A Witch's Day

My first book now available electronically
Amethyst
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Fri, 03/02/2012 - 09:34
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As a published author, I have a number of books available in paperback but I've spent the last few days learning how to convert the manuscripts for electronic distribution through iTunes, Kindle, Barnes & Noble and so forth. It's been a steep learning curve but I think I've got it worked out. I thought I'd start with the simplest book first (in terms of formatting) just to get the hang of it all and then progress to the more difficult books I've written in terms of their formatting.

My first book, 'A Year of Wicca: 52 Inspiring Essays on Wicca and Witchcraft' is available on Smashwords now http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/128854 which is exciting and it's going through the usual mechanisms now to be available on iTunes, Amazon as a Kindle version, Barnes and Noble, Kobi etc hopefully within the week.

So finally I've dragged myself kicking and screaming from the comfort of 'hold it in your hand' paperback versions of my books to electronic versions. I'll then reformat the other books I've written and have had published through traditional means and offer those electronically too. They'll be a little more difficult to transform because they have a number of illustrations in them (which complicates the process slightly) and my PhD thesis book is 100,000 words and 700 pages so that's going to take a heck of a lot of time to reformat!

I guess one of the beauties of electronic versions though is that they're much cheaper than the paperback editions and of course you can download them immediately instead of having to go to the book shop to buy them. ' Year of Wicca' for example on Smashwords is only $3.99! That's a huge difference from the paperback price.

Ok, so I suppose I better get on with the rest of them now too. Watch this space :)

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Surprise gifts
Amethyst
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Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:46
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I love days when I can give gifts to folks and today is another of those special days. I held a competition for my business ‘Natural Medicine & Health’ and the winner receives $150 worth of free product. That winner was Rainbow Farm in South Australia and they’ll be receiving their choice of products posted to them.

However, I thought I’d add a special surprise winner too for someone and so Karen Thom from  Melbourne also won a prize and she will be receiving any one flower or crystal essences from my range.

I looooooove giving gifts and surprises away!

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Oh P.S. If anyone would also like to visit my business, it's here http://www.nmah.com.au

Nerves
Amethyst
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Wed, 01/02/2012 - 08:44
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The long awaited date has arrived and the second issue of Spirit & Spell was released 1 day early yesterday. As editors, David and I worked so hard on this issue and I’m hoping that our dedication shows. The issue has been emailed to all the CCIWI members(they get it free as part of their membership package) and it’s been sent to all the subscribers too. So now I wait for the feedback…

I wonder if it’s a little like an actor on opening night waiting for the reviews to be published in the newspapers the next day. They must wait anxiously to see if the reviewers like their performance or whether they’re going to trash it.  I feel much the same, waiting to see if Spirit & Spell will be as well received by the readers as I hope it will. Fingers crossed.

Just for your info, membership of CCIWI (the Community Church of Inclusive Wicca) is only $10 a year with a $5 joining fee and members get Spirit & Spell free. You can join here http://www.cciwi.org/catalog/memberandjoiningfee

If you’d like to buy the latest issue (only $4) of Spirit & Spell, you can buy and download it here http://spiritandspell.org/buy/backissue/issue-2-febuary-2012/. Alternatively you could have a 12 or 24 month subscription and then every issue will automatically drop straight into your inbox :) http://spiritandspell.org/buy/subscribe/

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

The lovely Stacey Demarco has been sponsoring the Pagan Prayer Project and this is a collaborative project in which Pagans from

Amethyst
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Tue, 31/01/2012 - 10:53
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The lovely Stacey Demarco has been sponsoring the Pagan Prayer Project and this is a collaborative project in which Pagans from all over the globe have submitted personal and original prayers and chants that will then be published in a book format. I love this concept because it not only honours the wonder of Pagan prayer and allows the broader public to access and use those prayers too but it brings together many Pagans in a unified project.

I’m also surprised and delighted to state that my submission to the project has been accepted and will be included with all the other amazing submissions. I’m so looking forward to buying this book and reading and using the prayers and chants submitted by all those talented writers. Stacey, once again you have inspired so many of us. Thank you.

