August NewsLetter 2009

[Neamhain Riona]

~August~



August 1: Festival of New Bread among the Celtic countries.

August 13 & 15 : Diana of the Wildwood and Hecate, the Dark mother of the Moon.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Correspondences

Nature Spirits: Dryads
Herbs: Chamomile, St Johns, Wort, Bay, Angelica, Fennel, Rue, Orange
Colors: Yellow, Marigold
Flowers: Sunflowers, Marigolds
Scents: Frankincese, Heliotrope
Stones: Cat's eyes, carnelian, jasper, fire agate.
Trees: Hazel, Alder, Cedar.
Animals: Lions, Phoenix, Sphinx, Dragon
Birds: Crane, Falcon, Eagle
Deities: Ganesha, Thoth, Hathor, Diana, Hecate, Nemesis
Power Flow: Energy into harvesting: gathering, appreciating. Vitality, Health Friendships.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Olde Sayings and Lore

* An old english harvest moon ritual was to gather a key, a ring, a flwoer, a sprig of willow, a small cake, a crust of bread, 10 of clubs, 9 of hearts, ace of spades, and ace of diamonds. Wrap these in a handkerchief and place them under your pillow. Say upon going to bed: Luna every woman's friend, to me they goodness and condescend. Let me this night in visons see Emblems of my destiny>

If you dream of storms, it means coming trouble; if the storms end, a calm fate after strife. If you dream of a ring or the ace of diamonds, marriage; bread , a good job, cake, prosperity; flowers, joy willow, treachery in love; spades, death; clubs living in a foreign land; diamonds, money, keys, great power ; birds, many children and geese, more then one marriage.

* The english had a saying: that if a member of the family died at the time of the new moon, three deaths would follow.

* The fenland country of england is a very strange place and has kept its superstitions longer than other areas. The say that if public dinners are not held at full moon, Tragedy will follow. Since fenland roads are built high above the marshy land and boredered on both sides by deep ditches, one can see why this is more sense than superstition.

* Many cultures felt that it was extremely unluckey to point at the moon, and that curtseys to the moon would bring a present before the next change of moon.

*Originally, the term moon-struck or moon-touched meant chosen by the goddess and these people were considered to be blessed.

*A moon-calf now means someone who is absent0minded or not very bright. At one time it described a person who was so carried away by love of the goddess that he/she was nearly obliviiours to the world around them.

* It was often said that if a person was born at full moon, he or she would have a lucky life.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Goddess of the Month

Hecate


Hecate, Greek goddess of the three paths, guardian of the household, protector of everything newly born, and the goddess of witchcraft -- once a widely revered and influential goddess, the reputation of Hecate has been tarnished over the centuries. In current times, she is usually depicted as a "hag" or old witch stirring the cauldron.

But nothing could be further from the image of Hecate's original glory.

A beautiful and powerful goddess in her own right, the Greek goddess Hecate was the only one of the ancient Titans who Zeus allowed to retain their authority once the Olympians seized control. Zeus shared with Hecate, and only her, the awesome power of giving humanity anything she wished (or withholding it if she pleased).

Usually classified as a "moon goddess", her kingdoms were actually three-fold . . . the earth, sea, and sky. Having the power to create or withhold storms undoubtedly played a role in making her the goddess who was the protector of shepherds and sailors.

A lover of solitude, the Greek goddess Hecate was, like her cousin Artemis, a "virgin" goddess, unwilling to sacrifice her independent nature for the sake of marriage. Walking the roads at night or visiting cemeteries during the dark phase of the moon, the goddess Hecate was described as shining or luminous.

In other legends she is invisible, perhaps only glimpsed as a light, a "will-o-the-wisp". Perhaps it was this luminous quality that marked Hecate as a "moon goddess", for she seemed quite at home on the earth.

Some scholars believe it is also was because her mother was Asteria (the Titan goddess of the Shining Light or "Star") or perhaps it was because she sensibly always carried a torch on her journeys.


Like Artemis, Hecate was usually depicted with her sacred dogs, although Hecate and even her animals, were sometimes said to have three heads and that they could see in all directions. Although usually depicted as a beautiful woman having three human heads, some images are fearsome indeed (one with a snake's head, one with a horse's, and the third a boar's head).

This farsightedness, the ability to see in several directions at once (even the past, present, and future) featured largely in her most famous myth, the abduction of Persephone. For it was the goddess Hecate who "saw" and told the frantic Demeter what had become of her daughter.

