Hearth-n-Home

Ganesha

2012-02-26T00:46:00.000-05:00

Okay so here is a few things i learned over this last week.

Ganesha - Remover of obstacles - Ganesha got his elephant head a result of his head being removed and his mother so grief stricken that she ordered her husband to find him another head. The first they came upon happened to be an elephant.

Okay so Put a statue, or in my case for the moment a drawing I did of him up and an offering bowl and since he is an infant god, pretty much eb very straight forward with what you want when asking. Offer 9 coins to the bowl and after the bowl has been filled (usually after several wishes/demands ( i say both because you all know as well as I do if you dont just tell/demand a child they usually dont do anything and it was also the word used in the workshop so:P) Take the coins to a cross roads (and mind you she said she used quarters but im assuming any shiney coin will do) and start tossing them at the cross roads. Was said you can even do this at a stop sign while in your car if you are a super busy modern pagan:P

So as people pick the money up and spend it your fortune, wealth and success will start coming in back to you.

Mother nature needs calendar..

2012-02-22T10:20:00.000-05:00

Seriously...someone buy one for her please? 3 days in a row was damn near 80, then yesterday all of a sudden dropped back down to 50 and its maybe 55 today, but My baby plants weren't so much baby's anymore and they had to be planted.

I have more seeds soaking overnight for tomarrow but so far we now have our pumpkins and garlic in the ground, Morning glory's are making their push towards the soil surface for sun and the moonflowers, which in my experience take almost as long as tulips to sprout, are working their way to the top.

So for tomorrow we have Basil, from the seeds I saved from last years plants. My brother saved some seeds fom this sugar can corn plant thing, idk we researched it and its a sugar plant but is related to corn and it was really pretty and exotic so we saved some seeds from it and im gonna try and grow some this year, it was a super big plant and didnt require much effort to maintain really, seemed to be happy with just a bit of water every day

okay end of mother nature rant, lol have a great day guys
Blessed be
SPiritrunner

Weekend without my SO

2012-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

He went to the city to hang out with friends for the weekend. He left on Thursday and after we had our little Miss T meltdown over with, least till later that evening...I was home and swore to myself I wasn't goig to sit on my butt and relax. I was going to get every chore in the house done and bask in the glory that it would be clean for maybe an entire weekend...

What really happened...

Got Miss T out of school early because i didn't want to have her miss daddy before he left for 4 days...She had meltdown and sad puppy face for about 4 hours. Ended up having to make her happy tea and let her have a "sleepover" in out bed...Lil man was great, didn't seem to notice a damn thing.

Friday we successfully avoided a daddy meltdown, until bubba got overly tired and upset and he started screaming for daddy.

So essentially I spent the weekend playing with the kids (which by all means isn't a bad thing), planning out the garden with miss T and letting her put mammas hair into a "Hairstyle" and watching bubba run around like a crazy kid when the dog would bark at him:S

So much for getting everything clean and pristine...lol, oh well we had fun!!!

Blessed be
Spiritrunner

Recipe for Happy tea:

2 bags plain black tea
1 tbsp lavender flowers
2 tbsp chamomile flowers
ive been known to add hibiscus and catnip before as well.

Brew in 6 cups of water. DO NOT BOIL!.
ruins the herbs

After its done steeping and simmering and whatnot pour through a strainer into a clean milk jug or 64 oz juice bottle. If the brew is too strong dilute it by half and add ice. Great for summer bbq's too

:(

2012-02-02T09:55:00.001-05:00

Okay so i completely missed Imbolic this year, im sorry guys, ive been so stressed about some stuff and fighting sinus colds and truth be told those are more miserable than flues sometimes. Here's some random information i have had sitting around waiting to be used

Imbolc, The Spring Quarter Begins

By Grove Harris altered just a tad by me.

Whatever the ground hog does or doesn't do, we're half-way there. Early February marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Spring, that glorious season of renewal, is starting now according to Pagan tradition. Despite the Northern Hemisphere's snow and cold, Pagans celebrate Imbolc and the returning light. Imbolc is a time to consider intentions and tools; it is a time to clarify aim and dedicate one's self for the coming year. Now is the time to consider spring cleaning, to let go of clutter of the physical and mental varieties, and to prepare for the season of growth. Spring cleaning is better done before the warmth of a fresh spring breeze calls us outside.

While still in the dark time, the inner focus can be brought on the year to come. We are poised in a reflective moment, at a time to set aim. Caitlin Matthews offers this Threshold Invocation for the Festival of Imbolc in her Celtic Devotional:

"Midwife of Mystery, open the door,

Infant of the Infinite, come you in.

Let there be welcome to the newborn truth,

Let there be welcome to the Spring of the Year.

In cold and darkness you are traveling,

In warmth and brightness you will arrive.

May the blessed time of Imbolc

Kindle the soul of all beings,

Bringing birth to innocence and integrity

From the depths to the heights,

From the heights to the depths,

In the heart of every soul."

The New Year is taking form. Now is the time to nurture intentions, to feed and fuel and retool according to those intentions. Are your tools ready at hand, and honed for the work ahead? What gets in the way of your fullest creative productivity? How can you minimize obstacles, both inner and outer? What help do you need? What simple joys fuel your work?

How can you make sure you dance enough to keep yourself happy and inspired in the seasons to come?

Dancers use a focal point, so that as they spin on the dance floor, they can stay oriented and not lose their balance or spin off in dizziness. Ritual at points on the wheel of the year can serve the same purpose.

This is a time of affirmation of connection with the divine, of asking for help to overcome fears, to keep on walking each step without turning aside. It is a time of forging simple aims and tools to cut through the excesses of our lives: the material clutter, the informational clutter, the clutter of excess demands, of websites and applications, of upgrades and learning curves, the clutter of excess stuff and excess wants, anything that gets in the way of hearing Spirit and acting on our own best intentions. Now is a great time to focus intention and check on our tools. Sharpening one's insight can help maintain one's aim in the months to come.

For many this holiday is dedicated to Brigid, the three fold Celtic Goddess of smith-craft, poetry and healing. Hers is a complex and powerful combination of attributes -- the forging of tools, the insight of poetry and the ability to render whole and holy that which has been hurt. Many dedicate themselves to Her each year, both giving and receiving in relationship throughout the year. Offerings are left at Her wells across Ireland, considered to be sources of healing and portals to spiritual realms. Chants are offered to Her: We are shaped in your fire, and cooled in your waters ... Brigid, Brigid we call your name.

For some, this holiday is most closely connected with the agricultural cycle, with the early birthing of lambs and the ewe's milk, and with the planting decisions to be made now, well in advance of the warmer days to come. We can nurture the seeds of intention for the coming year. Letting go and focusing, cleansing and clarifying, are most appropriate activities for this cold part of the spring quarter.

Every day is longer, offering more sunlight and the promise of greater warmth to come. For other still, there is a blending of both Brigid's powerful combination of attributes, and the closely connectedness with the cycles of the earth.

Surely, this is reason to celebrate.

Imbolc Customs & Lore

by Selena Fox

Other Festival Names:Candlemas, Oimlec, Brigid's Day, Groundhog's Day; merged with Lupercalia/Valentine's Day
Festival Dates: January 31, February 1, February 2, February 6, February 7.
Multicultural Parallels: Ground Hog's Day (USA); Aztec New Year; Chinese New Year; Roman Lupercalia; Valentine's Day (USA); Armenian Candlemas.

Flames: Sacred Fire

Torchlight processions circling fields to purify & invigorate for the coming growing season (old Pagan)

Lighting & blessing of candles (11th century, Christian)

Sacred fire of Brigid (Celtic Pagan)

Torchlight procession to honor Juno Februata/Regina (Pagan Rome; Christianized, 7th century)

Brigid:Celtic Goddess

Triple Aspects

Goddess of Inspiration - poets, poetry, creativity, prophecy, arts

Goddess of Smithcraft - blacksmiths, goldsmiths, household crafts

Goddess of Healing - healers, medicine, spiritual healing, fertility (crops, land, cattle)

Symbols

Fire - flames, candle crown, hearth

Water - cauldron, springs, wells

Grain - Brigid wheels, corn/oat sheaf Goddess effigy, Brigid's Bed

Creatures - white cow with red ears, wolf, snake, swan and vulture

Talismans - Shining Mirror to Otherworld, Spinning Wheel and Holy Grail

Name variations: Brighid; Bride (Scotland), Brid, Brigit, Bridget, Briganta (England), Brigan, Brigindo (Gaul), Berecyntia, Brigandu (France)
Name means Bright One, High One, Bright Arrow, Power.
Christianized forms: St. Brigit (Irish), St. Ffraid (Welsh), St. Bridget (Swedish), Queen of Heaven, Prophetess of Christ, Mary.

