deep thoughts

I've been thinking about all the activity that has been going on, both with me, and the store. There has been a lot of ups and downs in the past month or so. It just felt like the stress was getting the better of me.

It's the time of the Solstice. I went to a wonderful ritual (even in the rain) at a covenmates home. There were approx. 35 people there all ready to ring the season in.

This made me happy!..To see all the smiling faces!

I had to ban some people from the store. This broke my heart. One in particular really hurt. I know that I was doing the right thing, no doubt about that-but it did not make it any better for me.

On the good end, one particular store, that was really unethical (to me) and was really bad mouthing the store and me, recently closed down for good. This is good, as I was really growing tired of all the lies and gossip.

I was asked to teach at The Starwood Festival this year, in Brushwood NY, and The Earth Warriors festival, next year, in Ohio. An Intuitive Approach to the Tarot, is the class that I will be teaching at this festival.

There are soo many things that need to be done, to be accomplished. How does anyone person do this? How do I get the time to implement all these ideas?? Get the money to expand, get the finances to actually hire people to help ie-bookeepers, lawyers etc?

I would love to expand, buy the building that I'm in and to actually by land, so our community can practice-actually all spiritual communities, can practice their own form of spirituality!

Who knows what's in store for me and the community, but I do look forward to the future! It is a time to refect. I love the summer! I do give thanks for all the wonderful people around me and for the prosperity in my life and the store. I am very much in love, and adore my 3 sons, who I love soo dearly!

I am blessed!

Brid's Closet "The Messenger" 6/14/09

Brid's Closet "The Messenger"

June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009
Featured Product

Stein
$15.99

In This Issue:
News at the store!
New classes!
Websites, links and more....

1. News at the store!

It's been a while since our last newsletter, so I wanted to catch everyone up with what is going on with the store!
Thank you to everyone, for all the help and support that everyone gave for The Beltane festival! I am already working on next years event! We really did well, and the event really received tons of attention!
New Items at the store!
New cast iron caulrons have arrived!
New handmade oils, Money Draw, Protection, Compel-truth, and love. Each of these oils have been hand-crafted at the store! $8.00. New spell kits! Protection and Love! Each kit has a crystal, one dressed tea light candle, one mojo bag and spell! $7.95
God and Goddess Prayer flags, handmade silver and crystal jewelry, and new books!

2. New classes!

Real Magic class with Isaac Bonewits! Isaac Bonewits will be teaching this wonderful class for us! It is based on his "Real Magic" and "Real Energy" books, and is required reading. Each class will be around an hour or so in length. More copies of Isaac's book "Real Magic" are now available at the store! Every Sat. @7pm $20 per person. Please bring something to jot down notes with! Please RSVP to let me know how many handouts to print up. Isaac is on facebook-friend him! http://www.facebook.com/ibonewits Druidism 101 The founder of America's largest Neopagan Druid organization, Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, will present a series on the history, cultures, beliefs, rituals, training, and practices of both ancient and modern Druids. This material is rooted in Indo-European and Celtic scholarship, ritual experimentation, and Isaac's 40 years of experience as a Druid priest. Classes: $20 each. Summer Solstice Ritual: No charge (but a hat will be passed) The ritual will be open to all who wish to attend. If there is interest in starting a Hudson Valley grove of ADF, Isaac will assist with the process. PS: Recommended text: Bonewits’s Essential Guide to Druidism A class on HOODOO July 9th @ 6:30 pm Hoodooin' You? Have you wondered what someone means when they say "She put a root on me!"? Have you heard the term Hoodoo and thought "They are just saying Voodoo wrong."? Ever wonder what all those mysterious oils like "Follow Me Boy", "Firey Wall of Protection", and "D.U.M.E" are used for? It's all Hoodoo! This class will cover the basics of Hoodoo and Rootwork. Topics include history and background, Hoodoo vs Voodoo, ingredients used in spellwork and the basics of Hoodoo. There will be a hands-on demonstration on how to dress and fix a candle for abundance/money in the traditional Hoodoo fashion. Each participant will go home with a spell candle to help them draw more abundance into their lives. Supplies you need to bring: Green 7-Day Novena Candle Money Drawing Oil Herbs and Curios (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, bayberry, pyrite chips, Irish moss - just a pinch of each) 60 minute class ~ $20 This class will be facilitated by Oseaana Inara December. A witch of 20 years, Temple Mother of the Scarlet & Amethyst Temple and certified Rootworker. An Intro to Wicca! This class is an introduction to Wicca and Witchcraft by Bernadette Montana 3rd degree Alexandrian Priestess We will focus on what this religion/spirituality is all about, talk about history, full moon, wheel of the year, tools, altar setup, Goddess and Gods, the different traditions of Witchcraft, divination, ethics and so much more! Please bring a notebook and a pen for notes. Handouts will be given out to all students. This will be a series of 4 classes-please be on time! $20 in advance $22 day of class PLEASE RSVP FOR YOUR SPACE June 16th June 23rd June 30th July 7th Reiki I intensive class: $150 or $125 for members of our meetup group Class includes all handouts and attunements. Scanning, the history of Reiki and meditation will be practiced and discussed. Class will be approx. 5 hrs. long including breaks.. Reiki II intensive class : $200 or $175 for meetup members...Date to be announced... Class will include all handouts, attunements, and symbols. This class is very hands on! We will be practicing on one another, meditating and working on how to use Reiki on animals, plants etc. Class will approx. 4 to 5 hrs. including breaks. Reiki III intensive Class $250: or $225 for meetup members... This is the Masters class. Class will include all handouts, the Master symbol, the entire handbooks for all 3 classes and more. There will a time period of one month in between the 3 levels of Reiki Please bring a message/Reiki table if you have one. Reservations are required. Please call the shop for info. (845) 458-8726 .. http://www.bridscloset.com

