Jennifer David Hesse's Blog, page 3
June 21, 2019
How to Celebrate the Sun when there is No Sun
Backyard Rose - Photo by Scott Hesse Happy Summer Solstice! Here it is the longest day of the year, the first day of summer, and... a chilly, cloudy day here in Chicago. I'm wearing a sweater and my hands are cold. Grr.In fact, there's been a lot of wind, rain, and gray skies lately. In this decidedly un-summerlike weather, it makes it a little hard to get excited about the summer solstice. But instead of grousing about it, I decided to take a more positive approach. Here are my three thoug...
May 31, 2019
Magical Rabbits
Photo by Scott Hesse Howdy, bunny! As prevalent as rabbits are, especially at this time of the year, I still find it a little exciting every time I spot one. You too? There's something special about rabbits.Last weekend, at a graduation party, all the kids were thrilled to find some baby bunnies. (Somehow I missed the show. Must have been eating cake or basking in the welcome sunshine!)
Photo by Scott Hesse That was a cute little country bunny. Of course, we have rabbits in the city...
April 3, 2019
A Spell for the New Moon
Do you pay attention to the moon?As surely as the sun comes up and goes down, the moon is in the sky, quietly rotating through her phases, night after night.
And it's so powerful! The gravitational pull of the moon is so strong, it causes the Earth to bulge--and the tides to rise--twice a day. And we've all heard about the mysterious connection between women's bodies and the lunar cycle.
Witches believe the energy of the moon can be harnessed and directed toward magical ends.
Plenty of...
March 20, 2019
Springing forward into the NEW
Happy Spring Equinox!
I don't think I've ever been happier to welcome the spring. I'm not gonna lie-- this has been one long, hard winter. Not only was the weather brutal, but there were some deep, personal stresses in my life and the lives of some of my loved ones over the past few months. I'm happy-- SO happy-- to report that things are now looking up. And not a moment too soon.
It's as if the light outside is reflecting brighter days in my own life.
Of course, spring has always been a...
I don't think I've ever been happier to welcome the spring. I'm not gonna lie-- this has been one long, hard winter. Not only was the weather brutal, but there were some deep, personal stresses in my life and the lives of some of my loved ones over the past few months. I'm happy-- SO happy-- to report that things are now looking up. And not a moment too soon.
It's as if the light outside is reflecting brighter days in my own life.
Of course, spring has always been a...
February 27, 2019
Observing Nature...plus a giveaway!
Whew! I got this post in under the wire! I like to make a point of posting on this blog at least once a month, and this month almost got away from me. What in the world have I been doing (besides trying to stay warm!)?
Our back yard after the 2/12/19 ice storm (Photo by Scott Hesse)Well, among other things, I've been working on the copy-edits for Book #6, Autumn Alibi (coming in September 2019). Did you catch the cover reveal earlier this month? I've also been brainstorming ideas for subsequen...
Our back yard after the 2/12/19 ice storm (Photo by Scott Hesse)Well, among other things, I've been working on the copy-edits for Book #6, Autumn Alibi (coming in September 2019). Did you catch the cover reveal earlier this month? I've also been brainstorming ideas for subsequen...
January 16, 2019
New Year, New Books!
Happy New Year!
Never mind that we're nearly three weeks into January already. The year is still young. There's still plenty of time to set goals, make resolutions, and choose a "word of the year," if you're so inclined.
For that matter, there's no reason you can't do any of those things at the end of the calendar year either. As they say, "A new day, a new beginning." But I've always liked using the top of the year as an opportunity to take stock and make plans. I even bought a planner for th...
Never mind that we're nearly three weeks into January already. The year is still young. There's still plenty of time to set goals, make resolutions, and choose a "word of the year," if you're so inclined.
For that matter, there's no reason you can't do any of those things at the end of the calendar year either. As they say, "A new day, a new beginning." But I've always liked using the top of the year as an opportunity to take stock and make plans. I even bought a planner for th...
October 30, 2018
Trick or Treat!
Blessed Samhain & Happy Halloween! It's that lovely time of year again, when leaves whirl from the sky and Nature puts on her awe-inspiring display... from the jewel-toned trees to the watercolor skies. It's a time to breathe deeply of the earth and appreciate the moment. Because the moment goes so fast! 
To be honest, I'm not ready for October to be over already. I didn't even make it to a pumpkin patch this year! In fact, this just might be the first year in well over a dozen that I...
September 21, 2018
Celebrating the Wheel of the Year (+ a cover reveal!)
Season's Greetings!
The fall season, that is. Lol. Isn't it funny how we only say "Season's Greetings" at the winter holiday time of year? When, really, the sentiment could apply at any turn of the season. Aren't all four seasons cause for celebration? (At least in the beginning!)
Speaking of celebrations, I was recently thinking about a special tablecloth that has been passed down in my family. My grandma used it when my mom was growing up, and my mom used it when I was growing up. I t...
The fall season, that is. Lol. Isn't it funny how we only say "Season's Greetings" at the winter holiday time of year? When, really, the sentiment could apply at any turn of the season. Aren't all four seasons cause for celebration? (At least in the beginning!)
Speaking of celebrations, I was recently thinking about a special tablecloth that has been passed down in my family. My grandma used it when my mom was growing up, and my mom used it when I was growing up. I t...
August 24, 2018
Samhain Secrets – Book Signing + Giveaway
Happy Friday!
Can you believe we’re nearing the end of August already? I’m not ready to say good-bye to summer yet. I’ve been enjoying the sunshine and warmth here in Chicago. And I just LOVE having my lunch outside under the trees beside the fountains in the Art Institute garden. It’s such a lovely break in the middle of my work day. I’ll take as many of these days as I can get!
Backyard flowers - photo by Scott Hesse Still, this past week I’ve noticed a hint of autumn in the cooling air...
Can you believe we’re nearing the end of August already? I’m not ready to say good-bye to summer yet. I’ve been enjoying the sunshine and warmth here in Chicago. And I just LOVE having my lunch outside under the trees beside the fountains in the Art Institute garden. It’s such a lovely break in the middle of my work day. I’ll take as many of these days as I can get!
Backyard flowers - photo by Scott Hesse Still, this past week I’ve noticed a hint of autumn in the cooling air...
July 31, 2018
Happy Lughnasadh - Now get outside!
Lovely LughnasadhLucky Lughnasadh
Laughing, lighthearted, laid-back Lughnasadh
Happy Lughnasadh!
Are you familiar with this word? Lughnasadh is a holiday on the Wheel of the Year, celebrated by Wiccans and other Pagans as the “First Harvest.” Falling on August 1st, it’s known as a cross-quarter holiday, because it’s halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. To me, it seems like a perfect time to kick back and enjoy the summer in full bloom, while also looking forward to the s...