Pictish Pagan Roots
Bruide, the Pictish royal throne name, is said to derived from the Pagan Goddess Brigid. The Bruide name was given to each Pagan Pictish king who was viewed as the male manifestation of the spirit of the Goddess. The most sacred place of the Picts was Abernethy in Fife. It was dedicated to Brigid, in Pagan times, and to St. Brigid, in Christian times. Columban monks tended a Celtic abbey there and hereditary abbots were of the Earl of Fife branch of the Clan MacDuff, which survived to the present day as Clan Wemyss (Weems).

Irish Transitions and Traditions
When Ireland was Christianized, veneration of the Pagan Goddess Brigid was transformed into that of St. Brigit, said to be the human daughter of a Druid. St. Brigit became a saint after her "death" and was supposedly converted and baptized by St. Patrick. Pagan lore was incorporated into the Christian traditions and legends associated with Her as a saint. For example, as St. Brigit, She had the power to appoint bishops and they had to be goldsmiths. She was associated with miracles and fertility. Into the 18th century a women's only shrine was kept to her in Kildare (meaning Church of the Oak) in Ireland. There, nineteen nuns tended Her continually burning sacred flame. An ancient song was sung to Her: "Brigid, excellent woman, sudden flame, may the bright fiery sun take us to the lasting kingdom." Brigid/St. Brigit was said to be the inventor of whistling and of keening.

Customs

Blessing rushes/straw and making Brigid wheels

Putting out food and drink for Brigid on Her eve (such as buttered bread, milk, grains, seeds)

Chair by hearth decorated by women; young woman carries in first flowers & greens, candle.

Opening the door and welcoming Her into the home. "Bride! Come in, they bed is made! Preserve the House for the Triple Goddess!" Scottish Gaelic Invocation: "May Brigit give blessing to the house that is here; Brigit, the fair and tender,Her hue like the cotton-grass, Rich-tressed maiden of ringlets of gold."

Brigid's Bed (Scotland): Putting grain effigy and a phallic wand in a basket next to the hearth/candles at night and chanting three times: "Brigid is Come! Brigid is Welcome!"

Purification

Removing Yuletide greens from home & burning them (Celtic)

Cleaning up fields and home (old Roman, Februa "to cleanse" month)

Mary purification festival (Christian, Western church)

Burning old Brigid's wheels and making new ones (some parts of Ireland)

Placing Brigid's wheel above/on door to bless home (Celtic, Wiccan)

Signs of Spring: Ground Hog's Day

Seeds as a symbols of new life to come

First greens and flowers as offerings

Weather - bright or grey

Hibernating animals - groundhog, bear, badger

If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, Winter again will show its might.
If Candlemas day be cloudy and grey, Winter soon will pass away. (Fox version)
If Candlemas day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight.
If Candlemas day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again. (Traditional)

Spiritual Awakening: Spirit Within

Initiations - self, group (Dianic & Faery Wiccan); Christchild in temple (Christian, Eastern church)

Dedication - shrines, temples (contemporary Pagan)

Self blessing and spiritual dedication

Inner journey for Divine inspiration

Affirming the artist/innovator within; energizing creative work.

Thank the gods!!!

2012-01-31T14:09:00.000-05:00

Spring seems to be on its way!! Normally winter is my favorite season but we had such a crappy winter least in this house, it's no longer my favorite. I'm loving all the creatures emerging. In the past week its been close to 70 degrees outside. Warm enough for me to open the door and let some fresh air in until the wind kicks up...o.0

My daughter has gone nuts in the herb/flower/veggie catalogs. We have plans of finally getting our fairy garden going this year as we started entirely to late last year for one to thrive. We planted green beans, pumpkins, morning glory's and moonflowers in seedling starters the other day and will be planting peppers, tomatoes, tulips, basil, parsley and goddess only knows what else. I haven't finished looking through th catalog she marked...lol.

Herb pouch for nightmares

2012-01-16T11:59:00.000-05:00

Bay leaves - Removes negative energy, and protects.
Celery - Increases Physical and Mental powers.
Mustard Seed - Protection, Mental powers and Faith.
Rose Petals - Love and luck.
Rosemary - love, banishing and protection.
Allspice - Protection.
Chamomile - sleep, soothing and relaxation.
and i always add lavender to mine because of the calming scent:)

Put the herbs in the pouch concentrating on a peaceful nights sleep. Place under your pillow or under the pillow of the one the pouch is for. In my instance it was for my daughter who hasn't been getting a lot of sleep because of bad dreams

Apple cinnamon pancakes

2012-01-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

Okay this one is super awesome, concocted this when trinity said she wanted something sweet but isn't allowed to have to much sugar atm: (and i think im gonna make a cupcake version of this maybe with some pecan and some apple brown sugar glaze or something)

Pancake mix (about 1 1/2 cups)
applesauce bout 1/2 cup
cinnamon 1tbsp
1 egg
some water (really i just eyeballed mine)

add everything but water into the bowl and mix well and add lil bits of water in at a time to make it the constancy you want. spoon onto hot pan and make just like a regular pancake. I topped ours with some cinnamon maple syrup i had made and trinity just had hers with strawberries on top:P

Thinking these would be awesome made into lil libation cakes for the next sabbat or esbat:)

Tomato soup Enchillada

2012-01-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, tonight was one of "in the land of make do" moments. Ive cleaning all day after being down and sick the house, at least in my opinion, was thrashed...hubby's opinion begged the differ...Anyway I completely forgot about dinner. Sooooo....we slapped something together...

2 can condensed tomato soup
almost 1 can water
2 cups grated cheese
spanish rice
onions
tortillas about 7
carne asada cut into thin strips
chili powder, pinch of cayenne, garlic powder, salt, hot sauce

mix all seasoning in with the water and tomato soup.
cook carne asada and salt and pepper to taste
take 2 tablespoons of the sauce in each tortilla
layer about 1/3 cup rice
layer a layer of steak strips, layer some cheese and sour cream
roll up like an enchilada and repeat with remaining tortillas
once they are lined in the pan pour rest of sauce mix over tortilla rolls
top with cheese, onions and olives
bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

this was super super good, was mexican tasting but with a significant less amount of a heartburn %:P AND to top it off, my kids loved it:)

Winter Blues...revisited..

2011-12-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

I feel the winter blues about to bog me down again. I think I might venture out into the cold and find me some nice spring floral smelling oils to burn and take the yule decorations down. I normally love winter. Autumn and Winter were my favorite seasons but since we haven't had a heater most of the winter it's been bitter, cold and miserable, however we are finally getting it fixed this weekend thank the goddess. I don't think I could handler another week let alone a few more months of cold. I love how everyone says "Oh you're in California, its like 70 all the time..."...It's not and in fact this winter we have had more days below freezing than we have had in many many many years. (I forget how many exactly the news said.) we've had 19 days below freezing here and we usually only average about 5. It doesn't snow here but maybe every 10 years but it might as well as cold as it is:P. And even in the summer we get the extremes were it's usually around 110 most days. Anyway, got off topic there a bit but yes must find floral smells and get away from the winter blues that are chasing me.

This was posted in one of my groups and the author is unknown but there is some definite need of releasing of some negativity:P

Winds of Change

This is more of a spell to release anger and stress, but isn't that the first step to becoming more happy?

Your supplies:

A windy day

A hill

Basil

Patchouli

It's not mandatory that you have a hill for this, but you 'do need an open area outside' for happiness spells like this. It 'does' need to be windy.

Take your herbs to your chosen spot, and face away from the wind (so it's blowing on your back). Toss the herbs in the air and visualize your problems being blown away. Repeat the following:

'May the winds take my pain,

Make me happy once again',

Then turn around and face the wind. Say:

May the winds bring joy to me,

So that happy my heart will be',

Stand in the wind for a few more moments, concentrating on the release of your problems and the acceptance of peace

TeeHee

2011-12-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

So im wondering if my grandmother knows she is supporting my witchiness... this is what I got for Christmas from her...

She also got me a really cool big tincture bottle and some really super comfy velveteen pants. So I was super excited when i got this because way back before the kids I had one of these. When we moved around it broke and I was so heart broken. Idk where she found it but this one is an exact copy of the one I had.

Blessed Yule!

2011-12-21T16:42:00.000-05:00

Have a Blessed Yule Everyone!!

question time

2011-12-17T02:48:00.000-05:00

okay so this is bugging the hell out of me and possibly a few others i know but for the last few nights the moon has looked very different, personally ive never seen it like this before but a few i know have said they have once or twice. IT's basically a huge huge bright orange moon and i mean like pumpkin orange with half the moon "covered" up. Usually the moon has a vertical looking axis and side to side phases but the past few days its been a horizontal "axis and top bottom phases. I don't have a camera good enough to post a pic nor can i find one that even comes close to what we're seeing. Anyone anywhere have any idea? and is there anything particularly magical about it other than it's eerie gorgeous:P?