The goddess Hecate continued to play an important role in the life of Persephone, becoming her confidante when she was in the Underworld. Hades, thankful for their friendship, was more than hospitable, honoring Hecate as a prominent and permanent guest in the spirit world. Surely this had the effect of enhancing her reputation as a spirit of black magic with the power to conjure up dreams, prophecies, and phantoms.

Hecate's ability to see into the Underworld, the "otherworld" of the sleeping and the dead, made her comfortable and tolerant in the company of those most would shun out of fear or misunderstanding.


In her role as 'Queen of the Night', sometimes traveling with a following of "ghosts" and other social outcasts, she was both honored and feared as the protectress of the oppressed and of those who lived "on the edge". In Rome many of the priests in her sacred groves were former slaves who had been released to work in her service.

The goddess Hecate was often accompanied on her travels by an owl, a symbol of wisdom. Not really known as a goddess of wisdom, per se, Hecate is nevertheless recognized for a special type of knowledge and is considered to be the goddess of trivia.

Hecate's farsightedness and attention to detail, combined with her extraordinary interest in that which most of us discount as irrelevant or arcane, gave her tremendous powers.

She knew what the rest of us did not.




Not surprisingly, the people thought it best to give the goddess Hecate (and any friends that might be accompanying her) a lot of honor and a fairly wide berth. When darkness descended they wisely retired to the fireside for supper, but put the leftovers outside as an offering to Hecate and her hounds.

That the homeless and destitute were often the actual beneficiaries hardly mattered...after all, they were under Hecate's protection.

In a similar fashion, food was often left at the crossroads to honor Hecate, especially at junctions where three roads converged --what we often call a "Y-intersection".

Frequently a pole was erected at the intersection and three masks would be hung from it to pay homage to Hecate and to request her guidance in helping to choose the right direction.

Three-faced masks also adorned the entrances of many homes, honoring the goddess Hecate who could, of course, wield her influence over "the spirits that traveled the earth" to keep them from entering the household.

It is hardly surprising that a woman who needed to make a trip alone at night would say a brief prayer to Hecate to seek her protection. The goddess Hecate, like her cousin Artemis, was known as a protector of women, especially during childbirth.

Not only was Hecate called upon to ease the pains and progress of a woman's labor, but especially to protect and restore the health and growth of a child.

Similarly, Hecate played a role that, in contemporary times, we would describe as "hospice nurse", helping the elderly make a smooth and painless passage into the next life and staying with them, if need be, in the otherworld to help prepare them for their eventual return to the earth in their next life.

Familiar with the process of death and dying as well as that of new birth and new life, the goddess Hecate was wise in all of earth's mysteries.

The Greek goddess Hecate reminds us of the importance of change, helping us to release the past, especially those things that are hindering our growth, and to accept change and transitions. She sometimes asks us to let go of what is familiar, safe, and secure and to travel to the scary places of the soul.

New beginnings, whether spiritual or mundane, aren't always easy. But Hecate is there to support and show you the way.

She loans her farsightedness for you to see what lies deeply forgotten or even hidden, and helps you make a choice and find your path. Oft times she shines her torch to guide you while you are in dreams or meditation.

Hecate teaches us to be just and to be tolerant of those who are different or less fortunate, yet she is hardly a "bleeding heart", for Hecate dispenses justice "blindly" and equally.

Whether the Greek goddess Hecate visits us in waking hours or only while we sleep, she can lead us to see things differently (ourselves included) and help us find greater understanding of our selves and others.

Although her name may mean "The Distant One", Hecate is always close at hand in times of need, helping us to release the old, familiar ways and find our way through new beginnings.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Hecate's Symbols

General:
Torch, dark moon, raisin & currant cakes, crossroads, three-headed animals or statues, the number 3, masks, and candles.


Animals:
Dogs, horses, sheep (especially black female lambs), owls, bats, snakes, and boars.


