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 Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:09 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:10 am
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- Our Imbolc/Lammas celebration is currently going on. It ends on February 7th, so be sure to get in there and enter as many contests/play as many games as you can so you can win lots of gold!
- Our current Mod Squad lineup looks like this:
Captain: dark_angel_32189
Vice Captains: LughsMondKind, koudelkaW, and too2sweet.
Crew Members: Soul of Solitude, Starlock, MiladyMidnight, AmyK02, and JVCA
On that note, each member of the Mod Squad now has a little crew badge in their signature. Here's an example of what they look like:
They all look roughly the same, only they're personalized to each different crew member. Every badge will have all of the same elements. If you see any member trying to impersonate a crew member by making a false badge for their signatures, please alert a crew member immediately. If you're ever unsure of who is/isn't a crew member, just check the guild homepage...we're all listed on the bottom. smile
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:13 am
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Please welcome our new members!:
SenorxDiablo, Paladin Uriel, Suburban Druid, Alora Tyganashi, Tawnybmw12, Kher_the_angel_reborn, KynaMarioc, Luna D_W, Slvrmnchld, Neurotripsy, crazy_burrito, Molak, Kyoko Rayne, Love_of_Jushiro, buggie15, LughsMondKind, snow white666, Senretsu, Dorian Lovecraft, BrokenAngel_R, The Harlequin Jester, Niamh willow, chenzelite, `Blaise, Captain Eliana, Seahawk Amy, chakoralbion, Roufette, chubathang1165, BloodMoon333, Requiem of Whyspers, captains bootie, Things Like Chemistry, Nessie Black, Sexuelle Marchen, Bunny Hermione, and hitRewind.
February Birthdays:
February 9th - - veronikapwns, Yuuto_Kigai, and Final Fantasey
Febuary 10th - - manga-gal
February 14th - - gothic destiny818
February 15th - - too2sweet
February 16th - - Snows_Silence
February 19th - - JVCA and madwitch501
February 21st - - wolfsbanemoon
February 25th - - WelkingPath
February 26th - - Thorn Ella and Daine Salmalin
February 27th - - ThisisAidan
February 29th - - koudelkaW
We'd also like to recognize all the January birthdays since we didn't have a January issue:
January 1st - - dawnlupin and JeanMorgan
January 2nd - - kasai_angel
January 3rd - - Shinigami-Rem_Death-Note
January 4th - - Phoenixfire Lune Soleil and rikuizo
January 8th - - vampire_Kitty
January 9th - - Matthyboy
January 12th - - Runeteller
January 14th - - yarrownick
January 16th - - fallen_angel_216 and shaddowchild
January 17th - - starkbane
January 19th - - Josephine
January 22nd - - keltycphoenyx and AmethystLexi
January 23rd - - Indigo Night Vision
January 24th - - SwirlingDark
January 25th - - Lysdexic Lolerskate and Little-Lenah
January 26th - - Tazzy Wolfstar, Phoeona, and fire_mistress_fuega
January 28th - - AgentAbhorrence and xBrokenMelodyx
January 31st - - Sanutamar
Member Art
If you'd like to have some artwork of yours featured in the paper for the whole guild to see, please send a PM to Blessed_Scribe. This can be anything from sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, poetry, short stories, etc. You will be payed for anything that is featured.
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:14 am
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 Abilities - ClairsentienceWritten by Fairy Fox
Clairsentience means "clear feeling" in French. Clairsentience is the ability to get a glimpse into other realities or entities through touch. This would happen when a psychic lays their hands on someone, or if they touch something that contains a link to some other world that they can see. Clairsentience can manifest itself in lots of ways. It's also very hard to explain or diagnose in someone.
There are many different ways that clairsentience can present itself. Many people experience a tickling sensation on the body when it comes into contact with the spirit, usually in the face, hands, or the neck. It also is the sensation when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when in the presence of a spirit. This most often occurs when that person is not aware of their abilities. It's often written off as something else, but Clairsentience is what that is. That is why so many people don't realize they have this ability. This ability can also be felt as a sensation on the left side of your face when you are talking with a spirit. This happens because the energy of the spirit will enter through your left side and exit through the right.