Pomander Recovery spell and charm

2011-12-17T02:18:00.001-05:00

Pomander recovery charm

When someone we know gets sick, often our first thought is to get them a gift, but giving gifts to people who cannot fully appreciate them when they are sick can be unhelpful too. It may make them feel guilty by reminding them of the things they should be doing and perhaps even make them feel that we are irritated by thier illness.

Taking the time to care:

A better present to give is a fragrant, magical recovery charm. It relaxes and soothes, not only easing thier return to heal with a heady scent, but also letting them know that you are thinking of them in thier sickness not just wishing it was over. A recovery charm shows you genuinely care

How your recovery chamr works:

The time and energy you spend making a recovery charm infuses it with your good wishes and intent for thier recovery. Thay way you pass your own strength into the charm.

Frankincense: protecton

Orange: the wamr color of the orange represents harmony.

Gold Ribbon: The sparklying gold ribbon you use to bind the your healing spell surrounds the entire charm with a wonderful glowing golden confidence.

Cloves: Cloves have potent powers of reconciliation. They help patients to accept thier illness, conserve thier energy and focus on recovery.

Making your recovery charm:

You will need:

A normal sized orange

A handful of whole cloves

1 1/2 Yards of gold ribbon

Frankincense oil

1. Wind the ribbon around the orange like you would a present. Leave a lop at the top so you can hang it up.

2. Rub the frankincense into the orange between the strands of ribbon.

3. Push the cloves into the orange at random intervals. Each time you push a clove in say:This is for health, this is for love, this is for joy..." make each ending a good happy statement.

4. When the cloves are all in you've litterally studed the orange with warmth and happy wishes for your friends wlel being. It's now ready to give.

5. Hang the charm above your friends bed to fill the room with healing energy ti help with recovery.

You can use different oils for different situations.

Lemon: protection of enemies

Myrrh: Surounds with love, protecting them from lonilness and depression.

Rose: Encourages high spirits and thoughts of lasting friendship.

Basil: Protection against negative thoughts, particularly for someone who is feeling down after a setback or relaspe.

Sandlewood: Will purify the air in the sickroom and keep it freash. The oil's woody fragrance helps remimnd us of the world beyond the window.

Sage: Clears the atmosphere of negativity and rises spirits. Use this oil durrin depression or times of confusion

Sorry for MIAness

2011-12-16T11:13:00.000-05:00

sorry for being MIA, been sick and lazy and busy all in one go, lol. This week is Miss T's last day of school for winter break and she just had to make gifts for all her teachers. i'll get pics posted soon, pretty cute really she painted trees on the bags and decorated the cookies, some of the gingerbread men kinda look like they might have been in some kind of horrific accident but thats okay, they are unique!
anyway im sharing this link here, was posted but Mrs. B On her FB page and thought yeah this needs ot be shared even more:)

http://www.goddessguidebook.com/brand-new-free-e-book-how-to-be-a-domestic-goddess/

Anyway till tomorrow or later today:P
Blessed be
Spiritrunner

Winter blues

2011-11-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

I've always raved about how I love fall and winter and to this day I still do, however being without a heater for the current moment, I have a definite need for a Spring pick me up. Luckily I live in California and even tho it's pretty damn cold here, not as cold as some of you easterners but still colder than we're used to, Plants still grow like mad here, especially after the weird spring and summer we had. So the gas station has 2 lavender bushes, one French and one English and luckily the guy who owns it doesn't seem to care to much that i pick about 5 blossoms every time i go over there which is about once a day. So now i have a nice handful of each type and i'm putting them in the simmer pot for a nice spring touch among the mass amounts of Yule decorations the kids put up yesterday. We were going to wait till today but we had a bit of an accident yesterday pertaining to Miss T smashing her finger in her door. It didn't break thank the gods, but it was awfully swollen, so we wrapped it up and gave her some Chamomile/lavender/valarian root tea and she went down for a nap after decorating to take her mind of her ouchy finger. I have pictures but my camera went AWAL yesterday. I think it's in the kitchen somewhere but in any event i need a new one anyway. Can't even zoom in or out or focus with this ancient thing:P

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!

2011-11-24T12:27:00.001-05:00

Happy turkey day everyone and I actually have a recipe for ya'll today:)

So my hubby isnt a fan of peach cobbler but said he loved pineapple cobbler, until this moment i had never even heard of it but i said "hey what the hell might as well try it."

Well yesterday I was gifted a large bottle of Amaretto. I tasted it and it's kinda like and overly sweet almondy spiced rum. Sooooo, I had this brilliant plan to make drunken pineapple cobbler.

Drunken Pineapple Cobbler:

1 1/2 cup self-rising flour or all purpose with a 1/2 tsp baking powder and a 1/2 tsp salt
8 tablespoon (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup amaretto or spiced rum
2 cup sugar, divided
4 cup cubed pineapple
1 1/2 cup milk
ground cinnamon, optional
vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the pineapple, 1 cup sugar, and alcohol in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, vanilla and milk slowly to prevent clumping.

Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir.

Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

To serve, scoop onto a plate and serve with your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Brightest Blessings everyone and have an awesome day!

Fellow blogs

2011-11-20T12:22:00.000-05:00

I'd like to share my Mom's facebook page blog. If you have a blog feel free to post it in comments:)

http://www.facebook.com/RamblingWIccan

Brightest Blessings
Spiritrunner

Ugh holidays, throw some magick in there and relax:)

2011-11-15T11:17:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving isnt here even and the kids are buggin me to decorate for yule already. Miss T keeps asking if it's thanksgiving yet and it's not because she cares for turkey or wants a big feast, she knows Yule comes after it:P. So anyway I used to be one of those wierdos (no offense to anyone) that freaked out at holidays were people would be coming to my house. Truth be told I still kinda freak, for some reason im always afraid my house smells odd. I know I have huge issues. I'm constantly spraying air freshener, or having oil burners going.

anyway to relieve stress, grab some incense snag an oil burner, light some candles and just let it go. The holidays are spose to be cheerful and relaxing and beautiful.

Stress relief incense/oil blend

Equal parts of:

Lavender, orange blossoms or rind and thyme.

Healing herbal incense mix

2011-11-07T12:22:00.001-05:00

This is straight from my personal BOS. My daughter and I used this is a small Ritual in our front yard (of course accompanied but some interesting looks by my neighbor, who is cool as hell, and usually doesn't question anything:P) Because everyone has been so damn sick here the last few weeks and since winter is now upon us, weather or not the trees are showing it...grumble grumble.. I felt the need to share this.

Note: NOT for consumption. there's nothing in here that could hurt you this is all from my culinary/magickal cabinet, im very much a kitchen witch but this was made for burning in a fire place or fire proof bowl etc..

Equal parts of:
Corriander
Marjoram
Mullein
Thyme
Allspice
Cinnamon
Eucalyptus
Flaxseed
Mint
Sage
Rosemary
Spearmint
Saffron

Mix together, grind to powder if you feel the need and burn anywhere sick people have been, especially the bedroom. We started ours in the yard and carried the smoke everywhere around the outside and in. I'm working on as stick form but both will be for sale on my shop soon. but this is here in case you need to make your own:)

Am I the only one bugged by this?

2011-11-07T12:10:00.000-05:00

The fact that it's Officially winter as of 2am Sunday morning in the northern hemi and everything is still green...

Winter projects

2011-11-06T11:24:00.001-05:00

SO I'm thinking my next projects are going to be scarves with protection runes stitched in for Miss T and hubby asked me to make Bubba a blanket so I think i'm gonna put a pentacle in it with protection and calming runes in it. What do ya\ll thing. Or even possibly personal sigils. We did these as described here in Domesticwitch post.http://domesticwitch.blogspot.com/2011/06/prosperity-workshop.html. I love her blog. She was my inspiration to blog in the first place. sorry pic looks blurry but still readable imo

BLESSED SAMHAIN!!

2011-10-31T14:16:00.000-04:00

Boy this holiday snuck upon me, didn't even get a chance to post any foodie stuff like i normally do. I'm sorry guys, bad blogger<:(

Anywho... Have a Happy and safe Samhain! and try not to eat all your kids candy:P

Hats and Little Fae!

