Hello,
And Happy Fourth of July!

Baby it is HOT outside! We have had blistering heat and dry conditions here at home in the St. Louis area. Over the last few consecutive days we have topped out at 107, 104, 102 and finally 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday some rain came through the area but missed my house and town all together! The temperatures dropped from 100 degrees to 84 degrees with the wind and thunder but only a little sprinkle fell in my town. Doing our trees absolutely no good at all. Here's hoping we get some rain today. As the humidity is back up, we have another chance for rain this afternoon. (Fingers crossed.)

Tonight we have a full moon. Which is sometimes referred to as the "Thunder Moon", due to the thunderstorms that are common in the summer months. I can only hope that it lives up to its' name.

In my town they ARE going ahead with the fireworks and the local parade tomorrow. I think because they shoot the fireworks off from a barge in the Missouri River, they can pull it off. Many cities around us have cancelled their fireworks- its too dry and there are real concerns about wild fires starting. Today they are calling for 98 degrees, which sounds fabulous- considering where we have been.

So for now I carefully water the perennial gardens in the morning and the pots and containers get watered once in the morning and once at night. The lawn I have given up on. It can go dormant. It will always green back up in the fall- or if we get rain again.

If you would like to learn more about the full moon and its' magick, consider taking my affordable online class on "Full Moon Magick". The mini-class comes with an introduction, syllabus, and the lessons. Of course it comes with 14 full moon rituals and there is a Blue Moon ritual and lunar eclipse ritual included as well. Here is the direct link to my website. Ellen's Online Classes
Just scroll down and choose the class you'd like and use the handy Paypal buttons on the page. Simple, safe and fast!

That Blue Moon ritual will come in handy next month- as we will have a 2nd full moon at the end of August this year. The first full moon of August is on August 1st EST and the second full moon (blue moon) occurs on the 31st of August EST.

I finished up a new book proposal and shipped it out to Llewellyn yesterday. So I am ready to relax and enjoy the holiday. My family is getting together tomorrow to celebrate the fourth of July. I am making pulled pork in the crock-pot, coleslaw, pasta salad, veggie crudites and red white and blue cupcakes. My adult sons are bringing the beer, wine coolers and chips. I am really looking forward to relaxing and spending time with my family.

I hope you and yours enjoy a safe and happy Independence day!
Blessed be, Ellen

Fireworks in Downtown St. Louis