Clairsentience can also present itself as a feeling of pressure on the crown, or the top of your head, or in other areas of the body. In rare cases, you might feel a blow to somewhere on your body, a very physical blow. Clairsentience could also present itself as something that would be very subtle. It could be a cool breeze that you feel or certain scents that you are able to smell, such as perfume, flowers or other things. Basically, it's the gut feeling you get about something. What you're doing is using your second chakra, the spleen center (located just below the belly button), to sense things on an emotional level.
No matter how clairsentience manifests itself, it is an ability that is the hardest to interpret and notice. There are many people who have the ability of clairsentience but who are unsure or unaware of what it is. They pass it off as a coincidence. If you have a tendency to feel strange things, or to smell or notice things that aren't there, you probably have clairsentience.
There are many ways to see if you have this ability. One way is to talk to another psychic. They can give you more insight into the ability, how to focus and hone in on your abilities. Or maybe just a way to control it a bit.
-----
Sources:
Your Intuition
Clairvoyance
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:15 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:16 am
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The last article covered daily devotionals and their importance. I encourage you to continue these as you walk your own Path throughout your life—no matter your religion.
But this month’s article is going to—I hope—encourage you to pick up another skill that some pagans feel greatly helps in their practice. This can help magickally, spiritually, and can even be a source of income, though it’s not highly recommended.
Divination comes in many forms, including, but certainly not limited to, yes/no stones, tarot cards, runes, and scrying. There are various other forms of divination, but these are some of the most common.
Everyone has their own form of divination that they feel works best for them. If you can, try various forms to see which one will work the best for you. Research these different forms, and feel free to find, or even make up, your own. I’ll give you what I know of these forms, and where I think you should start with researching each.
Yes/No Stones: These are the simplest form of divination. One can choose “stones” (which could be both real stones or small objects) to represent yes and no. Then one should put them in a small bag. Ask a simple yes-or-no question and pull out a stone. There’s your answer!
Tarot: These are very common. Most of my friends read tarot cards, and those that do not are learning, or plan on learning. It is very important that if you do decide to go with this form of divination, however, that you choose the deck that’s right for you. Often there will be a little booklet that comes with the deck—this will probably have a short description of the card and/or a meaning. Sometimes these books have meanings for upright as well as reversed. It is important to learn these meanings, but it is more important to follow your intuition when you are reading tarot cards.
Beginning Tarot
Getting to know your deck
Runes: Runes are also a very popular form of divination. Individual runes are written on stones, clay tiles, wood chips, pieces of metal or plastic, or even candy. These are often put in a bag and shook and then “cast,” though casting varies from reader to reader.
Runes
Scrying: Scrying is one of the most difficult forms of divination, but some people have a knack for it. It is best to have some sort of idea of symbols that your subconscious uses to communicate with your conscious—dream symbols can work.
Scrying
Make sure you research these different forms before you find the one that’s right for you. There are other forms out there, so feel free to go hunting for more information on the vast topic of divination.
Here’s another article on the topic: Divination
Happy findings!
Blessed Be
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:18 am
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 Book Review - Triumph of the MoonWritten by too2sweet
TITLE: Triumph of the Moon
AUTHOR: Ronald Hutton
PAGES: 486 pages
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1999
SYNOPSIS (from amazon.com): This book offers the first full-scale scholarly study of the only religion England has ever given the world: modern pagan witchcraft. Ronald Hutton examines the nature of this religion, its development, and attitudes toward it in British society since 1800, presenting an authoritative insight into a hitherto little-known aspect of modern social history.
REVIEW: This is a book is for everyone who is interested in Wicca, Witchcraft or Paganism in general. By tracing the history of witches and witch cults in Britain from the 1800 onward, Ronald Hutton lays to rest some of the common misconceptions that have been spread around over the years. This book is especially of value to those who are interested in Wicca, because it is through Hutton’s research that we are able to get a clear picture of the true origins of Wicca. We are able to see that rather than the “ancient religion” that some people would like to claim it to be, it is in fact a religion that was founded in the early part of the twentieth century by Gerald Gardner. It discusses in depth, several other key figures in the history of Wicca and Witchcraft, such as Alex Sanders and Robert Cochrane. It also discusses from a historical perspective how we came to view the God and Goddess and the various components that make up the practice of witchcraft. Triumph of the Moon is a must have for any serious seeker. It provides an excellent understanding of where we have come from, that will help to build a strong foundation for our future practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronald Hutton is a History Professor at the University of Bristol in Bristol, England. His areas of expertise include the history of the British Isles (16th and 17th centuries), history of paganism and magic, and witchcraft beliefs. He has written numerous articles and books on these subjects, a full list of which can be found here.