2011-10-25T13:10:00.000-04:00

So I finished Miss T's hat and she was soooo excited when I gave to her after she came home from school. It's not just cold enough to wear it yet but very soon. And also her Fae Queen costume. Still working on lil man's who is either gonna be frog prince or a dragon. The gathering we are going to is themed "Once upon a time.." so I think dragon might go better but frog is easier:P

Random Blarghs

2011-10-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

It's been a very Blargh weeks, or Blegh or Blah or however you wanna describe it. Other than managing to get food on the table every night (just no energy) I feel the only thing ive accomplished was getting Miss T to school everyday and getting a pair of earrings made. My grandmother gave me the rattles, said they were about 20 years old and said do something with them. So do I did!

First Seasonal craft

2011-10-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

I've never really crocheted before. Ive done maybe 2 scarfs my entire life but for some reason I got a wild hair and decided I wanted to make a hat for my son.
Pardon the peanut butter face...

It fits right on his forehead but he has issues with hats so he kept trying to pull it off but come winter too bad lil man you're wearing it!

Now Miss T decided she has to have one, was gonna make her one anyway but yeah she got all upset because she thought she wasn't going to get one.

Next on my list is another hat maybe some scarfs and still trying to figure out wth to do with these snake skins I have from a few months ago. If you've been reading you remember that one:P

What's been going on here lately..

2011-10-03T16:41:00.000-04:00

Well besides being sick, nothing. We have a vicious little circle of sick that we just keep passing back and forth to each other. Oh the joys of public school systems, which is were it started we're assuming. Anyway on my peak hours of feeling half ass decent i've managed to get a bit of things done.

So here we have the cinnamon broom I absolutely couldn't pass up, now my whole house smells like cinnamon and autumn:)

The kids went nuts decorating the porch for Samhain. I think if they had it their way every month would be October.

Practical Magic Blog Party

2011-09-23T19:21:00.003-04:00

Okay so there are so many different things to love about Practical Magic. The Aunts, The house The girls, But I really think what drew me most into the book and movie was The Book. I have a thing for really neat and nifty BOS. Also the kitchen and patio garden. I dream of having a kitchen that big and a garden like that on a patio. I looked for a long time for a place that might be able to recreate those big BOS everyone sees in movies and shows and I did find a place. I’m not sure if they are in business anymore but check them out. If they still make them, one day I will have them. And we’re working on our garden to make it big and beautiful and it will have every herb you will ever need in itJ

http://www.witchesmoon.net/ if you go to the first option of book of shadows and grimoires there’s a Practical Magic one in thereJ

Anyway here’s the link to the site with the BOS and here are some pics from the movie. These are some of my fav parts. Sorry there's nothing too too fancy but i've been fighting a hell a summer cold that transitioned into Bronchitis so right now im resting for the sabbat celebration this evening.

Brightest Blessings

Spiritrunner

Jar-O-Lantern

2011-09-22T23:11:00.001-04:00

Okay so I got one of my issues of my many magazine subscriptions today and it had all the fall stuff in it.

One of the first pages was this craft for Jar-O-Lanterns.

These have Tea light candles instead of LED lights
and cute bows made out of w/e that is they use

So here goes:

Several Mason jars different sizes
Paint, one or two coats will do and if the paint is too thick it will impede the light
Black marker
Battery powered LED lights

These were on the Martha Stewart website

Paint the jars with desired color of acrylic paint.
Add ghoulish features with black marker or black paint.
Spray with a clear spray paint and let dry.
Pop in the battery LED light TADA!

Symbolism for moths

2011-09-19T11:53:00.000-04:00

Okay so i've had a grip of moths and caterpillars coming around the last few weeks. More so than usual. Now once upon a time I read they were a sign of the Goddess watching over you. I wish I could remember where I read it but that was many many sleeps ago... My daughter says they are spirits sent to watch over us (keep in mind she is 3). Maybe she knows something I don't. Probably isn't the first time and most certainly won't be the last. I really love how kids can see things we've long forgotten about or made not to believe in as a result of mainstream society. Some of us never forget though.:) Anywhooo here's a post on moths and their meaning / symbolism.

These are the kind I have in the garden atm

Moth Power Animal, Symbol of Transformation

By Ina Woolcott

Moth's gifts include the power of the whirlwind, ease of movement in darkness/shadow, transformation/metamorphosis, ability to confuse enemies, ability to find light in darkness, hearing spoken and unspoken messages.

Moths reside in all but polar regions. Their bodies, legs and wings are covered with numerous touch hairs that come off if the moth is touched - they are highly sensitive to touch. They can feel, smell, taste and tell the temperature with their feathery antennae, with the tiny pegs on them acting as receptors. The moth views everything clearly. Moth people usually have strong psychic and healing abilities and must watch out not to pick up others problems and carry them around in their energy fields, or confusion or irritability may occur.

Metamorphosis is part of moths magic - the egg stage is symbolic of the birth of an idea, the larvae stage is the foundation, the chrysalis stage is symbolic of the manifestation, and the growing of wings symbolises taking flight and exploring uncharted territory.

An interesting trait of the moth is hiow they use their wings. A resting moth either wraps its wings around itself, holds them extended to the side or folds the wings up. This implies a basic nurturing property and moth people may find themselves in the role of care giver.

With their acute hearing - their hearing organs are located on their legs, giving them the ability to sense vibrations around them - the moth is able to detect ultra sound. Pay attention to what is being spoken and also the unspoken, underlying messages in what is heard. Observe the body language of those around you and those you come in contact with if this is yoru power animal. Also pay attention to your sensitivity to others, the lacking side of it or the over side of it. Perhaps you are in a situation that needs to be rethought. Are you being honest to yourself and others?

The moth is an optimist and opportunist with countless transformative properties. From them we learn how to expand and perfect our inherent psiychic abilities, and how to let go of negative energies and unwelcome influences, helping us move into our personl power and happiness.

Nifty Book

2011-09-17T12:39:00.000-04:00

So I went to the public library the other day with Miss T. and went into their medicine section and found this nifty book from readers digest called 1801 Home Remedies. I looooooove this book so far. I'm really thinking I might go on amazon and buy my own copy. I saw one for about 11$. SO yeah when I get into the book more i'll share some of the remedies:P

Just out of sheer curiosity...

2011-09-13T00:26:00.000-04:00

Anyone going to watch The Secret Circle series premiering Thursday?

Check tvguide.com to find out what channel it's playing in ur area.

I'm just curious as to see how it turns out and if it's anything like the Sweep series.. I've never read The Secret Circle series has any one out there read it?

Okay i'll stop I promise...maybe

2011-09-11T17:39:00.001-04:00

Okay last pair for the day...
maybe...:P

Frog Jewelry

2011-09-11T15:26:00.000-04:00

So I got bored and had a creative bug up my butt and made these this morning:

Ive just posted them up on etsy too

Anyway yeah i'm a frog person in case you can't tell:P

Brightest Blessings
Spiritrunner

Thunder, lightning and rain oh my!

2011-09-10T23:36:00.000-04:00

Okay so I live in a desert, it never rains here. And like every other desert town that doesn't see rain but maybe one month out of the year, people here kinda freak out when it does rain, let alone thunder and lightning for 2 days straight now. It's awesome, it's one of the few things I miss about Florida among a very very small list. Anyway so people freaking out, kids loving it, and the raw energy around here is just amazing right now. definitely an awesome end to the summer.

And among the sweet weather, I got some jewelry finished. Ty Fire Mountain Gems for being very very fast and efficient in helping me make my jewelry for my customers. I ♥ you long time:P

Oh yeah and yet again i'm going to sing praises of my local Mexican botanica shop. I ♥ them long time too:P
I went there to get my usual chamomile, because the ground here sucks for growing it this year, and a few other things that only they carry. and low and behold they have a rack of lavender for 69cents a bag. Needless to say I bought them out. Okay so you might be thinking big deal they have that in stores where I live, but yeah I live in a very small town fairly far away form any city, and that's just not one of the things this town carries on a regular basis. Anyway got several other herbs as well that's fairly hard to obtain here, one being Wormwood, Damania, Arnica, ginger which yet again in a city no big deal, here huge thing to me, valerian root which is omg to me so useful in our house. So yeah, i'm a happy lil witch right now☺

As Promised here is the healing spell, granted a bit late but meh, life happens...

Simple Health Blessing
The items in this spell are intended to represent health and vitality, NOT act as actual medical cures for anything.
For this easy blessings, you just need:
• A glass of apple juice
• A cinnamon stick
• A white candle

As with most spells, natural ingredients are best so try to find some organic apple juice if you can. Pour the juice into a glass, and stir 4 times with the cinnamon stick. Light the candle and drink a few sips of juice.

Repeat the following:
Goddess bless body and soul Health and wellness is my goal

Finish the rest of the juice and snuff out the candle. Do this spell whenever you feel an illness coming on or even each morning just to stay in tip-top shape.