Plants:
Willows, dark yew, blackthorn, groves of trees, saffron, raisins and currants, and gourds (especially pumpkins)


Perfumes/Scents:
Queen of the Night (a light flowery fragrance), cinnamon, myrrh, mugwort, honey, lime, and lemon verbena


Gems and Metals:
Sapphire, silver, gold, moonstone, black tourmaline, black onyx, hematite, smoky quartz and any stone that is dark or luminous


Colors:
Black, orange, yellow-orange, and red-orange

 

[Visual_Andy]

Quiche Lorraine
Makes 10 servings

Needed:
15 ounces refrigerated piecrust
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
10 slices bacon, chopped
2 onions, peeled and chopped
2 cups heavy cream
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions:
1.Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a nine and a half inch dish with piecrust. Top with foil and pie weights. Bake 8 minutes. Remove weights; bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F.
2. In a 12 inch skillet over medium heat, cook bacon 5 minutes. Drain, cool, and crumble. Remove all but 1 Tablespoon of the bacon drippings; add onions and cook 8 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Spoon over crust. Top with bacon and remaining cheese.
3. In bowl, whisk together heavy cream and eggs. Pour over fillings. Add chives. Bake for 1 hour, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes.


Orange-Strawberry Salad
Makes 4 servings

Needed:
3 navel oranges
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
1 head curly leaf lettuce
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onions
1 cup halved strawberries

Directions:
1. Using a sharp utility or paring knife, cut the peels from the oranges. Segment oranges over a bowl. In the same bowl, squeeze juice from the remaining pith and membranes; stir in balsamic vinaigreete. Set aside.
2. Arrange the curly leaf lettuce on platter. Top with sliced red onions, segmented oranges, and strawberry halves.
3. Drizzle orange juice-vinaigrette dressing over the salad. Gently toss salad to coat evenly, if desired.


Lemon-Dill Biscuits
Makes 10 servings

Needed:
1/3 cup fresh dill, divided
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup whole pink peppercorns
flour

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Chop 2 tablespoons of the dill. In a medium bowl, use wooden spoon to stir together the baking mix, milk, chopped dill, and lemon zest. Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead the mixture 10 times.
2. Using lightly floured rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/2" thickness. Using a 3"x3 1/2" tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut the dough; reroll scraps as necessary. Using a pastry brush, coat the trees with beaten egg.
3. Arrange the remaining dill on top of each tree, fanning it into a decorative pattern. Garnish each tree with pink peppercorn clusters. Place the biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet; bake for 9 minutes, or until lightly golden.


Strawberry Cheesecake In A Glass
Makes 4 servings

Needed:
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 tablespoons of currant jelly or 2 tablespoons of sugar
8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons of milk
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 cup of whipped topping
1 cup of graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
Toss strawberries with jelly or sugar in a bowl; cover and set aside. In a mixer bowl, beat cheese, milk, lemon juice, and sugar until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Spoon 2 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs into each of four 8-10 ounce stemmed glsases; top each with about 1/4 cup of berries, 1/2 cup of cream cheese mixture, then remaining crumbs and strawberries, dividing evenly. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 6 hours.


Creamy Strawberry-Banana Milkshake

Needed:
1 cup of milk (or half cup of vitamin D-enriched skim milk with half cup of Silk Soymilk Plus for Bone Health)
1/2 cup strawberry flavored yogurt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of frozen strawberries
1/4 cup of frozen banana slices
4 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine the ingredients in a blender


Fruity White Sangria
Makes six servings

Needed:
1 pear and/or apple, cored and sliced
1 cup of grapes
1 orange, sliced
One 750 ml bottle of sparkling cider
One 32 ounce carton of pineapple juice

Directions:
Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and then divide the mixture into 6 glasses.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Lammas Ritual
Scott Cunningham

Place upon the altar sheaves of wheat, barley or oats, fruit and breads, perhaps a loaf fashioned in the figure of the Sun or a man to represent the God. Corn dollies, symbolic of the goddess, can be present there as well.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones.

Recite the Blessing Chant.

Invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the altar, holding aloft the sheaves of grain, saying these or similar words:

Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when bounties of nature give of themselves
so that we may survive.
O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain,
grant me the understanding of sacrifice as you
prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the
goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
teach me the secrets of rebirth
as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.
Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall onto the altar. Lift a piece of fruit and bit, savouring it flavour, and say:

I partake of the first harvest, mixing its energies
with mine that I may continue my quest for the starry
wisdom of perfection.
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be buried in
the Mothers breast, ensuring rebirth in the warmth
of the coming Spring.
Consume the rest of the fruit.

Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.

Celebrate the Simple Feast.

The circle is released.

It is appropriate to plant the seeds from the fruit consumed in ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Goddess and God.