My Beloved Nepa Kitty

This Samhain I must let go of a kindred spirit who was most dear to me, actually one of the most important love’s of my life…my baby kitty Nepa. Nepa was 17 and a half years old when he passed away this past July and I can honestly say I still hear him, see him and dream of him all the time…but at the same time I know he has moved on.

Nepa was the kind of cat that was more than a cat, more than a familiar, more than family but a part of my soul. He was my companion when I had no other, he was my keeper when things spun out of control and in my darkest moments he licked the tears right from my cheek.

His personality was that in which is almost unexplainable unless you knew him, his soul was old. If he liked you, he loved you. If he didn’t like you, you knew. He traveled with me from East Coast to West Coast and back and forth again. He was a foundling (in the snow) too soon to be weaned from his mom and up until the day he died would “make biscuits” every time he drank water. He used to suckle on stuffed animals and have sex with my teddy bear!!! He had a few friends and brothers along the way but most of all liked being the only child and a spoiled princess, yes I am pretty sure he was gay. He had a fierce side to him if he was f-d with but mostly just loved being tucked in at the end of each night and yes I mean blanket and all. We also used to dance together, don't ask.

Being my guardian in this lifetime Nepa, saw me through the hard times all the way through the birth of my 1^st daughter, Mazzy Love. He had a few health scares but held strong until he knew it would be okay for him to leave me, not that it was ever okay, but waiting until he knew I wouldn’t or couldn’t break. I held him tight in his last moments of life, tighter than ever and gave him every last ounce of love I could.

Ouch, I have to step back….

On the night I received his ashes back I couldn’t open them. Instead I needed to leave the house to get fresh air. When I arrived back at home there was this big golden cat howling and crying by my back steps. As I walked closer he ran up and followed me upstairs, meowing and rubbing against me the whole time. My husband said “you better talk to that cat” and as I sat down on the step and knew, just knew it was Nepa’s spirit borrowing another kitty to comfort me, yet again. I talked to this cat, and cried and went in and brought Nepa’s ashes out to put in his urn, so befitting of the cat he was. The whole time this cat sat next to me on the chair on the back porch. I gave him some of Nepa’s food and the “nip” and he hung out there until I went to bed…the next day he was gone and I have never seen him again.

I share my story with you as a reminder that this Samhain isn’t just about the people that have passed, but also about our furry family.

I have created a ritual candle spell for kitty’s that have passed this year (sorry dog lovers it’s nothing personal) in honor of my beloved Nepa Kitty. We were soul mates, this I do know. And I do know I will see him again someday, in some form.

This is my first step to releasing him and as hot tears run down my face, I know the veil’s are getting thin…I can already feel it.

Burn Baby, Burn.

Fire!

We are moving into the “dark season,” pretty much my favorite time of the year, and with that comes FIRE! Fire to keep warm, fire to light the dark, fire to purge and cleanse and fire to celebrate.

This year I started off my dark season by sending a package (something I have been harboring for way to long) off with a friend to Burning Man, while I had another friend who was there scribe a message to my dearly beloved Nepa Kitty (who just passed). Even though I wasn’t there physically, seeing the pictures and the burning temple gave me such a release…one that is always indescribable in this kind of ritual release. Check out this video of the temple burning: Burning Man 2009

We all feel the power of fire, whether it’s burning your finger on a match or watching fires of great magnitude such as forest fires…but that is not the only way to feel the power of the flame.

Candle magic and fire rituals such as fire scrying and banishment spells are common ways in which to work with the positive, cleansing and empowering nature of fire. I cannot think of one spiritual ritual that does not incorporate the use of fire even on your birthday’s when wish on your candles, you are using the flame to focus your wish and the smoke from the flame to carry it into the universe.

It is one of the greatest ways to purge or cleanse out the old especially on Samhain, the beginning of the New Year. Burn those journals! Burn those Beltane braids! Burn the negativity! At the same time we celebrate Day of the Dead or All soul's Day light those candles and honor your ancestors and the spirits walking among you guiding you, fuel their warmth during the cool autumn days and cold winter nights.

For ritual work, aside from the use of fire whether with candles, fire pit or cauldron, there are other ways to call forth its energy. The following is a list of herbs, plants, gemstones, colors, etc., which are associated with the element of Fire.

Colors- Red, orange, gold, bright yellow

Stones/Gems- Fire opal, Topaz, Jasper, volcanic rock, clear quartz

Rituals- Energy, authority, protection, banishment of negativity, courage