Link: http://www.bridscloset.com

3. Websites, links and more....

Brid's Closet has a facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bernadette.montana Twitter http://twitter.com/BridsCloset We have our own social newtwork! Brid's Closet Spiritual Circle http://twitter.com/BridsCloset Meetup group http://www.meetup.com/thenewburghandcornwallwitchesmeetup/ Feel free to join us on any of these sites!! Friend me on FaceBook too!! Let me know if you are interested in advertising on either the spiritual circle or meetup sites. bernadette@bridscloset.com Summer Solstice celebration! We will be having a Summer Solstice/midsummer celebration. Please contact me if you are interested in coming. June 20th at a private residence. Please contact me for info! bernadette@bridscloset.com

Link: http://bridscloset.ning.com/
Many blessings of the season to you all! May the solstice bring abundance to you! Contact me at any time if you have any questions about any of our classes or products!
Love and light!
Bernadette!

Yule!

Well folks!! It's that most wonderful time of the year.....ok..I know I'm getting silly here, but it's our 2nd annual Yule/sparkle ball!! Can you believe it!!!
This year's entetainment is amazing!!
We will have "Raquy and the Cavemen" performing!
Belly dancing for us will be Trisa McBride and her beautiful ladies!!
Food will be catered by Momma Theresa's
Ritual in the evening.
$45 per person for the ball and food and entertainment
$90 includes ball, food, entertainment, overnight accomidations, and a full breakfast!
Any volunteers for decorating, cleaning and parking? let me know!!
Tickets are now being sold at the store. We will be topping this out at 100 people.
BYOB....hmmmm...mead??
Blessings!!!

Ok everyone!!
This is what we have planned as far as the menu goes!
Manicotti, broccoli, string beans ala Mamma Theresa's, lasagna, eggplant parmisian, roasted chicken, meatballs, gravy, assorted breads and a garden salad! The lovely Tessa is making dessert!  This is a BYOB event, so bring your own Mead and wine.
Breakfast
eggs, bagels, bacon, toast, sausage , muffins and scones- coffee and tea
It's getting close, so please purchase your tickets ASAP, so  can get a head count.  Also, please let me know if you are staying overnight.  The rooms are filling up, and I would like to make sure I can accommodate everyone!!

Back to normal*

Gee,what does that mean? It's been really crazy for me this week. With the funeral, shiva call, and personal responsibilities that still need to be met, I'm now just beginning to calm down. I do what I can, to make sure I do what needs to be done, and now to get back to everyday life.
I've been sitting here, contemplating on all that has gone on this week, trying to sort things out in my mind's eye. The teachings that were presented, and the lessons that I am trying to absorb.
Time to get back to work..to love, family, the special ones in my life, my animals and the store...I'm lucky
Blessed be!

Bella

Bella passed on this morning. It's funny..I've been praying for her to leave the shell that she has been living in for a while now, and now I cry. Is it for me that I cry? When I visited her on Thanksgiving, all she could do was look at me and tear. She was not able to move her head (or any part of her body), but she could open her eyes for a little while, stare at me and tear a bit. I spoke to her about how everyone is doing, how the grandchildren are doing, etc. I visited her on Sunday, and she was not able to open her eyes any longer. I spoke my prayers siletly, and told her how muchI love her, how important she is to me, and that I'll always remember her. On Monday, he came to me in a dream. In this dream, I saw myself sitting next to her in the hospital, praying. All of a sudden, she sat up, with wide open eyes, and stared at me. I woke up fromthis dream, and felt as if she went through me. To me, it was her soul leaving the shell of a body that she was in. I knew she was preparing to leave.
So why do I cry? It may be that the world that we live in, needs people like her. It's not easy for me to like this with people. Bella was/is the strongest person I have ever known.
I hope that she heard me. I feel such a loss...amazing to feel so strong about a person. How you managed to raise 3 great kids, after the war, without bitterness is beyond me. It has always bugged me when people felt sorry for themselves. That is my issue. She never did that. Bella suffered such atrosities, that I don't even how she managed to survive. The warsaw ghetto, The death train, aushwitz (spelling), and still be strong. There was always a reminder of what happened to her. Survivors received a "Germany" check. This was because the camps were "working" camps, not "death" camps. We all know better.
again, I love you Bella. You will always be in my prayers, may I always be in yours. May you be with your family, who were so harshly taken from you, the rest of us will carry on and see you when the time is right! Your light will aways shine within me!