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:20 am
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Diamonds! What girl doesn't love a good diamond? Diamonds are a traditional gemstone for the month of April and are one of the most desired gems in the world. Diamonds were reportedly first found on shamans in the African continent by invaders and colonizers who grew quite desirous of their wealth and beauty. The shamans themselves believed that the diamonds were protective gems, keeping the shaman protected from the spiritual warfare he must engage in as part of his duties.
Diamonds naturally come in a rainbow of colors, but they are expensive and rare and usually cost quite a bundle. If a colored diamond costs less than you would expect, it's probably not real. Colored diamonds come in yellow, green, orange, brown, blue, pink, purple, black, and gray, as well as in-between colors.
Click here for a diamond color chart.
Regardless of color, diamonds are still one of the hardest gems known to man. There are several types of diamonds, but I don't believe these will have any difference on the magic that you are performing (the primary differences being minute chemical changes). Diamonds have been found in Angola, Australia, Borneo, Brazil, British Guyana, Canada, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Russia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Venezuela.
Magical Properties
Diamonds have been used for as long as man has known of their existence for a stone of protection and strength. They are straightforward stones that can be programmed for any specific task, but are most commonly used today as a symbol of love and loyalty in the form of engagement and wedding rings. However, diamonds are not a love producing stone, as they are too aggressive in their energies, and the modern use has no historical background. They are good symbols for fidelity and sexual strength and unity. Diamonds are also used to promote physical strength, mimicking the hardness of the stone. They may also be worn in order to heal sexual dysfunction. A six sided, cut diamond is also a good tool for physical protection, though it should be kept away from the eyes of those who would harm you. Like quartz, a diamond may be programmed to accept any type of energy you wish to use, but it is more aggressive than quartz and that tendency to strike instead of console should be kept in mind during all magical workings.
Energy: Projective, masculine
Healing: Sexual dysfunction
Zodiac Sign: Aries (birthstone)
Element: Fire
Chakra: Any, as it reflects a rainbow of colors
Tips on Using Stones
I just realized that I have never once given much advice on how to use stones, so from now on I'll be including this handy little section in each article so that you all can get some ideas if you've not had much practice using stones in magic.
Before you use a stone for the first time, I recommend purifying that stone. You can do this in a number of ways and should go with the way that is most appropriate and most comfortable for you. Also, if you plan on reusing the stone, I would recommend purifying it again so that you can reprogram it with your intent. Many stones can be worn for their desired effect, such as drawing love or giving courage. If, however, you wish to use a stone in a different way or have no way of carrying the stone with you at all times there are some other things you can do.
First, you can put your stone under your pillow at night. This will allow the energy from the stone to seep into your subconscious and work its will on you as you sleep. You can also put it under your mattress if you find that idea too uncomfortable. Any stone which helps aid sleeping or nightmare prevention should always be used in this way.
Secondly, you could create a mojo or gris-gris bag that you carry with you wherever you go. A simple cloth pouch is good enough, and you can add compatible herbs or other magical components in order to heighten the desired effect of the stone.
Thirdly, a stone can be used in spell craft in many different ways. You can anoint the stone with oils and leave it on your altar, or put it in your backpack to carry with you to school. You could use it as a tool to carve symbols into your candles during spells. You could use a stone as a tool for meditation or focus during spellwork, holding it and concentrating on it to focus your power and intentions. You could also use stones as offerings to your chosen gods, placing them on an altar or even returning them to the earth.
Finally, stones can be programmed with different intentions and placed around the home in order to fill the home with a desired effect. Some useful places to put stones include over a door or window, in front of a mirror, in the bathroom, or even in the kitchen.
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Sources:
Color Diamond Encyclopedia
Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:21 am
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1. Introduction
As we spoke about in part 1, Cartomancy is defined as the use of cards in order to divine the future. Tarot cards are the most commonly used cards for divination, and you can find them at almost every book store across the country. They come in a huge variety of styles, some more true to the original deck than others.