Brightest Blessings
Spiritrunner

End of summer

2011-09-07T15:04:00.000-04:00

Thank the gods, lol. Sorry for all of you spring/summer ppl but summer is on the final stretch, and I for one cannot wait till fall. I'm am so not a summer person in any way shape or form. Anyway I have a post in mind for this evening about some healing stuff but for now just some pictures of random stuff i've found or grown:P

found this at a second hand store for 1$

saw a project similar to this one online somewhere some and the midget did this the other day

another angle (god i need a new camera)

my morning glory's finally bloomed

somewhere in there there is a cardinal trying to bloom and we'll have moonflowers soon too

Little Miss T decided it was time she colored in her yule coloring book...:s

and the thing I picked up this week i'm most proud of is this handmade tinkerbell comforter/quilt i snagged for 2$ at a second hand store. Miss T just about had a happy spaz fit when she saw it

allright that's all for now will make an attempt atgetting somehting posted tonight since i'm finally starting to feel better

Adding more to my shop

2011-08-30T00:48:00.000-04:00

I will be adding a ton of new stuff to my shop coming soon, including a lot of one of a kind items so keep and eye out and look here for the periodical discount codes:P Super excited. I love making craft supplies. Always makes me feel better after cleansing and blessing something we are making for someone else. Sorry for the ad but yeah way excited. If you wanna check out my shop clicky the picture (preying it works...computers hate me right now:S)

Okay so My cat shit change...

2011-08-29T02:04:00.000-04:00

Either that or we have some kind of fucked up gnome or fae running around who likes to take change and hide it around and under the cat litter box...

Mr kitty bitching at me to feed him...

This is Mr kitty. One of the most affectionate, yet annoyingly pushing cats I've ever met. The only cat I've known that was more pushy about being petted and loved on was my moms cat Maggie May, who if you would stop betting her she would bite you. Basically as to tell you "Bitch! I didn't say stop...!"

Anywho...There I was cleaning out the litter box cuz goddess knows ain't no one else gonna do it. (sorry sounded rather hickish in my head and that's how it got typed out) and next to the box I find a quarter.

Okay cool put it in the change jar. SO I move the box a bit to start sweeping up the mess my lovely cat likes to make...(swear to god he does it just to spite me...) and I find another quarter...thinking it's a bit odd now..

Continue cleaning up his mess and low and behold farther under is 2 dimes and a nickel...

I washed them with antibacterial soap set them aside cuz me and Mr kitty are gonna have a talk and if he's doing this somebody better shit me out a 20. Either it's him and he's a bit more special than he already thinks he is or something very strange is going on here.

Ah Mabon, how I missed thee...

2011-08-24T12:59:00.001-04:00

Okay so it's no secret I love Mabon, along with Samhain and Yule. I'm not a summery type of person in fact Most the summer I stay inside My home with the cooler running full blast. Yup I don't have ac and don't want one my electric bill is high enough, lol.

Autumn Equinox, around September 21, is the 
time of the descent of the Goddess into the 
Underworld. With her departure, we see the
decline of nature and the coming of winter. 
This is a classic, ancient mythos, seen the 
Sumerian myth of Inanna and in the ancient 
Greek and Roman legends of Demeter and Persephone. 


In September, we also bid farewell to the
Harvest Lord who was slain at Lammas. He is 
the Green Man, seen as the cycle of nature in 
the plant kingdom. He is harvested and his 
seeds are planted into the Earth so that life 
may continue and be more abundant.


Mabon ("Great Son") is a Welsh god. He was a 
great hunter with a swift horse and a wonderful
hound. He may have been a mythologized actual 
leader. He was stolen from his mother, Modron 
(Great Mother),when he was three nights old, 
but was eventually rescued by King Arthur 
(other legends say he was rescued by the 
Blackbird, the Stag, the Owl, the Eagle, and 
the Salmon). All along, however, Mabon has 
been dwelling, a happy captive, in Modron's 
magickal Otherworld -- Madron's womb. Only in 
this way can he be reborn. Mabon's light has 
been drawn into the Earth, gathering strength 
and wisdom enough to become a new seed. In 
this sense, Mabon is the masculine counterpart 
of Persephone -- the male fertilizing principle
seasonally withdrawn. Modron corresponds with Demeter.




From the moment of the September Equinox, the 
Sun's strength diminishes, until the moment of 
Winter Solstice in December, when the Sun grows
stronger and the days once again become longer than the nights.




Symbols celebrating the season include various
types of gourd and melons. Stalk can be tied 
together symbolizing the Harvest Lord and then 
set in a circle of gourds. A besom can be 
constructed to symbolize the polarity of male 
and female. The Harvest Lord is often 
symbolized by a straw man, whose sacrificial 
body is burned and its ashes scattered upon the
earth. The Harvest Queen, or Kern Baby, is made
from the last sheaf of the harvest and bundled 
by the reapers who proclaim, "We have the Kern!"
The sheaf is dressed in a white frock decorated 
with colorful ribbons depicting spring, and then
hung upon a pole (a phallic fertility symbol). 


In Scotland, the last sheaf of harvest is called
the Maiden, and must be cut by the youngest 
female in attendance.

East coasters

2011-08-23T14:53:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone on the easy coast is doing okay. Will be sending energies your way!!

Hang on...

2011-08-22T17:52:00.000-04:00

Mabon on it's way and i'll be diggin out the Mabon info and feasts asap.

Snake totem

2011-08-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

Okay my post today has a bit of relevance because i'm working on a nifty project that involves snakes. I acquired a set of almost identical snake rattles. And before you trip out on me, the meat was not let to waste. The coyotes and foxes loved it. My grandmother lives in a bit of a secluded area and always lets mother nature to it's own accord except when one of goddesses creatures, especially one of the more dangerous varieties, end up on her front porch right at the door. Apparently it's the week of the snake because this is the third one we've had to eliminate this week. There's also kids here to so another reason that they had to be dealt with. Anyway i'm thinking they will be made into earings since they are almost a matching pair. BTW there was at one point a rumor that used to run rampant around these part about there being a deadly powder in snake rattles. It's completely untrue. Snake rattles are just modified rattles that gain in numbers from shedding. I'm either going to use these in more serious rights, or I might even post them up on etsy. Not sure at this point:P

So I dedicate this post to my project and The snake.

Of all the reptiles and maybe even all animals , the snake has been the subject

of great controversy and paradox. Religious sources argue over whether it is

the symbol of the higher or the lower. Sometimes seen as devii and sometimes as

healer, it is an animal that truly has earned the mythical reputation.

In the Americas, the snake served as a prominent symbol in art and lore. To

the Native Americans, the snake is a symbol of transformation and healing. Snake

ceremonies involved learning to transmute the poisons within the body after

being bitten multiple times. Survival of this would then enable the individual to

transmute all poisons-physical or otherwise. It activated the energy of kill or

cure, ultimately leading to dramatic healings.

In the Meso-American societies, the serpent or snake was depicted as

feathered and flying. It was a symbol of their greatest god and hero, Quetzalcoatl.

Quetzalcoatl's story is the myth of a dying god who would someday

return. In many ways he was the patron god of the Toltecs, and it was said that

the heavens and stars and all the motions of the universe were under his

dominion. "He was the master of the winds and of the clouds and the protecting

genius of his people."2

In creece the snake was also a symbol of alchemy and healing. The god Hermes

carried a staff upon which were entwined two snakes. This caduceus symbol

is the primary symbol of modern medicine and doctors. It is a symbol of wisdom

expressed through healing.

In India the goddess Vinaia was the mother of snakes and a symbol of water

and the underworld. Also in India there were demigods, Nagas and their beautiful

wives, Naginis, who were usually depicted as half cobra and half deity. The

god Vishnu is often depicted sleeping on the serpent of eternity called Ananta.

Shiva wears snakes for bracelets and necklaces, representing sexuality.

The serpent and snake has long been a symbol of the sexual/creative life

force within humans as is taught in Eastern traditions. The kundalini or serpent

fire lies coiled at the base of the spine. As we grow and develop, the primal energy

is released, rising up the spine. This in turn activates energy centers in the

body and the mind, opening new dimensions and levels of awareness, health,

and creativity.

In Chinese astrology one of every twelve years is named for the snake. Those

born within that year are believed to have the qualities of compassion, clairvoyance

and charm. They usually need to learn lessons associated with forgiveness,

superstitiousness and possessiveness as well. A study of Chinese astrology will

help you with this.

In Egypt the snake has also had mystical significance. The uraeus is a head

band in the shape of the snake. The head of the snake rests and sticks out at the brow area. It was believed to represent a state of inner sight and control of the universe.

