Goddess Cookies

Nom nom nom nom! I do love a good cookie! I realized today that since cookies can be molded into different shapes, it would be a good idea to cut them into different shapes representing the Goddess. And hey, why not represent the God as well! I then thought it would be a good idea to have the symbols to use as "patterns" for the cutting. I wonder if anyone makes wiccan cookie cutters? Probably! Here are some symbols you may want to use for cookie cutting projects. I will post pictures if I actually get around to doing this. For now I'm just providing fun ideas to get kids and yourself creative. Why not use frosting to draw pentacles, stars, moons, or suns?

The Triple Goddess




The Primordial Mother



Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess_movement

The Horned God

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! 

   

Halloween Treats That Aren't Too Tricky

I have made an amazing discovery that parents will adore! They are called cookie cups. It is basically shaping cookie dough on an upside-down cupcake pan. It makes little cups that kids can use for ice cream or anything else they desire. I have never thought of it before until I saw it recently. it is very possible to use any combination of cookie dough and toppings. My favorite idea is making pumpkin cookie cups with vanilla ice cream in them. Mmmm...The possibilities are endless.

Here is a Recipe Using Them

I have also discovered an amazing blog/website for baking called Cookies & Cups. 

Click Here To See Blog

I hope this helps you organize any parties you're throwing or just for goodies to fill the mouths of little witchlets. Ta ta for now.

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!

Fairies!

Fairies are called by many names: little folk, good folk, faeries, and the fae. Fae derives from the latin word fata meaning "fate". Faeries are magical beings which occupy a world in a different realm of existence. Our world and their world is separated by a barrier called the veil. The term faery can be used for any magical being. This includes elves, leprechauns, brownies, merepeople, pixies, ect. Many people make fairy houses for the smaller type of fae. These house are made of natural material like twigs, rocks, pine cones, acorns, ect. Mushrooms are a sign of faeries being near. If you find mushrooms which make a circle then this is called a faery ring and is said to be where faeries have danced around in a circle. Faeries are often found is gardens, woods, fields, and basically any natural places. Foods that attract them are basically anything sweet. Honey and jam is especially good. Moss, clovers, bell flowers like foxglove, thyme, lavender, and roses are all great plants for a faery garden. Faeries tend to dislike iron so don’t add this to your garden. They also dislike weed pulling and trimming of bushes and trees. They like when nature is left more wild. As with all beings some faeries are good and some faeries are not so nice. Faeries can be visited through meditation and astral travels. Use caution while meeting different beings and always show respect.

Now for the fun stuff!

Faery Milk

This is a drink recipe I ran across somewhere. I've made it several times. It's yummy and fantastic to have before you go to bed.

Ingredients:

Warm Milk
A sprinkle of cinammon
A little vanilla extract
honey to taste
thyme (I added this in once and found it to be pleasent.)

Faery Chant

Oh fellows of nature gather round
to listen to the a soulful call
May your magic and grace abound
like laughter at a merry ball
May what is lost always be found
and may the Goddess bless you all

(I think this would be a good spell to use if it is suspect the fae decided to hide something from you. What little tricksters they can be but what good fun too!)

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

Herbal Hair Rinses

I have often used many different recipes for herbal hair rinses. There are many different herbal treatments for different hair types. My hair was feeling especially oily yesterday and I created a tincture which did an amazing job. My hair felt soft, smelled good, and was not oily anymore.

Here is the recipe:

a handful strawberry leaves (good for getting oil out)
a handful mint leaves (good for getting volume)
some lemon juice (puts hightlights in light hair. This can be left out if you don't have light hair.)
some apple cider vinegar (gets oil and other chemicals out)
pour boling water over herbs and cover. Let it sit for more than 20 minutes. Use after it has cooled enough by pouring it over your hair or sumerging your hair in it.

Now I'll name a hair type and list herbs which work well for it.

Normal: rosemary, thyme, blackberry leaf, lavender, mint, elderberries, vinegar.

Dry: borax, chamomile oil, cider vinegar.

Oily: strawberry leaves, mint leaves, rosemary leaves, lemon.

Itchy/dandruff: catnip, nettle tops, birch leaves, cider vinegar, chamomile oil.

Brunettes/dark hair: sage, cinnamon, coffee, nettle.

Blonde: chamomile, rubarb, lemon, caledula petals.

Red: Hibiscus, red wine, water used to boil beets.

These are links you may find helpful:

http://www.herbcompanion.com/body-care/body-and-soul-herbal-hair-rinses.aspx?page=2
http://everygreenherb.com/hairRinses.html

 

Incense Making

Note from Witchy: Hello my dears! It is my pleasure to introduce you to Ula who sent me this wonderful little article she wrote about incense making. Enjoy!

Hello! This is Ula here with how to make incense!

Making incense is an easy way to put your energy and intent into what you burn. It also allows you to use an herb without digging out a charcoal disk and grinding it up. I made White Sage incense but you can use any herb/powder you wish.

The key to the incense is making it self igniting. Some use salt peter and some charcoal tabs but I like using Makko, a Japanese incense. It has a pleasant odor and is inexpensive. You just need to mix it 4:1 with four being your dried herb/ powder and one the Makko. I usually make my Sage incense with four tablespoons Sage to one of Makko. Just add distilled water until it's a moist paste that holds together. I then just take pinches and shape them into cones. They need to sit on wax paper for two weeks to dry and then need put in an air tight container.

They are great to smudge in a small space or when you don't want too much smoke. I get about 30 when I use this recipe. They burn nice and even and smell like Sage only. I have also made it Mugwort and Mullein.

Herb Drying

I decided to dry some mint and strawberry leaves from the garden. I heard that strawberry leaves are good for acne but don't know a recipe using it. As for the mint, it makes a great tea and is in a book I just bought describing herbs and their uses. Below are pictures of the herbs drying.

Lammas

It's time to break bread in honor of the God and Goddess! It's time to celebrate the first harvest of berries and fruits! What's cooking is your kitchen? Spending time in the kitchen is a great way to do magic! What are your favorite herbs and spices? I love so many of them! I especially love Cinnamon! 

Gobbling Goddess Food

I have been interested in Kitchen Witchery for a long time now. I love herbs and teas. Cooking is something I haven't really tried before, besides boiling water. Still what attracts me most to magic in the home is it's practicality. I'm not always going to have the time to take a long nature walk or do a spell. But we all need to eat eventually so why not make it a magical process! Inspired the other day by this idea, I was set on making eggs in a nest and decided to cut out the middle a little differently. I made the triple goddess sign out of bread! Although the rest of the cooking became a rather sticky situation (meaning that the egg stuck to the pan. Oops!), I found myself very proud of what I will call a fertility-in-the-nest dinner! Below is a photo of the end product of this endeavor.