Wiccan Pagan Article Feed

Glossary Of Wiccan Pagan Terms

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

ALTAR - Special flat surface set aside for religious acknowledgement or magickal workings. Generally of an all natural material, ie. stone or a wooden table built with out metal fasteners.

ARADIA - Daughter of the Sun, Lucifer, and the Moon, Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian Witches or Strega, commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.

ALEXANDERIAN - That tradition of Witchcrafte descended from the teachings of Alex Sanders.

ATHAME - black handled, double edged knife. Principally used to cast and dissolve the circle, for which purposes it is interchangeable with the sword, the wand or besom. Considered to be a tool of the Element Fire in many traditions.

AVONIAN WICA - Tradition initiated by Avon Maser. Primary dieties are Mother Earth, Father Sun and Daughter Moon. Based in belief in an ecological pattern of technology to achieve advancement of Human race.

BANISH - To exorcise unwanted energies and/or entities. To rid the presence of same.

BESOM - Some traditions see the besom or broom as others use the athame or wand. It is often used to sweep physical debris and meta-physical negativity from a place to serve as sacred space, ie. casted circle.

BELTANE - May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic Fire Festivals. Bel, meaning the god Baal, and tane meaning fire, literally translates to Baal's Fire. On this night, the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility would jump the fires on Beltane night. This Festival also marks the transition point of the triple Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother.

BLACK HANDLE KNIFE - See ATHAME.

BOLINE- See WHITE HANDLED KNIFE

BOOK OF SHADOWS - Traditionally hand copied book of rituals, recipes , guidelines, and other materials deemed important to a Witch or a coven. Each tradition has its own standard version of the Book and each Witch's book will be different as he or she adds to it with time from many different sources. Only another Witch should be allow to see your book of shadows. Also, traditionally, it may never leave your hands or possession until death, when it should be destroyed, or in some traditions returned to the coven to be disposed of.

BURNING TIMES - a term used by some Witches for the period of persecution in the Middle Ages and later. It is in fact a misnomer in some places, as Witches were only burned in Scotland, and on the continent of Europe. In England and the U.S., they were hanged.

CANDLEMAS - Festival held on Feb. 1. One of the four Celtic Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also called Imbolg or Imbloc (the old Celtic name). This is the seasonal change where the first signs of sring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year.This Festival also marks the transition point of the triple Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.

CARDINAL POINTS - North, South, East, and West.

CAULDRON - Three legged cooking vessel, considered by some traditions to be a one of the tools of the Witch. May be used as a vessel to prepare brews and potions, as well as a censer. Placed in circle or on an altar to represent the womb of the goddess.

CHALICE - one of the tools of the Witch. Placed on the altar to represent the element of Water.

CHARGE OF THE GODDESS - The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers. Originally written by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from the Goddess to her children. Normally declared by the HPS at every coven Circle.

CIRCLE - the area in which the magickal worship and spells takes place. Can also be used to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans such as Dark Moon Circle.

CONE OF POWER - power raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent out into the world to work magic, is usually visualized as being retained and built in the form of a cone prior to release.

COVEN - an organized group of Witches, led by a High priestess and/or a High Priest who meet regularly for worship and fellowship. The traditional membership is considered to be 13, but many covens number considerably less. In Middle English, the word Covin means a group of confederates; In Old French Covine is defined as a band or group with a single purpose; Latin Com - together, Venire-to come or move.

COVENSTEAD - regular meeting place for a coven. Usually the home of the High Priestess or High Priest.

COWAN - a non-Witch. Formerly used in a very derogatory manner. Still used in Masonic Ritual to indicate the non initiate and/or pretender. Not often used today among most Witches.

CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.

DARK PATH See LEFT HAND PATH DAYS OF POWER - See SABBATS DEGREE - Levels of attainment, many traditions have three degrees or levels of adeptness.

DEOSIL - clockwise or anti-clockwise in the sothern hemisphere. Traditional direction for working building magic.

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into the body of the High Priestess by the High Priest.

DIANIC - Tradition initiated by An Forfreedom. Members are both male and female, but focuses on Feminine leadership.

DIVINATION - magical method of exploration or inquiry into a situation via such methods as Tarot cards, runestones, I-Ching, etc.

EARTH MAGICK - Practical form of magic whereas the powers and forces of Mother Earth are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations.

ELDER - Individuals who through their wisdom, age, experience, education, counseling, as well as other areas have overseen the teachings of the Crafte, and protected them with their all. Seldom one under the age of thirty-five.

ELEMENTS - Earth, air, fire, and water, plus spirit, which includes them all. These are regarded as realms or categories of nature both material and non-material and are not to be confused with the physicists table of elements, which the modern witch, of course, accepts.

EQUINOX - Either of the two times a year when the sun crosses the equator and the length of day and night are approximately the same. Spring Equinox approximately March 21st-22nd, Fall Equinox September 21st-22nd.

ESBAT - meeting of a witches, Traditionally held either on the full moon or the new moon.

FAMILY-TRADITION - Family Tradition, see TRADITION.

FAMILIARS - Either a Witchs pet animal which has been trained to be a magickal helper, or an artificially created elemental which performs the same functions as the animal friend.

FIVEFOLD KISS - The Witches' ritual salute, with kisses; 1: on each foot, 2: on each knee, 3: above the pubic hair, 4: on each breast, and 5: on the lips, really eight kisses in all. It is only used within the Circle, but the words that go with it are the origin of Blessed Be.

GARDNERIAN - A tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald Gardner.

GNOMES - an entity or elemental that dwells in the plane of Earth or is associated with the EARTH Element.

GREAT RITE - The rite which is the main feature of the third degree initiation, and which is also laid down for certain festivals. It is sexual in nature, but may be actual and private to the couples concerned or symbolic, as the participants wish.

GREEN MAN - One of the many faces - aspects of the God.

HALLOWS - name used by some traditions for Samhain, or Halloween

HANDFASTING - Wiccan equivalent of a wedding. It can be made legal if the Priestess and/or Priest are registered as clergy with the local authorities, or it may only be considered binding within the coven.

HEATHEN - One who dances on the Heath. Another word for Pagan.

HIGH PRIESTESS - Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the third degree initiation. More usually, the male and female leaders of a coven.

IMBOLC - Celtic name for Candlemas.

INVOCATION - The ritual calling-in of an entity or energies higher than human, either for communication with the caller through a medium or by visible manifestation or else to enter into a human body as in the Drawing Down the Moon. In some traditions, a Prayer.

JACK IN THE GREEN - One of the many faces/aspects of the God.

JOHN BARLEYCORN - One of the many faces/aspects of the God.

LAMMAS - August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old Celtic name for this festival is Lughnassadh. It is the Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the three harvests. This festival also marks the change of the Triple Goddess energies from that of Mother to Crone.

LEFT HAND PATH - Path less traveled, denotes that which is against Nature and Human Kind. Also known as the DARK PATH.

MAIDEN - An appointment held by one of the women of the coven. She acts as the assistant High Priestess. This term is also the descriptive term used to describe the first of the aspects of the Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Traditionally associated with the Waxing Moon, and the period from Imbolc - Candlemas till Beltane - May Eve, where the energies are those of initiating, beginning, and creation.

MOON TIME - Also known as that time of the month, a woman's menstrual cycle.

MAIDEN, MOTHER, CRONE - The three aspects of the Triple Goddess.

NEO - PAGAN - Meaning New Pagan, New Age jargen.

OLD RELIGION - One of many names for the religion of Wica.

OLD PATH - One of many names for the religion of Wica.

OLD WAYS - One of many names for the religion of Wica.

PAGAN - One who is not Christian, Islamic or Jewish. From the latin, PAGANI or PAGANUS meaning country dweller or bumpkin.

PAGANING - Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods. Similar in aspect to the Christian Christening.

PENTACLE - An altar upon an altar, usually a disc shaped talisman; which can be fashioned from wood, Beeswax, stone or, more commonly in today's world, metal, which may or may not have inscribed upon it the five pointed star of the Pentagram, as well as other mystical symbols. Among the witch's working tools, it is this disc which represents the earth element.

PENTAGRAM - The five-pointed star, often said to represent the five elements of life, Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. With a single point uppermost, it represents the human being. Inverted, with two points uppermost, it is said to have Satanist associations; but not necessarily. Some traditions of Wicca use the inverted pentagram to signify an initiate of the second degree, and take offense at such usage.

QUARTERS - The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or other ritual area. Refer also to Watchtowers

REDE - rule or law. sabbath - one of the Eight festivals or high holidays of Wica.

SAMHAIN - The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on October 31st. It is the last of the three harvests.This festival also marks the transition of rulership of the Wheel of the Year from that of the Goddess to that of the God.

SCRYING - A form of divination intelling self hypnosis to achieve a trance state, in which joins the concious with the sub-concious to discern useful information. Usually done by using such methods as gazing into crystal balls, black glass or polished bronze mirrors, hearth fires, candle flames, smoke or a bowl filled water as opposed to tarot or other means that may be manipulated.

SEAX - WICA - Tradition founded by Raymond Buckland, promotes Saxon traditions.

SOLSTICE - Either of the two times a year when the sun reaches an extreme northward or southward motion. Summer Solstice approximately June 21st-22nd, Winter approximately December 21st-22nd.

SPELL - The structured and focused direction of psychic energies toward the accomplishment of a goal. Sometimes uttered in rhyme or the form of a prayer to a specific diety.

SUMMONER - The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. This person acts as the assistant High Priest.

TRADITIONS - any of the various sects of Wicca such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.

TRIPLE GODDESS - Refer to MOTHER, MAIDEN, CRONE

WAND - A rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal or psychic purposes, usually to project some form of power. One of the Witches tools, representing Air. Though elemental affiliation may vary from one tradition to the next.

WARLOCK - Seventeenth century Scotland. Bad Scottish pronounciation of the Old English words waer logga, denoting a traitor to the Craft, meaning oath breaker, or betrayer of the faith. Because of these negative connotations, it is not used by Wiccans today.

WATCH TOWERS - Originally from Ceremonial Magic, has now incorporated into many Traditions of Wicca, these are the four elemental directions or quarters corresponding to the appropriate points on the compass called to protect the Circle during its establishment. Each of them have a correspondence between the compass point, an element, and color associated with them, varying amongst different traditions

WICA - Old English name for the form of worship practiced by heathens.

WICCA - the name most modern day Witches use for the Craft. It is, in actuality, the Old English word for male witch, the femminine being wicce. The Old English word, Wiccain meant to bend or to shape. This is the root word from which we get wicker.

WICCE - Old English, Female Witch.

WIDDERSHINS - counter clock wise or clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Used for tearing down OR BANISHING magic.

WHITE HANDLED KNIFE - the working knife of a Witch. It is used to carve candles, and for fashioning the other tools. In many traditions, it can only be used in Circle.

What Day of the Week To Perform a Spell

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Magickal Days and Spell Correspondance for Days of the Week

When planning magical workings, consideration needs to be given as to when the work needs to be performed for best effect. We need to ascertain the best time or day for when to perform it.

Days have their own magickal associations, which are similar to and connected with the other tables - Candles, Colour and Incense. Thus they create harmony while generating power, when all are working together. Days are associated with and influenced by the Sun and six of the Planets.

Sunday - Is associated with the Sun and the colours of - Yellow, Gold and Orange.

Sunday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Health, Success, Careers Goals, Ambition, Personnel Finances, Advancement, Drama, Fun, Authority, Figures, Law, Fairs, Crops, Totem Animals, Volunteer and Civic Services, Promotion, Men's Mysteries, Children, Buying, Selling and Speculation. Also used for Physical Strength, Achievement, Healing Energy and Divination.

Monday - Is associated with the Moon and the colours of - White, Silver, Grey and Pearl.

Monday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Psychic Pursuits, Psychology, Dreams, Astral Travel, Imagination, Women's Mysteries, Reincarnation, Short Trips, Women, Children, Public, Domestic Concerns, Emotions, Fluids, Magick, Spirituality, Nursing, Full moon magic, Purity, Protection, Truth, Meditation, Peace, Sincerity, Justice, Warding off Doubts and Fears, Anything to do with Water and Bodies of Water, Antiques, Trip Planning, Household Activities, Initiation, Astrology, New-Age Pursuits, Archetypes, Totem Animals, Shape-shifting and Religious Experiences.

Tuesday - Is associated with Mars and the colours of - Red, Pink and Orange.

Tuesday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Passion, Partnerships, Courage, Swift Movement, Action, Energy, Strife, Aggression, Sex, Physical Energy, Sports, Muscular Activity, Guns, Tools, Metals, Cutting, Surgery, Police, Soldiers, Combat, Confrontation, Business, Buying and Selling Animals, Mechanical Things, Repairs, Gardening, Woodworking, Hunting and New Beginnings.

Wednesday - Is associated with Mercury and the colours of Purple, Magenta and Silver.

Wednesday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Wisdom, Healing, Communication, Intelligence, Memory, Education, Correspondence, Phone Calls, Computers, Messages, Students, Merchants, Editing, Writing, Advertising, Signing Contracts, Siblings, Neighbours, Kin, Accounting, Clarks, Critics, Music, Editors, Journalists, Visual Arts, Hiring Employees, Learning Languages, Placing Ads, Visiting Friends, Legal Appointments and Astrology.

Thursday - Is associated with Jupiter and the colours of - Blue and Metallic Colours.

Thursday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Business, Gambling, Logic, Social Matters, Political Power, Material Wealth, Publishing, Collage Education, Long Distance Travel, Foreign Interests, Religion, Philosophy, Forecasting, Broadcasting, Publicity, Expansion, Luck, Growth, Sports, Horses, The Law, Doctors, Guardians, Merchants, Psychologists, Charity, Correspondence Courses, Self-improvement, Researching, Reading and Studying.

Friday - Is associated with Venus and the colours of - Green, Pink and White.

Friday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Romantic Love, Friendship, Beauty, Soul-mates, Artistic Ability, Affection, Partners, Alliances, Grace, Luxury, Social Activity, Marriage, Decorating, Cosmetics, Gifts, Income, Gardening, Architects, Artists, Beauticians, Chiropractors, Dancers, Designers, Engineers, Entertainers, Fashion, Music, Painting, Poetry, Courtship, Dating, Household Improvements, Planning Parties, Shopping, Herbal Magick, Luck, Fertility, Physical Healing, Balance, Prosperity, Courage, Change, Material Things, Peace, Harmony, Relationships and Success.

Saturday - Is associated with Saturn and the colours of - Black, Grey, Red and White.

Saturday is the best time to deal with such matters as: Binding, Patience, Stability, Neutralization, Material Gain, Protection, Karma, Death, Manifestation, Structure's, Reality, Laws of society, Limits, Obstacles, Tests, Handwork, Real Estate, Dentists, Bones, Teeth, Farm Workers, Sacrifice, Separation, Stalkers, Murderers, Criminals, Civil Servants, Justice, Math's, Plumbing, Joint Money Matters, Wills, Debts, Financing, Real Estate, Discoveries, Transformation and Relations with Older People.

http://www.controverscial.com/

House Blessing Spells and Talismans

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:32:25 -0400

HOUSE BLESSING

Assemble:
Salt and Water
Incense for fire and air
Milk and Honey
Oil for anointing
Wine for the offering, can be white wine or a cider
Bells, Pots, Pans, Whistles, etc.

Cast a circle in the main room - living room and after casting, visualize the circle expanding to include the entire house. Call upon the spirits and energies living in the house or apartment. Invite those who will be harmonious with the new household and its energies to remain. Invite - ask those who will be happier elsewhere to depart.

Release all "energies" not compatible with the new household. This may be expressed as a "release" in order to unbind anything that may be stuck. Then call upon, greet, and invite ancestors, patron deities, and all harmonious spirits and energies to dwell in the house as they please.

Gather up the pots, pans, and all the noise-makers. Go to each door and window, not forgetting the fire-place and dog-door, making as much racket as humanly possible--to shoo out anything unwanted. This can be fun, and also raises lots of energy for the next important step. Go again throughout the house and at each portal such as doors, windows, etc. sprinkle salt - water and cense, saying:

"By the Elements I purify and charge this portal."

Then anoint the portal with milk and honey, saying:

"By Milk and Honey I ensure prosperity and peace within this place."

Finally, anoint the portal with oil, saying:

"With Oil I seal this portal and protect all within."

At the front door a special prayer is said, asking the guardian deities of God and Goddess to freely grant entry to all friends and loved ones, and to prevent passage to any who would do harm." Then, if it's a house, pour wine across the width of the threshold; if it's an apartment anoint the threshold with light touches of wine.

The house holders then each take a sip of wine, leaving some as an offering to the Gods, and the Circle should be closed. The remaining wine, milk, and honey should be offered to the Gods outdoors.

This is very effective if done as part of a house warming party, followed by much feasting. It has also been done very effectively by two people. It only takes about 30 minutes to do a large house. You can take the time.

Do make certain to "ground" afterward, by closing the circle and by eating.This ritual can "stir" up everybody and make the house feel full of "buzzy" energy. Author Unknown

Blessing New Home Chant

Touch the lintel and touch the wall,
Nothing but blessings here befall!
Bless the candle that stands by itself,
Bless the book on the mantle shelf,
Bless the pillow for the tired head,
Bless the hearth and the light shed.
Friends who tarry here, let them know
A three fold blessing before they go.
Sleep for weariness - peace for sorrow
Faith in yesterday and tomorrow.
Friends who go from here, let them bear
The blessing of hope, wherever they fare.
Lintel and windows, sill and wall,
Nothing but good, this place befall.
Author Unknown

HOW CAN I PERFORM A HOUSE BLESSING AND WHAT METHOD SHOULD I USE?

There are many ways to perform a house blessing. It's important to use the method you feel most comfortable with that you are either drawn to, or coincides with your spiritual beliefs. You can combine elements of different house blessings into your own method.

WHY DO PEOPLE PERFORM HOUSE BLESSINGS?

House blessings have been performed for centuries and span various religious and spiritual beliefs. A house blessing can be done to increase the flow of good energy and bless, or to protect against a haunting or unrested spirits that may reside there.

HOLY WATER

Some people revere holy water as a very powerful tool in house blessings. You can scatter holy water about and say some prayers of protection or cleansing, as in a traditional house blessing or exorcism.

SEA SALT

Some use sea salt scattered around rooms and or a structure's foundation to ward off active spirits. Sea salt cleanses and protects, creating a shield that the spirits cannot communicate through.

INCENSE - SMUDGE STICKS

Others use incense and or smudge sticks, in conjunction with a ceremony and/or incantation to protect and bless their homes.

HERBS

There are herbs that have been used throughout history as a representation of protection. This belief throughout the centuries contributes power to it's self and use. They can be used in ceremonies and scattered about, burned or kept in a pouch.

FENG SHUI

Many people observe the guidelines of Feng Shui to assist them in creating an interior that is inclusive of a healthy flow of energy. Colors, images and placement of decor and furniture is all a part of Feng Shui.

TALISMANS

Some people still choose to wear and utilize talismans as a means of protection, as many of our ancestors did throughout history. These can be in many forms; charms, pouches, stones, crystals and symbols. These can be of any faith as talismans of the past and through to the present all represent different beliefs and deities. From a crucifix to rosary beads, a pentacle or rune.

ICONS and STATUES

Statues and icons representing various deities are very powerful and have also been used throughout history to present day. These could vary from a statue of the Blessed Mother to angels, Buddha or Isis.

PROTECTION OF THE PAST: SUPERSTITION and FOLKLORE

There are many folktales and beliefs through history that include warding off evil spirits and energies. Minds and souls of the past put much faith in a jar of sand on their windowsill and doorstep. They believed any ill spirits that wandered there would be trapped in counting the grains of sand and never enter. Glass "spirit globes" of spun glass were hung in windows to enchant any dark spirits passing by and keep them from entering. Talismans and protection pouches were also quite common and popular.

EMPOWERING A TALISMAN OR HOUSE BLESSING

Whether creating a talisman, pouch or performing a house blessing, the energy of your mind and soul that you place into it is very important. Keep your focus of protection and security in mind as you perform or create your protection blessing/talisman.

EMPOWERING YOUR HOUSE BLESSING WITH WORDS

The words used in a prayer, incantation or ceremony are very powerful when created from your own mind and soul. If you feel unable to use your own, then a pre-written blessing would be best. It's most important to have a strong faith in the power of whatever words you use, whether it's written by yourself or another.

