Apple Lore: Predicting the Future with the ABC's

There is a lot of different lore about apples. It is said that apple trees are gateways between this world and the world of the fae. Apples are also symbols of love. If you peel an apple in one long strip, throw it over your shoulder, and whatever letter the peel makes will be the first letter of your next lovers name.

I thought what fun it would be to take this idea and run with it! Using the apple picture below, color it red or pink, and clear your mind while coloring. Now take a piece of paper and write the alphabet in BIG letters. Close your eyes and glide your finger over the paper until you want to stop. The letter you land on will start the name of someone who will soon be dear to you in some way. Now write the letter in the center of the apple you just colored. A heart around it would be a nice touch if you wish. Just think! It could be a friend, new family member, or perhaps even a handsome prince or beautiful princess! 

   

October and Other Updates!

You all might not know this but October is my favorite month. The chill in the air and dark mood of the month tickles me. There is a depth to this month mixed with the whimsical and mysterious. I tried without avail to find a gorgeous song which is called "Octobers Child" by Sweetbird on youtube so I could post it here. I fortunately found the website for the musicians and they have a little music clip bar there where you can hear samples of all their songs including the one I was trying to find. Their music is absolutely amazing and the fact they are New Englanders is just the cherry on top.

Click Here to See Their Website

I also want to say sorry that I did not get a short story written last Saturday. I got too distracted by Firefly and Doctor Who marathons on the TV to remember. I was also distracted because I spent most of my day felting away using the kit I bought at the Common Ground Fair. I think it came out pretty good for my first time. Here is the end result:

Another crafty thing I did recently was start on the wreath I am making. I put the Sweet Annies plant in the wreath I bought as a base and had some left over to make my own wreath from scratch. They still need all of the decorations so I'll post pics later.

And I'll leave you now with photos I took which seem especially Fallish.

Wheel Of The Year Magnet

Hey kids and parents! Here's a fun craft to try. It's called a Wheel of the Year and shows all the holdiays us witches celebrate.

Here's what you'll need:

Paper Plate
Paper (colored or not)
Scissors
Two Magnets
Glue
Something to write with
Anything you want to decorate with

Take your paper plate and cut out the inside circle so there isn't a wavy part. Then take your writing instrument of choice and write the names of the Sabbats in order all around the outside. Decorate your plate with anything you feel fits with each season and holiday. Take your glue and glue one magnet to the center of the back of the plate. Cut out an arrow using the separate sheet of paper and attach this to the other magnet using glue. Let everything dry overnight and you have your own personal wheel of the year! You can use the arrow to point to the next holiday coming up or the holiday which you are currently celebrating! 
Ta ta for now little witchlets! 

What I Bought At The Fair

I bought many different items at the fair. I swear every time I turned around there was something so beautiful, fun, creative, and overall so uniquelly amazing! I took pictures of everything I bought there except the herbs I bought. I bought motherwort, mugwort, and hawthorn so if you know any recipes or anything I can do with them please tell me! And now picture time!

Click Here to See The Website for the Fair

This is the newspaper they gave us at the entrance! The picture on the front is also on a small green t-shirt I got there.

The candle and soaps I got at the same store/booth. The candle is soy and was only $5 because the owners are discontinuing making them in color. Apparently the color doesn't hold up well with the heat. The soaps are so awesome smelling! They have oatmeal in them which makes them great for your skin.

This tea steeper with the sun design was too beautiful to pass up and the tea to go with it sounds very yummy! I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will be delicious.

Okay you may not know this but I LOVE crafts! I croquet and the yarn seen above is so soft! The mixed colored one is made out of bunny hair! The natural dye really is so beautiful and the prices weren't bad either. The totally orange one was $9 and the mixed colored one was $12. The picture above that is of a felting kit I got with a dragonfly pattern. I really love dragonflies. I plan on croqueting a bag from the yarn and using the felted square to make a pocket.

That green herb above is called Sweet Annies and it's the most wonderfull smelling plant! I am planning on making a fall wreath with it. The smell is suppose to last up to a year. As for the cute little pumpkin...How could I resist!? I'm probably going to paint on it.

Okay this organic catnip toy is seriously fresh! My cat was going insane over it! She was tossing it around, clawing it, and rubbing it all over her face. She was in cat heaven and then proceeded to go pig out on her dry food.

This beautiful bowl was bought from a guy who truly has followed through with his dream. He decided that he wanted to make ceramics and explore and photograph caves and now he does both! He gives tours of caves to people and sells his pottery. Some of his pottery has bats on it too. He is truly an inspiration.

I got this birch bark bracelet in the Native American tent of the fair. I am thinking that I'm going to paint little birch trees on it.

I'll try to remember to post pictures of the end products from the crafts. For now blessings to you all!

Essay on Witchvox: Practical Paganism!