2. History
Tarot cards are actually based on playing cards, instead of the other way around. Many people believe that tarot came first, but it's actually not known when precisely tarot developed as a tool for divination. According to Wikipedia, "The oldest surviving Tarot cards are from fifteen fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family, the rulers of Milan." In many non-English speaking countries, card games using the tarot are more common than the use of tarot for divination. According to Wikipedia, "The first wide publicity of divination by tarot came from a French occultist named Alliette, under the pseudonym "Etteilla" (his name reversed), who worked as a seer and card diviner shortly before the French Revolution. Etteilla designed the first esoteric Tarot deck, adding astrological attributions and "Egyptian" motifs to various cards, altering many of them from the Marseilles designs, and adding divinatory meanings in text on the cards." Please see the Wikipedia article linked for more information.
3. The Cards
The most commonly referenced deck among New Age practitioners and other diviners is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck which became the Rider-Waite deck. It was created by two members of the Golden Dawn, a popular group of mystics and magicians from the early 1900's.
The modern deck of tarot cards traditionally consists of two halves, the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana includes cards usually numbered from 0 to 21, which have no suit. The Minor Arcana includes four suits of cards, each consisting of the Ace through the King of that suit, and including the Page or Princess of the particular suit. The four most common suits are Staves, Swords, Pentacles, and Cups, though sometimes these suits are altered to include Wands or Rods instead of Staves, and Disks or Coins instead of Pentacles.
The cards of the Major Arcana serve to tell a story--the story of the Fool--who begins the deck at card 0. The remainder of the cards represent people, places, and things that he witnesses on his journey. This journey is an allegorical statement for the progression of life and maturity that all people go through in order to achieve enlightenment.
4. Reading the Cards
Readings can be done with the use of only the Minor Arcana, only the Major Arcana, or both. The Minor Arcana generally speaks to details and more subtle factors influencing a given situation, while the Major Arcana generally speaks to broad strokes and general factors, as well as influences of a natural or supernatural kind. The face cards of each suit in the Minor Arcana often are intended to represent real people.
The most complicated aspect of reading the cards is that every card is laden with detail and symbolism that both reinforces the meaning of the card and complicates it. While it is possible, and quite useful, to memorize the simplistic meaning of each card, it is more enlightening and much more revealing to understand the symbols within each card. For example, a few cards contain the symbol for infinity which looks like a sideways number 8. This symbol in and of itself represents magical power, eternity, and importance. A good tarot dictionary will include a description of the most common symbols utilized by the cards, and a good deck will include these symbols in their unique interpretations.
Finally, there are many, many styles and layouts for reading and interpreting the cards. Almost any style you can think of can be used, so long as you can keep in mind what each card is meant to imply and mean within the reading as a whole. A few common layouts include the Celtic Cross, the Double Celtic Cross, the simple three or one card spreads, and the Astrological or Clock Spread. There are good sources on the internet and in books that will help you as you learn and remember these spreads.
Because there have been huge, exhaustive books written on the subject, please realize that this is just a small taste of what there is to know about tarot. I have included some wonderful, enlightening links for you to check out for more information.
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Sources & Helpful Links:
Tarot Page @ Wikipedia
Major Arcana @ Wikipedia
Minor Arcana @ Wikipedia
Learn Tarot.com
Aeclectic Tarot, an excellent resource
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:22 am
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 The Elements - Divination using the Elements: ScryingWritten by Starlock
It is the middle of winter for many of us and we're in a period of cleansing and purification. In our Gregorian calendar system, an old year has ended and a new year is beginning. It should be no surprise that many magically-inclined folk might be curious this time of year to do a little peeking 'beyond' to discern what that new year might hold in store!
Joyce & River Higginbotham in Pagan Spirituality Successful divination begins with the willingness to perceive information. An attitude of openness flows from a person's belief that this sort of information exists and is capable of being perceived.
Joyce & River Higginbotham in Pagan Spirituality The second aspect of successful divination is the use or application of the information received. This involves several skills, beginning with the interpretation of the information, and then discernment surrounding how to communicate or act on it.
