thimble list for October and November's letter to love

Ink-Stained Compass is the weekly newsletter of poet and witch Caitlin Gemmell. It is for seekers of stories and magic, and for those who wish to live a life of enchanted simplicity. If you enjoy these newsletters and wish to subscribe, your support means so much to me. Also, a like and a share go a long way to helping my newsletters find more readers, so thank you for taking a moment to show your appreciation.

Hello lovely,

Happy November! And Happy Samhain. Did you do anything fun to celebrate Halloween/Samhain?

How quickly this year has traveled! This year in particular, I’ve been paying attention to glimmers, or moments of joy within the mundane. I like to reflect on these moments, recording them in my journal, and then share the highlights with you each month.

Photo by Didier VEILLON on Unsplash

I also call this list my “thimble list,” or “moments of enchanted simplicity.”

In a moment, I will share my thimble list for October, but first I wanted to mention something else I’ve been focusing on this year and share poetry news.

First of all, thanks to

Elizabeth Gilbert

I have been writing letters to love. This practice has contributed a great deal to my healing, and I encourage you to adopt this practice as well.

After sharing my thimble list, I have included my Letter to Love for November for my paid subscribers (plus another little surprise).

Poetry News

1. My poem “Nature is My Religion” was published by Kind Over Matter. You can find it on their poetry corner page, right here.

2. Remember when I mentioned I had a poem forthcoming in an anthology by Green Ink Poetry? It has been published! The anthology is a collection of poems that utilize kennings. My poem is about a selkie. The anthology is available right here.

Thimble List for October

1. On a walk with my son, we stopped to chat with our neighbor and her lovely dog, Bruno, and as we chatted a huge carpet of leaves danced towards us, carried by the west wind. It was pure magic. It felt like all the spirits and ancestors out to play and make their presence known.

2. Noticing the red and peach leaves against a deep blue sky. It was so breathtakingly beautiful. I just love color!

3. Walking with my son, wearing matching shoes. It’s a little thing I’ve always wanted — mother/child matching outfits. Though not a full outfit, it tickled my romantic heart.

4. Getting into a rhythm with Reiki again.

5. Reconnecting with a dear cousin during her visit.

6. Helping a neighbor in the community garden and really appreciating the community here.

7. Thanks to another neighbor, sorting through clothes with my son to donate for Hurrican Helene disaster relief, and feeling grateful for what we have and what we can give.

8. Moments alone to soak up the sunshine, enjoy a cup of tea, and contemplate my path.

9. Rainbows from the crystal prism in my window that formed a circle.

10. Excitement at the beginning of a beautiful sisterhood.

11. Smelling rain in the air and knowing that it was on the way.

12. A shared chocolate croissant.

13. Powerful dreams.

14. Surprise letters from friends.

15. The comfort found in reading Mary Oliver’s poetry while under the weather.

16. The healing received from reading and completing the activities in the book How to Heal After Narcissistic Abuse by Caroline Strawson. It’s a wonderful book that delves into positive psychology and somatic trauma therapy approaches to healing. I highly recommend it.

The list could go on and on, and it was tricky choosing less than 20! I journal every day, so my thimble list is GIGANTIC. I hope you find little moments of enchantment, beauty, or joy every day too.

Much love,

Cinders

PAID SUBSCRIBERS:

keep reading…