Pagan Blog Project - Herbs, part 1

One of the things I most love about Wicca is the use of herbs, whether it be for incense, elixirs or cooking.  Their magical lore fascinates me.  But it has been very frustrating for me trying to grow my own.  I plant them with very mixed results - some flourish (wormwood), some die out and come back each year (sweet woodruff and yarrow), while some seem to have departed for the Summerland (rosemary).  I've tried keeping some in small pots by my kitchen window, but so far parsley is the only one that likes that locale.  Still, I am determined to have my herb garden!  My dream is to establish a little knot garden:

(Did I say little?)  But frankly, I'd be happy with this:

In the meantime, thank goodness there are dried herbs readily available for charms and spells and even such mundane magic as cooking.  My son is a new father and I want to make him a Father's Spice Pillow from The Wicca Herbal by Jamie Wood.  Clove is used for its protective and healing properties. 

2 T whole cloves

2 T whole allspice berries

2 cinnamon sticks

2 cups long-grain rice (uncooked)

1 piece of fabric, 20" x 10"

With a mortar and pestle, grind spices in deosil (clockwise) direction, focusing on the healing warmth of the sun.  (In a pinch, you could use a coffee grinder or even buy ground spices.)

Fold your fabric in half and sew up the 2 long sides.  Combine the herb mixture with the rice and pour it into the fabric pouch.  Sew up the opening.  To use, microwave the pouch for 2 minutes for a warm pillow or freeze it overnight for a cold pack.



Pagan Blog Project - Glamour

Glamour is the ability to make people see - or not see - what you want them to.  It has been associated with the gypsy talent to read crystal balls and palms or to charm people (sometimes out of their money!).  

Invisibility, charm, beauty, persuasion, shape-shifting; all have been attributed to the power of glamour.  It can be a wonderful tool for self-defense or protection in a world that leaves you feeling vulnerable. Always remember the three-fold rule and use your glamour for good!

Pagan Blog Project - Green Man

There is a tree in my neighbor's yard that looks very much like the Green Man's face to me, especially when clothed in summer leaves.

The Green Man is often seen in April Fool processions, a harbinger of Spring, the fertility of Beltane and the hedonism of long summer days.  Robin Hood, Puck and even Father Christmas wreathed in holly can trace their roots to him.  His appearance in the wheel of the year marks the god's transition from a newborn babe at Yule to a virile god in full glory, consort to the goddess. 



Pagan Blog Project - Full Moon

Is there any sight more beautiful than your garden bathed in the surreal silver light of a full moon?  There's something enchanted about basking in that light, so bright it almost hurts.

It's easy to understand why our ancestors placed so much power and magick in this event.  As each full moon comes around again, give yourself the chance to experience those feelings of love, power and magick for yourself!

Happy (posted belatedly) Ostara!

I wanted to light a bonfire this morning to greet the dawn but it has been snowing lightly off and on for the past few days and my kindling is too damp.  I was able to set up a mini altar outside and my candles are staying lit - green for the life returning to the earth, yellow for the sun shining longer in the sky and purple for the goddess.  A bunny and lamb, symbols of spring, are there as well. Earlier I poured a bowl of milk and honey in my yard as an offering to the garden fairies and gnomes.  Apparently one of the neighbors' cats left her own offering - a little dead sparrow. 
Life is returning to the garden.  Shoots are coming up for daffodils, tulips and crocuses.  Some of my herbs are turning green again, most noticeably the wormwood.

It's time for spring cleaning and for psychically cleansing your home by walking through each room with incense or salt or even scented water to banish all negativity. If you wish you can use this time as a fresh start. I'm intent on bringing more r&r into my life - sleeping more, playing more and carving out time for the things that are important to me instead of making them wait til everything else is crossed off my to do list!
May the growing days bring you health, wealth and joy.  And if you're below the equator, may the growing nights bring you the same!
Blessed be!

Pagan Blog Project - Fawn

My Wiccan name is Fawn.  For months I tried to come up with a cool name.  Raven is a popular Wiccan name and I love crows anyway, what with their being guides through the underworld and all.  But it didn’t quite fit.  I tried variations, such as Bran (Welsh for crow).  Still not right. I moved on to the relatives: magpie, rook, blue jay – you get the idea.  No click.  Then one day during meditation, a name just came to me…Fawn.  I wasn’t happy.  I was going for wings and coolness and I get a timid, helpless little creature?  But there was no denying it fit my nature.  So I tried it out - fawns are cute, they’re gentle, sweet, playful and even kind of mysterious if you count that elusive factor.  OK, Fawn it was.  I found a tiny raffia fawn at Pier 1 and it lives on my altar.

And of course, it can also mean Faun – that mischievous half-human, half-goat creature featured in myth and Shakespeare.  Being a Capricorn, I have an affinity for Pan and Puck.  It seems to have been a pretty inspired name after all!

So don’t despair if you’re having trouble naming yourself.  Give the gods and goddesses some time, listen and they’ll whisper it to you!

Pagan Blog Project - Esbats

Every 28 days (or so) we get to celebrate the moon in all her glory.  It’s a time for working spells for growing, expanding awareness, celebrating.  Thirteen mini feastdays a year – what’s not to love?
Every moon cycle has her own name and intentions.  Here’s a short list, but there are many variations – find one that speaks to you.
Wolf Moon
Ice Moon
Storm Moon
Growing Moon
Hare Moon
Mead Moon
Hay Moon
Corn Moon
Harvest Moon
Blood Moon
Hunter’s Moon
Snow Moon
Cold Moon

A generous friend of mine recently gave me Moon Magick by D.J. Conway.  It has history and myths, correspondences, rituals, crafts and recipes for each moon.  Thanks, Cyndi!
I think what I like best is that every 28 days (or so) we get the chance to rededicate ourselves to this path, to be grateful for the life and love the Goddess bestows on us and to work magic!

For cakes and ale, try this recipe.  It makes little round cookie “moons”. 
 
Simple Sabbat Cakes:
·        3/4 cup soft butter
·        2 cups brown sugar
·        2 eggs
·        1 Tbsp. lemon juice
·        2 tsp. grated lemon rind
·        2 cups flour
·        1 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the brown sugar and mix well. Add eggs, lemon juice and rind. Mix until well-blended.
Stir in flour and walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When chilled, shape dough into one-inch balls and place 3" apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Serve with beverage of your choice.  Mead, tea or apple cider would all be good!