It was a symbol worn by those who were initiated. Some believe it to be a

variations of the eye of Horus, while others see it as the sacred eye of Ra. It represented

a certain degree of wisdom and understanding.3

Because it sheds its skin, the snake has long been a symbol of death and

rebirth. It sheds its skin as it outgrows the old. This death and rebirth cycle is part

of what snake represents. It has ties and significance to the ancient alchemists and

their symbolic transmutation of lead into gold. This is associated with higher wisdom

that comes with the passing of time. This cycle of death and rebirth is often

symbolized by the ouroborus, the ancient image of a snake swallowing its own

tail. It is the symbol of eternity.

Before the snake begins to shed its skin, its eyes will begin to cloud over. It

gives the snake a trancelike appearance. To many mystics and shamans this indicated

the ability of the snake to move between the realms of the living and the

dead, of crossing over from life to death and then back to life again. As the skin

begins to shed, the eyes begin to clear as if they will see the world anew. For this

reason, alchemists often believed that wisdom and new knowledge would lead

to death and rebirth, enabling the individual to see the world from an entirely

new perspective.

The snake has often been depicted, along with its relatives, the serpent and

dragon, as a guardian. It is found in myth and lore guarding treasures, the springs

of life or sacred places. The snake/serpent guarded the tree on which the golden

fleece hung in the Greek tale of Jason and the argonauts.

The snake is sinuous and fast. Although many people think of them as slimy,

their skin is very dry. In fact, humans are slimier than snakes. If a human runs his

or her hand on the floor, it will pick up dirt. A snake's skin will not which is why

it is able to slide and move in the manner it does.

A snake attacks quickly. It raises itself up and strikes quick, hard, and true to

its mark. It is not unusual to find that those with this totem can respond the same

way if need be. It is best not to anger snake people. Although slow to lose their

tempers, once lost, their bite is quick, sharp, and direct. They almost always hit

their mark. They may end up swallowing you whole or just poisoning you in

some way.

Anytime a snake shows up as a totem, you can expect death and rebirth to

occur in some area of your life. This rarely reflects an actual death but rather a

transition. Look for a change in conditions and a movement to new life. examine

what is going on around you. Are you needing to make changes but aren't for

some reason? Are you trying to force change too quickly? Are you striking out at

people and shouldn't? Are you not striking and should? Remember that a snake

not only uses its venom and bite to overcome prey, but also for defense. What is

needing to be healed? What new opportunities are surfacing that you need to

strike out for and take advantage of?

It can also reflect that your own creative forces are awakening. The stimulation

of the kundalini usually has physiological as well as spiritual consequences.

Physiologically it can activate the sexual drive, bring more energy, etc. Spiritually it can stimulate greater perception of how to apply your insight and intuition.

Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate.

To understand the specific role your snake totem will play within your life,

first begin by examining the form it takes. This alone will tell you much. Every

snake has a head, body, and tail, and there are a wide variety of snakes. Some are

poisonous, almost all can bite, and some squeeze and strangle their prey by coiling

around it. Examine your snake's markings, and the patterns of its scales. A

diamond-back rattler is named for its pattern of scales. Examine the significance

of geometric shapes. This will help you to define the role the snake will have in

your life.

The rattlesnake, for example, moves around only during the cool hours of the

night. Extreme heat is deadly to it. You may find for yourself that becoming more

nocturnal would be of benefit. It has a sidewinding motion to its movement. It

also has a special sense organ, a small pit in the head that reacts to heat put out by

other creatures. This is how it senses its prey. On a symbolic level this indicates for

those with this totem an increasing sensitivity to the auras of others. You may start

seeing them soon, but you will definitely start sensing them. Trust what you feel

around others, no matter how strange it may seem.

Always examine some of the qualities and characteristics of the snake in general.

Rest in peace my beloved vacuum:(

2011-08-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

So the motor on my vacuum died, and granted I hated the model of my vacuum I really can't go without one and it was a good lil sucker. I'm probably going to go insane. Anyway RIP my beloved vacuum, you will be missed.

It may sound stupid to some but going out and getting a new appliance isn't something I just grab and go with, it's like a ritual of it's own for me. It has to be the right model, right size, have the right attachments and be the right price. And because of all the back to school stuff and other unforeseen bills...grumble grumble. a new vacuum will have to wait until the first of Sept.:(

What a week

2011-08-19T13:04:00.000-04:00

I can't figure out of this week flew by or creeped buy but none the less, what a weeks it's been. Trinity loves school (thank the gods) and every morning wakes up and goes "is it head start day again?!?!" Then yesterday we had our first freak out moment. As I was walking to the school to pick up Trinity, one of the other fathers was picking up his kid at the school. Well I guess he really really wasn't paying attention and when the lady who signs them out says: "For Trinity?" he said yes!!! For the record his kids name is nothing close to Trinity. So he signed my kid out and then they realized what happened and couldn't find Trinity. So they start calling the house and hubby starts freaking out over the phone. Turn out he took the right kid but signed the wrong one out. Trinity happened to be in the bathroom for all of this so when they were on the phone she pops out hearing her name and they got even more puzzled. I guess you can call that a freak out moment, It was for hubby anyway.

Okay so my recipe I'm sharing is more domestic than witchy but you can always empower your cleaning supplies to have purifying, calming happy properties. I do this with most my supplies I buy and of course the ones I make.

2 cups baking soda (for the love of the gods don't use powder.)
essentials oils of your choice about 1/2 oz total give or take depends on how strong you want it.

Mix these together really well and set on a plate to dry. Dont' use a paper plate because it will soak up all the oils, just a plain old dinner plate will do.

When it's dried you can jar it or put it some kind of shaker. I actually save my Parmesan cheese shakers and use them for this.

The baking sods picks up the old stale or ick smells and the essential oils make it smell that much better.

works great on hubbies or kids shoes

School days, school days!

2011-08-14T12:15:00.000-04:00

Okay so we've had one interesting week, infection from my tooth is finally over, got that sucker pulled. Kids have been lil hellions this last week and I feel like i'm going to loose my mind:P

Trinity is excited about starting her first day of pre-school (and so is mom truth be told) Already been through the discussions with the teachers about our faith and for once they seem all cool with it. one of the administrators to her school was someone I went to school with and is a pretty awesome person. They apparently just wanted to make sure that she was allowed to participate in all the other "normal" holidays.

The curriculum is customized for each child at her pre-school. The program is called Head Start. If you this program in your town I highly recommend checking it out. They learn through play. teach them good personal hygiene & cleanliness/tidiness. Like after their morning snack they brush their teeth, learning how to clean up their toys and helping mom and dad out by keeping clean rooms. They teach them about the holidays, season, basic fundamentals, letters, numbers, reading writing ect, what most preschools do but the way they go about it is so much different than your typical classroom. They do a lot of hands on activities and field trips that are completely paid for by the program. They even have "Daddy Days" where mom gets a break and just kid and daddy go on the field trip. and If i'm remembering right at one time It was mentioned that when they leave the Head Start program they will already know how to read full sentences, write their names and be able to say 125 word on sight. They also get to grow a garden and raise animals.

Bubba has started saying :Thank You" when I give him snacks or change his diaper or give him juice which is awesome. He has conversations with Trinity that she seems to understand but no one else can:P

Okay, so I found this in a book I almost forgot until Trinity dragged it out cuz it "had pretty colors"...anyway I thought this might be something we can do in the morning before school. The book is actually pretty cool. I can't remember though if my aunt bought it for me or if it was one i grabbed but I remember getting it when I was in high school so it was rather fitting at the time:P. Here's the LINK to it if you wanna check it out.

Sunrise Spell (I have altered it a bit)

To be performed the first thing as the sun rises on a big day. You might have an important test,an audition, interview, starting school or changing schools.

As the sun rises go outside and face eastward. Light a white candle.
(I'm not gonna do the marionette type dance? she has in the book)

Say:
I am one with the spirit
I thank you god and goddess & god for the gift of your presence.
I welcome the spirit into me, lending wisdom and energy.
With your help I can achieve to the best of my ability.

Sage saltwater mouth wash

2011-08-06T12:42:00.001-04:00

Okay so recently I've had the lovely adventure of having a tooth pulled. I've had one pulled before but I really don't remember it being anywhere near this painful. It swells and bleeds then after I take what seems to me to be an excess of ibuprofen, it finally goes down only to swell back up and throb in excruciating pain again 4 hours later. I have a medical mouthwash for mouth wounds i'm using morning and at night but in the meantime I wanted to keep it clean when it started throbbing again so I found this in my friends book she had from the 70's.

!/2 cup chopped sage (fresh)
4 cups of water
2 tablespoons salt

get the water to a boil then shut off the heat
add the sage and let it steep for 15-30 minutes (the longer, the stronger)
add salt

swish in your mouth for at least 1 minute each time and use as needed throughout the day.

