously can not believe that November is here already. Two days ago we had our first real rains of the season, drowning our gardens in buckets of water. There were a few hours in which I felt more like I was living on a ship rather than in a house in Sonoma County. As we begin planning our Thanksgiving, I am reminded yet again how our American celebrations have been cut off from the cultural celebrations of our heritage (ie Thanksgiving no longer taking place during harvest or fall equinox due to politics). I have been brainstorming ways of bridging this gap and infusing my regular American holidays with the sacred spirit and reverence so often missing.

Here in the store, we continue to slowly expand our offerings, and you will notice a number of wonderful gift items for your loved ones. Check out our Friendship Fairy candles by the artist Montserrat. These fairy candles are made with pure essential oils and high quality wax, and the artwork is a unique treasure for everyone. We also have a lovely line of writing journals from Brushdance, featurin a mix of lined and unlined pages that feel sinfully luscious to write upon. Check them out in the journal section.

Christmas is right around the corner and now is the time to beat the rush. Don't forget that you can always email me if you don't see what you're looking for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessed be,
Ren

October 2008

Our little family has made a big transition and we have moved out of San Francisco to the beautiful wine country of Sonoma County (If you live in the city we can still do rush orders). As I write, I can see the leaves turning the bright yellows and reds of fall, and I am reminded of the changing seasons.

The Fall has brought changes to Bell Book and Candle Supply as well, and you will be delighted to see that we now carry a number of magickal oils. These are all mixed here in sacred space, using a variety of essential oils, plant essences, and the occasional fragrance oil. If you have questions about the oils or would like one that you don't see, send us an email!

In response to your queries, we will also be adding more journals! We are so glad you're finding joy from our journals and will continue to try to make a wide selection available for all of your needs.

We hope you're enjoying the turning seasons as much as we are! And remember, if you aren't signed up for the free newsletter, do so now! It only comes four times a year...

Blessed be,
Ren

August 2008

In my personal tradition, this August brings Sirius Rising and the Ancient Egyptian new year. It is a time for reflection and celebration, both of which our family will be doing in abundance this month due to a marriage in the family.

Here in the store, we are excited to be adding a bookstore and expanding inventory at your request, so that you can really find the products you need for your spiritual practice. Remember, if you aren't sure where to find something, shoot me an email and I just might be able to help. Don't be shy! I live for your friendly emails! I hope your summer is as beautiful as ours is here.

Happy Lughnasadh & Sirius Rising,
Ren

July 1 2008

It's another beautiful summer month and we kick it off with some exciting new inventory. Take a look at our new Shamanic offerings, including a drum, medicine wheel, and dreamcatcher. Use the great weather to get outdoors with your tools and connect with nature. Don't forget sunscreen and natural bug repellent!

June 2008

Blessings and I hope you are having a fantastic summer season. Keep an eye out for our second newsletter of the year. If you have not yet signed up, shoot me an email and I will put you on the list.

blessings,
Ren

May 2008

Today is Cinco de Mayo. In the neighborhood where I grew up, this was a big festival day replete with parades, fresh guacamole, music, and other general festivities. This year I will be quietly eating Mexican food in the privacy of my new home and pondering the meaning of Mexican Independence with my mother, the Lover, and the baby. I'm not actually Mexican (although some of my family members are) but in today's volatile political climate, I feel like pondering Independence in general is very important. As an American, I live in a country that tells me I am free but really, I often feel I'm a slave to finances. As a mother, I am still learning the meaning of enslaved labor vs. labors of love.

With the passing of Beltane, the concept of Rebirth has also been on my mind. We have just relocated outside of the city and a whole new world teeming with life and nature has opened up to me. With the extra space our new home has to offer, I am hoping to do my crafting and offer more handmade items through the store. Keep an eye out this month to see if I'm successful!

blessings,
Ren

April 2008

My favorite part of spring is watching my tulips break through the earth and bloom. This morning I could see their proud shoots through my window and I was reminded that all of this rain results in beautiful, green growth.

Our store is growing too! Have you noticed the new cauldrons and altar tiles? In response to my Wiccan clients I have added more Wiccan items, as well as some beginner books on the subject. Is there some topic you want to see more of in the store? Or certain items? Let me know and I will see if I can find them. In the meantime, have an April full of showers and flowers!

blessings,
Ren

Here are some of my favorites! (Today at least!)

March 2008

Happy March!

February 2008

It's hard to believe one month has passed already! I've been working hard on my goal list even as rainstorms flood parts of Northern California where I live. Two more friends of the family have announced they are pregnant! What a reminder that life is ever-creating. Here at Bell Book & Candle Supply my lover and I have been busy looking for new products that we absolutely can't live without. We have some things in the works but you won't be seeing them for another week so check back frequently!

Meanwhile, you'll notice that we now carry essential oils and hard-to-find herbs. In response to a number of emails asking for more information about earth religions, we will also be adding a small offering of basic books that cover some of the topics you will find in paganism. Is there something you can't find on the market, or you wish we would carry? Let us know! Send me an email. :-)

Blessings,

Ren

January 2008

Well here I am again, creating my second entry of the month. I somehow managed to delete the first along with all other entries dating back to June (an ominous sign for January, no?). No matter, it is my personal philosophy that these things happen for a reason. For instance, now that I am rewriting January, I have remembered to include that we are now carrying a fantastic line of 100% pure undiluted essential oils! These come from a wonderful aromatherapist who also did the oils for Caroline Myss, and who has also been featured on Oprah. Check out the essential oils section now for some quality (and humane!) oils. Happy New Year!

Ren