In honour of Bella

I've dealing with the eminent loss of a very special person to me. She is hospice now and pains me to see her like this. Bella is most ikely, the most amazing person that I have ever known.
Bella was born in Poland,survived the warwaw getto, concentration camp, saw her family killed, and still is the kindest person I know. She accepted me without any sort of condition. I was the first "non-jew" in her family when I married her son. Her first husband died in 1980, after almost 20 years of heart disease (in which she supported him because he could not work). Raised sons and a daughter. Now has 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She was never bitter, never racist, never really complained. The most honest person I have ever known! Bella-I love you! I now all the stories that you told me. I remember going to Brighton Beach with you every Friday, after my first son was born, getting extra crispy pizza, and going to the fish market, to get fresh fish and then having tea at your apt. You bought all 3 kids their baby clothes, made chicken soup for my middle son when he asked for it. You are my hero. The best role model I have ever had. It's such an honour to have been a part of your family. You will always be in my heart Bella. I wish everyone had someone like you in their lives. This place would be better off if they did!

Brid's Closet "The Messenger" Nov. 20th, 2008

Brid's Closet "The Messenger"

Nov. 20th, 2008
November 20, 2008
Featured Product

Mug
$12.99

In This Issue:
'tis the season!
Classes and events at the store!
New stuff!

1. 'tis the season!

Well, it is the season, because it's that special time again for..... Brid's Closet 2nd Annual Yule/Winter Solstice "Sparkle" Ball! Can you believe that it's been a year since the last one! Please join us for our 2nd annual Yule/Winter Solstice Ball on Fri. Dec. 19th.at 6:30 pm- at: The Grail-119 Duncan ave. Cornwall-on-Hudson $45 in advance/$50 @ the door $90 includes Ball, overnight accomodations, full breakfast Bagels, muffins, eggs, sausage bacon, home fries, juice, coffee & tea RSVP's are a must! Formal/costume-color theme is SPARKLES! Food by Momma Theresa's, entertainment and ritual to follow! Performing will be Raquy & the Cavemen/Trisha McBride & her troupe of Bellydancers!

Link: http://www.bridscloset.com

2. Classes and events at the store!

Bellydance Classes with Elizabeth Muise @ Brid's Closet, Fridays at 7pm! Learn the art of Middle Eastern Dance (Bellydance) and the modern twist of Tribal Fusion technique. Elizabeth Muise is a visual artist and a dancer. She has been dancing for eighteen years and bellydancing for seven of those years. She looks forward to sharing this beautiful art form with you! Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in! No need to show bellies (unless you want to!) and please bring water! Questions for Elizabeth? email redmuise@hotmail.com Classes $15 per class-8 week session-please RSVP! $18 per class-drop in Try to to reserve a space asap as I anticipate filling up quickly Our annual cookie swap! November 25 @ 6:30! Ahhhh..can you just smell the baked goods! Bring your homemade and baked cookies! We will be doing a cookie swap for the holidays!! Lots of people have been asking about this...If you can, please bring or make 3 dozen cookies to share! P.S. If you can, please bring a food donation (canned food or boxed) for the food bank in Cornwall! Blessings!! "You are invited to a Tastefully Simple Fundraiser taste testing party at Brid's Closet. December 6th. Friday. Tastefully Simple is gourmet food that is easy to make and fantastic to enjoy! Open and enjoy or add two ingredients for a meal that tastes like you went out for...at a fraction of the price. With food being the most popular item for holiday gift giving, you can plan on doing a lot of holiday shopping from your seat, not your feet! Best of all I will be donating 10% of the sales to Brid's Closet for Beltane. Come hungry, we will be taste testing between 15 and 20 different delicious items." Autumn Rain Miriam Your Tastefully Simple Consultant

Link: http://www.bridscloset.com

3. New stuff!

W have been working hard to get unique gifts in to the store, in time for the season!
New Machu Picchu necklaces, rings, and earrings! Beautiful jewelry, handmade in Peru, made of various semi-precious stones and art glass!
New 6 inch cauldrons in stock! perfect size for burning those holiday candles safely!
All new shipment of Brids Closet's own brand of oils (fragrance grade) and incense!
New Native American dreamcatchers!
All new belly dancing hip scarves and veils! Brad new artwork from our own Angel and Lorraine Marks.
New, handmade etched crystal glass astrological charts, on a lighted base. Each one is made to order. This same artist also etches mirrors with the Major arcana on them (images come from the Rider-waite deck) Custom orders are available!
Massage therapy and Reiki by Melissa Veraldo, Saturdays, by appt.
Melissa Veraldo: Ravensmagic@optonline.net
Hypnosis and past life regression by Ellen Montel at Brid's Closet. Ellen is a highly certified hypnotist, who can help you to lose weight, stop smoking and to work with other issues, using hypnotherapy to help as a tool.
Ellen: emhypnosis@aol.com

Gift certificates are available!

Link: http://www.bridscloset.com
Blessings everyone!! That's all for now. There was a lot to catch up on! Stay warm and safe this season!
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