The elements can be incorporated into divination in a variety of ways, but here I'd like to focus on a body of techniques that can be called scrying. In broad terms, scrying is any sort of focused concentration on a subject that brings about visions. While this is needed for all forms of divination, scrying in particular requires you to be open to receiving information from whatever medium you are using. As such, scrying is best done when in a relaxed, meditative state where your mind is clear from the concerns of the day. Scrying can also be challenging to interpret if you're not familiar with your own internal symbolic associations.
When choosing which element to scry with, consider the nature of the question you are asking. If you're looking for information about job prospects, gazing into a bowl filled with soil may be appropriate. On the other hand, if you're a writer looking for creative inspiration you may want to scry using the rising smoke of incense. If asking about a relationship, the spray of a fountain might be your choice.
Since in the cold of winter we might be comforted by scrying into our fireplace, here's a short chant by Scott Cunningham you can try:
Scott Cunningham in Earth, Air, Fire & Water Blazing fire As you dance, Give me now Secret glance. Call upon my Second Sight; Make me psychic With your light. Blazing fire Shining bright, Give me now the Second Sight.
PRINCIPLE SOURCES:
*** Cunningham, Scott. Earth, Air, Fire & Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic.
*** Higginbotham, Joyce & River. Pagan Spirituality: A Guide to Personal Transformation.
[and of course, this all builds on what has gone before!]
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:23 am
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Cailleach Pro. Kal-axe
Cailleach is a hag-goddess, often being associated with both the Scottish and Irish people. Her name directly translates from Scottish as "old woman" and she is considered to be synonymous with many different Scottish and Irish goddesses. Cailleach is also known as the "Queen of Winter", "Storm Hag" and "Wise Woman".
Cailleach is a fortune telling goddess of mystery, weather, and winter who fights the oncoming spring with her vicious storms. Many believe that she fights the coming spring because this is when she loses power and must transfer control over the earth to Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brid). She also carries a huge hammer with which she shapes the earth's hills and valleys, making them to her liking. Some stories proclaim Cailleach to be the mother of all other gods and goddesses, but she is long past child bearing age now.
On Imbolc, she is said to wander the earth gathering the wood she will need for the remainder of winter. You can predict the length of the coming winter by examining Imbolc's weather: If Imbolc is a fine, sunny day it is said that winter will last for much longer as Cailleach has need of the good weather in order to collect more wood. If Imbolc is cloudy then Cailleach is sleeping instead of gathering wood and the winter will end sooner than expected.
You can learn more about Cailleach by following the links in the sources section.
The Dagda
The Dagda, or the "good God", is a powerful father figure for the rest of the Gaelic gods. He is good at almost everything, though he figures most prominently as a god of the earth and of treaties. He is one of the strongest deities in all of Gaelic myth, and some people believe that all of the lesser male gods sprout from his figure and personhood. He is also the child of Danu, father of Brigid, Bodb Dearg, Cermait, Midir, Aine, and Aengus Mac Oc. He married The Morrigan and they mate every year on the first of the year.
The Dagda is often depicted with a club which can both take and give life, and is also associated with the cauldron, harp, and swine. He is indeterminately strong and extremely hungry. His powers are almost limitless, and he made the sun stand still for 9 months.
You can learn more about The Dagda by following the links provided.
---
Sources:
Cailleach @ Wikipedia
Cailleach @ Pantheon.Org
Cailleach @ Druidry.Org
The Dagda @ Pantheon.Org
The Dagda @ Wikipedia
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:24 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:25 am
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Hail and Welcome!
Come sit with me and we shall speak of Imbolc. It is deep into Winter now, and some days it seems as though Spring will never arrive.
At Imbolc (February 2nd) we celebrate the Goddess' recovery form the God’s birth at Yule. She is the maiden once more. It is a time of newness, and inspiration.
Many of us are looking to the future and making plans with the inspiration we receive. Some of us are using the energy to begin our spring cleaning, both physical and symbolic. It is the time to begin our “Year and a Day” studies, or if we have spent the last year studying we are preparing for our initiation.
We see remnants of the old ways in the watching of the groundhog but we know the secret, it is truly six weeks until spring -shadow or no shadow.