Good luck with blessing your home and performing your own protection ceremony. There is no other house warming gift that gives more peace and serenity. by Rachel Cadran

TO PROTECT AND BRING PEACE AND HARMONY TO YOUR HOME:

Take equal parts of Betony and Lavender or what ever you prefer, blend them together in a mortar. After mixing well, charge the herbal mixture. Using a small amount, sprinkle across the doorstep. All the while, you should be concentrating on the vivid barrier and repeat the following incantation:

"This doorstep with its welcome ways,
be guarded by a shield of rays.
to guard this home by day and night,
protect it with this door of white.

Let nothing enter not of good,
and those within do as they would.
The aura left by herb and spell,
will safely seal this entrance well."
Source and author unknown

TO BANISH NEGATIVE FORMS FROM YOUR HOME

Begin with a purification bath. Light the twin candles on the altar and burn a protective and/or cleansing incense. Fill your chalice with fresh water and be sure to consecrate it and blessed salt. Kneel or assume the Goddess position as you say:

"Naked come I into this sanctuary
With love and faith
From those who have gone before.
Innocent am I in understanding
Holy and pure in my love of all good and blessed things.
Supreme Goddess, ruler of light,
Lord of all
Hear my prayer,
Help me now to dispel this thing of unholiness
This creature of darkness,
Who dooms itself to shame and unhappiness.
Save him if it is thy will to do so.
Send him to the light.
Mercy is the song I sing;
Forgiveness the word most precious.
In thy everlasting grace I say this.
In humility I ask this.
So mote it be."

Take up the chalice of salt-water, face the east wall, dip your fingers into the water, raise your hand and say:

"Powers of the East
Powers of the daystar rising
And all fresh beginnings
I purify you with salt and with water
For good vibrations of friendship warmth and love."
Then sprinkle some extra water and proceed to the south. Say:
"Powers of the South
Powers of the summer sun
Which warms our bodies and our minds
I purify you with salt and with water
For good vibrations of friendship, warmth and love."
Repeat in the west:
"Powers of the West
Powers of the purifying and cleansing waters
From which all life comes.
I purify you with salt and with water
For good vibrations of friendship, warmth and love."
Repeat in the north:
"Powers of the North
Powers of the earth, the ground
On which we stand.
I purify you with salt and with water
For good vibrations of friendship, warmth and love."

Then proceed around the room sprinkling water over all the thresholds,windows, and doorways and in all corners.

REPEAT IN EVERY ROOM

Add more incense to the burner, take up, and do the same thing, using the same verses substituting "fire and air" in place of "salt and water." As before, proceed around the room censing all the thresholds,windows, doorways, and in all corners.

REPEAT IN EVERY ROOM

Take the fire candle or a candle for this purpose and your athame and, starting at the door or entrance, walk slowly CLOCKWISE through the house, through each room pausing at each door, window, and mirror and moving the candle across it, also pentagramming each window, doorway, and mirror with the athame. Proceed room by room spiraling clockwise. All the while chant the following:

"By the One Power
I hereby consecrate this space
To the Goddess and the God,
According to free will
And for the good of all;
I hereby release,
In all time and all space,
Any negative cause, effect, manifestation, form or essence,
Any negative event, thought, energy, idea or vibration,
And transform it to
And replace it with
Only positive, joyous good
In keeping with the Universal harmonies
Of the Goddess and the God.
This space is divinely protected
This space is perfectly safe.
Nothing and no one can enter this space
Unless I (or my loved ones) allow them to.
This space is sacred
Consecrated and dedicated to positive living
For myself and my loved ones
And for the work of positive magic.
No harm can come to this space, or anyone in it."

As you draw each pentagram say:

"Only good can enter here
No negatives can enter
All harm is sealed out."
When you are back at the entry point conclude:
"Love lives here
Health lives here
Abundance lives here
(Name self and loved ones) live here
We claim this space for ourselves, for the mutual good
And so mote it be!"
~source unknown

PEACEFUL HOME

This spell is very good if there is a lot of turmoil or stress in the household. Do the following spell, and while doing so, remember to focus on your intent for a peaceful household. Sew a small pouch of lavender cloth. Place a small trinket in the pouchfor each member of your household. Add to this a pinch each of lavender, rose and chamomile, before placing each pinch in the pouch, remember to hold it for a moment and REALLY focus, finally, add a small amethyst. Now, anoint a lavender or pink candle with peace oil and then light it. Sit in front of thecandle and hold the pouch in your hands and whisper the following chant over it softly 3 times:

     Blessed Goddess, most gentle one,
     calm my home for me.
     Relieve all tension, send it far,
     so from stress we shall be free.
     Touch my family with peace and calm,
     and the sweetest softest bliss,
     bless my home, Great Gentle Goddess,
     with your calming kiss.

Set the pouch with the candle. Allow the candle to burn down completely. Hang the pouch in your home, preferably in the room where everyone gathers the most. Whenever tension seems to build, repeat the above chant 3 times and envision peace and tranquility radiating from the pouch and The Goddess. ~source unknown

Moon Water Ritual for a Peaceful Home

Fill a glass bowl or jar with clean water. Place either a quartz crystal, moonstone, or both in the water. Add three drops each of rose and lavender oil, and set the water outside overnight in a place where the light of the Moon can shine upon it.

Say this blessing upon the water:
Moonlight,
bless this water,
clean and pure.
May it bring peace
and simple joy
to my home.

On the following morning, pour the water into a spray bottle or covered jar, allowing the stones to remain in the water if possible. Use the elixir to mist each room of your home, and visualize peace and harmony. You can add the rest of the water mixture to your bath water,or use it to anoint objects.

Chakra Crystals and Stones

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:32:34 -0500

The article lists the endless choices for chakra crystals and stones. What crystal should you use with each chakra. This list shows the crystals and what chakra they correspond to. This will always be a work in progress and will be updated as time permits and we find more more crystals.

Abalone: root, sacral and solar plexus chakras, calms, emotional situations, intuition, promotes imagination, healing

Agate, Blue Lace: clears throat chakra, calms, assists inner attunement, healing

Agate, Bostwana: stimulates crown chakra, inner knowledge

Agate, Fire: sacral root chakras, courage, protects, fear, spiritual progression, meditation, healing

Agate, Mexican Crazy Lace: root chakra, balancing, calms, protects, laughter, emotional pain, wealth, attract new friends

Agate, Moss: heart chakra, abundance, success, prosperity, gain peace, self-confidence, higher self-esteem, protection, addiction, healing

Agate, 3rd Eye: protection against evil, enhance psychic abilities, intuition, ESP, imagination, concentration

Agate, Tree: heart chakra, introspection and self discovery, relieves tension

Agate, Turritella: root chakra, negativity, healing, anger, love, courage, emotional trauma, aura

Amazonite: heart and throat chakra, brings clarity, truth and trust, dispels negativity, health and well being

Amber: solar plexus chakra, chakras balanced and revitalized, calms, protection, love, negativity, healing, good luck, depression

Amethyst: opens crown chakra, promotes inner peace, love, insomnia, balance, healing, cleansing, initiates wisdom & under standing, communicates directly with the inner soul

Amethyst, Black: 3rd Eye Chakra, grounding, healing, environmental cleanup

Amegreen: Crown and Heart Chakra, lift spirits, love, fear, business, healing, negativity, fears

Ametrine: 3rd eye chakra, harmony, healing, stress relief, learning, meditation, negativity, psychic abilities

Amphibole Angel Quartz: crown and 3rd eye chakras, balance, love, Spirit Guides, dreaming, clarity, verbal abuse, meditation, energy healing

Angelite: throat, 3rd eye and crown chakras, inner peace, dispel fear, forgiveness, healing, communicate

Apache Tear: root, sacral and heart chakras, soothes grief, insight and acceptance at times of death

Apophyllite: 3rd eye chakra, charge objects, truth, calms, healing, helps eyes

Apatite: 3rd eye chakra, learn, healing, inner peace, enhance energies of crystals

Aqua Aura, Blue: throat Chakra and 3rd eye chakras, activate all chakras, power, healing, love, protection, soothe anger, release stress, communicate, inner truth

Aqua Aura, Tangerine: solar plexus and heart chakras, activate all chakras, wealth, healing, love, protection, stress

Aqua Aura, Tanzanite: 3rd eye and crown chakras, activate all chakras, wealth, healing, love, protection, stress

Aquamarine: throat and heart chakras, courage, strength, peace, protection and calming

Aragonite: throat, heart and thrird eye chakras, increases prayers and magick charms, confidence, anger, stress, calms, psychic, healing

Arfvedsonite: crown, 3rd eye and throat chakra, courage, forgiveness, self-confidence, reduces guilt, self-doubt, depression,

Atlantasite: all chakras, end disputes, understand love, healing, spiritual, stress, success in business, power, money

Aventurine, Blue: 3rd Eye and throat chakras, self discipline, patience. inner strength, protection, healing emotions, intuitive

Aventurine, Green: heart chakra, heals heart, physic healing, emotional stress

Aventurine, Peach: heals heart, physic healing, emotional stress

Aventurine, Red: Root, Sacral and 3rd eye chakras, enhances creativity, see possibilities, prosperity, negativity, healing

Azurite: 3rd eye and crown chakras, align all chakras, soothing, intuition, meditation, divination, healing, depression

Azurite Malachite: 3rd eye, crown, solar plexus and heart chakras, stress, depression, love, well-being, good fortune, prosperity, abundance, protection, new beginnings

Beryl, Green: crown, frontal, 3rd eye and thymus chakras, gentle energy, calms, meditation

Bismuth: heart and base chakras, see and overcome blocks, meditation, grounding, focus, relationships

Bloodstone: root chakra, healing, courage, wealth, confidence, business, protection

Boji Stones - Kansas Pop Rocks: all chakras, metaphysical healing, balance and align ones energy field, promote the removal of blockages to allow healing to take place, memory loss, depression, healing

Bronzite: base and solar plexus chakras, protection, restore harmony, courage, indecision, change, healing

Calcite, Blue: throat chakra, calming, ease emotional pain, healing, happiness, communication

Calcite, Clear Optical: all chakras, amplifies energy, healing, protection, inner peace, lessen fear, stress, clear away negative

Calcite, Golden: clears and activates all chakras, disagreements, meditation, negative emotions, negative energy, amplify positive energy

Calcite, Green: heart chakra, heals the heart for love of self and others, breaking old relationship habits, let go love issues, joy

Calcite, Honey: root, solar plexus and third eye chakras, amplifies energy, assists with challenges associated with change, psychic, intellect, memory

Calcite, Mangano: heart chakra, anger, grief, fear, calming, bring love, abuse, success, memory, physical energy

Calcite, Orange: sacral and solar plexus chakras, various chakras, protecting, purifying, grounding, prosperity, spirituality, reconciliation, healing, psychic abilities, increases and amplifies energy, stress

Carnelian: root and sacral chakras. creativity, individuality, courage, protection energies, memory, past lives, protection from anger, jealousy, fear, brings good luck, ease sorrows

Cats Eye: 3rd eye chakra, power, forgiveness, healing, prosperity, negative, luck, protects, peace, increase positive in relationship

Cavansite in Stillbite: 3rd eye, protection towards disease: will not have the ability to return, intuition, activate channeling

Celestite: throat and crown chakras, clearing chakras, mental activities, balance, angelic realms, astral travel, dream recall, cleanses, healing, eyes, hearing, mental dysfunction, eliminates toxins, digestive disorders

Chalcedony: throat and 3rd eye chakras, calming, joy, healing, negative, depression, harmonizes mind, body, and spirit

Chalcedony, Pink: heart chakra, stabilize all chakras, dissipates negative energy, depression, inner peace, divorce, self-love

Chalcopyrite: opens, cleanses and activates crown chakra, crystal healing, remove energy blocks, crown chakra, meditation, perception, protection

Chiastolite, Cross Stone: root and third eye chakras, protection, harmony, negativity, calms fears, guilt, spirituality during illness and trauma, creativity

Charoite: 3rd eye, crown, solar plexus and root chakras, power, negative emotions, anger, entity release, healing

Chrysanthemum: all chakras, new beginnings, spiritual growth, supports change, self development, jealousy, confidence

Chrysocolla: throat, heart and root chakras, harmony, balance stone, gives comfort, heal, self confidence

Chrysoprase: heart and solar plexus chakras, stress, abundance, friendship, healing

Chrysoprase, Lemon: heart chakra, prosperity, business success, happiness, negative, soothing, healing, depression

Citrine: solar plexus chakra, promote success, abundance, especially in business, mental clarity, confidence, happiness, will power, protection, depression, self-doubt, eliminate nightmares

Copper: all chakras, healing, energy & mental agility, enhances stone energies, emotion, wisdom relieves pain

Coral Fossil Agatized: root chakra, evil eye, luck, trauma, inner peace, emotional cleansing, protection, love, irritability, healing

Danburite: heart chakra, communication, love yourself, relationships, calms, angelic energy

Dolomite: balance and alighn chakras, relieves sorrow, anxiety, loneliness, encourages generosity, insomnia

Dragon Stone: grounds the heart chakra and aligns all of the chakras, patience, healing, stimulate personal power, dissolves grief - sadness and sorrow, increase anything it touches

Dumortierite, Blue Quartz: 3rd eye chakra, self-discipline, clarity, peace, courage, depression, stress, happiness, patience, angels, clairvoyance, meditate

Emerald: heart chakra, stimulates heart chakra, helps domestic bliss, harmony, fidelity, joy, all healing

Epidote: all chakras, healing, negativity, increase anything it touches, emotional and spiritual growth, patience, panic attacks

Fluorite: all chakras, centers the mind, healing, computer and electromagnetic stress

Fluorite, Blue: throat chakra, all chakras, protection, grounding, mental clarity, negative, psychic, inner peace, spiritual awakening

Orange Elestial: all chakras, relieves sorrow, depression, lightens the heart, strength, emotional burdens, uplifting energy

Fluorite, Lavender: heart, third eye and crown chakras, Shyness, negativity, self fulfillment, aniexty, wealth, serenity, clarity, healing

Fluorite, Green: all and heart chakras, spiritual, psychic, truth, protection, healing, meditate, self-love, peace

Fluorite, Yellow: all chakras, attracts wealth, abundance, manifestation, sharpen mind, decisive, creative thoughts, negativity

Fuschite Crystal: 3rd Eye Chakra, healing Stone, enhances power of other minerals, meditation, fairies and natures spirit

Garnet: root chakra, creativity, imagination, purifies, strength, courage

Girasol: throat and crown chakra, calms, reignite interest in life, heals spiritual - emotional and physical

Hematite: root chakra and magnetic hematite is for all chakras, protection, legal, calming, healing, negativity

Herkimer Diamond: 3rd eye and crown chakras, attunement, balance, stress, healing

Howlite: place on third eye, state of mind, stress selfishness, rudeness, reduces pain

Infinate: root, sacral, solar plexus and heart chakras, clears chakras, negative, healing, emotional, spiritual, calming

Iolite: 3rd eye, inner knowing, eliminate debt, disharmony in relationships, carry to aid financial situations

Jade: heart chakra, healing, wealth, emotional balance, courage

Jade, Serpentine: all chakras, protection, wisdom, shields, luck, love, purity, friendship

Jasper, Breciated: all chakras, stimulates base and sacral chakras, relaxation, protection, eases stress, grounding

Jasper, Dalmation: base chakra, see strengths and weaknesses, patience, protection, depression, relax, bring sense of fun to life

Jasper, Kambaba: heart and root chakra, soothe nerves, grounding, protection, healing, ward off negativity

Jasper, Leopard Skin: base, heart and crown chakras, success in work-business, protection, stress, healing, negativity, grounding, spiritual discovery

Jasper, Ocean: heart chakra, love, grounds, healing, heals emotions, protects

Jasper, Picture: 3rd eye and root chakras, grounding, creativity, harmony, business, emotional healing

Jasper, Red: root and sacral chakras, intensifier, strength, balancing, calming

Jasper, Yellow: solar plexus chakra, protects spiritual work, positive energy, memory, intellect

Jasper, Zebra: all chakras, acheive goals, joy of life, stress, meditation, stamina, compassion, increase endurance, protection

Jasper, Picasso: all chakras, calming, promotes weight loss, creativity, self-discipline, relationships, renew old friendships

Jasper, Leopard Fossil Snake: cleanses and aligns chakras, aura healing, stress, protection, absorbs negative energy, courage,

Jet: base chakra for grounding and all chakras for purification, alleviates grief, protection, negativity, psychic experience, calm, fear, negative energy, healing

Kyanite, Black: clear blocked energies in any chakra, empowers vision and clairvoyance, meditation, grounding

Kyanite, Blue: all chakras, protection, honesty, anger, meditation, communication, fibromyalgia, healing, arguments, psychic, dreaming, astral travel, never needs cleansing doesn't hold negative energy

Kyanite, Green: all chakras, protection, loyalty, anger, honesty, healing, meditation

Kunzite: heart chakra and aligns it with the third eye and throat chakras, spiritual, love, healing, heartache, protection, negative energy

Labadorite: solar plexus and brow chakras, transformation, clear- balance and protect aura, clarity into destiny, attract success, dream recall, stress, psychic development, esoteric wisdom

Labradorite, Golden: solar plexus chakra, inner strength, courage, calm, endurance, spiritual, manipulation, new situations

Lapis: Throat, 3rd eye and crown chakras, deep power, wisdom, inner strength, psychic abilities, decision making, gemstones of friendship and truth, emotional balancing, PMS, protection, insomnia, dreaming, healing, depression

Lemurian: all chakras, meditation, healing, inspiration, joy, hope, problem solving, psychic dreams

Lemurian Golden Healer: all chakras, meditation, healing, protection, inspiration, joyful energy, problem solving

Lemurian Seed Crystal, Pink: all chakras, healing, love, emotions, traumatized by negative

Lepidolite: all chakras especially heart and third eye chakras, harmony, peace, calm, remove negatives, nightmares

Lithium: all chakras, healing, balancing, sends & receives energy, calming, stress, peace, meditation, prayer, grief, anger

Lodestone: all chakras, attract love - luck and healing, used to lessen and dispel greif- fear - anger and despression, protection, grounding

Lodolite: crown chakra, strong healing, manifestation of desires, spiritual energies

Malachite: solar plexus and heart chakras, clears mental blocks, heals the heart, brings true love

Moldavite: 3rd eye, throat and crown chakras, powerful metaphysical energy, breaking through limitations and past patterns, spiritual growth and psychic awakening, manifest positive life changes, meditation, ease transformation, letting go

Mookaite: 3rd eye, solar plexus and root chakras, lower chakras, balance, change, meditation, protection, emotional, stabilizes health, immune system

Moonstone: crown, heart, sacral and third eye chakras, stress, love, calms, change, protection/travel, abundance

Moonstone, Black: root chakra, prosperity, healing, injured animals, clumsy children, settled home and relationships

Moonstone, Rainbow: align and activate all chakras, intuition, spirituality, love, magick, sleep, harmony, protecting

Moqui Balls Shaman Stones: all chaktas, cleansing, relaxation, meditation, astral journeying, negative energy, grounding, centering, protection, earth healing

Morganite: heart chakra, love, compassion, healing, self-control, patience, balance emotions, ease pain of separation

Mugglestone: sacral and root chakras, grounding, protection, clarity, knowledge, artistic abilities, strength, vitality, confidence, willpower, balance, motivation, healing

Nebula: all chakras especially root chakra, memory, fear, letting go, grounding, healing, emotional stability

Obsidian, Rainbow: root chakra, brings pleasure, joy, love, enhance clairvoyance, scrying stone, self development, protection, grounding, centering

Obsidian, Snowflake: root and third eye chakras, letting go, meditation, intuition

Onyx: root chakra, happiness, good fortune, stress, purify negative emotions, spiritual strength, healing

Obsidian: root chakra, protection, remove negativity, healing, focus, abuse, scrying, manifestation

Onyx, Blue: heart and throat chakras, stress, grief, self-control, negative emotions, crystal healing and energy work

Opal: crown chakra, inspiration, release inhibitions, memory, face emotions, happy dreams, eases the process of change

Opal, Dendritic: solar plexus, abundance, relationships, joy, harmony, healing, positive emotion, spiritual

Obsidian, Mahogany: all chakras, strength, protects, stimulates growth, decision making, stress, healing

Peridot: heart chakra, health, wealth, protection, healing, marriage, stress, anger, find lost, love

Petrified Wood: root and third eye chakras, business success, calm fears, protection, stabilize emotions, grounding, past life regression

Petosky: 3rd eye and crown chakra, keep naughty spirits from interfering, emotional issues, negative energies, healing

Psilomelane: 3rd eye, crown and root chakra, magic, magical ritual, healing, spiritual

Pietersite: solar plexus and third eye chakra, love, forceful stone, personal change, forgiveness, healing