Happy Lammas!

2011-08-01T10:55:00.000-04:00

Have a Blessed Sabbat!!!!!!

Lughnasadh Recipes

2011-07-31T11:51:00.000-04:00

I really should have posted these last week but I've been feeling rather lazy and nostalgic for autumn and winter, im so not a summer spring person, I like cold and dark, lol. So I've spent most the day plopping my fat butt on the couch watching Food Network and learning some nifty new recipes. Anyway here's some recipes for the Sabbat tomorrow.

Rose Petal Wine

4-5 organic roses
1 large bottle of wine.

Remove petals from stems, gently rinse in a colander, and place in the bottom of a wine bottle. Please make sure the roses have been organically grown without any pesticides at all. Pour the wine over petals and serve. I know not all that fancy but is really kinda neat looking. alliteratively you could make witch brew that we use on every Sabbat.

Corn Bread Sabbat cake

Okay it's no secret among my family and friends that I LOVE cornbread:)
3/4 cups sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp.. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 egg beaten
3 tbs. melted butter
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cup cornmeal

Grease a 9x9 pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cornmeal. Add egg, melted butter and milk. Blend by hand or with electric mixer but do not overmix. Pour batter into pan and bake @375 for 25 minutes o until top is golden brown.
I never cook my food on a super high tempt anymore as I have a tendency to burn ir and cooking things slower gives better flavor.

Beef or Lamb patties

4 lb ground beef r lamb
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1tsp. basil
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 small onion chopped fine
1 slice of bread soaked in 1/4 cup milk

combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Shape into 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick patties and broil for about 10 minutes on each side or grill.

Wild herb salad with vinaigrette

3-4 cups arugala leaves
12 red clover blossoms
2 sprigs rosemary
10 medium to large basil leaves rough chopped
2 purple mustard leaves or red cabbage rough chopped
10-20 mint leaves

Toss them all together in a lrge bowl and for dressings:

8 tbs olive oil
4 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp minces garlic

Roasted corn on the cob (hubby's personal fav)

Fresh ears of corn
Water
Butter
Salt and pepper

Nothing really fancy here. Pull the husks down without pulling them off. Remove silk threads. Rinse corn with water. Rub with butter and salt and pepper. Replace husks twisting the ends to secure and place in the oven @400 for 25 minutes or on the grill for 25 minutes.

Berries and cream.

1/2 lb fresh strawberries
1/2 lb fresh blueberries
1/2 lb fresh raspberries if available
1/2 lb fresh blackberries
1 pint whipping cream (heavy cream)
1 tsp. sugar

Toss berries in a large bowl. Whip cream in a small bow with beaters that ave been chilled in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Whip until the cream is thick and light and forms soft peaks.

And if you're like me and are really lazy or always in a rush just get a tub of already made whipped topping, lol

Okay that's about it for this menu, hope some of you like what I've suggested.

Brightest Blessings
*Spiritrunner*

Lughnasadh

2011-07-29T15:10:00.001-04:00

LAMMAS/LUGHNASADH

LAMMAS is the festival of the ripening corn and the first fruits of the year. Lammas is a Saxon word meaning 'Loaf-mass', which describes the celebration of the corn being the main ingredient for our 'daily bread' The older, Celtic name for this festival is Lughnasadh which means 'mourning for Lugh'.
Lugh was an ancient name for The Sun God and so the name Lughnasadh sums up the feeling of this end of summer celebration. The Sun is on the wane, the sun's strength is dwindling and his energy has gone into the ripening corn.
Like any man in sexual union, he gave his 'seed' to the Goddess who then creates a harvest. The God gives his energy and temporarily looses his virility and strength....but will recover to make love again (i.e Next spring). Through his 'sacrifice' the corn and fruits of the Earth are brought forth.
This is the origin of the corn dollie. The last sheaf of corn was not consumed but kept back and made into a effigy to represent the spirit of the corn and the harvest, sometimes called John Barlycorn.
The effigy was placed at the center of the feasting table and then next year when the fields are being prepared for the sowing of new crops, it was ploughed back into the soil so that the spirit of the sun and the corn did not die. Death being part of an ongoing cycle of transformation rather than an ending, is the most recurrent theme in Witchcraft and Earth religions.

Lammas is a time of abundance and a surplus of food. The hedgerows are now yeilding wild strawberries and raspberries. Gardens are fat with blackcurrants and beans. Green turns to gold, the flowers will begin to die back and bring forth their fruits instead. It is a time for gathering and we must bear in mind the coming of Autumn and Winter ahead. It is time to begin to lay in store the things we will need mentally and physically, to get us through the dark months.
The energy that began to rise from the earth at Imbolc, now begins it's return journey.

Lammas feasts traditionally lasted for 30 days: 15 days before August 1st and 15 days afterwards, during which time people would come together as a community to gather in the crops, reap the corn and celebrate the bounty through feasting and drinking ( beer being also made from the grain and so sacred!).
Can the origins of the catholic rite of eating the 'bread of life' and drinking the 'blood of christ' be just a twist on the Lammas feasting and drinking of late summer? I think it most likely!

LAMMAS CELEBRATIONS

The nicest way I have found to celebrate this festival of food and corn is to get together friends and loved ones, go out into the countryside and have a massive picnic!
Take wine, take bread, take a drum or two and have a chilled and gluttonous evening .
I always like to make a 'food altar', which is just a picture on the ground made quite literally of food. I have found that this is really great fun to do with others and gets everyone envolved. In the middle, put a piece of your 'Lammas loaf' and build outwards with patterns and spirals of different foodstuffs. Try and make it as colourfull and varied as possible, just like the Earth.

When you have completed your food altar, then start your picnic. Do not eat any of the food altar....that is your gift to mother earth and for all her creatures to feast on after you have gone home.
Take a large goblet for the red wine. Fill and pass it round the group and toast the summer. Make a wish and share it if you would like to.
Before you leave, light some incense and leave it burning for the air and fire spirits, then pour your last drop of wine onto the food alter for the water elementals....and you have given somthing for all the elements which make up our earth.

Lammas Altar

If you can't get out in the elements, then bring some into your house.
Decorate your table or altar with corn and grasses. If you have no corn, then bake a loaf of bread and plait it to represent the weaving of the summer energies and birthing. Light golden or dark red candles on your table to represent the waning sun. Bring in a bowl of raspberries or wild strawberries.....the colour scheme should be yellows, golds and reds.

Recipes will be posted tomorrow:)

Brightest Blessings
*Spiritrunner*

Simple candle spell/wish

2011-07-22T01:35:00.000-04:00

The simplest form of magic to me is candle magic. All it requires is a candle a paper and pen. Of course you can add oils herbs and whatnot but in a pinch just the basics work fine:)

You'll need:

Candle (can use the color for the intent if you happen to be at home or have access to it but if you're like me and sometimes have to spell on the run, I carry a white candle and clear quartz with me in my bag everywhere.)
Paper
Pen

Light the candle, write your intent/wish visualizing while you write, fold the paper, and burn it. You can either bury the ashes or keep them in a dark spot until the spell/wish has fulfilled.

I've used this type of magic on so many occasions along with sigil magic I can't even count that high, lol. It really works.

Brightest Blessings
*Spiritrunner*

How to dry herbs

2011-07-18T13:59:00.001-04:00

Okay so if any of you actually know me, ya'll know im a food network junkie...My husband has gone as far as calling me Randi marsh from the creme friache episode of south park... (if you haven't seen it, that one actually made me laugh a few times) Anyway you'll also know im a Paula Deen fan, not so much of her cookware but of her food styles and tastes. I do make alot of stuff I watch on tv:P anyway this came off her website thought it goes well with all parts of kitchen/cottage witchery. OHOHOH before I forget if anyone has some really nifty pictures or ideas for an old cottage style kitchen email meh!!!, lol im in the idea phase of redoing my kitchen i kinda know what I want but would love to see some of my readers ideas. Ii already have inlay-ed brick that short of knocking down the wall can't be removed but really I like it so a wood and brick theme im thinking. Any ideas????

Blessed be
Spiritrunner

How to: Dry Herbs

By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

To everything there is a season, but air-drying herbs and flowers extends their beauty and fragrance well beyond the days of summer.

