Pagan Blog Project - Inspiration

 

 One of my favorite aspects of meditation is the inspiration that often occurs during or shortly after.  Whether I focus on something I'd like to bring into my life or just spend the time in contemplation, the ideas that occur feel like gifts.  They may solve a situation with an angle I hadn't even considered or show me how to use something I already have at hand instead of shopping.
Sometimes I receive answers that I didn't even know I was looking for.  Any aspect of my life is open to inspiration: from the mundane (housework) to the magickal (spells) and everything in between.  I've been inspired to find work doing something I love which led me to teach knitting classes. 

Whether it's something small (like blog ideas!), problematic (a gift idea for a beloved family member) or life-changing (quit my job to find something better) ideas and answers flow through me when I take the time to sit quietly and be open to the love and energy that surrounds us.  May you be blessed as well!

Pagan Blog Project - Incense

Incense helps set the mood when I want to meditate or cast a spell. I light it as part of casting my circle, while facing east to welcome the sylphs of the air.  There are scents to correspond to the days of the week or for certain goals, but if that gets too complicated, Nag Champa from World Market is a very nice everyday incense.  (Their Champaka Flora is also wonderful.)

For greater variety they carry an economical assortment that includes patchouli, jasmine, lotus, pine, rose, sandalwood and amber.

There are excellent lists of correspondences in books and online, but here's a quickie for the days of the week.  Then again, when practicing your craft use those other "i"s - intuition and inspiration - to select the scent that best suits you.
Monday - jasmine, sandalwood
Tuesday - Dragon's Blood (a personal favorite), patchouli
Wednesday - lavender, jasmine
Thursday - cinnamon, musk, sage
Friday - rose, sandalwood
Saturday - myrrh, patchouli
Sunday - frankincense, cedar, lemon

While sticks and cones are easiest to use, you can also use a burner and charcoal to burn resin or herbs. I recommend doing this outside as it can get smoky, but it does make a wonderful ritual for any sabbat or esbat.

 
Remember, too, scents can evoke memories.  Shortly after beginning a regular routine of circle casting and/or meditating, the smell of burning incense alone may be enough to induce a trance-like state.  Then try using the swirling, spiraling smoke for scrying.  Blessed be!

Make suet while the sun shines

I found a recipe for cooking a whole chicken in a crockpot the other day and believe that will be my go-to way to make chicken from now on.  Here's the site: http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/whole-chicken-in-a-crock-pot/.

There are also links for things to do with the leftover broth.  I followed the one for the fat that hardens on top and made these suet cakes. 

The irony of feeding birds chicken fat has not escaped me, but if it fills their little bellies this winter, I figure it's all good.  Since the cakes will melt if I set them out now, they're going in the freezer until it gets cold.  Can't wait to see if they're a success!

Pagan Blog Project - Herbs, Part 2

After planting herbs and watching them grow, harvesting is the next fun part!  Today I gathered some mint to add to sweet potatoes cooking in the crock pot with sage and thyme. 

Before that, I ate some radishes I had planted just after Mother's Day.  (Technically, not an herb, but still something from my garden!)

As you know from my last post, I had been germinating the idea of an herb garden.  That, too, ripened into this plan for a crescent shaped garden that will basically just involve moving around the plants that are already growing and adding some magickal plants for a hedge to give me privacy while observing the moon from my front yard. 

I like the properties of yew (evergreen, symbol of death and rebirth, enhanced psychic and magickal abilities).  Let me know what you think!

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.