Prasiolite - Green Amethyst: heart, crown, third eye and solar plexus chakras, attract abundance, spiritual, aids in spells and rituals, healing, inner peace, general uplifting, courage

Prehnite: solar plexus and heart chakras, chakra grid for calmness, protection, increases physical energy, calming, ease worries, meditation, healing

Psilomelane: 3rd eye, crown and root chakras, magic, magical ritual, healing, spiritual

Pyrite: solar plexus chakra, sharpens intellect, shields

Nirvana Quartz Ice Point: all chakras, protective, negative behavior, growth, emotional well being, physical and spiritual well being, health

Quartz, Clear: channels all the chakra colors, transmits energy, charges and intensifies, protection, balancing, healing, physic development, meditation

Quartz, Gold: align all chakras, balance yin yang, healing, scrying, spiritual

Quartz, Phantom: all chakras, meditation, healing, recover memories, negativity, intuition, love, emotional healing

Quartz, Rose: opens heart chakra, develops love, healing, peace, happiness

Quartz, Rutilated: all chakras, strength, balancing, purification, self confidence

Quartz, Smokey: root chakra, cleanses, grounds, protects

Quartz, Strawberry: heart chakra, love, healing, calming, amplify gratitude and generosity, balance emotions, meditation healing

Quartz, Tourmalated: all chakras, independence, responsibility, progression, dreams

Quartz, Spirit: all chakras, grief, abundance, self-worth, protects, negative, dream, fear, healing, abuse and stress

Arkansas Ice Quartz: channels all the chakra colors, transmit energy, healing, protection, balancing, healing, meditation

Rhodochrosite: heart and solar plexus chakras, balancing and love stone. use for harmonizing and cleansing

Rhondonite: heart and root chakras, aligns chakras, grounds energy, heals emotional shock, abuse and anger, helps with forgiveness, promotes calm, wound healer

Rhyolite - Rainforest Jasper: all chakras, protection, regeneration, healing, resolution

Ruby: root chakra, integrity, happiness, prosperity, love, protects home, healing

Ruby Fuschite: crown and heart chakras, love, health, wealth, protects, gentleness, discourages violence

Ruby with Kyanite: throat, heart and root chakras, courage, passion, calms, communication, dispels anger and frustration, clarity, meditation

Ruby in Zoisite: root and heart chakras, emotional, confidence, integrity, optimism, abundance, psychic, empowerment, healing

Tourmaline Pink, Rubellite: base and heart chakras, serenity, positive, healing, strength, increases success, love, joy, release our old hurts

Sardonyx: root, throat and 3rd eye chakras, protection, strength, friends, good fortune, depression, healing

Scolecite: heart chakra, clears chakras, Deep relaxation, sleeping, meditation, dreams, change and hardship, love, joy

Selenite: crown chakra, mental clarity, strengthening decisions, angelic guidance, past lives, good business practices, removes energy blocks from the physical and etheric bodies, healing, clears other stones

Selenite, Red: crown chakra, transformation, heal emotions, negative energy, mental clarity, protection, calms, healing

Septarian: low chakras, powerful, healing, calm, communication, grounding, negative energy, joy, spiritual uplifting

Seraphinite: all chakras, angel stone, intuition, psychic, love, purifying, magickal, healing, imbalance

Sodalite: throat and brow chakras. logic, rationality, efficiency, stimulates thought, communication, truth, end arguments, honesty of emotions, increases intelligence, unite logical with spiritual

Spectrolite: root chakra, sleep, luck, anxiety, depression, self-confidence, inspiration, independence, magical revelations

Stilbite, Peach: crown and throat chakras.intuition, creative energy, acceptance-letting go, manifestation, heart

Stromatolite: massages the chakras, heal past-life, meditation, physical and emotional stress, patient and steady energy

Sugilite: 3rd eye and crown chakras, healing, spirituality, psychic, love, anger, jealousy

Sunstone, Gold: sacral and solar plexus chakras, focusing, power, inner peace, strength

Tektite: all chakras, helps with emotional stumbling, overcome challenges, wisdom

Tigers Eye, Gold: solar plexus, sacral and root chakras, protection, courage, prosperity, luck, depression, honesty

Tigers Eye, Blue: throat and 3rd eye chakras, confidence, decision making, see truth, courage, protection, good luck, healing

Tigers Eye, Mutli: root chakra, intuition, fear, personal power, enthusiasm for life, calming, grounding

Tourmaline, Green: third eye chakra, healing, spiritual energy, abundance, joy for life,calm

Tourmaline, Black: root chakra, negativity, calming, grounding, reduce anger, protection

Topaz Silver Blue: all chakras, joy, confidence, love, success, negativity, healing, emotional balancer, soothing

Turquoise: throat chakra, astral travel, opens communication, joins love and wisdom

Unakite: all chakras and especially heart chakra, visions, love, creativity, calms

Vogesite: all chakras, business, harmony, hope, strength, encouragement, comfort from within, abuse, acceptance

Zebra Marble Jasper: all chakras, healing, protection, clarity, grounding, patience, meditation, dream recall, inner truth, manifest desires

Disposal of Ritual Tools

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:05:20 -0500

Pass It On - Gift it to Someone

If you've got a particular tool that still has a good feeling to it, or that has some sort of sentimental value, and you've decided it's time to get rid of it, why not pass it along to a friend? You'll be happy to know your item has gone to a good home, and your friend will be happy to receive a new magical tool. Before you pass it along, you may want to hold a short parting ritual to separate yourself from the object. Once your friend has the item in her possession, she can re-consecrate the tool to make it her own.

Into the Wild - Give it back to Mother Nature

Some items seem to like being released into the wild, like animals. If you have a magical tool that came from nature -- a wand made from a branch, a special stone, a bottle of sea water -- then put it back into nature. While you may not be able to return it to the place you originally found it, you can always find a quiet place in the woods to leave it. Another option might be to toss it into a creek or river, as long as it is indeed a natural object.

Release by Fire - Safely Burn it

Sometimes, you might have an item you don't want any more, and you don't want to give it to anyone else. You might not want to leave it out in the wild where someone can dig it up, either. In this case, the best thing to do is use fire to get rid of it. Burning a magical item doesn't have to be complicated - build a fire and place the item in it. If you wish, say a few words to separate yourself magically from the object, and then allow it to burn safely.

Burial - Give it back to the Earth

Another good method of getting rid of old ritual tools is burial. Typically, you'll want to select a place that isn't going to be disturbed later on -- if you have property of your own, you can bury the item in your yard. If you don't have your own land, or you're going to be moving soon, you may want to find a remote spot somewhere that you can bury the object. Use good judgment before digging on any public property.

Chakra Cleansing and Meditation

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:18:52 -0500

Chakra meditation, working with an individual chakra and thoroughly cleansing the crystals are the steps to aligning, balancing and clearing your chakras

Working with an Individual Chakra

Thoroughly cleanse and charge the crystals.

Recognize the disturbing issue or issues.
What chakra is associated with the issue.
Pick the appropriate crystal.
Place the stone on the corresponding chakra.
Relax and feel the positive energy working for you.
Visualize the color from the stones filling you up.
Soak in the light and energy of the stones for about 20 minutes daily.
When done, slowly get up from your position and drink a glass of water.

Meditation

Step 1: Adopt the lying down meditation posture.

Step 2: Place a stone on each chakra. You may need help from someone close to you. The best way is to allow the crystals to rest directly on your skin. Opt for loose clothing to allow you to position the crystals on the chakras with ease.

Step 3: Start from the crown charka and end your chakra meditation with the base chakra. Work your way downwards, 1 chakra at a time. Complete your meditation work on the chakra. Visualize it closing up before moving to the next one.
Bring your attention to the chakra you are working on for a few moments. Relax and feel the positive energy of the stones working for you.

Next, as you inhale, visualize yourself draw in the light, filling up your whole body. The light should correspond to the chakra you are working on.

For Example: Let say you are meditating on your third eye chakra. You should visualize purple light or energy filling you up. And when you are meditating on your solar plexus chakra, visualize orange light or energy instead.

Step 4: Visualize the chakra closing up before moving to the next one.

Step 5: When you have worked on all the charkas, slowly get up from your position and drink a glass of water.

Try it and experience the power of the crystals during chakra meditation.

Basics for Individual Chakras

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:12:03 -0500

There are 7 major Chakras running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, each chakra is responsible for distributing energy to different organs, muscles and nerves. Through our Chakras, we receive and transmit physical, emotional, and spiritual energy.

The goal is to have all chakra centers clear, balanced, and vitalized for peak health and well-being.

Each chakra is associated with a particular area of the body and a color of the spectrum. Each Chakra is said to spin at a different frequency. When each Chakra spins at it's perfect frequency the body radiates perfect health; emotions are centered and balanced and we enjoy a sense of peace.

Stones are used at chakra centers for clearing, revitalizing, and healing. Generally, the selection of stones corresponds with the associated color of the chakra.

1^st Root or Base Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of the spine at the tailbone in back, and the pubic bone in front. This center holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety. The root chakra is powerfully related to our contact with the Earth Mother, providing us with the ability to be grounded into the earthplane.

This is also the center of manifestation. When you are trying to make things happen in the material world, business or material possessions, the energy to succeed will come from the first chakra.
Associated with: connection to the Earth, grounding, survival, security, physical needs, physical energy, power, growth, stability,
Governs: back, feet, hips spine, legs
Color: red, brown, gray or black
Stones: black obsidian, black onyx, black tourmaline, bloodstone, brecciated jasper, carnelian, red garnet, hematite, leopardskin jasper, red jasper, red calcite, red coral, ruby, smokey quartz

2^nd Spleen or Sacral Chakra

It is located two inches below the navel and is rooted into the spine. This center holds the basic needs for sexuality, creativity, intuition, and self-worth. This chakra is also about friendliness, creativity, and emotions. It governs peoples sense of self-worth, their confidence in their own creativity, and their ability to relate to others in an open and friendly way.
Associated with: emotional balance, creativity, abundance, freedom, healing, intuition, passion, personal expression, sexuality & reproduction
Governs: sexual organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine
Color: orange
Stones: amber, carnelian, fire opal, fluorite, honey calcite, orange calcite, peach aventurine, sunstone, turquoise

3^rd Solar Plexus Chakra

It is located two inches below the breastbone in the center behind the stomach. The third chakra is the center of personal power, the place of ego , of passions, impulses, anger and strength. It is also the center for astral travel and astral influences, receptivity of spirit guides and for psychic development. When the Third Chakra is out of balance you may lack confidence, be confused, worry about what others think, feel that others are controlling your life, and may be depressed.
Associated with: ambition, intellect, personal power, protective, strength, sense of self-worth, self-confidence, laughter, humor, joy
Governs: stomach, upper intestines, upper back, upper spine
Color: Yellow
Stones: amber, citrine, golden tiger eye, honey calcite, rutilated quartz, sulphur, sunstone, topaz, yellow calcite, yellow carnelian, yellow jasper, yellow sapphire

4^th Heart Chakra

It is located behind the breast bone in front and on the spine between the shoulder blades in back. This is the center for love, compassion and spirituality. This center directs one's ability to love themselves and others, to give and to receive love. This is also the chakra connecting body and mind with spirit.
Associated with: compassion, love, unconditional love, emotions, universal consciousness
Governs: heart, lungs, blood and circulation
Color: green andor pink
Stones: actinolite, cuprite -balances heart chakra with root chakra, emerald, fluorite, green apatite, green aventurine, green calcite, grossular garnet, jade, jasper, kunzite, malachite, moldavite, moss agate, peridot, rose quartz, rubellite, serpentine also known as New Jade, tourmaline -especially watermelon, ruby zoisite

5^th Throat Chakra

It is located in the V of the collarbone at the lower neck and is the center of communication, sound, and expression of creativity via thought, speech, and writing. The possibility for change, transformation and healing are located here. The throat is where anger is stored and finally let go of.
Associated with: communication, divine guidance, truthfulness, expression of will power and creativity
Governs: throat, thyroid, mouth, teeth, tongue, jaw.
Color: light blue or turquoise
Stones: amazonite, angelite, aqua aura, aquamarine, blue calcite, blue lace agate, blue tigers eye, blue topaz, blue quartz, kyanite, lapis, opal, sodalite, turquoise

6^th Brow or Third Eye Chakra

It is located above the physical eyes on the center of the forehead. This is the center for psychic ability, higher intuition, the energies of spirit and light. It also assists in the purification of negative tendencies and in the elimination of selfish attitudes. Through the power of the sixth chakra, you can receive guidance, channel, and tune into your Higher Self. The main colors are purple and dark blue
Associated with: coordination, balance, mental clarity, psychic abilities especially clairvoyance, intuition, spiritual awareness, wisdom
Governs: pituitary gland, pineal gland, skull, eyes, brain, nervous system, the senses
Color: dark blue, violet or purple
Stones: amazonite, amethyst, apatite, apophyllite, azurite, charoite, lapis, picture rock, purple fluorite, sapphire, sodalite, sugilite

7^th Crown Chakra

It is located just behind the top of the skull. It is the center of spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom, and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness. This is also the center of connectedness with the Goddess (God), the place where life animates the physical body. The silver cord that connects the aura bodies extends from the crown. The soul comes into the body through the crown at birth and leaves from the crown at death.
Associated with: cosmic consciousness, enlightenment, spirituality, life force energy, higher self, perfection, ultimate wisdom
Governs: top of spinal cord, brain stem, pain center, nerves
Color: white, colorless clear, purple - violet, gold
Stones: amethyst, apophyllite, clear calcite, danburite, diamond, iolite, clear quartz, herkimer diamond, moonstone, opal, rainbow moonstone, scolecite, selenite

All Chakras
Activation - Stimulation: garnet, quartz
Alignment - Balancing: bloodstone, blue kyanite, calcite, dolomite
General Strengthening - Stimulating: bloodstone, botswana agate, chrysoberyl, chrysocolla, danburite, fluorite, kunzite, kyanite, obsidian, quartz

Chakras, Crystals and Healing

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:56:18 -0500

Our bodies are made up of an electromagnetic energy sometimes referred to as the AURA. The flow of this energy affects our health and well being. The chakras are responsible for directing and distributing this energy through our body. Each chakra is responsible for distributing energy to different organs, muscles and nerves. Through our chakras, we receive and transmit physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. The goal is to have all chakra centers clear, balanced, and vitalized for peak health and well being.

Each chakra is associated with a particular area of the body and a color of the spectrum. Each chakra is said to spin at a different frequency. Through our chakras, we receive and transmit physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. We can bring fresh energy into our body through the chakras that can nourish our organs and glands. When each chakra spins at its optimal frequency the body radiates perfect health; emotions are centered and balanced and we enjoy a sense of peace.

Chakras can be manipulated to keep the body healthy and emotions centered by using meditation, colors and crystals. Stones are used at chakra centers for clearing, revitalizing, and healing. Generally, the selection of stones for healing corresponds with the associated color of the chakra.

The goal is an overall feeling of good health and inner peace. The chakras are the very essence of your whole being. These are the paths to discover the deeper realities within one self.

When your chakras are not working properly you are unable to move your physical, emotional and mental body onto a higher spiritual level. Each chakra affects different parts of the body and sometimes illness can be caused by poor chakra health. Illness is caused mostly by old patterns, by actions, by fears and by overindulgence, which is usually a sign of anxieties and conflicts. These conflicts create imbalance and disharmony in the body. We are often too focused in the reality and physical being of life to listen to our inner selves. Then the chakras become out of balance and we become prone to illness. The energy imbalance in the chakra affects the health of your physical body.

There are seven major chakras running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.

The root chakra is the first chakra and is located at the base of the spine at the tailbone in back, and the pubic bone in front. It is the energy center that connects us to the earth and our ambitions. On a physical level this chakra controls the back, legs, hips, feet, spine and the circulation of the blood. When not functioning properly, this chakra causes aches, strains and loss of mobility to these areas. When you are trying to make things happen in the physical world, doing business or acquiring possessions, the energy will come from the first chakra.

The Sacral Chakra is the second chakra and is located two inches below the navel. It is rooted into the spine. This is the energy center for passion, creativity and self worth. It also controls the body's organs like the lower sexual organs, the bladder, bowel and lower intestine. When functioning properly, it helps maintain a healthy yin yang balance. When this chakra is aligned and balanced, you become expressive, creative and spontaneous. When it is not functioning properly, you may have a low self esteem and low sex drive.

The third chakra is the Solar Plexus, located two inches below the breastbone in the center of the torso, behind the stomach. This chakra is the center of personal power, passions, anger and strength. When this chakra is out of balance you may lack confidence, be confused, feel that others are controlling your life, or be depressed. It also controls the upper intestines, upper back and spine. When functioning negatively, it can cause a person to be fearful and suffer from a low self esteem. Because it governs the stomach, many ulcers and stomach disorders are brought on by excessive stress and worry.

Heart Chakra is the fourth chakra, located behind the breast bone in front and on the spine between the shoulder blades in back. This is the center for love, compassion and spirituality. This is also the chakra connecting body and mind with spirit. The heart chakra is the main center, or control panel, for our body. When we have problems with this chakra we have problems with our heart, blood, circulation and the vessels that carry the blood, as well as our lungs and how we breathe. We have ribs that protect these areas, but these also become weakened when this center is not functioning properly.

The throat chakra is our fifth chakra and is located in the V of the collarbone at the lower neck. It is the center of communication, sound, and expression of creativity via thought, speech, and writing. The possibility for change, transformation and healing are located here. The throat is where anger is stored and finally released. On a physical level this chakra includes the throat, thyroid, mouth, teeth, tongue, and jaw. The problems manifest with this chakra, are sore throats and thyroid problems that can lead to a lack of energy, vitality, and weight problems.

Third Eye Chakra is located above the physical eyes on the center of the forehead and is the sixth chakra. It is the center for psychic ability, higher intuition, as well as the energies of spirit and light. On a physical level, this chakra involves the pituitary glands, the skull, eyes, the brain, the nervous system and our senses. If this chakra is unbalanced, we can suffer headaches, sinus and nasal problems and disease within the brain and the skull. This is because we are not living in the physical sense, instead we are in the head; always thinking and worrying about the future instead of living in the now. We can also suffer from different types of mental disorders that are caused through our nervous system.

Crown or seventh chakra is located just beneath the top of the skull. It is the center of spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom. The soul comes into the body through the crown at birth and leaves from the crown at death. This chakra encompasses part of the spinal cord, the stem of the brain, pain center of the brain and part of the nerves. When people become sick and suffer a lot of pain that they cannot handle, it is because the energy flow is blocked to this chakra.

Learning how to cleanse the Chakras encourages physical wellness. Each chakra is related to a certain system and, when they are blocked, energy is unable to flow properly through the body. While chakras funnel energies into our bodies, cleansing with crystals and colors balances the chakras out. Crystals or stones are used to remove imbalances from the chakras by placing the corresponding colored stone on the appropriate chakra and focusing visual intention. Every person has their preference between crystals or tumbled stones for this cleansing. Generally, the selection of stones or crystals corresponds with the associated color of the chakra. Each chakra has more than one color associated with it, but they each have a primary color.

There are so many crystals that go with the chakras. I have listed just a few below with each chakra.

The root chakra is associated with the color red, so choosing a red stone like red jasper or carnelian have qualities such as strength, grounding and calmness.

The sacral chakra is orange and using carnelian, orange calcite or sunstone, and these stones have strength, mental ability and abundance properties.

Solar Plexus is associated with yellow, and that would indicate stones like citrine, tiger eye and yellow jasper. Each of these stones helps with grounding negativity, increasing prosperity and positive energy.

The heart chakra is represented by the colors green and pink, and emerald, green aventurine, rhodochrosite or rose quartz could be used. These stones for the heart chakra bring love, joy and healing.

The throat chakra is associated with the color turquoise and the stones amazonite, chrysocolla or blue lace agate, all of which have soothing, comforting and calming attributes.

The third eye chakra is indigo and azurite, lapis or sodalite could be used in healing since they can help with mental balance and depression.

The crown chakra is associated with the color purple and fluorite or amethyst could be used. These stones have healing power, can sharpen intellect and center the mind.

By placing a crystal on each chakra you allow the crystals or stones to absorb the negative energy blocking that chakra. All of the stones for each chakra will be accompanied by a clear quartz crystal. Clear quartz transmits energy to the other stones and it channels all the chakra colors.

When working with the individual chakras, you need to recognize the source of disturbance. Explore and find the appropriate chakra associated with the issue. You would need to pick the appropriate crystal and place that crystal on the corresponding chakra. Find your rhythm of breath, visualize yourself drawing in the light, filling up your whole body. The light should correspond to the chakra color. Feel the positive energy working for you.

