For Beltane. . .

I will be cleaning up my "temple room" (which, unfortunately, is not a totally dedicated space) and refreshing my altars.

I will overcome my inertia and introversion and attend an afternoon workshop on looking and feeling sexy.

I will be buying new cloths and candles for my altars.
(And maybe something sexy for myself -- if I can find the right item.)

I will be spending time in ritual with LM and Freyja.

I will be inviting back into my heart and soul pieces of myself that I dishonored and sundered years ago.

What I've been realizing over the past week or so is that it's not enough to intellectually say "I want to take [this] back." It has to go far deeper. My recovery of a part of myself last weekend was enabled by a new intellectual and emotional understanding that cleared away the inner resistance to the reclaiming. Something similar happened last night. It's not enough to want; I have to be truly ready to welcome and cherish these parts of myself on an emotional and soul level.

I rely so much on thinking and reasoning -- and yes, my mind is a powerful and important tool. But sometimes I forget to go beyond my brain.

Blessed and joyous Beltane to all!

Cleaning Dripped Wax

In the course of cleaning up my temple room I've rediscovered a three-dragon-headed, rather gothic looking, candle holder which has a deeply carved surface.

It also has red wax hardened in the deep grooves and scallops.

Any tips on the best way to remove the wax without harming the surface of the candle holder? I'm pretty sure I can use a small, pointed instrument to get up a lot of it, but not sure what to do beyond that.