I'm letting a couple copper pipes and copper scouring pads soak in white vinegar and salt in the sun in order to make a bright blue ink. But last night under the full moon, I tried to light a couple candles to pray and consider the differences between the moon and the ocean. The ink has to sit for up to three weeks in order to really soak the rust out of the copper, which takes a fair amount of patience.

I had a good conversation about the power of intention when I'm practicing these things. To an extent, tradition and action is important, but also just doing *something* with your hands to go along with your words or intentions is all that you really need. Tonight I'm going to try to move the vinegar into a glass jar from the plastic one it's in. I'm also going to grab some of the charred wood left over from the last fire to grind up to make India ink too. It's fun to make this stuff at night, it's like my own little secret time to myself, tucked away at the end of my little glen.

I'd like to try a dark red ink, too. But I can't find any berries around where I live and I don't want to just get a bunch of cranberries from the store. Maybe a pomegranate? That might be a nice ink, now that I think about it. Will update with the results.