Using a combination of meditation and crystals is the best way to align and clear your chakras. The best way to do this is to lie down and allow the crystals to rest directly on the chakras. The person visualizes the color, light, and energy filling the body up and the stone absorbing and taking away the negative energy.

Our mind is always thinking, even in sleep. Energy freely flows to and from the body through the chakras. We learn how to listen to our bodies when the mind is clear. Meditation gives our mind the rest it needs. Having energy flowing freely from the body through the chakra gives us a well balanced life, physical vitality and helps us to distribute these energies through the body. Chakra balance supports and promotes good health and a sense of well being.

The goal is to have all chakra centers clear, balanced, and vitalized for peak health and well being. True healing is a partnership between the person and the crystals. Letting go of the barriers allows the power to flow in and out. The more open and receptive the patient is the stronger the results. Having faith and belief in the crystals will give the person strength for the healing. It is a magical experience to see and feel the stones on the body, giving and receiving their energies. When you are done with your meditation, you feel more calm, balanced, open, receptive, and in tune with yourself. With crystals you can re establish your connection with the earth, becoming more accepting of your place and purpose on this planet. By accepting the function of the crystals and meditation your aura should be glowing, your chakras clear and balanced, and your body should be filled with positive energy. Crystals and meditation give us a message of love, beauty and harmony of light. We can open our hearts to the stones and we will find peace.

The above article was written by me and was part of my college thesis.

Wood Correspondences for Magick Spells and Rituals

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:45:28 -0500

Wood Gender Element Planet Symbolic Value or Use in Magick

Almond            Male           Air               Mercury          Prosperity, wisdom
Apple               Female       Water          Venus             Love, healing
Ash                 Male          Fire             Sun                Protection, healing, prosperity
Aspen              Male           Air               Mercury          Protection from thieves
Avocado         Female      Water           Venus             Love, lust, beauty
Banyan          Male           Air               Jupiter            Luck, knowledge
Beech             Female       Water         Saturn             Creativity, tolerance
Birch              Female       Water         Venus             Rebirth, purification, protection, Moon matters
Bodhi              Male           Air              Jupiter           Meditation, wisdom, fertility, protection
Buckthorn       Female       Water           Saturn             Exorcism, protection, legal matters
Cedar            Male           Fire             Sun                Healing, purification, protection, prosperity
Cherry            Female       Water           Venus             Love, divination, healing
Cypress           Female       Earth            Saturn             Immortality- longevity, protection, strength, death
Dogwood                                                                   Protection, wishes
Elder               Female      Water           Venus             Protection, health, spirituality, banishment
Elm                 Female      Water          Saturn            Protection, love
Fig                  Male          Fire              Jupiter            Fertility, balance, safe journey
Hawthorn        Male           Fire              Mars               Protection, purification, fertility
Hazel               Male          Air                Sun                Wisdom, Thor, protection, luck, divination
Hickory           Male          Fire              Jupiter             Legal matters
Holly               Male          Fire             Mars              Protection, luck, dream magick, consecration, prosperity
Larch             Male          Fire             Mercury            Protection, anti-fire
Licorice           Female      Water           Venus              Love, fidelity
Lilac                Female      Water           Venus            Protection, exorcism, love
Linden             Male          Air               Jupiter             Protection, luck, immortality, love
Magnolia         Female      Earth           Venus               Fidelity
Maple             Male          Air               Jupiter             Love, prosperity, longevity, unification, divining rods
Mesquite         Female      Water          Moon               Healing, magical fires
Mimosa           Female      Water          Saturn             Protection, dreams, love, purification
Mulberry         Male          Air               Mercury            Protection, strength
Myrtle             Female      Water          Venus              Fertility, youth, love, peace, prosperity
Oak                 Male          Fire             Sun               Protection, health, luck, power, strength
Peach             Female      Water          Venus              Longevity, protection, fertility, divination, happiness
Pear               Female      Water          Venus              Lust, love
Pecan              Male          Air              Mercury            Employment
Pepper Tree     Male          Fire             Mars                Purification, healing, protection
Pine               Male         Air              Mars                Protection, longevity, healing, fidelity, purification
Plum               Female     Water          Venus              Protection, the wild
Pomegranate    Male          Fire            Mercury            Wealth, money-attraction
Poplar              Female      Water         Saturn              The Crone, astral projection, divination, rebirth
Rose                Female      Water         Venus             Love
Rowan             Male          Fire             Sun                 Protection, healing, divination
Sandalwood     Female      Water          Moon               Protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality
Sassafras        Male          Fire             Jupiter             Health, prosperity
Walnut            Male          Fire             Sun                 Healing, mental powers, protection
Willow             Female      Water          Moon              Moon magick, protection, healing, divination, love
Witch Hazel     Male          Fire             Sun                  Protection, divination
Yew                Male          Fire             Mars                 Hecate, death, immortality, protection

Preparing Crystals and Tumbled Stones for Use

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:52:42 -0500

How to Prepare Your Crystals and Tumbled Stones for Use

Choosing a Crystal or a Tumbled Stone

If you are choosing a crystal for a specific purpose such as prosperity, love, healing, mediation, etc., that purpose can be held in the mind and projected to the crystals. Some people will actually sense an energy response from a certain crystal. The energy response for example, can be a flash of light, a vibration, a tingling sensation, or a sense of the crystal saying I am yours.

Choosing crystals for someone else is also easy. One way to do this is to visualize the person for whom the crystal is being chosen, projecting that visualization to the crystals, and selecting the crystal which responds or the crystal to which you respond while visualizing the other person. Another method is to close the eyes, visualize the person for whom the crystal is being chosen, and upon opening the eyes, be aware of which crystals responds.

Cleansing Crystals

There are so many ways to cleanse a crystal. Here are several ways to do this:

Smudge the crystal with sweetgrass, cedar, sage, incense, etc. This method of cleansing has been used for centuries by Native American cultures. Pass the crystal several times through the wafting smoke.

Cleanse the crystal under running tap water, in a flowing spring, river or lake, and energize it in the sun. Water is the universal cleanser and is effective in cleansing undesirable energies from all physical forms. As you do this, hold the intention that all negativity will be washed away.

Soak the crystal in sea salt for a few hours and up to twenty four hours, rinse with pure water, and energize in the sun. Use caution because some of the softer crystals, salt or abrasive substances may mar the surface; this will not affect the properties of the crystal.

Place the crystal on another mineral which is a specific energizer for 12-24 hours such as clear quartz.

Surround the crystal with a visualized white or golden light, using intention that any present negativity will be transformed to positive light energy. Concentration and intention must be maintained.

Soak the crystal in flowers such as rose petals, orange blossoms, honeysuckle, etc. for twenty-four hours; the essence strips away negativity and cleanses the stone while the purity and energy of the flower is transmitted to the stone.

Cleansing Your Crystal

Several ways are suggested:

1. Place it under the light of a full moon-sun for 24 hours.
2. Bury it in the earth for 24 hours, but make sure you mark the spot.
3. Place in Sea Salt Water. One teaspoon of Sea Salt in a glass bowl in cool water. Place the crystal in the water. Make sure the crystal is covered with water. Let this bathe in the water for 24 hours. This is a wonderful way to rejuvenate the power of your crystal. It washes away the negative energy it has absorbed and recharges it with the positive healing energy again. Note: Some crystals should NOT be washed-cleansed in salt water or the sun for it changes their physical properties, not their metaphysical properties, they are listed below:

Not to be cleansed in Salt Water:
Calcite
Carnelian
Labradorite - Spectrolite
Lepidolite
Moldivate
Opal
Turquoise
Ulexite

Use caution only with the softer Mica and crystaline stones

These stones may fade in Sunlight:
Amethyst
Celestite
Opal
Turquoise

Crystal Clearing

Crystals are another precious gift of Mother Earth. It is not necessary to have a new crystal for every purpose or working. Crystals can be reprogrammed to new uses with just a bit of forethought and planning. When a particular working for which you have charged a crystal is completed, under a waning Moon, collect up the crystals no longer in use and thank them for their energy in your working. Clear them by first smudging them with sage and cedar smoke and then cleansing them in a salt water bath followed by a good rinsing in clear, running water. Place the cleared crystals in a windowsill where they can receive light from the Moon as she passes through her cycle. After a full Moon cycle, the crystals are once more ready to be charged with a new purpose and a new working. By: Winter Wren

Charging Crystals

Place the crystal in sunlight but be sure not to focus the rays from the sun where they could start a fire. Place the crystal in the light of the moon; the full moon and the new moon have the most energy.

Programming Your Crystal

Your thoughts, feelings and visualizations have an energetic charge; when you program a crystal to assist you in manifesting your desires and dreams you put that energetic charge into your crystal. Although quartz crystals are usually the preferred crystals for programming, many others can be used. Here are some examples: citrine, tigers eye or carnelian for abundance, rose quartz, rhodochrosite, sugilite or unakite for love and matters of the heart, aquamarine, dolomite, garnet, howlite or turquoise for creativity, aventurine, jade, mookaite or sodalite for physical health.

Below is one method of programming.

1. Hold the crystal in both hands and gaze into it, making contact with the crystal.

2. Start breathing with deep long breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling forcefully through your mouth.

3. Concentrate on what you want to program into the crystal: good health, new job, prosperity, a better relationship, etc. As you inhale, see a visual image of what you want; imagine how it feels to have it, and repeat an affirmation to yourself.

4. With each exhale send your intention into the crystal.

5. Your intention has now been programmed into the crystal. This vibration is stored in the crystal until you clear it and replace it with a new intention.

Raven and Crone, LLC may not be held responsible for any damage or injury to person or property resulting from the use of any item sold by Raven And Crone, LLC The buyer understands that he or she is responsible for the safe handling of any item purchased from Raven And Crone, LLC. Metaphysical information is for educational, inspirational, and entertainment purposes only. Mystical information on spiritual healing information is not to be construed as prescription or healthcare information. See your physician or other healthcare practitioner for all ailments, disease and injury. Raven and Crone, LLC assumes no liability for any use or misuse of this information.

How to Use Crystals and Tumbled Stones

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:19:24 -0500

How to use Crystals, What can Crystals Do

Many people collect tumbled stones, crystals and gems because of their metaphysical properties and the multiple ways they can be used. Some simply place their stones around the house, use as energy tools, always working to benefit themselves and others through stone energy.

When using tumbled stones and crystals in your environment, the easiest thing is to pick some stones that you feel drawn to and place them around your home and work area. By doing this you can create a positive, healing vibration in your space. You can add any other stones to enhance the environmental energies further, depending on your needs and desires. Some individuals place protection stones at the openings of their homes, while others concentrate their collections in a meditation room or personal altar. People in difficult work environments often place a stone on their desks which can transform negative energies. Outdoors, you can place stones at the property boundaries or in a grid pattern around the house, garden or meditation area. All these ways can benefit and affect a persons day-to-day experience, and also those who enter your space.

When holding and carrying tumbled stones and crystals most people have a selection of stones that they can select from, according to the needs of the day. One of the best ways to choose a stone is to pick it up and hold it for a few moments, paying attention to the changes in your energies and feelings while doing so. At other times, you may choose to simply hold a particular stone for a few moments, or however long it takes to receive what you need energetically. Both holding and carrying stones has the effect of bringing their vibrations into your auric field, allowing you to feel and benefit from the modified energies.

Wearing stones in pouches or in a form or jewelry is another way of holding and carrying stones. You can wear them in medicine pouches or incorporate them into jewelry pieces. Both of these ways have been used for many centuries. One advantage of pouches and jewelry pieces is that they allow you to incorporate combinations of stones which work together to produce the desired effects. One of the most popular jewelry designs is a chakra pendant, which consists of vertically aligned array of seven stones, corresponding to the seven chakras, or energy centers, running from the base of the spine to the top of the head. This can help keep you balanced, focused and energized through long hours that entail many interactions with different people. Other jewelry or pouch combinations might include success stones, protection stones, healing stones, love energy stones, prosperity stones and so on. In many cases it seems not to matter whether you work with a pouch or a jewelry piece. Wondering if a ring would work as well as a pendant, in most cases it does. The important thing is for the stone or stones to be in your auric field. For example when a person is using stones to heal or open the heart, the proximity of the stones to the area of focus can be beneficial. By the same token, healers may find certain gemstone rings to be particularly helpful when they are channeling energies through their hands.

Meditating with stones might be the single best way to learn and to feel crystal energies. Hold a stone or several stones during meditation. In meditation, you will work to gently clear the mind of thought and enter a state of positive receptive energy. Many of the serenity-inducing stones, such as Angelite, Celestite, Lithium, Jade and Lepidolite can help one achieve this state. Other stones which you may choose for purposes of shifting consciousness, healing, or activating specific energy centers in the body or aura will have their strongest effects during meditation. This is because meditation quiets the mind and allows new influences to enter our consciousness. During meditation the stones will feel stronger, not only because one is able to pay closer attention to the subtle changes, but also because the state of openness allows for more pronounced effects. You are encouraged to explore the higher worlds through whatever minerals call out to you. Such stones as Calcite, Celestite, Herkimer and others are powerful tools for making it easier for a visionary experience, out of body travel and other openings to the higher dimensions.

Dreaming is another way we all move into other realms of consciousness. Because dreams have the ability to alter the pattern of your energy field, many crystals and minerals can powerfully affect your dream state-bringing more frequent and vivid dreams, containing spiritual guidance, dreams of visitations from departed loved ones, lucid dreams, astral travel and other types of out-of-body experiences. Angel Quartz, Apatite, Herkimer, Green Jade and Picture Jasper, Rhondonite, Smoky Quartz, Stilbite, Sugilite for example can be taped to the forehead or tucked into the pillowcase, they will almost always facilitate-extremely vivid dreams of high spiritual content, even for people who insist they never dream. Herkimer Diamonds increase the visionary quality of dreams and can make people dream in color. Angelite, Celestite and Opal can uplift your dream scenes to the angelic realms. Just slip the appropriate stone into your pillowcase and see where you go. Be sure to keep a dream journal.

Body Layout is the art of laying stones on the body for healing and is said to be an ancient practice. Modern healers have a much wider array of stones available to them than at any other time in recorded history. Typically, body layouts involve one person lying on a massage table or bed while a friend or practitioner places stones upon the body, often at the chakra points, meridian lines, or near the organs you may wish to affect. Sometimes a body layout can be as simple as a chakra-attunement array, consisting of one or more stones at each of the seven chakra points, with each stone chosen because of its affinity with that particular chakra. However, body layouts offer perhaps the greatest opportunity to experience the complex interplay of multiple stone energies and they are limited only by your imagination and inner guidance. Stone arrays can be created to focus on physical or emotional healing, energy purification and cleansing, psychic protection, spirituality, astral travel or any number of other purposes. The practitioner or friend may simply lay the stones on the body and leave while they do their work, or she may help bring about the movement of energies through other methods.

Grids are patterns of various crystals and stones laid out for mutual enhancement of their energies and the energies of the surrounded space. Laying crystals around your body for healing, around your bed or to protect your house. Most often, they are laid out in symmetrical geometric patterns, the most popular one being hexagonal, because it mirrors the structure of Quartz and many other minerals. A small grid only a few inches in diameter, perhaps surrounding a picture of yourself or of someone you wish to help, can be constructed on an altar or tabletop. A grid for sitting or reclining meditation can be arranged on the floor of a room in your home. Bigger grids can be built which encompass your house, yard or even a large area of land. The most frequently used grids are those made for one person to sit or lie within for meditation and-or healing. Combining one of these grids with a stone body layout can provide a powerful energy environment.

Energy tools are created when one or more stones are attached to one another for the purpose of blending and or magnifying their energies. Tools of this type may or may not involve other materials or devices such as copper wire, glass tubing, magnets etc. A simple energy tool could be a large Quartz Generator crystal which someone has glued a smaller stone; the Quartz Generator will amplify the vibrations of the smaller stone. Selenite is another focuser and magnifier of other stones that are attached to it. Follow your own inspirations and create a new tool to serve your awakening.

You can make your own infused oils and essences. Stone energies can be blended with essential oils or infused in water solutions to make essences. In both cases, the vibrational energies of the stones are taken on by the oil or water. If this interests you please seek out information, and be sure not to utilize any toxic stones or substances.

Most of the information for this article is referenced from The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons

Magical Uses for Crystal and Stones

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:50:28 -0400

Gemstones by Metaphysical Usage

Here is a sampling of various metaphysical attributes that have been associated with particular crystals and tumbled stones. There are so many gems for individual conditions, and uses, this list is intended as a starting reference. This article is for education and entertainment use only, these are ancient attributes and current folk lore remedy uses for semi precious gemstones. Raven and Crone makes no claims as to the actual healing properties of gemstones. This information is offered as a service and is not meant to replace any medical treatment. No guarantee is made towards validity. Use this information at your own risk. Metaphysical and healing lore is for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment purposes only. Do not give up healthcare because of it. See your doctor or other qualified healthcare practitioner about all illness's, injuries or other health related issues. Mystical lore on crystal healing and spiritual healing is not a prescription or diagnosis. They are alternative and complementary and are not scientifically proven. By using this site and associated materials you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

ABSENTMINDEDNESS:
Carnelian

ABUNDANCE:
Moss Agate, Amber, Green Aventurine, Citrine, Jade, Malachite, Peridot, Tiger Eye, Blue Tiger Eye

ADDICTION:
Amethyst, Kunzite, Black Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Sugilite

ALLERGIES:
Blue Lace Agate, Carnelian, Chrysacolla, Brecciated Jasper, Rock Quartz

ANGELS-To Draw To Wearer:
Angelite, Celestite, Chariote, Seraphinite

ANIMAL GUIDES and TOTEMS-Finding:
Unakite

ANIMALS-Healing For Pets:
Dalmatian Jasper, Rock Quartz, Rose Quartz

ANXIETY:
Citrine, Howlite, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Mother of Pearl, Smoky Quartz, Tiger Eye

ASTRAL PROJECTION:
Crystal Quartz

ASTRAL TRAVEL-VISUALIZATION:
Celestite, Kyanite, Selenite

AURIC FIELD CLEANSING:
Aqua Aura, Leopard Skin Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Selenite, Black Tourmaline

CALMING:
Aventurine, Larimar, Moonstone, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Sodalite

CENTERING-GROUNDING:
Calcite, Hematite, Moonstone

CHAKRA BALANCING:
Bloodstone, Quartz

CHAKRA OPENING:
Fluorite, Kyanite, Quartz

CLAIRVOYANCE:
Chrysoprase, Kyanite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Phrenite, Quartz

COMMUNICATION:
Angelite, Celestite, Kyanite, Sodalite, Most blue gemstones are associated with throat chakra,

COURAGE:
Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Diamond, Tiger Eye, Turquoise

CRYSTAL CLEARING-Clearing Discordant Energy From Other Stones:
Citrine, Kyanite, Lithium Quartz, Selenite, Black Tourmaline

DEFENSIVE MAGIC:
Lave, Onyx, Sapphire

DEPRESSION-To Lessen:
Bloodstone, Carnelian, Chrysophase, Hematite, Larimar, Lepidiolite, Lithium Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Tiger Eye

DIETING: Apatite

DIVINATION:
Hematite, Jet, Moonstone, Tigers Eye

DREAMS-To Induce or Remember:
Amethyst, Azurite, Celestite, Red Jasper, Labradorite, Moonstone

EMOTIONAL, MENTAL SUPPORT:
Beryl, Bloodstone, Citrine, All Jaspers, Picture Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Cherry Quartz, Rhodocrosite, Tiger Eye, Turquoise

EMOTIONAL BALANCING:
Amber, Aventurine, Chrysocolla, Larimar, Malachite, Moonstone, Snowflake Obsidian, Tourmalated Quartz

ENERGY-To Draw:
Amber, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Cherry Quartz, Rock Quartz, Tourmalated Quartz, Tiger Eye, Turquoise

FEAR-To Dispel:
Agates, Amethyst, Angelite, Carnelian, Charoite, Citrine, Coral, Diamonds, Fluorite, Hematite, Moonstone, Peridot, Quartz, Ruby, Sunstone, Tiger Eye,

FOCUS:
Agates, Hematite, Kunzite, Malachite, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Pearl, Tiger Eye

FRIENDSHIP:
Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot, Sapphire, Tourmalines, Pink Tourmaline, Turquoise

HAPPINESS:
Amethyst

HEALING HEALTH:
Agate, Moss Agate, Amber, Amethyst, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Diamond, Fluorite, Malachite, Moldavite, Peridot, Crystal Quartz, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Sugilite

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Blue Agates, Carnelian, Garnet

INTUITION:
Charoite, Kyanite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Phrenite, Sugilite