Finally my essay was put up on Witchvox! They said it would take a few business days to get it up but I've been waiting for what seems like forever. I love Witchvox though and I'm glad there is still an opportunity for us to have our thoughts published. I also noted there are two new followers. Did you creep on in from there? lol! Anyhow I have decided to post my essay on here so all my blog followers can take a looksy. Here is my: Practical Paganism

Practical Paganism
Author: Rhosewen
Posted: September 4th. 2011
Times Viewed: 254

As I look around the room, it hits me how much I have related to Wicca. It has literally become a huge part of my existence. My focus is directed to a piece of amber crystal that I bought for fifteen dollars at a local shop. I now wonder to myself whether it was worth it but a bigger question arises from this. Whatever happened to down to earth practical magic?

It’s no secret that most people live on a budget. Although I love those spiritual stores with so many wonderfully witchy objects, I have to wonder if my life would be even more fulfilled by not just buying things but creating them. I’m talking about cheap, practical, and personal ways to bring magic into every aspect of life. Creation is a force that the Goddess teaches us everyday. Each time we eat, we are recognizing the fact that something was created so we could sustain our lives. When we are cleaning, we are assuming the position of cleansing which, although the opposite of creation, makes way for something to be created. The way magic is done does not matter; the energy behind it is what truly makes it powerful.

This being said I want to focus attention on the benefits of practical magic. My reasons why this type of magic has attracted my attention will be included. How to achieve the same level of magical power while intertwining it with simple tasks will also be discussed.

One reason I like this idea is time management. I simply have no time to do long rituals, spells, or meditations. I will always have to make meals, clean, and do other necessary tasks to sustain life. In my extra time I want to do crafts, create a garden, make art and generally live with the movement of life. Taking the time to slow down and do a ritual is just not possible. It is fantastic when I feel inspired to do it but still does not fill an itch I have.

Another reason this path is awesome is because it saves money! Instead of buying gifts, organic soaps, herbal remedies, and even clothing, I can make it! When we get down to nature we will find that it provides us with all we need. We can grow our own food, make our own clothes, and generally being self-sustaining. This in turn saves money. Instead of buying that twenty-dollar sweater, you can make it with a yarn ball you bought at a craft store for at most ten dollars.

My third reason is that it just feels right. Every religion, even Wicca, loses their initial meaning after awhile. Some people may think of Wicca as just a way to get what they want by simply casting a few powerful spells. Yes spells can help direct energy in a positive way so you can reach your goal but at the same time action must be taken. It is not what we can get from nature that is important but what it freely gives all of humanity. It gives us the power of movement and the constant ability to build from the ground up (literally) . Using what nature gives us to make everyday tasks a magical event is truly telling the Goddess and God thanks for everything.

This is magic of the hearth and home. My fourth fantastic reason for this way of magic is that you cannot get caught up in the stress of life. Everything you do is enveloped by such fantastic magic! You live a truly enchanted life and learn to love just about every task that needs to be done. Building spirituality into every aspect of life allows you to relax and enjoy each moment as it comes. While doing the dishes you can put yourself into a slight trance and connect with the cleansing energies in this world. At the end of the day you feel fulfilled spiritually and have gotten everything you needed to get done.

My fifth reason for liking this path is helping heal the environment and preventing causing it further damage. If you make your own bath supplies, clothes, food, etc., then you are doing this. Not only will what you make be organic but will not have been shipped to you. This means that there is one less thing using energy and gas to come to your front door. Every little bit helps push everyone else to become aware of how they affect the environment. People catch on to the fact that it is possible to lessen our dependence on non-renewable energy and that, for them, it can be beneficial. They can spend less and make more. Your home project can inspire a community effort to go green.

The problem is that most chants and spells are not based around these daily events. People consider these activities chores and try to get them done as fast as possible. Why not slow down and put yourself into the task? Why not say a chant? Why not weave your own spell? I will present to you now a few chants I have created around these mundane "chores".

Here are some chants for cleansing.

Laundry Blessing

Clothes blowing in the breeze
Wind dry them with ease
Sun dry my tears
Take away all my fears

Sweeping

Sweep out the past
Sweep out the dark
With this broom I cast
A protective mark

Here are some chants of creation.

Stirring

Stirring up a cauldron brew
Ready to taste something new
A taste of something pure and true
Filled with what the Mother grew

Craft

As I do this craft
Mother sat back and laughed
Her joy spilled into my creation
Filling its owner with much elation

In conclusion, practical magic is something that is worth a try for many reasons. It is a chance to find uses for magic in our daily lives. With a deep focus on the home, it may become a way to connect with family and friends. It takes other people to enjoy a feast or a home-made gift. This is my final and, in my opinion, the best reason for this path: It joins us together and promotes love for all.
Here is the link to Witchvox: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=words&id=14711

Book of Shadows

Now for those who don't know a witches Book of Shadows or B.O.S. is where all spells, potions, information, and just about anything else pertaining to her/his practice is kept. It is a nice way to keep all your information in one place so it can be referenced later. Covens often have a cumilative one for when they meet to do magic.

I am trying to find a good blank book for my personal Book of Shadows in which I will write all of my own spells, potions, chants, and other stuff. I have just finished designing one especially for all the information that I have gained through the internet.

Here is a picture of it:

Anyway...I was wondering if any of you have a special Book of Shadows. So do you?