In the off-season, fresh herbs can be costly and hard to come by. Air drying provides an easy and inexpensive year-round alternative. And rest assured, dried herbs do not diminish the flavor of a dish; by allowing moisture to evaporate slowly and naturally, herbs retain their essential oils. With their fragrance and flavor fully intact, air-dried herbs beat out the store-bought variety in every way. (Paula’s note: Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh)

Harvesting herbs for drying requires little more than timing. It is best to cut herbs as flower buds appear. This is when the leaves contain the most oil, which maximizes flavor and fragrance. You can harvest after flowering occurs, though doing so may compromise the quality. Cut plants in the late morning–after the dew has lifted, but before the sun is at its highest. Substantially cut annual herbs–1/3 to 1/2 of the plant–and cut as much as 1/3 of perennial plants, but avoid large harvests of these in the late summer or fall. Select only healthy branches and discard any dry or diseased leaves. Remove the lower leaves about an inch from the stem’s base. Rinsing the plant with cool water should remove any dust, insects, or pesticides, though it’s important to dry gently to prevent bruising but thoroughly to avoid molding. Mold spreads quickly and will destroy the entire batch of herbs.

Bundle 4 to 6 branches together and secure tightly with a string, keeping in mind that the stems will shrink upon drying. Then place the bundle upside down into a paper bag with holes for ventilation. The herbs should have ample space to allow for airflow, and they should not touch the sides of the bag, which could absorb their essential oils during the process. Tie the bag closed with the ends gathered and hang in a warm (70–80˚F), dry place. Herbs can dry outside if the humidity is low but they should be out of direct sunlight. Attics and linen closest are excellent indoor locations, and the aromatic scent nicely compliments any kitchen pantry.

Allow 2–4 weeks for herbs to dry completely. You can crush herbs before placing them in airtight containers, though whole leaves keep their flavor longer.

Drying flowers is a similar process. Harvest flowers just before or just as they begin to bloom because they will continue to open during drying. Remove all leaves and gather the stems into a small bunch about 1/2-inch in diameter. Secure your bouquets tightly with string and hang them upside down so the stems do not bend. Like herbs, dry flowers in a cool, dry place.

Flowers can take up to 4¬–6 weeks to dry, depending on the flower’s water content. Because of their long drying time, consider displaying your bouquets on an outdoor drying rack. As long as the humidity is low and it isn’t in direct sunlight¬ (which causes fading) a drying rack can give any home a rustic and quaint look.

Notes:
Air drying works best with more sturdy herbs such as bay, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, summer savory and thyme. Tender-leaf herbs that retain more water–basil, chives, mint and tarragon–are best preserved in a dehydrator.

Blue, orange and pink flowers best retain their color when dried. And a flower boasting a low-water content dries well (this includes cornflower, lavender, marjoram, pompon Dahlias, poppy seed-heads and roses).

If you’re only interested in drying flower heads, lay them on a window screen to allow air to circulate around them.

Chocolate cake cake for breakfast

2011-07-18T13:01:00.000-04:00

"In this house we have chocolate cake for breakfast, and never bother with silly little things like bedtimes, or brushing our teeth..."

Okay so in our house we brush our teeth and most the time have a bed time, lol but this morning we had chocolate cake fro breakfast, which im sure is so not good for my sore tooth but it's getting yanked Aug 3rd anyway so yay no more tooth hurty.

Kitchen Witch Wands

2011-07-15T12:53:00.000-04:00

Okay so i've had a few inquiries about my kitchen witch wands i have hanging in my kitchen.

The ones I currently have aren't really elaborate but they suit my needs:)

All you need is some wooden spoon. i get mine from the dollar store.

Some kind of anointing oil, I use one I special made for all my crafts.

Now you can either wood burn your runes and marking in or you can use a paint pen. Keep in mind these are for magic and deco only not for use with food. I have separate ones I use with food, tinctures, brews etc.

Pain or carve into your spoon whatever runes you want and whatever symbols you wish. You can inlay stones (that's what i'm planing on for the next one but i'm currently in the market for a very large wooden spoon and just cant find any local)

Rub the oil on the spoon and bless it on an altar. Ive set my kitchen window seal as an altar.

Hang it in your kitchen as deco or use it to direct energy before making magical tinctures, brews ointments etc.

Happy Crafting
*Spiritrunner*

Me as of late...:P

2011-07-11T01:17:00.002-04:00

Ants...how I loathe thee......

2011-07-10T02:33:00.001-04:00

I'm beginning to think the ants are an alien race hellbent on taking over the planet and they are starting with my house....

Why didn't anyone remind me I was moving back to the center of the sun?

2011-07-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

Okay so yeah it's hotter than hell here, was 110 on the 4th. I,being of very Celtic background, am certainly not a desert person. That being said here's a recipe I made to cool off and you get your fruits in. Kids love these BTW least all the ones I know do, and I know some damn picky eaters:P

Strawberries. stems odd and frozen
soy milk(or butter milk or regular milk, butter milk gives it a very nice tang)
sugar

Use how many ever frozen strawberries you want. Pop em in the blender
Pour enough milk to just cover them
Put about 1/8 cup sugar

blend blend blend till smooth pour in cups and Tada!! Wonderfully cold fresh healthy drink.

Dealing with death

2011-07-05T13:25:00.000-04:00

A good friend of mine is loosing one her best friends today. Her pet recently took ill and when they took him to the vet they found a mass in his stomach to the point of no return. They've decided to put him down to save him from suffering. This post is dedicated to her.

This is from Bucklands Wicca for life (one of the first craft books i owned when I was about 13)
This ritual has been modified a bit to suit this particular need and solitaryness:P

Crossing the Bridge:

White candle to represent the one who has passed (and i know alot of ppl who think animals dont count, which i personally say BS to them. Animals are and always will be creatures of the goddess and companions to us humans, they have their own personalities,quirks and really they are just like having a kid. they make us laugh, cry, and help us enjoy life just a lil more)

flower or herbs if you want

A bell.

If you want you can cast a circle, if you're not familiar with circles don't worry about it:).

Ring bell 9 times

say in your head or outloud:

We hear the bell of remembrance, rung today for (name), who has moved on across the bridge to summerland.

That (name) is not with me in body, here today, is my loss and saddens me. Yet although I am saddened, I also rejoice, for she/he has left this plane to move on towards the next lifetime. She/he has completed the lifework that has been planned and now moves forward through the light, to that which lies ahead.

light the white candle

Say:

Here I send my love and my energies to help you pass across the bridge, into the light and into the arms of the Lord and Lady. May your spirit burn as brightly as does this candle flame. You have touches many hearts in your time with us and I will miss you. Blessed be

I wish you all the love and happiness I can. I will always remember you with love. You are always welcome here. Do not forget us. We will meet again. Blessed be.

Happy 4th

2011-07-04T00:52:00.000-04:00

Have a happy, safe & relaxing 4th of July:)

Banishing bad energies and things that go bump in the night

2011-06-25T03:08:00.000-04:00

So lately in the groups i'm a part of and in emails i get I've seen A LOT of requests for help with getting rid of baddies for lack of a better term right now (it's midnight and I've drank my chamomile tea so bare with me:P:)

So here's something I wrote up when we were living in Florida and were having some issues with a particular spirit that liked to scare the crap out of my daughter every night to the point she would huddle in the middle of her room because apparently it would block the door and not let her pass through.

Anyway very simple, we saged the house, bricked the doorways (using powdered brick and salt along windows and doorways to keep unwanted spirits and negativity out.)

Banishing ghosts and things that go bump in the night

Do you think you have a ghost or a bad energy hanging around? If possible work this spell on a waning moon phase to tie into the banishing energies of the moon. Alternativly, try a satury to remove the problem and to pull in the closing energies of the week.

take two brstles from your ritual or household broom and burn them inside of a cauldron or old pot. Next sprinkle all of the inside corners of the house with salt blessed water and incense smoke. go to the corner of the house and announce:

In the name of the lady and by the power of a witch's art,

all spells an energies not in harmony with me must now depart.

Finally take the blessed water and draw small stars on every door window and mirror (this seals the house so nothing else liek sour vibes or negativity can get in)

once the water dries, the stars will be invisible but the magick will remain...

Blessed Be

*Spiritrunner*

Solstice bread follow up

2011-06-22T17:42:00.000-04:00

Okay so I made the bread again this morning, would have done it yesterday but when the temp climbs to 104, turning on the oven is so not ideal. Anyway made it about 6 this morning, took some slices while it was still warm and made me a chicken sandwich and wrapped it up for lunch. Have to say was one of the best things i've eating in a long time. Very fresh, and although the bread if fairly dense it makes for a nice light sandwich. To make the sandwich even better, I used homemade pesto mayo, spinach and tomato. Sooo summery and good

Pesto mayo:
1 cup fresh chopped basil.
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 tsp salt ( i use sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp pine nuts

pop it all in the food processor till you get a paste

Then add 1 cup mayo (use light if you need to, doesn't effect taste much)
Mix really well or pop in the processor for a few seconds then jar and let it get really cold and set overnight. I Find letting any pesto product taste better after it has sat overnight to soak up all the flavors, but can be used fresh as well.