LOVE:
Agate, Pink Lace Agate, Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Ocean Jasper, Malachite, Moonstone, Opal, Pearl, Green Quartz, Rhodocrosite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Topaz, Pink Tourmaline, Watermelon Tourmaline

LUCK:
Tree Agate-Merlinite, Amber, Aventurine, Green Aventurine-wear in left pocket for money and luck, Copper, Emerald, All Garnets, Jade, Jaspers, Jet, Moonstone, Snowflake Obsidian, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Tigers Eye, Blue Tiger Eye, Turquoise

MAGICAL POWER:
Amber, Bloodstone, Jet, Malachite, Merlinite-Dendritic, Tree Agate, Moonstone, Opal, Quartz Crystal, Ruby

MEDITATION:
Ametrine, Amber, Green Garnet, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Prehnite, Rhodonite, Ruby in Zoisite, Sapphire, Selenite for past lives,

MENTAL POWERS:
Aventurine, Emerald, Zircon

MONEY-WEALTH:
Aventurine, Bloodstone, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Emerald, Jade, Pearl, Peridot, Green Quartz-Chloride Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Tigers Eye, Topaz

M.S:
Carnelian, Red Jasper, Rock Quartz

NECK PROBLEMS:
Apatite, Chrysoprase, Diamonds, Hematite, Rose Quartz

NEGATIVE ENERGY-To Remove:
Amber, Citrine, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Obsidian, Tourmalated Quartz, Selenite, Sugilite, Black Tourmaline

NIGHTMARES-To Halt:
Green Calcite, Obsidian, Hematite, Jet, Ruby

NIGHT VISION:
Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Cat's Eye

PAIN PHYSICAL:
Carnelian, Magnetic Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Magnetite, Malachite, Rock Quartz, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Ruby, Sardonyx, Sugilite, Turquoise

PAST LIVES-To Access:
Selenite

PEACE- TRANQUILITY:
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Green Aventurine, Blue Chalcedony, Diamond, Jade, Ocean Jasper, Larimar, Malachite, Moonstone, Mother of Pearl, Pearl, Peridot, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Turquoise

PHYSICAL ENERGY:
Beryl, Tiger Eye, Red Zircon

PMS:
Malachite, Moonstone, Smoky Quartz

POWER:
Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Quartz Crystals, Tiger Iron

PROSPERITY:
Moss Agate, Amber, Green Aventurine, Citrine, Green Garnet, Jade, Jet, Malachite, Peridot, Green Quartz, Silver, Tiger Eye, Turquoise

PROTECTION:
Agate, Amber, Carnelian, Crystal Quartz, Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Jasper, Malachite, Moonstone, Onyx, Ruby, Tigers Eye, Topaz, Turquoise

PSYCHIC POWERS: Amethyst, aqua aura, Beryl, celestite, copper, Emerald, Brecciated Jasper, kyanite, lapis lazuli, Labradorite, malachite, moldavite, moonstone, obsidian, opal, phrenite, quartz, silver, seraphinite,

PURIFICATION:
Aquamarine

SADNESS-Reduce:
Red Jasper, Larimar, Cherry Quartz, Sodalite

SELF CONFIDENCE:
Aventurines, Diamonds, Garnet, Rhodonite, Tiger Eye

SEXUALITY-Enhancing:
Amethyst, Carnelian, Garnet, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Rhodocrosite, Watermelon Tourmaline

SHYNESS:
Hematite, Lepidolite, Lithium Quartz, Tiger Eye

SLEEP:
Amethyst-under foot of bed, Aventurine, Fluorite, Hematite, Howlite, Lapis Lazuli, Lithium Quartz, Moonstone, Peridot, Sapphire, Sodalite, Topaz

SINUS ISSUES:
Chevron Amethyst, Fluorite, Kyanite, Moss Agate, Black Onyx, Sodalite

SPIRITUALITY:
Amethyst, Angelite, Celestite, Charoite, Diamond, Brecciated Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moldavite, Quartz, Seraphinite, Sugilite, Blue Topaz

STRESS:
Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Mother of Pearl, Biwa Pearl, Coin Pearl, Rhodocrosite, Tourmalines, Turquoise

SUCCESS:
Amazonite, Green Aventurine, Citrine, Green Garnet, Green Jade, Marble, Green Quartz

THOUGHT PROCESS-THINKING CLEAR:
amazonite, aquamarine, carnelian, celestite, copper, dumortierite

TRAUMA-HEALING:
aventurine, rose quartz, rhodonite, rhodocrosite

TRUTH:
Pearls

VISUALIZATION-ASTRAL TRAVEL:
celestite, kyanite, selenite

WEAKNESS-TO LESSEN:
amethyst, hematite, rock quartz

WEALTH-ABUNDANCE:
moss agate, green aventurine, citrine, emerald, green garnet, hawk eye, jade, jet, larimar, malachite, peridot, ruby, silver, tiger eye, turquoise

WILL POWER-TO ENHANCE:
amethyst, charoite, lapis lazuli, black onyx, pearls, rutilated quartz, rose quartz, tiger eye

WISDOM:
amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, ruby, sodalite, sugilite, turquoise

WISHES-COMING TRUE:
carnelian-especially worn over the heart, jade, moonstone

The in

How to Use a Pendulum

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:37:38 -0400

Pendulum Basics
How to deal with the Pendulum, Types, Selecting, Programming and Testing it.
The pendulum is basically an amplifier. It is a tool that helps you to access the collective unconscious and your Higher Self. You can get answers to anything you can come up with. Every one is basically capable of working with the pendulum. Learning to work with it is like learning to play an instrument. It requires constant practice and experimentation Making mistakes is part of the learning process. The results you get will reflect your stage of spiritual-mental development. You should not use the pendulum for egoistic reasons. Use it only for the well being of others or yourself. REMEMBER: Swinging the pendulum requires that you be undivided and totally present in the moment.
TYPES OF PENDULUMS
Depending what are they used for, they can be for: healing specific illnesses, for adjusting chakras, distance healing and map dowsing.
The shape can be: faceted, tear drop, ball-shaped, spiral, made from brass, copper, crystal, wood, ceramic.
PROGRAMMING THE PENDULUM
You can ask about anything you like with the pendulum if the question can be answered with YES or NO. But first you have to determine what each pendulum movement means for you.
Take a seated position at a desk or table. Place you feet flat on the floor resting your elbow on the desk. Hold the pendulum by the end of chain between your thumb and index finger. Make sure that your upper body and back are straight, that the energy can flow freely. Put your other hand flat on the table. Relax. Let your breath flow calmly. Make sure before you start that you will not be distracted. Do not swing the pendulum when you are tired.
Hold your pendulum and you ask: "What does a YES look like?" then "What does a NO look like?"
The pendulum can turn in the following directions: up-down, left-right or in a circle.
Practice several times a day for at least a week. Once you have determined your YES and NO do not deviate from it.
When you programmed your pendulum test it. Prove to yourself that it really works. Ask questions you already know the answer. Otherwise always assume an unattached and unbiased attitude.
When you have determined a clear Yes and No, ask your pendulum how it swings for "I do not want to answer" or "I can not answer that." REMEMBER: a correct answer will follow only when the question is asked in the right way. The answer you get refer to the present moment only. It can partially or completely change at another time or place. From Witch n Bitch Yahoo Group-www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/pendulum.html

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source. Some information is from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Beltane, May Day, Incense, Ritual Oils

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:33:01 -0400

Beltane Incense
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Woodruff
1 part Rose petals
a few drops Jasmine oil
a few drops Neroli oil
Burn during Wiccan rituals on Beltane -April 30th or on May Day for fortune and favors and to attune with the changing of the seasons.
Beltane Ritual Potpourri
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
45 drops frankincense oil
1 cup oak moss
1 cup dried bluebells
1 cup dried lilac
1 cup dried marigold
1 cup dried meadowsweet
1 cup dried rosebuds and petals
1 cup dried yellow cowslips
Mix the frankincense oil with the oak moss and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.
Beltane Oil
By Myrriahs
1/2 dram Sage oil
1/2 dram Pennyroyal oil
Mix well and bottle.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Beltane, May Day, Activities, Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:18:38 -0400

Beltane is on May 1.
Beltane is the second of the fire festivals and the major fertility festival we all know and love today. It is during this time the God and Goddess are wed and massive fertility celebrations occur.
It is during Beltane that the crops are beginning to grow. The ancients would perform rites to not only encourage the crops to grow but to also show them how to grow. It is also during this time the ideas of witches flying on broomsticks came from because the ancient women would take the brooms and other farming utensils and place them between their legs with the head of the broom or utensil upwards, like a stick horse. They would then jump through the fields as high as they could to show the crops just how high they wanted them to grow.
Another symbol of fertility during the Beltane celebration was the Maypole. This is a tall pole with ribbons tied to the top and the folks would dance around it, weaving through each other thus weaving the ribbons around the pole.
During the Beltane celebration there would be bonfires which the women would jump over in order to increase their fertility and cattle would be driven between two bonfires for the same reason.
This is a holiday of love, fertility, weaving of masculine and feminine energy. It is the high point of spring. Oat bread and cookies, spring wines, and egg dishes are appropriate. Ice cream yogurt, cheese are also welcome additions to the menu.
Also known as: May Day, Bealtaine, Beltane, Bhealtainn, Bealtinne, Festival of Tana-Strega, Giamonios, Rudemass, and Walburga-Teutonic, Cetsamhain-opposite Samhain,Fairy Day ,Sacred Thorn Day, Rood Day, Roodmas (the Christian term for Rood Day, Old Beltane, Beltain, Baltane, Walpurgis Night, Floriala-Roman feast of flowers
from April 29 to May 1, Walpurgisnacht-Germanic-feast of St. Walpurga, Thrimilce-Anglo Saxon), Bloumaand-Old Dutch
Beltane Altar: Altars are generally adorned with seasonal flowers. Other appropriate altar decorations for the season include mirrors, a small May pole, phallic-shaped candles to represent fertility, and daisy chains.
Animals: Swallow, dove, swan, Cats, lynx, leopard, goats, rabbits, and honey bees. Mythical beasts associated with Beltane include faeries, pegesus, satyrs, and giants.
Deities: Gods and Goddesses of Beltane, Appropriate Deities for Beltane include all Virgin-Mother Goddesses, all Young Father Gods, all Gods and Goddesses of the Hunt, of Love, and of Fertility. Some Beltane Goddesses to mention by name here include Arianrhod, Astarte, Ariel, Var, Skadi, Shiela-na-gig, Cybele, Xochiquetzal, Freya, and Rhiannon. Beltane Gods include Apollo, Bacchus, Bel-Belanos, Cernunnos, Pan, Herne, Faunus, Cupid-Eros, Odin, Orion, Frey, Robin Goodfellow, Puck, and The Great Horned God, Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, Deities of the Hunt, Aphrodite, Artemis, Bast, Diana, Faunus, Flora, Maia, Pan, the Horned God, Venus.
Tools: broom, May Pole, cauldron
Beltane offerings: sacred wood and dried herbs burned in Beltane fires
Stones-Gems: emerald, bloodstone,malachite, amber, orange carnelian, sapphire, rose quartz
Colors: The most common colors associated with Beltane are white, green, soft pink, blue, yellow, red and brown.. but also appropriate are all the colors of the rainbow spectrum itself.
Herbs and Flowers: almond tree orshrub, ash, broom, cinquefoil, clover, Dittany of Crete, elder, foxglove, belladonna, frankincense, honeysuckle, rowan, sorrel, hawthorn, ivy, lily of the valley, marigold, meadowsweet, mint, mugwort, thyme, violets, woodruff may be burned; angelica, bluebells, daisy, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, primrose, and rose may be decorations, st. john's wort, yarrow, basically all flowers. Also invluded are Yellow cowslip, birch trees, rosemary, lilac and satyrion root.
Incense: Use passion flower, vanilla, frankincense, lilac and rose.. These can be used alone or blended as you like.
Symbols and Decorations: Traditional symbols used to represent Beltane are the May Pole- the traditional full-size one is about 10 feet tall, May baskets, crossroads, eggs, butterchurns, strings of beads or flowers, ribbons, fires, fertility, growing things, ploughs, cauldrons of flowers, baskets and chalices. Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Beltane with fresh flowers all around the ritual area as well as their homes and the cauldron is often totally
filled with gorgeous Springtime flowers.
Food: dairy, bread, cereals, oatmeal cakes, cherries, strawberries, wine, green salads. Dairy foods and eggs are in tune with this season. Sweets of all kinds, honey, and oats are all fine foods for Beltane. Simple dishes such as vanilla ice cream and egg custard are quite traditional fare on this day. For something a little different, try some of the recipes.
Activities and Rituals: fertilize, nurture and boost existing goals, games, activities of pleasure, leaping bonfires, making garlands, May Pole dance, planting seeds, walking one's property, feasting
Wiccan Mythology: sexual union and or marriage of the Goddess and God
It's association with fire also makes Beltaine a holiday of purification. Wiccan weddings are frequently held on or around Beltaine.
May Cup For Beltane
Long-stemmed goblet or glass
Potpourri-seasonal dried or fake flowers
Red, white, and-or gold ribbon
Small grapevine wreath
Charm for decoration
Directions: Fill the cup with floral decorations of the season such as :bluebells, roses, daisies, primroses, lilac or potpourri in May colors such as: green, soft pink, blue, yellow, and-or white. Around the cup, use gold, red, or white ribbon to hang a charm of some sort; some of the best images to use would be a grapevine or twig star-available at most craft stores or easily constructed with twigs and wire, a bell, or a faery image, possibly even a small broom or just a string of beads. Now the stem of the cup can be decorated however you like: Wire-stemmed flowers can be wound around it, or fake ivy, or even red and white ribbons wound around like a maypole if that suits the decoration. Place the cup in the center of the grapevine wreath, and also decorate the wreath with seasonal florals, including red and white ribbons. Use it as a centerpiece for a seasonal altar or kitchen table.
Ritual use: The "May cup" was originally a chalice whose purpose was to hold wine or another beverage which was consumed by the May King and May Queen, elected by the people during the town May Day party. The cup can be used in solitary, couple, or group ritual to hold a blessed beverage for the ritual; the cup can be decorated but left empty of florals until after the beverage has been consumed. Then it can be rinsed with water and filled by the participants with the various florals.
Things to do:
Arise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful; the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets.
If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and cast it into stream, lake or river to bless the water spirits.
Modern pagans can ritually purify tools or other things in the balefire. Jump the dying embers of the fire for summer blessings.
Dance around the maypole.
Gather the first wild herbs of the season.
Go a-Mayin' by going to the woods and fields to gather flowers. Take a picnic.
Wash your face in dew at sunrise on Beltane for beauty in the coming year. Traditionally the dew from the hawthorn tree, but dew from grass and flowers will do.
Make daisy chains and fresh flower wreaths and chaplets-head dresses to wear and to place atop the maypole. Braid flowers in your hair. Make and wear leafy green masks to represent the Green Man who has returned.
Make a wish at the hawthorn tree, a tree associated with faeries. Place strips of cloth symbolizing your wish in the tree-the color should be appropriate to the nature of your wish, i.e. blue for health, pink or red for love, green or gold for prosperity. Take some time to attune to the tree. When you feel you have contacted its spirit, visualize your wish coming true as you hook the cloth on one of the tree's thorns, chanting your wish. When you have finished, leave a gift for the tree.
Commune with the faeries.
Mark the boundaries of your circle with oatmeal, a traditional Beltane grain.
Beltane is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them.
Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck-but make sure you tie up long skirts first!
Make a May bowl -wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked-and drink with the one you love.
Celebrants sometimes jump over broomsticks, especially at Handfastings which are very common during this season, or dance around May Poles, as both of these are symbols of fertility.
Solitary Practitioners might consider the weaving together of ribbons as an alternative to creating and dancing around the May Pole.
Many like to celebrate Beltaine by decorating their homes and themselves with fresh flower garlands, or by stringing up greenery around their homes and places of work.
Sending flowers to loved ones, planting new gardens, cleaning out the cupboards and general spring cleaning are all traditional Beltaine gestures.
Plaiting and weaving straw, creating things with wicker, making baskets and fabrics are traditional arts for this turn in the Wheel of the Year.
Light a fire in the fireplace at sundown to invoke the Sun God. Keep it going until sundown on May 1st. If you don't have a fireplace - or it's too hot for a fire - light a large white or yellow seven-day candle. When lighting the fire or the wick, chant: "God of Sun, Fire in the sky, Light the Earth and warm the night. Warm our spirits, hearts, and hands. Shed Your light upon this land."
Using a coat hanger wire as a base, make a door wreath of fresh greenery and flowers- just shape the wire into a circle, then attach small bunches of flowers and greenery with floral wire. Finish off with a pretty bow. Decorate the house with any leftover plant materials.
If you have a yard and can dance the Maypole outside, obtain a closet pole from your nearest hardware store or lumber yard. These make excellent Maypoles and are fairly inexpensive. Cut ribbon streamers twice the length of the pole and fasten them securely to the pole top with small nails or brads. Pound the pole into the ground in the center of the yard.
Hold a food drive and make food baskets. Bless them by chanting: "Fire of Sky and Fire of Sun, End all hunger - be it done. Take the baskets to those less fortunate than you. Deliver them to homeless shelters or to people living on the streets. You can also contact local Church personnel for lists of families needing food.
Serve an evening meal of breakfast foods to invoke the fertility of the Sun God. Pancakes, eggs, milk, cheese, bacon, sausage, and honey are good options. Fix an extra plate for the Sun God, and leave it outside in the East when supper is finished.
Before going to bed, say the following prayer for Universal fertility: "Lord and Lady, Growing Sun. Bless us in our work and fun. Bless the land and animals, too. Bless the crops and morning dew. Bless all that live upon this land, Bestow Your great abundance and Fertilize all that we do. This we humbly ask of You."
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Wiccan Elements