If you’d like to know more please go to the Pagan Prayer Project website here http://www.paganprayerproject.themodernwitch.com/

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Thank you

Amethyst
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Mon, 30/01/2012 - 16:07
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I’m inspired every day by so many special people and while I try and say thank you to them, I probably don’t say that enough. So today I want to say thank you. I want to honour those folks who lift me, who show me their dedication, strength and motivation. I want to give my respect to those amazing people whose limitless creativity delights me every day. I want to return the love and warmth from my family and loved ones and I want to honour those amazing people who do so much great work within their communities. You are all incredible people who walk the talk and who inspire me to try and do the same. Thank you to each and every one of you.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Sleepless night
Amethyst
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Sat, 28/01/2012 - 09:31
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So last night was my first night duty here at Cobber Pedy and we had not a single job which is great because it meant no one was hurt and needed the services of an ambulance crew. However, trying to sleep (in my uniform) while also conscious of needing to wake quickly and completely if that little pager squealed in my ear meant a very poor night’s sleep. Today I may try and cat nap in between callouts if I can.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Weekend at Coober Pedy
Amethyst
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Fri, 27/01/2012 - 08:17
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This morning I’m flying up to Coober Pedy to spend the weekend on ambulance duty up there. In what feels like my previous corporate life, I used to be on a plane to some part of Australia or the world at least once a week for a meeting or to teach and train and when I gave up that lifestyle (and the pay that went with it!) all those plane flights stopped. I actually had flight withdrawal symptoms for some time! :)

So today will be great fun flying again and I also get to stay in a lovely apartment till Monday morning. While of course I’ll be on duty all weekend, I also have lots of friends and old work colleagues who work nearby to this little town so I’m hoping to catch up with some of them at the same time. I’ve worked in Coober Pedy many times so this will be like visiting an old friend as well.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Australia Day
Amethyst
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Thu, 26/01/2012 - 08:41
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Today is Australia Day and the day when we celebrate all things Aussie. It’s the day we have a barbie, a swim at the beach or in the river, when we eat prawns and salad, when we drive round with Aussie flags poking out of our windows, watch the firework displays, drink beer and wine and enjoy the wonder of our amazing country.

We also celebrate the announcement of the new Australian of the year, this year Geoffrey Rush and the Young Australian of the Year. This year that’s a 22year old woman called Marita Cheng who has helped young women succeed in science and engineering education. Our Senior Australian of the Year is Laurie Baymarrwangga and she has been recognised for her work in helping to rescue and maintain indigenous culture.  Our Australian Local Hero of the Year is Lynne Sawyers who has fostered and taken more than 200 children into her home when they had nowhere else to go and no one to care for them. Congratulations to our Aussie winners!

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Pay it Forward Post-it notes
Amethyst
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Tue, 24/01/2012 - 08:38
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When cleaning out the spare room this week I found a massive pile of “Pay it Forward” post-it notes I had created a few years ago. Each morning I would think of a new way that I (or someone else) could show some kindness to someone else and I would write that on a post-it note and paste it to my office door. My idea was that it might inspire someone (including me) to do something for someone else and make their day.

I’m so glad I kept them because I’m going to start posting them to my FB page each day. Hopefully someone might be inspired to do something kind for someone somewhere.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

Congratulations Lilah Sian
Amethyst
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Mon, 23/01/2012 - 09:35
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Last night I had the absolute pleasure of taking Lilah Sian through her 2nd degree initiation and what a magickal evening it was. The purpose of this ceremony is quite different to that of 1st degree and so the content reflects that difference. For obvious reasons, I can’t reveal that content but suffice it to say that the ritual is beautiful and very meaningful to all concerned.

I’d like to congratulate Lilah Sian on taking the steps along her amazing journey. It has been one that has both taxed and delighted her and one I have so much enjoyed watching as her mentor. I am so proud of her!

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst

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