Welcome to Gaia! ::

Greetings, fellow occultists, and welcome to my project thread! Allow me to introduce myself and describe my ambitions for this lovely winter month of action!

My name is Azana Brown, and while most competitors know me already, there are some newer faces who may be wondering just who the hell I think I am. I've been a member of the MPRILC since its inception, and a part of the Mod Squad just about as long. It all started when I became the moderator of the Gaian Psychic's Guild (which I am in the midst of reanimating ). I've become known as "Book Girl" due to my studying and general information and knowledge about a variety of issues.

Unfortunately, my study greatly outnumbers my practice, so I decided to leap into the fray, despite the fact that this is starting during my finals week...

Without further, ado, my projects!

Arts

Makin' Miracles: I've always been capable of low-level varieties of healing, from headaches to bruises and such, but recently I thought I'd try something more on the miracle standpoint: my boyfriend's hands.

He works as an assistant manager at a smoothie shop, which uses a sanitation solution to keep their blenders and such hygienic. Unfortunately, his skin has not reacted well to this, leaving him with thick, dry, calloused skin that cracks and bleeds on a regular basis. Due to this skin problem, he is practically incapable of feeling through his fingertips, which makes him sad when he has to use his palm to caress me. Despite various balms, lotions, and techniques, little progress has been made against the solution.

This is where I enter. I'm going to try every occult trick in the book, and some of my own design, in an attempt to heal his hands, making his lotion and balm use simply upkeep rather than his current losing battle. I'll see if I can get a "before" picture to help in the idea.

Wizard's Way: As I mentioned in the OWO thread, I recently picked up "Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard" and its companion text, a course filled with information of all varieties written by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and some of his colleagues. I intend to study both texts, writing notes and learning as much as possible from it. I'll keep track of my progress here, and if I feel like it, use the information in some of the tutorials I kept promising I'd write.


Crafts
I have never been really good about doing hands-on things; I'm kind of a klutz and have a way of hurting myself when trying to make things. Hopefully, this can change in at least one field...

Toil and Trouble: I have been increasingly interested in potions...something about the mystique of a little bottle of liquid that holds magical properties. So, I want to experiment a little bit with this and make a few recipes. I already know one or two very simple ones, but something about boiling up something that both tastes good and does wonders seems like fun.

Tools of the Trade: If I can find the time, privacy, and resources, I want to make use of those tools left in the garage that never see the light of day...and make some of my own magical tools. I mean, I have a full set, but they've been bought, gifted, or converted from other uses (my athame is an old army knife). Of course, I would have to start small, but i just want to see if i can pull something pretty off and perhaps gift off my old wand and such. If I feel ESPECIALLY ambitious, I may learn to sew and start on that robe I always wanted (and talked about in this guild).

Thanks, Ishtar! Considering what I was doing, it seemed like it made the most sense...

December 11, 2009:

Makin' Miracles: Researching into healing correspondences. Brainstorming healing techniques, finding where to get/make a hand-shaped candle for a potential ritual series.

Wizard's Way: Currently at Course I, Class II, Lesson 3. Task: Starting magical journal. (Another blank book...perhaps I can actually fill this one!)

Toil and Trouble: Researching herbal and gem correspondences, will research liquids next (not all have to be water-based!). Figuring which I may actually have available in the spice collection.

Tools of the Trade: No progress as yet. May draw up ideas for tools tomorrow and research symbols/sigils.

Of course! ^_^

December 14/15/16

Sick, very sick, and comatose. Feeling better now, will resume projects tomorrow.

December 20th:

I have realized something: craft stores scare me. Considering I have little idea what I'm doing, all the materials appear alien to me. I may come up with concept designs and the like, but for now, and definitely for the purpose of OWO, I will be unable to actually MAKE any of the Tools of the Trade. However, if I get far enough in Wizard's Way, I've noticed a section about wizard garb, including that robe I've always wanted. If I get that far any time, I'll start my crafty work.

Also, they were out of all the bottles I wanted for Toil and Trouble. So I guess I'll have to make do without little bottles and just drink the whole batch I make, though I fear for the results of doing so. Either that or look elsewhere. My "Rekindling Romance" potion ingredient list is coming along, and I am more than up for potion requests/ingredient feedback. smile Please, give me ideas to put together.

I'll focus more on my arts than my crafts, though putting together potions will be fun! (and don't require nearly as much sneaking)