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:52:37 -0400

The Wiccan Elements
Earth, Air, Fire and Water - Now that you have taken some time to truly discover nature on a more one on one level let's learn the Elements one by one.
Remember that all of the elements can be very helpful or very dangerous. Rain is lovely and cleansing, but floods are devastating. Lighting is beautiful and filled with energy, but a forest fire is not so lovely. A mountain is very beautiful covered in snow, but a mudslide is not so lovely. A gentle breeze on a spring day is so amazing, but a tornado is deadly and just as amazing.
Remember to respect EACH element, understand each element to your best ability- by learning all you can about each one, and never toy with the elements. However what you do want to do is to try to attune yourself to and with the elements around you, become part of the magick and energies as they become part of you - you will discover a part ofyourself you may have never known exsisted before. Scott Cunningham wrote in his book entitled 'Earth Power' - "Attuning and working with these energies in magic not only lends you the power to affect dramatic changes in your life, it also allows you to sense your own place in the larger scheme of Nature." And Scott Cunningham is one of the most amazing pagans I believe to have lived in my own lifetime. He gifted the pagan world with very much before he passed from this plane.
Let's start with the element of Earth.
EARTH
Earth element belongs to the Zodiac signs of: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
The earth is what we live upon, with out it, where would we be? We build our homes on the earth from things we take and create from the earth, brick is made form clay, dirt, and sands taken from the earth and fired in a kiln, trees cut down and planed are part of our homes. We plant our seeds in the earth, grow food to sustain our bodies and our animals as well. Every thing we do is on the earth. We eat, sleep, live and breathe on the earth, because of the earth, and with the earth.
Today pagans and non-pagans alike consider the earth feminine. The earth is often refereed to as 'Mother Earth'. This is most likely due to the fact that so much life comes from the earth, almost as if the earth gives birth to the seeds planted with in it. However in ancient times there were many pagan religions that believed the earth was Masculine, most likely due to the fact that the earth is very solid, sturdy among other reasons we may never know.
For the sake of this lesson, and belief is that the earth is both feminine and masculine, but more so feminine, and because the majority of the pagan community considers the earth as feminine we shall refer to the element of earth as feminine.
The basic things you need to know about the element of Earth are simple if you think of them as being part of the whole. You will find the Earth element is usually associated with the cardinal direction of North. When you think of the earth you can easily associate North and Earth as being the quarter of strength, stability, courage, slow change, and sometimes coldness. The Earth element is also good for grounding when you seem flighty or shaken or even a little out of control of things.
The element of Earth is sometimes depicted as a triangle facing point down, with a line horizontally through the middle. It is located on the pentacle at the bottom left point and the Earth element is usually associated with the color Green, or Brown or any earth tone colors.
Basic associations of the Earth Element:
Season: Winter
Direction: North
Time: Night
Magickal Tool: Pentacle
Point in Life: Advanced Age
Astrological Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Natural Symbols: Salt, clay dish of fresh soil, rocks, sheaves of wheat, acorns.
Types of Magick Ruled: Gardening, magnet, image, stone, tree, knot, and binding.
Basic Nature: Fertile, moist, nurturing; stabilizing; grounding.
Type of Energy: Receptive
Color: Green or Brown
Places: Caves, canyons, chasms, forests, groves, valleys, fields, farms, gardens, greenhouse, parks, plant nurseries, farmers markets, kitchens, baby nurseries, basements, mines and holes.
Rituals: Money, prosperity, fertility, stability, grounding, and employment.
Ritual Forms: making images in soil or sand, burying, or planting.
Herbs: Earth-smelling plants such as patchouli and vetivert; mosses and lichens; nuts; dry and stiff plants; heavy, low growing plants; deep rooted plants, like trees even; generally roots.
Stones: Heavy or opaque, as in coal; green like found in emeralds and Peridot.
Metals: Iron, lead.
Musical Instrument: Drums, All percussion.
Creatures: Horse, Dog, earthworm, gopher, ant, cow and burrowing animals and bugs.
Sense: Touch
Now that you know the basic associations of the Earth Element you can incorporate this element into your rituals, prayers, and many levels of Magick! Remember each element deserves great respect. You do NOT summon an element or an elemental in basic magick you invite this element into your ritual and circles. Always respect each element and the power found within them. The element of earth is most often a caring and gentle but strong and firm element, however do not let the element deceive you either, for earthquakes, mud slides, and even errosion can be deadly. There are always two sides to a coin.
The next element of study is Air.
AIR
Air Element belongs to the Zodiac signs of: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Next we have the element of Air, it is just as important as the element of Earth, for with out either we would not be able to exists. Air is such a large part of our lives, and is probably the least thought of element in our day to day lives. You see the earth we live and breath on each day when you go to work or school, you can physically see the trees, the flowers and the surface you walk and drive upon, but you most often do not see the Air. Air is invisible. Even polluted air tends to be invisible to the eye. For when you live in an area the pollution and how it makes the air appear is still invisible because you become used to the way things look.
The element of Air is most often associated with the cardinal direction of East and most often associated with the color Yellow. It is located on the pentacle at the top left point. You will find that this is the quarter change-ability, of intelligence, and other matters of the mind. The element of air is good for improving memory, finding and creating solutions to problems. The element of Air is sometimes depicted as a triangle facing point up with a line horizontally through the middle.
Basic associations of the Air Element:
Season: Spring.
Direction: East
Time: Dawn
Magickal Tool: Wand
Point in Life: Infancy
Astrological Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Natural Symbols: A feather, incense smoke, fragrant flowers
Types of Magick Ruled: Divination, concentration, visualization and wind magick.
Basic Nature: Flying, moving, intelligent, suspending fresh, fluttery. Sound is manifested from this element.
Type of Energy: Projective
Color: Yellow-the yellow of the sun, the sky at dawn
Places: Wind-swept plains, mountain-tops, cloudy skies, airports, towers, schools, libraries, places of learning, offices, travel agencies, psychiatrists office.
Rituals: Instruction, study, freedom, knowledge, recovering lost items and travel.
Ritual Forms: Visualization and positive aspects of thinking, blowing breath, fanning light object to make them float on the wind or tossing objects into the air. Suspending tools in high places.
Herbs: Fragrant such as flowers with light airy sents or pungent, as in culinary herbs such as dill; airy, finely veined, or windswept; generally leaves.
Stones: Light stones, such as pumice; transparent stones such as mica.
Metals: Tin, copper.
Musical Instrument: Flute, all wind instruments.
Creatures: Most birds and winged insects, spider.
Sense: Hearing, smell
Now that you know the basic associations of the Air Element you can incorporate this element into your rituals, prayers, and many levels of Magick! Always remember that each element deserves great respect. You do NOT summon an element or an elemental in basic magick you invite this element into your ritual and circles. Always respect each element and the power found within them. The element of Air is most often a soft, enveloping and gentle but steady and unpredictable. However, do not let the element deceive you either, for tornadoes, sandstorms, and strong winds in general can be very damaging and deadly. There are always two sides to a coin.
Moving on to the element of Fire.
Fire
Fire element belongs to the Zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Fire, just the mere mention of this element can conjure up many thoughts. This is most often an element that is NOT taken for granted because we so very often see the devastating power in this element. Forest fires and house fires are things we see almost daily on the news. Fire is not as detrimental to our survival as is the earth and the air but fire is still very important in this day and age for we cook with it and we heat with it. It has become an essential element in our basic human comfort.
Fire is most often associated with the cardinal direction of South. Fire is usually associated with the color red and is located on the pentacle at the bottom right point. The element of Fire is sometimes depicted as a triangle facing point up. Found in the quarter that is associated with passion, love, sex, energy, and light. To some it may also represent freedom, joy, hate, independence, and purity. Fire is excellent for cleansing yourself of unwanted emotions. It is also good for bringing out your innate joy in life, and passion for living.
Basic associations of the Fire Element:
Season: Summer.
Direction: South
Time: Noon
Magickal Tool: Knife
Point in Life: Youth
Astrological Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Natural Symbols: Flame, lava, and a heated object.
Types of Magick Ruled: Candle, storm, time and star.
Basic Nature: Desturctive,purifying, cleansing, energetic, sexual, and forceful. Heat is a physical manifestation of this element.
Type of Energy: Projective
Color: Red
Places: Fireplaces, deserts, Hot Springs, volcanoes, ovens, bedrooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, saunas, and athletic fields.
Rituals: Protection, courage, sex, energy, strength, authority, and banishing negativity.
Ritual Forms: Burning or smoldering; heating.
Herbs: Chili pepers and bougainvillea, Stinging, thorny or hot; as thistles, desert dwelling, as cacti; stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds

Stones: Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lava; clear, as in quartz crystal.
Metals: gold, brass.
Musical Instrument: Guitar, all stringed instruments.
Creatures: Bees and Wasp, scorpion, ladybug Snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis and sometimes shark.
Sense: Sight
And finally the element of Water
Water
Water element belongs to the zodiac sings of Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Water is just as important to us as is the earth we walk on, the air we breathe and the fire we warm ourselves with for we need it for our basic survival. Water covers are large portion of our earth not to mention our own human bodies are made up of much fluid, that is susceptible to the same forces of nature as basic water is. Water is in the air we breath, it is in the plants we grow and eat and even in the animals that daily give their lives for us to eat. Water is all around us not only in the rain and rivers and lakes and oceans.The element of water is most often associated with the cardinal direction of West. Water is usually associated with the color blue. . It is located on the pentacle at the top right point. The element of Water is sometimes depicted as a triangle facing point down. Often associated with emotion, intuition, and 'oneness'. Wonderful to use if you wish to look deeper into you're own personal psyche and self to discover the ebbs and flows of your mind.
Basic associations of the element of Water:
Season: autumn
Direction: West
Time: Dusk
Magickal Tool: Cup, the cauldron.
Point in Life: Maturity
Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces,
Natural Symbols: Shells, cup of water.
Types of Magick Ruled: Sea, ice, snow, fog, mirror, magnet.
Creatures: Cat, frog, turtle, dolphin, whale, otter, seal, dugong; most fish and shellfish.
Basic Nature: Flowing, purifying, healing, soothing and loving.
Type of Energy: Receptive
Color: Blue
Places: Lakes, springs, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans, wells, swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, bedrooms-for sleep, health spas, steam rooms, fountains,
Rituals: Purification, love, psychic awareness, dreams, sleep, marriage, friendships.
Ritual Forms: Dilution, placing into water, washing away, bathing.
Herbs: Ones that contain lots of moisture or are aquatic, such as water lilies and seaweed; fleshy as in succulents and lettuce. Rose and gardenia; generally flowers.
Stones: Blue stones such as in blue tourmaline, transparent or translucent, as in amethyst and aquamarine
Metals: Mercury, silver, copper.
Musical Instrument: Cymbal, bell; all resonant metals.
Sense: Taste
Now that you know the basic associations of the Water Element you can incorporate this element into your rituals, prayers, and many levels of Magick! Remember that each element deserves great respect. You do NOT summon an element or an elemental in basic magick you invite this element into your ritual and circles. Always respect each element and the power found within them. The element of water is most often a caring and gentle one that nurishes life, however do not let the element deceive you either, for floods, tidle waves-sunami and torential down pours can be deadly. There are always two sides to a coin!

There is often a fifth element mentioned, that of Akasha or Spirit. This is somthing that is different for each individual. You will have to personally discover all the associations that go with this fifth element that apply specifically to you, as an indvidual.
The elements, each and everyone of them are very magical due to the hidden and seen energies in each. As mentioned earlier, an Elemental is simply each element that is personified. Personified means giving human qualities, like love and hate, and kindness. If you believe that every thing on this planet has a soul, a spirit, an energy such as rocks, trees, animals, and humans, then it would be concievable to believe that each element Also has a spirit? Thus becoming an Elemental, you can summon an Elemental, but it is kinder to ask them to help or aid in your ritual or mission. However don't get me wrong there will come a time, if you practice any thing more the basic magick that you will summon. BUT you need to reach that level. So use your head, and your heart when dealing with the elements.
Refrences: Earth Power by Scott Cunningham, SnowCats Cave, Author Shewolf Silver Shadows

Sacred Herbs of the Goddesses

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:45:53 -0400

APHRODITE: olive, cinnamon, daisy, cypress, quince, orris-iris, apple, myrtle
ARADIA: rue, vervain
ARTEMIS: silver fir, amaranth, cypress, cedar, hazel, myrtle, willow, daisy, mugwort, date palm.
ASTARTE: alder, pine, cypress, myrtle, juniper
ATHENA: olive, apple
BAST: catnip, vervain
BELLONA: belladonna
BRIGIT: blackberry
CAILLEACH: wheat
CARDEA: hawthorn, bean, arbutus
CERES: willow, wheat, bay, pomegranate, poppy, leek, narcissus
CYBELE: oak, myrrh, pine
DEMETER: wheat, barley, pennyroyal, myrrh, rose, pomegranate, bean, poppy, all cultivated crops.
DIANA: birch, willow, acacia, wormwood, dittany, hazel, beech, fir, apple, mugwort, plane, mulberry, rue
DRUANTIA: fir
FREYA: cowslip, daisy, primrose, maidenhair, myrrh, strawberry, mistletoe
HATHOR: myrtle, sycamore, grape, mandrake, coriander, rose
HECATE: willow, henbane, aconite, yew, mandrake, cyclamen, mint, cypress, date palm, sesame, dandelion, garlic, oak, onion
HEKATE: cypress
HERA: apple, willow, orris, pomegranate, myrrh
HINA: bamboo
HULDA: flax, rose, hellebore, elder
IRENE: olive
IRIS: wormwood, iris
ISHTAR: acacia, juniper, all grains
ISIS: fig, heather, wheat, wormwood, barley, myrrh, rose, palm, lotus, persea, onion, iris, vervain
JUNO: lily, crocus, asphodel, quince, pomegranate, vervain, iris, lettuce, fig, mint
CERRIDWEN: vervain, acorns
MINERVA: olive, mulberry, thistle
NEFER-TUM: lotus
NEPHTHYS: myrrh, lily
NUIT: sycamore
OLWEN: apple
PERSEPHONE: parsley, narcissus, willow, pomegranate
RHEA: myrrh, oak
ROWAN: clover, rowan
VENUS: cinnamon, daisy, elder, heather, anemone, apple, poppy, violet, marjoram, maidenhair fern, carnation, aster, vervain, myrtle, orchid, cedar, lily, mistletoe, pine, quince
VESTA: oak

Birthstones - Mystical, Zodiac

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:15:13 -0400

Each month of the year has a crystal traditionally associated with it. The following is a list of semi-precious Zodiac Birthstones

Aquarius January 20 - February 18: garnet, amethyst, moss agate, opal and sugilite
Pisces February 19 - March 20: amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock crystal, and sapphire
Aries March 21 - April 19: bloodstone, diamond
Taurus April 20 - May 20: sapphire, amber, coral, emerald, rose quartz, and turquoise
Gemini May 21 - June 20: agate, chrysoprase, citrine, moonstone, pearl and white sapphire
Cancer June 21 - July 22: emerald, moonstone, pearl, and ruby
Leo July 23 - August 22: onyx, carnelian, sardonyx, golden topaz, and tourmaline
Virgo August 23 - September 22: carnelian, jade, jasper, moss agate, and blue sapphire
Libra September 23 -October 22: lapis lazuli, opal, peridot
Scorpio October 23 - November 21: beryl, apache tear, aquamarine, coral, obsidian, topaz
Sagittarius November 22 - December 21: topaz, amethyst, ruby, sapphire, and turquoise
Capricorn December 22 - January 19: ruby, agate, garnet, and black onyx

Mabon-Fall Equinox Lore, Holiday Info

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:55:42 -0500

Rituals at this time of year celebrate the abundance with offerings of nature's bounty, expressing gratitude for the fruitfulness of the summer season. Having food preparation be part of the festivities adds a nice personal touch to holiday gatherings. If you do have corn, you can use the husks to fashion a Corn Mother, to hold the Spirit of the Corn after the fields are harvested. These are often kept hidden until Imbolc, when they are brought out and dressed as the goddess Brighid.
Mabon Altar Adornments: Decorate Altar with acorns, oak sprigs, pine and cypress cones, ears of corn, wheat stalks and other fruits and nuts. Basket with dried leaves of various colors and kinds.
Herbs for Mabon: Marigold, Sunflowers, Hibiscus, Rose Petals, Myrrh, Acorns, Asters, Balm of Gilead, Benzoin, Calendula, Cypress, Fern, Mugwort, Mums, Oak Leaves, Orris, Passionflower, Pine, Sage, Thistle.
Symbolism of Mabon: The completion of the Harvest begun. Day and night are equal and the God prepares to leave His physical body and begin the great adventure into the unseen.
Symbols of Mabon: all harvest symbols, corn, autumn flowers, red poppies,nuts, grains, leaves, acorns, pine and cypress cones, oak sprigs, wreaths, vine, grapes, cornucopia, horns of plenty, burial cairns, apples, marigolds, harvested crops. wine, gourds
Colors: Orange, Dark Red, Yellow, Indigo, Maroon and Brown.
Mabon Deities: Modron-Welsh, Persephone, Demeter/Ceres, Mabon
Altar Decorations: acorns, pinecones, autumn leaves, pomegranate, statue of the Triple Goddess in her Mother phase.
Mabon Foods: check out our Mabon Recipes: Serve seasonal foods, as well as placing autumnal offerings on your altar. Fall fruits, apples, pomegranates, squash, grapes, cider, wine, corn, wheat or rye bread, gourds, seeds, nuts and acorns are all good fall choices. Potatoes, carrots and onions are also appropriate for Mabon altars and foods.
Animals: dogs, wolves, stag, blackbird, owl, eagle, birds of prey, salmon & goat, Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaur, Cyclops, Andamans and Gulons.
Element: water
Incense: pine, sweetgrass, apple blossom, benzoin, myrrh, frankincense, jasmine, sage wood aloes, black pepper, patchouly, cinnamon, clove, oak moss
Mabon Stones: During Mabon, stones ruled by the Sun will help bring the Sun's energy to you.clear quartz, amber, citrine, tigers eye
Customs: offerings to land, preparing for cold weather by bringing in harvest, cutting willow wands-Druidic, leaving apples upon burial cairns and graves as a token of honor, walks in forests, gather seed pods and dried plants, fermenting grapes to make wine,picking ripe produce, stalk bundling
Spellworkings of Mabon: Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance. Taboos:It was considered unlucky to cut down the very last of the Harvest, and so was also left to stand in the field by some traditions.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Lammas, Lughnasadh Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:48:12 -0500

Lammas honors first harvest, when the seeds we have sown provide the fruits of the season. We must look at our lives this past year, and appreciate the progress of our growth. Projects and personal goals we have set into motion in the spring now reap their bounty, and it is so important for us to examine these changes and see how we are affected. Some people, with the change of the calendar year, make personal oaths, whether it is spending less money, kicking a bad habit, or spending more time with loved ones. Lammas is the day when we can look at what we have accomplished so far, and see if we have been true to ourselves.
Lammas can be as simple or as complex a sabbat as you wish. You can use the day to give thanks for what you have, or to look deeper into yourself and how the season affect you. How ever you choose to celebrate this day, keep in mind that sabbats are for honoring the God and Godess without and within us all.
The first harvest. Lammas-loaf mass celebrates the grain that is now harvested and promises sustenance during the coming winter. It is also a reminder of the dying God, as darkness keeps taking over the light of day, the beginning of Autumn. Traditionally, the seeds from the fruits consumed during the feast are saved, and any sprout is planted in honour of the God and Goddess.
Related Deities: Harvest and Grain Deities, New Mother Goddesses, Celtic god Lugh, Sun Gods, Aine, Ceres, Frey, Ishtar, Persephone, Taillte, Tailltiu, Tea and Tuaret, Bes, Bran, Dagon, Llew, and Odin, The Mother, Dana-Lughs wife and queen, Tailltiu-Welsh-Scottish, Demeter-Greek, Ceres-Roman grain goddess..honored at Ceresalia, the Barley Mother, Seelu-Cherokee, Corn Mother, Isis, Luna-Roman Moon Goddess, other agricultural Goddesses, the waxing Goddess
Related Herbs and Flowers: Grains, Grapes, Sloes, Pears, Heather, Blackberry, all Berries, Oat, Fenugreek, Frankincense, Heather, Hollyhock, Mistletoe, Oak, Sunflower, cornstalks, frankincense, Calendula, Myrtle, Oak Leaves, Rose, Sandalwood and wheat may be burned; acacia flowers, corn ears, myrtle, oak leaves, and wheat may be decorations.
Related Stones: Carnelian, Aventurine, citrine, peridot, sardonyx, yellow diamonds and citrine
Related Incense and Oils: Dried Rose Petals, Aloe, Sandalwood, Barley, Basil, Wood aloes, rose hips, rosemary, chamomile, eucalyptus, safflower, corn, passionflower, frankincense, sandalwood
Related Symbols: All Grains, Breads, Threshing Tools, Berries-especially Blackberries
Related Colors: Gray, Yellow, Gold, Green. Colors usually associated with this time of year are earthy oranges, browns, yellows, and golds. The colors are used to symbolize the harvest and the sense of renewal that comes with it. Often, worshippers use these colors in every aspect of their celebration.
Related Themes: A lot of the themes focus not only on the harvest but on underlying ideas such as renewal, giving thanks, making sacrifices. Mourning is also a theme that is highlighted, since Lughs games were an origin of the holiday.
Related Activities and Rituals: At this time of year, worshippers celebrate in various ways, whether in solitude or as part of a family or group. Harvesting one's own crops, participating in games, reciting chants in honor of the season, baking breads and berry pies for feasts or for sacrifice in rituals, and arts & crafts like making corn dollies and harvest knots are all ways in which Lammas is honored.
Related Tools-Symbols-Decorations: Corn, cornucopias, red, yellow flowers, sheaves of grain such as wheat, barley, oats, first fruits-vegetables of garden labor, corn dollies, baskets of bread, spear, cauldron, sickle, scythe, threshing tools, sacred loaf of bread, harvested herbs, bonfires, bilberries, God figures made of bread or cookie dough, phallic symbols

Meaning: Lughs wedding to Mother Earth, Birth of Lugh; Death of Lugh, Celtic Grain Festival Rituals-Magicks: Fire magick, Money spells, health spells,bonfires, prosperity, and generosity, continued success, good fortune, abundance spells.
Related Customs: Games, the traditional riding of poles-staves, country fairs, breaking bread with friends, making corn dollys, harvesting herbs for charms-rituals, Lughnasadh fire with sacred wood and dried herbs, feasting, competitions, lammas towers-fire building team competitions, spear tossing, gathering flowers for crowns, fencing-swordplay, games of skill, martial sports, chariot races, hand-fastings, trial marriages, dancing round a corn mother-doll
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Imbolc Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:54:01 -0500

Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, growth and renewal, the reunion of the Goddess and the God, fertility, dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Symbols of Imbolc:
besoms, white flowers, candle wheels, Brighid's crosses, priapic wands (acorn-tipped), and ploughs.
Deities of Imbolc:
All virgin-maiden goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and gods of love and fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, Februus and Aphrodite.
Lore:
Fertility and growth are celebrated at this time. Its a good time for initiations into groups . One tradition calls for the lighting of all lamps or candles in the home just for a few moments to honor the suns return.
Colors:
White, pink, red, yellow, light. green, brown, orange.
Herbs of Imbolc:
Any White or Yellow Flowers, angelica, ashleaf, balsams, basil, bay, benzoin, blackberry, celandine, chamomile, cinnamon, coltsfoot, coriander, garlic, heather, iris, lemon, mace, rose hips, rosemary, sage, sunflower, tansey, vervain, violets, wheat, witch hazel.
Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Dragons Blood, Frankincense, Heather, Myrrh, Red Sandalwood, Sage, Wisteria, Vanilla, Violet.
Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppyseed cakes, muffins, scones, breads, all dairy products, peppers, onions, garlic, raisins, spiced wines and herbal teas.
Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Citrine, Garnet, Green Tourmaline, Hematite, Iron, Lodestone, Onyx,
Rose Quartz, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Tourmaline.