The other prevalent energy not to be over looked is love. The statement love is in the air is very literally true. The energy of the Young God and Goddess and their love is every where.
With so many energies around you may be wondering, where do I focus my celebrations?
One if the best parts of the Craft is that you can never really go wrong as long as the Goddess, God, and the energies of the Earth are remembered and celebrated.
In my clan we celebrate Imbolc with what we lovingly call the “I Defy Winter Barbecue.” It is cold and snowy where we live and by now we are missing warmer weather, so we have a feast that includes all our favorite summer barbecue foods. It’s too cold to eat outside (sometimes it takes a brave cook to get the burgers cooked!) and there are no horseshoe games like we play at Lughnasadh but it is always a wonderful time with our loved ones.
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Craft:
The following variation of a Brigit’s Cross can be made quickly even by little ones.
Supplies: 2 Popsicle sticks or dowels (4” long 1/8th” thick or size of your choice), Yarn in a color of your choice, clear drying glue
Tie both sticks together in the center with the yarn. Pull the sticks apart to make a + shape.
Begin to wrap the yarn around the sticks. Wrapping under and around the first stick. Repeat the under and around motion moving clockwise around the sticks. Be careful as you wrap that you lay the yarn next to the previous row, do not over lap the yarn.
Continue until you are about 1/8th” from the end of the sticks. Knot the yarn at the last stick and secure the knot with a dab of glue. Leaving about 6” of yarn, then cut the yarn. Tie the extra yarn into a loop for hanging if you choose.
Brigit’s Crosses can be placed in doorways or windows to ward away negative energies.
Recipe:
Crescent Cakes
I like to make an extra large batch of cakes and freeze them for use in ritual through out the next Year Wheel. This recipe from Scott Cunningham’s Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner is my personal favorite.
Ingredients:
1 cup finely ground almonds
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 drops almond extract
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
Directions:
Combine almonds, flour, sugar, and extract until thoroughly mixed. With the hands, work in the butter and egg yolk until well-blended. Chill dough. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of walnuts and shape in to crescents. Place on greased sheets and bake for about 20 minutes.
Serve during Cakes and Ale during the years rituals.
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:26 am
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Green Tea with Ginseng
Ingredients:
4 cups of water
4 green tea teabags
1/4 cup of sugar (use more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon of honey
1 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
4 drops ginseng extract
Directions:
Heat water to a boil in a non-metal container, and remove from heat. Place teabags in water, cover tightly, and let steep for about an hour.
In a quart-sized pitcher, add the rest of the ingredients, pour steeped tea over all, stir thoroughly, and let chill. Makes 1 quart.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Ginseng Cookies
Makes 3-4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (18 1/ 4 oz) Devils Food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 pkg. (10 oz.) peanut butter chips
1/2 to 1 C chocolate chips
1 tsp. ginseng powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and ginseng. Batter will be stiff.
Stir in chips.
Roll into 1” balls.
Place onto lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
Bake 9-11 minutes.
Cool one minute. Put on wire rack.
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:27 am
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Original Lammas Article
Lammas Ritual
What You Need:
A candle to represent the Harvest Mother
Stalks of wheat
A loaf of bread
Ritual wine (optional)
This ritual celebrates the beginning of the harvest season and the cycle of rebirth, and can be done by a solitary practitioner or adapted for a group or coven setting. Decorate your altar with symbols of the season -- sickles and scythes, garden goodies like ivy and grapes and corn, poppies, dried grains, and early autumn foods like apples. If you like, light some Lammas Rebirth incense.
Have a candle on your altar to represent the Harvest Mother -- choose something in orange, red or yellow. These colors not only represent the blaze of the summer sun, but also the coming changes of autumn. You'll also need a few stalks of wheat and an un-sliced loaf of bread (homemade is best, but if you can't manage, a store-bought loaf will do). A goblet of ritual wine is optional.
If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.
Light the candle, and say:
The Wheel of the Year has turned once more,
and the harvest will soon be upon us.
We have food on our tables, and
the soil is fertile.
Nature's bounty, the gift of the earth,
gives us reasons to be thankful.
Mother of the Harvest, with your sickle and basket,
bless me with abundance and plenty.