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Imbolc Rituals and Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:43:27 -0500

House Blessing
Assemble:
Salt and Water
Incense for fire and air
Milk and Honey
Oil, for anointing
Wine for offering
Bells, Pots, Pans, Whistles, etc.
Cast a circle in the main room and after casting, visualize the circle expanding to include the entire house. Call upon the spirits and energies living in the house. Invite those who will be harmonious with the new household and its energies to remain. Invite or ask those who will be happier elsewhere to depart. Release all energies not compatible with the new household. This may be expressed as a release in order to unbind anything that may be stuck.
Then call upon, greet, and invite ancestors, patron deities, and all harmonious spirits and energies to dwell in the house as they please. Gather up the pots, pans, and all the noise-makers. Go to each door and window, not forgetting the fire-place and dog-door, making as much racket as humanly possible-to shoo out anything unwanted. Go again throughout the house and at each portal such as door, window, etc. and sprinkle salt-water saying: By the Elements I purify and charge this portal. Then anoint the portal with milk and honey, saying: By Milk and Honey I ensure prosperity and peace within this place. Finally, anoint the portal with oil, saying: With Oil I seal this portal and protect all within. At the front door a special prayer is said, asking the guardian deities the God and Goddess to freely grant entry to all friends and loved ones, and to prevent passage to any who would do harm. Then, if it's a house-pour wine across the width of the threshold; if it's an apartment anoint the threshold with light touches of wine.
The house-holders then each take a sip of wine, leaving some as an offering to the Gods, and the Circle should be closed. The remaining wine, milk, and honey should be offered to the Gods.
This can be done very effectively by two people. It only takes about 30 minutes to do a large house. Do make certain to "ground" afterward, by closing the circle and by eating. Author Unknown
Imbolc Illuminating the Cauldron Spell
Fill your cauldron with dark earth. Take nine tapered candles and plant them into the Earth in a spiral pattern beginning in the center and continuing deosil. With each candle, contemplate a different aspect of Imbolc.
1. Light the candle in the middle first, picturing light penetrating winters darkness.
2. With the second candle, welcome the spring and picture the great wheel of the year turning to the halfway point. The cauldron is the womb of the Goddess, the belly of Imbolc.
3. Think of the magic of the beginning of life and all the possibility contained as new life energies as you light the third candle. Each new dawn is a clean slate that may bring you closer to realizing your dreams.
4. With the fourth candle, imagine the circumstances surrounding your own physical birth. Picture your relationshipto your biological Mother as a reflection of your relationshipto the Divine Mother. All of us need mothering in one form or another. By facing your own vulnerability, you are prepaing yourself for rebirth.
5. As you light the fifth candle, focus on the lesson your spiritual path has taught you. There are intimate truths that you have undoubtedly discovered. Give thanks for challenges met and knowledge gained.
6. The sixth candle represents the unknown, the lessons that lie in front of you and all the things you have yet to learn. Cultivate humility even as you recount your accomplishments.
7. Light the seventh candle and meditate on all the things you wish to change. They can be material, physical or spiritual. Use your magic to make a positive impact on your life.
8. The eighth candle represents the things you most need to heal. These include the physical ailments of yourself and of others, the suffering of the planet, rifts in relationships, and so on. Invoke healing into your life, and make room for it to begin. Release old wounds and past hurts. Take responsibility for your health in a new way. Focus on the best possible outcomes for situations that are beyond your control or influence.
9. As you light the ninth candle welcome inspiration into your practice. Ask the Goddess to illuminate her presence in a new way. Sing. Write a poem in her honor. Even if you are not particularly artistic, use the energy of the season to assist you in manifesting your magic in a tangible way. Create a special charm or a new blend of incense. Whatever method of expression, ask the Goddess to inspire you and show forth her beauty in your work. From Hearthn Home Witchery

Imbolc Ritual
Gather a white candle and your purification oil and a representation of the season such as a cut out of a snowflake, or if you have it, real snow. Place these items on the table that you plan to use as the altar. With a sharp object, scratch you're your wishes for the new season into the candle wax. Anoint the candle with three drops of the oil by massaging them into the writing on the candle and recite these words:
"This is the time of the feast of torches,
when every lamp blazes and shines
to welcome the rebirth of the God.
I celebrate the Goddess,
I celebrate the God;
all Earth celebrates
Beneath its mantle of sleep."
Light the candle and recite these words:
"All the land is wrapped in winter.
The air is chilled and frost envelops the Earth.
But Lord of the Sun,
Horned One of animals and wild places,
unseen you have been reborn of the gracious Mother Goddess,
Lady of all fertility.
Hail Great God!
Hail and welcome!
Stand before the altar, holding aloft the candle. Gaze at its flame. Visualize your life blossoming with creativity, with renewed energy and strength. Your ritual is now complete. Celebrate with a simple feast with friends and family.
Prayer for Imbolc
On this Imbolc day, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth,
I pray that the flame of Brigid may burn in my soul, and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride, may not pour like cold water on the flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brigid light the love in my soul, that it may burn brightly through this season.
And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of Brigid's love.
Morgana West Source The Wheel of the Year, Copyright (c) 2001 Morgana West
Imbolc Purification Candle Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
1/8 cup olive oil
3 drops juniper oil
2 drops eucalyptus oil
1 drop pine oil
Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a glass jar and use to anoint candles.
2. Store any remaining oil in refrigerator.
Celtic Tree of Rowan Protection Charm
Author: Karri Aldrich
Also known as the Mountain Ash, the Rowan tree has long enjoyed magical eminence for it's protective properties. WIth the festival of Imbolc just around the corner, it is a perfect time to clear your space of negative energy by making a protection charm for the remaining winter days ahead:Burn a sprig of rosemary to cleanse your home, sweeping the rooms widdershins-counter clockwise to banish stagnant energy. If possible, find a branch or twig from a Rowan-Mountain Ash tree. If Rowan is not available, use a sturdy branch of Rosemary. Wind a red ribbon around the branch and with each wind say:
"The power of Rowan protects me and thee"
Hang the branch above your door. You're done!
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Samhain-Halloween Information-Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:19:59 -0500

Samhain is considered by many Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches-especially those of Celtic heritage to be the date of the Witches New Year, representing one full turn of the Wheel of the Year. This is the time of year for getting rid of weaknesses. A common Ritual practice calls for each Wiccan to write down his or her weaknesses on a piece of paper or parchment and toss it into the Cauldron fire. Other activities might include Divination, Past-Life Recall, Spirit Contact, Meditation, Astral Projection-Flying, and the drying of Winter herbs.
Samhain Herbs: Acorn, Oak, Apple, Corn, Dittany of Crete, Hazel, Nightshade, Fumitory,Mugwort, Allspice, Sage, Gourds, Catnip, Apple trees, Broom, Dittany of Crete, Fern, Flax, Heather, Mandrake, Mint, Mullein, Nutmeg, Oak, Patchouli, Pumpkins, Straw, Woody Sage, Wormwood, Angelica, Rue, Burdock, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Sunflower, Thyme, Wild Ginseng, Tarragon, Calendula, Cosmos, Marigold.
Samhain Colors: Orange, black and brown. However, Red Golden Yellow are also appropriate colors for this Sabbat. Altar candles should be black, orange, white, silver and-or gold.
Samhain Offerings: Apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegrantates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes.
Symbols: Jack-O-Lanterns, Balefires, Masks, The Besom-Magickal Broom, The Cauldron, and the Waning Moon.
Altar Decorations: small jack-o-lanterns, indian corn, foods from the harvest, and photographs of your loved ones who have departed from this world.
Deities for Samhain: ALL Crone Goddesses, and the Dying God or the Dead God. Samhain Goddesses include Hecate, Hel, Inanna, Macha, Mari, Psyche, Ishtar, Lilith, The Morrigu/Morrigan, Rhiannon, and Cerridwen.
Stones: Obsidian, Onyx, Carnelian, Amber, Beryl, Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Diamond,
Garnet, Gold, Granite, Hematite, Jasper, Jet, Marble, Opal, Pyrite, Rose Sapphire, Ruby, Sandstone, Smoky Quartz, Steel, Tourmaline, Turquoise
Animals: bats, cats, and dogs.
Foods: beets, turnips, squash, apples, corn, nuts, gingerbread, cider, pomegranates, mulled wines and pumpkin dishes. These are all appropriate as well as meat- especially pork dishes, if you are a vegetarian use tofu, Poultry, Irish Bairin Breac which is Fruit Cake, Colcannon, Bonfire Toffee, Apple Cider, Anything with Apples, Doughnuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bread, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Mead, Late Autumn Fruits.

Samhain Activities

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:58:20 -0400

Here are a few things to do to honor and celebrate this Samhain Sabbat
-Make a jac-o-lantern! This has been a custom for over thousands of years. They were designed to frighten away evvil spirits who were following decesed loved ones and blocking the way back to the land of the living.
-Drink warmed apple cider spiced with cinnamon to honor the dead.
-Since this is also the Pagan New Year, this is a day to make New Year Resolutions. Write them down on paper and burn them. The smoke will take them up to the Gods.
-Bury apples in your yard for the spirits passing by on their way to be reborn.
-Make a spirit candle to burn. Anoint a white candle with patchouli oil. Say: With this candle and by its light, I welcome you spirits this Samhain night." Place the candle inside your jack-o-lantern. If you don't have one, leave it on a table near your entry way or in the center of your dining room table.
-Trick or Treating
-Leave an empty seat and set a place for the silent souls of departed loved ones at your table and lighting their way to your hearth with carved pumpkins and candlelight.

-Make masks to wear and to decorate your doorway. Masks were used to confuse or frighten away unwanted spirits in times past; today, make them gaudy and glittery, using fabric, feathers, beads, and trinkets to honor the many faces of the Goddess and the God.
-Carve a grinning jack-o-lantern and place it on the front porch or walkway to welcome friendly souls and protect your home from mischievous ones, as our ancestors did long ago.

-All forms of divination are paramount on Samhain Eve. Dark mirrors for scrying ("seeing" psychically or mentally), Tarot cards, runes, or pendulums are all perfect tools for utilizing the heightened spiritual energies at this Sabbat. More playful means of divining are derived from Victorian Samhain celebrations. For example, to discover the identity of your true love, peel an apple in one long strip, let it fall to the ground, and read the initials in the bends and curves; or put acorns in front of a fire, name each, and wait to see which one pops first. Try this recipe:
Scrying Brew ( NOT for internal use)
1 handful mugwort
1 handful lemon balm
1 handful white rosepetals(if you cannot find, use red instead)
1 big pinch yarrow
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch meadowsweet
1 pinch cinqufoil
Place this in a cauldron, and add water. Bring to a boil. and allow the steam to fill the atmoshphere. Sit back. and let the visions come. This mix would also be good to use as a simmering potporri in one of those little pots that you burn the tea candles under to cook. Simply mix up the herbs in a jar and place a healthy pinch in the pot. Add boiling water, and light the candle underneath.Use when doing scrying or tarot card reading outside of the circle.

-Leave your favorite candy out for all the visiting "spirits" as people left food and wine on the stoop for the faerie folk and the wondering souls on Samhain of old.

-Contemplate the coming winter, and use this time out of time to let die old ways of thinking, outworn beliefs, and negative patterns.

Incense Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:25:36 -0400

Mix the ingredients below in a mortar and pestle until crushed and blended then add any oil that is called for in the recipe and blend. Burn in a cauldron or censor on a charcoal disc.
ALTAR INCENSE
3 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
2 PARTS MYRRH
1 PART CINNAMON
CIRCLE INCENSE
4 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
2 PARTS MYRRH
2 PARTS BENZOIN
1 PART SANDALWOOD
1/2 PART CINNAMON
1/2 PART ROSE PETALS
1/4 PART VERVAIN
1/4 PART ROSEMARY
1/4 PART BAY
DARK MOON INCENSE
1/4 CP SANDALWOOD POWDER
1/8 CP PATCHOULI
1/2 CP MYRRH
10 DROPS JASMINE OIL
4 DROPS CHAMOMILE OIL OR LEMON OIL
DREAMING TRUE INCENSE
1 PART CAMPHOR
1 PART POWDERED ALOESWOOD
1 PART JASMINE
1 PART PULVERIZED CUCUMBER SEEDS
1 PART WHITE SANDALWOOD
EGYPTIAN LOVE INCENSE
1/2 OUNCE BENZOIN
1/2 OUNCE CINNAMON
1/2 OUNCE GALANGAL
1/2 OUNCE FRANKINCENSE
1 OUNCE MYRRH
3 DROPS HONEY
3 DROPS LOTUS OIL
1 DROP ROSE OIL
PINCH OF DRIED AND POWDERED ORRIS ROOT
FRANKINCENSE
2 TBS POWDERED FRANKINCENSE
1 TBS POWDERED ORRIS ROOT
1 TSP POWDERED CLOVE
1 TSP LEMON OIL
FULL MOON RITUAL INCENSE
2 PARTS SANDALWOOD
2 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
1/2 PART GARDENIA PETALS
1/4 PART ROSE PETALS
A FEW DROPS AMBERGRIS OIL
GODDESS INCENSE
1/2 DRAM CYPRESS OIL
1/2 DRAM OLIVE OIL
1/2 OUNCE DRIED ROSE PETALS
1/2 OUNCE WHITE WILLOW BARK
3 DRIED ROWAN BERRIES
GOOD OMEN INCENSE
5 ROSE PETALS
1 1/2 OUNCES MYRRH
1 OUNCE DRANGONS BLOOD
1/2 OUNCE SASSAFRAS
1/2 OUNCE ORANGE BLOOSOMS
1/2 OUNCE JUNIPER
1/2 OUNCE SAGE
1/2 DRAM FRANKINCENSE OIL
HECATE INCENSE
1/2 TSP DRIED BAY LEAVES
1/2 TSP DRIED MINT
1/2 TSP DRIED THYME
PINCH OF MYRRH RESIN
PINCH OF FRANKINCENSE RESIN
13 DROPS CYPRESS OIL
3 DROPS CAMPHOR OIL
HORNED GOD INCENSE
7 DRAMS OF BENZOIN
1/2 DRAM SANDALWOOD OIL
1/2 DRAM FRANKINCENSE OIL
1/2 DRAM MYRRH OIL
SALTPETER
1 OUNCE POWDERED CHARCOAL
PINCH OF DRIED ASAFETIDA
PINCH OF DRIED BLESSED THISTLE
PINCH OF DRIED PEPPERMINT
LOVE-DRAWING INCENSE
1 PART SANDALWOOD
1 PART LAVENDER BUDS
1/2 TSP. BASIL
3 DROPS ROSE OIL
1 DROP LAVENDER OIL
LUST-DRAWING INCENSE
1 PART SANDALWOOD
1 PART DRAGONS BLOOD
1/2 PART LAVENDER BUDS
1/2 PART ORRIS ROOT POWDER
3 DROPS MUSK OIL
3 DROPS ROSE OIL
1 DROP CHERRY OIL
MARTIAL INCENSE
4 PARTS DRAGONS BLOOD
4 PARTS POWDERED RUE
1 PART GROUND PEPPERCORNS
1 PART DRIED GINGER
1 PINCH SULPHUR
1 PINCH MAGNETIZED IRON FILINGS OR POWDERED LODESTONE
MONEY DRAWING INCENSE
2 PARTS TALCUM BASE
1 PART CASSIA CHIPS
1 PART CRUSHED ALLSPICE
1 PART FRANKINCENSE
1 PART MARIGOLD PETALS
3 DROPS FRANKINCENSE OIL
2 DROPS CLOVE OIL
PROSPERITY INCENSE
1 PART CASSIA CHIPS
2 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
1 PART ORANGE PEEL
1 PART ALLSPICE
3 DROPS ORANGE SPICE OIL
2 DROPS CINNAMON OIL
DROP MYRRH OIL
SABBAT SPRING INCENSE
3 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
2 PARTS SANDALWOOD
1 PART BENZOIN
1 PART CINNAMON
A FEW DROPS PATCHOULI OIL
SABBAT FALL INCENSE
3 PARTS FRANKINCENSE
2 PARTS MYRRH
1 PART ROSEMARY
1 PART CEDAR
1 PART JUNIPER
SAMHAIN INCENSE
1 PART EACH OF:
NETTLES
BAYLEAF
CALENDULA
TARRAGON
SAGE
OAK LEAF
2 DROPS FRANKINCENSE OR MYRRH OIL
SPRINGTIME PROTECTION
1 PART PATCHOULI
1 PART LAVENDER
1 PART VERVAIN
SUCCESS INCENSE
2 PARTS SANDALWOOD
2 PARTS MARIGOLD PETALS
2 PARTS RED STORAX
2 PARTS JUNIPER BERRIES
3 DROPS AMBERGRIS OIL
3 DROPS FRANKINCENSE OIL
1 PINCH OF SAFFRON
WHITE MOON INCENSE
1/4 CP WILLOW POWDER
1/4 CP BAMBOO POWDER
1/4 CP COPAL RESIN TEARS
3 DROPS LEMON GRASS OIL
3 DROPS FRANKINCENSE OIL
3 DROPS WISTERIA OIL
WINTER SOLSTICE INCENSE
1 PART EACH OF:
PINE NEEDLES
CINNAMON
APPLE RIND
MYRRH
FRANKINCESE
WISDOM INCENSE
1/3 CP CINNAMON POWDER
1/3 CP FRANKINCENSE RESIN
1/3 CP SANDALWOOD POWDER
1/8 CP LAVENDER
2 DROPS CINNAMON OIL
5 DROPS MYRRH OIL

Daily Incense
SUNDAY:
Lemon
Frankincense
MONDAY:
African Violet
Honeysuckle
Myrtle
Willow
Wormwood
TUESDAY:
Dragons Blood
Patchouli
WEDNESDAY:
Jasmine
Lavender
Sweetpea
THURSDAY:
Cinnamon
Musk
Nutmeg
Sage
FRIDAY:
Strawberry
Sandlewood
Rose
Saffron
Vanilla
SATURDAY:
Black Poppy Seeds
Myrrh

From Hearth and Home Witchery

Magickal Properties of Incense

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:23:41 -0400

The spiritual meanings of fragrances and magickal properties of incense will help focus your mind on achieving specific goals. Burning incense has a symbolic meaning that helps pagans focus their attention on the purpose of a ritual or magickal working.