Hold the stalks of wheat before you, and think about what they symbolize: the power of the earth, the coming winter, the necessity of planning ahead. What do you need help planning right now? Are there sacrifices you should be making in the present that will be reaped in the future?
Rub the stalks between your fingers so a few grains of wheat fall upon the altar. Scatter them on the ground as a gift to the earth. If you're inside, leave them on the altar for now -- you can always take them outside later. Say:
The power of the Harvest is within me.
As the seed falls to the earth and is reborn each year,
I too grow as the seasons change.
As the grain takes root in the fertile soil,
I too will find my roots and develop.
As the smallest seed blooms into a mighty stalk,
I too will bloom where I landed.
As the wheat is harvested and saved for winter,
I too will set aside that which I can use later.
Tear off a piece of the bread. If you're performing this ritual as a group, pass the loaf around the circle so that each person present can take off a small chunk of bread. As each person passes the bread, they should say:
I pass to you this gift of the first harvest.
When everyone has a piece of bread, say:
As the grain dies, it transforms to bread,
and brings us life through the winter.
We bless this bread, and it blesses us in return,
and we are thankful for the gift of the harvest.
Everyone eats their bread together. If you have ritual wine, pass it around the circle for people to wash the bread down. Once everyone has finished their bread, take a moment to meditate on the cycle of rebirth and how it applies to your own life - physically, emotionally, spiritually. When you are ready, if you have cast a circle, close it or dismiss the quarters at this time. Otherwise, simply end the ritual in the manner of your tradition.
This ritual is credited to: PaganWicca.about.com - Lammas Ritual
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Discreet Ways to Celebrate Lammas
- Save and plant the seeds from the fruits consumed during the feast or ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant or tree with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Lord and Lady.
- Walk through the fields and orchards or spend time along springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes reflecting on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady.
- Offerings of bread can be offered to fairy folk, and left for wild animals.
- During this time you may wish to honor the pregnant Goddess, and the waning energy of the Sun God, as the sun begins to fade. You can honor them by leaving libations (offerings) of bread and cider.
- Bake some bread!! Freshly baked bread is still a central part of many Lammas celebrations.
- Celebrate the first harvest by eating a meal with foods of the season, such as grain and corn.
- Private Meditation on the meanings of the season.
- Give blood at a local blood bank, or even participate in a blood drive at a nearby school or hospital.
- Wheat weaving and the making of corn dollies is an appropriate activity.
Sources:
Imbolc Activities
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
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Lammas Activity
Corn Wheel
Lammas is the time of the first harvest, and grains, especially corn, are abundant. The eight ears of corn on this wreath represent the eight sabbats. The shucks look like the rays of the sun, a very fitting symbol of the season.
Materials:
a round wire or other hoop on which to build the wreath
8 ears of corn of equal length -- dried or fresh
cardboard
a short piece of ribbon or twine (for hanger)
glue
florists wire (optional)
Directions:
Fashion a round hoop wide enough to accommodate the length of two ears of corn. Using ribbon or twine, form a loop to serve as a hanger. Tie or glue this securely to the hoop.
Position the eight ears of corn inside the circle, paying close attention to the illustration. Be sure to keep the hanger/ribbon positioned at the top of the wreath.
Tie or wrap the corn shucks around the hoop. (They can be held in place with florists wire, if need be.) Use stray ends of the shucks to cover the hoop completely. (If using dried corn, the shucks should have been soaked in water before starting.) Use florists wire to keep the shucks in place.
Cut a small, round piece of cardboard. Lay the wreath on the table and position the cardboard circle in the middle of the hoop. Using a glue gun or some other fast drying glue, adhere the tips of the ears to the cardboard circle on the BACK SIDE of the wreath, being careful that the cardboard is not obvious from the front. You may want to cut out the middle of the cardboard circle so it can not easily be seen from the front.
| Introduction | Guild Happenings | Members Section | Abilities | Animal Totems | Beginner's Section | Book Review | Crystals and Gemstones | Divination | Elements | Gods and Goddesses | Herb Garden | Imbolc | Kitchen Witches | Lammas | Mythical Creatures | Pagan Humor | Pagan Music | Spells | Game Room | Classified Ads | Febuary 2009 Feedback Thread | Newspaper Staff Applicatins (it pays!) | Book Review Discussion Thread | |
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