ACACIA:
Burned with sandelwood to stimulate the psychic powers.
AFRICAN VIOLET:
Burned for protection and to promote spirituality within the home.
ALLSPICE:
Burned to attract both good luck and money.
ALOES:
Burned to attract good fortune, love, spiritual vibrations, and strength.
ALTHEA:
Burned for protection and to stimulate the psychic powers.
AMBER:
Burned for love, comfort, happiness and healing
AMBERGRIS:
Burn for dreams and aphrodisiac
ANGELICA:
Burn for protection, harmony, integration, insight and understanding, stability and meditation
ANISE SEEDS:
Burned as a meditation and emotional balance incense.
BASIL:
Burned to exorcise and protect against evil entities such as demons and unfriendly ghosts, and to attract fidelity, love, good luck, sympathy, and wealth. This is also an excellent incense to use when preformiong love divinations. Also burn for concentration, assertiveness, decisiveness, trust, integrity, enthusiasm, mental clarity, cheerfulness, confidence and courage
BAY:
Burned to facilitate the psychic powers, and to induce prophectic dream-visions.
BAYBERRY:
Burned mainly to attract money and also burned for protection, happiness and control
BENZOIN:
Burned for purification, astral projection, clears negative energy, emotional balance, eases sadness, depression, weariness, grief, anger, anxiety and to attract prosperity.
BERGAMOT:
Burn for money, prosperity, uplifting of spirits, joy, protection, concentration, alertness, confidence, balance, strength, courage, motivation and assertiveness
BISTORT:
Burned often with frankinsense as a powerful incense to aid divination.
BRACKEN:
Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain.
CARDAMOM:
Burn for mental clarity, concentration, confidence, courage, enthusiasm and motivation
CARNATION:
Burn for protection, strength, healing, love and lust

CEDAR:
Burned for purification, to stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, attract love, prevent nightmares, and heal various ailments, including head colds.
CEDARWOOD:
Burn for healing, purification, protection, money, balance, grounding, clarity, insight and wisdom
CHAMOMILE:
Burn for harmony, peace, calm, spiritual and inner peace
CINNAMON:
Burned for protection and to attract money, wealth, prosperity, business success, stimulate or strengthen the psychic
powers, and aid in healing. Also burned for stimulation, strength and lust
CITRON:
Bunred in rituals to aid healing and also to stregthen the psychic powers.
CITRONELLA:
Burn for cleansing, warding off, healing and exorcism
CLOVE:
Burned to dispel negativity, purify sacred and magickal spaces, attract money, and stop or prevent the spread of gossip. Also burn for pain relief, intellectual stimulation, business success, wealth, prosperity, divination, exorcism, protection, eases fears, improves memory and focus
COCONUT:
Burned for protection.
COPAL:
Burned for purification, uplifting spirits, protection, exorcism, spirituality and to atract love.
CYPRESS:
Burn for strength, comfort, healing, eases anxiety, stress, self-assurance, confidence, physical vitality, willpower and concentration
DAMIANA:
Burned to facilitate psychic visions.
DITTANY OF CRETE:
Burned to conjure spirits and to aid in divination, astral projection, especially when mixed with equal parts of benzoin, sandelwood, and vanilla.
DRAGONS BLOOD:
Burned to dispel negativity, exorcise evil supernatural entities, courage, purification, attract love, and restore male potency. Many Witches also burn dragon's blood for protection when spell casting and invoking. When added to other incenses, dragon's blood makes their magickal powers all the stronger.
ELECAMPANE:
Burned to strengthen the clairvoyant powers and scrying abilities-divination by gazing.
EUCALYPTUS:
Burn for healing, purification and protection
FERN:
Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain. Also used to exorcise evil supernatural entities.
FRANKINCENSE:
Burned to dispel negativity, spirituality, purify magickal spaces, consecration, protect against evil, exorcism, aid meditation, astral strength, induce psychic visions, courage, protection, attract good luck, and honor Pagan deities.
FUMITORY:
Burned to exorcise demons, poltergeists, and evil supernatural entities.
GALANGAL:
Burned to break the curses cast by sorcerers.
GARDENIA:
Burn for peace, love and healing
GINGER:
Burn for wealth, lust, love and magical power
GINSENG ROOT:
Burned to keep wicked spirits at bay, and for protection against all forms of evil.
GOTU KOLA:
Burned to aid meditation.
HEATHER:
Burned to conjure beneficial spirits, and to magickally produce rain.
HIBISCUS FLOWERS:
Burned to attract love, lust and also for divination.
HONEYSUCKLE:
Burn to attract money, happiness, friendship and healing
HOREHOUND:
Burned as an offertory incense to the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
HYACINTH:
Burn for happiness and protection
JASMINE:
Burned to attract love and money, and also to induce dreams of a prophectic nature, purification, wisdom and astral projection
JUNIPER:
Burned to stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and also to break curses, exorcism and hexes cast by evil sorcerers. It is also burned for calming, protection and healing.
LAVENDER:
Burned to induce rest and sleep, and to attract love-especially of a man. Also burned for cleansing, healing, happiness and relaxation
LEMON:
Burn for healing, love and purification
LEMONGRASS:
Burn for mental clarity
LILAC:
Burned to stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract harmony into ones life.
LOTUS:
Burn to elevate mood, protection, spirituality, healing and meditation
MACE:
Burned to stimulate or increase the psychic powers.
MASTIC:
Burned to conjure beneficial spirits, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and intensify sexual desires. The magickal powers of other incenses are greatly increased when a bit of mastic is added.
MESQUITE:
The magickal powers of all healing incenses are greatly increased when mesquite is added.
MINT:
Burned to increase sexual desire, exorcise evil supernatural entities, conjure beneficial spirits, and attract money. Mint incense also possesses strong healing vibrationsand protective powers.
MUSK:
Burn for aphrodisiac, prosperity, courage
MYRRH:
Burned (often with frankincense) for purification, consecration, healing, exorcism, and banishing evil. Myrrh is also aids meditation rituals, and was commonly burned on alters in ancient Egypt as an offering to deities Isis and Ra.
NUTMEG:
Burned to aid meditation, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract prosperity.
OAKMOSS:
Burned for money and attraction
ORANGE:
Burned for divination, love, luck and money
PATCHOULI:
Burned to attract money, love, growth, mastery, sensuality and also to promote fertility.
PEPPERMINT:
Burned for energy, mental stimulant, exorcism and healing
PINE:
Burned for purification, and to banish negativeenergies, exorcise evil supernatural entities, and attract money, as well as to break hexes and return them to their senders. Also burned for grounding, strength, cleansing and healing
POPPY SEEDS:
Burned to promote female fertility, and to attract love, good luck, and money.
ROSE:
Burned to increase courage, induce prophetic dreams, house blessing, fertility, healing and attract love. Rose incense is used in all forms of love enchantment and possesses the strongest love vibration of any magickal incense.
ROSE GERANIUM:
Burned for courage and protection
ROSEMARY:
Burned to purify, aid in healing, prevent nightmares, preserve youthfulness, dispel depression, attract fairyfolk, and promote restful sleep and pleasant dreams.
RUE:
Burned to help restore health.
SAGE:
Burned for protection against all forms of evil. It is also burned to purify sacred spaces and ritual tools. Plus it is great for promoting wisdom, clarity, attract money, and aid in the healing the body, mind, and soul.
SAGEBRUSH:
Burned to aid healing, and to banish negative energies and evil supernatural entities.
SANDALWOOD:
Burned to exorcise demons and evil ghosts, conjure beneficial spirits, and promote spiritual awareness. Sandalwood incense is also used by many Witches for protection, astral projection, healing rituals and in wish-magick.
SOLOMONS SEAL:
Burned mainly as an offertory incense to ancient Pagan deities.
STAR ANISE SEEDS:
Burned to stimulate or increase the psychic powers.
STRAWBERRY:
Burned to attract love and for luck.
SWEETGRASS:
Burned to conjure beneficial spirits prior to spellcasting.
SWEET PEA:
Burned for friendship, love and courage
THYME:
Burned for the purification of magickal spaces prior to rituals, to aid in healing, and to attract good health.
VANILLA:
Burned to attract love, increase sexual desire, and improve the powers of the mind.
VERVAIN:
Burned to exorcise evil supernatural entities.
VETIVERT:
Burned to break curses, exorcism, for protection against black magick and thieves, money, peace and love.
VIOLET:
Burn for wisdom, luck, love, protection and healing
WILLOW:
Burned to avert evil, attract love, and promote healing. It is also used by many Witches as an offertory incense for Pagan lunar deities.
WISTERIA:
Burned for protection against all forms of evil.
WORMWOOD:
Burned to stimulate or increase the psychic powers. When mixed with sandalwood and burned at night in a cemetery, wormwood is said to be able to conjure spirits from their graves.
YARROW:
Burned to arrow courage, exorcism
YLANG-YLANG:
Burned for love, harmony and euphoria

Tools of the Craft

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:43:56 -0400

Tools of the Craft
Magick can be performed without the standard tools. These are only props to help you focus your energy and concentration. You many collect al of these, a few of these, or none of these. I don't have all of these items but I keep an eye open for things that catch my eye.
Altar
Your Altar has to be one of the most important tools. This is where all the magickal things happen.Your altar centralizes your personal power. It is a work table. A permanent altar helps you honor the Gods even when you are not physically present.
Wand
The wand serves to protect and direct your energy to a certain place, thing, person, or dimension. There are many Occult shops that sell wands, but I think if it is possble, make your own. This makes it more personalized. The wand and the Athame are interchangable.
Broom or Besom
The broom can be for decoration, magickal and ritual use. It is used to "sweep" the negative energy from an area.
Chalice or Cup
The chalice is used in a magickal circle to hold the beverage to be drunk during the ceremony. You may want to have 2: One for you and one for the Gods.
Pentacle
The pentacle is a flat disc with a pentagram among other possible symbols inscribed onto it. Its basic use is to evoke entities and protection. It's also excellent for empowering jewelry and gems.
Athame -pronounced Athaymay
The athame is used for commanding and directing power. This is usually a double-edged, dull knife as it is never used to cut anything on the physical plane. After a magickal rite is over, most magicians absorb the circles energy back into the athame for later use.
Boline
This is the magickal knife used to cut things on the physical plane. Most use a curved hilt or blade. It is used to harvest herbs, plants, inscribing candles, cutting cords, etc.
Censer
The censer is also called the incense burner. The use for this should be obvious. It should be made out of a heat resistant material especially if you use the type of incense made from herbs that will need to be burned on charcol.
Cauldron
A cauldron is where the witch makes brews, oils, or other crafty things. This should also be made out of a good material that can stand high heat.
Mortar and Pestle
You will need a mortar and pestle for grinding and mixing your herbs for incense, powders, baths and sachets.
Candles
You will want to keep a stock of candles in all different colors. You will also need holders for your candles. There are many uses for the colors of candles in magick
Consecration of Tools
Items needed:
Tools to be consecrated
Bowl of water
Bowl of salt
Incense
White candle
Cast a proper circle before doing any magickal work. Place the tool to be consecrated on the pentacle. Touch it with your left hand and say: "I consecrate this tool to clense it, so that it may be purified and able to serve me in the magick circle. In the name of the Mother Goddess and the Father God, you are consecrated." Pick up the tool. Touch it to the salt. Pass it through the incense and the flame of the candle. Sprinkle it with water. Then hold the tool to the sky and say: "Lady and Lord, bless this (name of tool). Let it be pure for thy service and bind it so that no harm will come to anyone from it's use. Keep watch over it and guard the works that come forth from it. I dedicate this tool to thy service. So mote it be!"
Continue with magickal workings or close the circle.

Friendship Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:00:29 -0400

Friendship Reconciliation Spell
The light of the Full Moon in friendship-loving Aquarius can help reconcile two pals who have argued. First of all, think on the reason you stopped seeing your friend, and if you genuinely wish to be friends again begin this spell with an open and loving heart. Place your friend's name on a piece of pink paper. Light a pink candle. Now write on another page the words that you want to say to your friend. For example, write something like: "I'm truly sorry that we
quarreled, and I'd like us to be friends again." Hold the paper with the friend's name over your heart, and speak the written words as many times as you feel necessary. Close your eyes and envision yourself surrounded by pink light. See your friend stepping into the pink light with you and shaking hands or embracing you. Burn the candle a little each day. Imagine the anger between you waning as the Moon wanes. You are working on your own feelings here, so do not
think this spell is manipulative. When you are ready, approach your friend and say what you wish to say. Be confident that you have been honest with your feelings.By: Denise Dumars
Contact and Old Friend Spell
Author: Terri Paajanen
Tools Needed:
White candle
Sandalwood oil and incense
Photograph of person
Glass or cup of water
Sea salt
Instructions:
Cast a circle in your usual manner. Light incense and anoint candle with sandalwood oil. Place the photo of the person you wish to have contact you on your altar. If you have no photo, write their name on a piece of paper. Take a small handful of salt in your right hand, and let it trickle into the cup of water. While the salt falls, repeat the words "Contact me", and concentrate on your friend getting in touch with you. Place the salt water on your altar and leave the candle to burn out.Your friend should make contact with you before the water evaporates from the cup.
FRIENDSHIP SPELL TO END AN ARGUEMENT

Two candles with the astrological Color correspondences of both your signs.
Cinnamon

Light both candles. Chant:

Candle shining in the night
With your flame enchantedBy the powers of magic might
May my wish be granted.
Winds of friendship blow this way from now until our final day.
This spell that I send is now at an end.
Let the magick I've laid go forth and not fade!
So mote it be!

Sprinkle cinnamon over the candles watching as it crackles. Blow out the candles in the direction
Of your friend's house so the smoke Wafts in his or her direction. Each morning the following week have Cinnamon toast for breakfast. And if you can sprinkle cinnamon on Your cappuccino. And if you like it chew cinnamon gum. If it's in the best interests of the Universe your friend will agree with you during the week.

Old Herb Names

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:12:16 -0400

Adders Tongue: Dogstooth, Violet, Plantain
Ass Foot or Bulls Foot: Coltsfoot
Bats Wings: Holly Leaf
Bats wool: Moss
Bears Foot: Ladys Mantle
Birds Eye: Germander Speedwell
Black Sampson: Echinacea
Blood: Elder sap or another tree sap
Blood of Hephaistos: Wormwood
Blood from a Head: Lupine
Blood of Ares: Purslane
Blood of a Goose: A Mulberry Trees Milk
Blood of Hestia: Chamomile
Blood of an Eye: Tamarisk Gall
Blood from a Shoulder: Bears Breach
Bloody fingers: Foxglove
Bloodwort: Yarrow
Bodily Fluids: Houseleek
Bone of an Ibis: Buckthorn
Brains: Congealed gum from a cherry tree
Bread and Cheese Tree: Hawthorne
Bulls Blood or Seed of Horus: Horehound
Burning Bush: White Dittany
Calfs Snout: Snapdragon
Candelmas Maiden: Snowdrop.
Capons Tail: Valerian
Cats Foot: Canada Snake Root and or Ground Ivy
Cheeses: Marsh Mallow
Chocolate Flower: Wild Geranium
Christs Ladder: Centaury
Christs Eye: Vervain, Sage
Clear-eye: Clary Sage
Click: Goosegrass
Clot: Great Mullein
Corpse candles: Mullein
Corpse Plant: Indian Pipe.
Crocodile dung: Black earth
Crowdy Kit: Figwort
Crows Foot: Cranesbill, Wild Geranium
Cuckoos Bread: Common Plantain
Cucumber Tree: Magnolia
Cuddys Lungs: Great Mullein
Daphne: Laurel/Bay
Dead Man: Ash or Mandrake root carved in a crude human shape or poppet
Devils Dung: Asafoetida
Devils Plaything: Yarrow
Dew of the Sea: Rosemary
Dogs Mouth: Snap Dragon
Doves Foot: Wild Geranium
Dragons Blood: Calamus
Dragons Scales: Bistort Leaves
Dragon Wort: Bistort
Eagle: Wild Garlic
Ear of an Ass: Comfrey
Ear of a Goat: St. Johns Wort
Earth Smoke: Fumitory
Elfs Wort: Elecampane
Enchanters Plant: Vervain
Englishmans Foot: Common Plantain
Erba Santa Maria: Spearmint
Everlasting Friendship: Goosegrass
Eye of Christ: Germander Speedwell
Eye of the Day: Common Daisy
Eye of the Star: Horehound
Eye Root: Goldenseal
Eyes: Aster, Daisy, Eyebright
Fairy Smoke: Indian Pipe
Fat from a Head: Spurge
Felon Herb: Mugwort
Fingers: Cinquefoil
Five Fingers: Cinquefoil
Foxs Clote: Burdock
Frogs Foot: Bulbous Buttercup
From the Belly: Earth-apple
From the Foot: Houseleek
From the Loins: Chamomile
Goats Foot: Ash Weed
Gods Hair: Hart's Tongue Fern
Golden Star: Avens
Gosling Wing: Goosegrass
Graveyard Dust: Mullein
Great Ox-eye: Ox-eye Daisy
Hags Taper: Great Mullein
Hagthorn: Hawthorn
Hair: Maidenhair fern
Hairs of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Seed
Hair of Venus: Maidenhair Fern
Hand: The expanded frond from a male fern used to make the true hand of glory, which is nothing more than a candle made of wax mixed with fern
Hares Beard: Great Mullein
Hawks Heart: Heart of Wormwood
Heart: Walnut
Herb of Grace: Vervain
Hinds Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern
Holy Herb: Yerba Santa
Holy Rope: Hemp Agrimony
Hook and Arn: Yerba Santa
Horse Hoof: Coltsfoot
Horse Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern
Hundred Eyes: Periwinkle
Innocense: Bluets
Jacobs Staff: Great Mullein
Joy of the Mountain: Marjoram
Jupiters Staff: Great Mullein
Kings Crown: Black Haw
Knight's Milfoil: Yarrow
Kronos' Blood: of Cedar
Lads Love: Southernwood
Ladys Glove: Foxglove aka Witches' Gloves
Lambs Ears: Betony
Lions Hairs: Tongue of a Turnip [i.e., the leaves of the taproot]
Lions Tooth: Dandelion aka Priest's Crown
Little Dragon: Tarragon
Love in Idleness: Pansy
Love Leaves: Burdock
Love Lies Bleeding: Amaranth or Anemone
Love Man: Goosegrass
Love Parsley: Lovage
Love Root: Orris Root
Maidens Ruin: Southernwood
Mans Bile: Turnip Sap
Mans Health: Ginseng
Master of the Woods: Woodruff
May: Black Haw
May Lily: Lily of the Valley
May Rose: Black Haw
Maypops: Passion Flower
Mistress of the Night: Tuberose
Mutton Chops: Goosegrass
Nose Bleed: Yarrow
Old-Maids-Nightcap: Wild Geranium
Old Mans Flannel: Great Mullein
Old Mans Pepper: Yarrow
Oliver: Olive
Password: Primrose
Peters Staff: Great Mullein
Pigs Tail: Leopard's Bane
Poor Man's Treacle: Garlic
Priests Crown: Dandelion leaves
Pucha-Pat: Patchouli
Queen of the Meadow: Meadowsweet
Queen of the Meadow Root: Gravelroot
Queen of the Night: Vanilla Cactus
Rams Head: American Valerian
Red Cockscomb: Amaranth
Ring-o-Bells: Bluebells
Robin-Run-in-the-Grass: Goosegrass
Scaldhead: Blackberry
See Bright: Clary Sage
Seed of Horus: Horehound
Semen of Ammon: Houseleek
Semen of Ares: Clover
Semen of Helios: White Hellebore
Semen of Hephaistos: This is Fleabane
Semen of Hermes: Dill
Semen of Herakles: Mustard-rocket
Seven Year's Love: Yarrow
Shameface: Wild Geranium
Shepherds Heart: Shepherds Purse
Silver Bells: Black Haw
Skin of a Man: Fern
Skull: Skullcap
Snake: Bistort
Snakes Blood: Hematite stone
Soapwort: Comfrey or Daisy
Sorcerer's Violet: Periwinkle
Sparrows Tongue: Knotweed
St. Johns Herb: Hemp Agrimony.(this is not St. John's Wort)
St. Johns Plant: Mugwort
Star of the Earth: Avens
Star Flower: Borage
Starweed: Chickweed
Sweethearts: Goosegrass
Swines Snout: Dandelion leaves
Tanners Bark: Common Oak
Tarragon: Mugwort
Tartar Root: Ginseng
Tears of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Juice
Thousand Weed: Yarrow
Thunder Plant: House Leek
Titans Blood: Wild Lettuce
Toad: Toadflax
Tongue of dog: hounds tongue
Tooth or Teeth: Pinecones
Torches: Great Mullein
Unicorns Horn: False Unicorn:Helonias Dioica
Unicorn Horn: True Unicorn Root
Unicorn Root: Ague Root
Wax Dolls: Fumitory
Weasel Snout: Yellow Archangel
Weazel Snout: Yellow Dead Nettles/Yellow Archangel
Weed: Ox-Eye Daisy
White: Ox-eye Daisy
White Mans Foot: Common Plantain
White Wood: White Cinnamon
Witchs Asprin: White Willow/Willow Bark
Witchs Brier: Brier Hips
Wolf Claw: Club Moss
Wolf Foot: Bugle Weed
Wolfs Milk: Euphorbia
Worms: Gnarled, thin roots of a local tree
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source. Some information is from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!


Samhain-Halloween Drinks and Punches

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:50:57 -0400

Heavenly Hot Chocolate This is the best Hot Cocoa you will ever have and Raven and Crone is glad to share it with you!
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt
3 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chilled whipping cream
Using tip of small knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into processor; reserve bean. Add sugar to processor and blend 10 seconds. Transfer 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar to small bowl and reserve. Transfer remaining vanilla sugar from processor to heavy metal sauce-pan. Add unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup water and salt and whisk until smooth. Whisk over medium heat just until beginning to bubble. Whisk in whole milk and half and half. Add reserved vanilla bean; bring mixture to simmer. Remove from heat; Whisk in vanilla extract. Discard vanilla bean. Beat cream and reserved 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar in medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Divide hot chocolate
among 6 mugs; top with whipped cream and serve
Zombie Punch

1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 quarts cider or apple juice
3 cups water
1 can (12 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate

In a large pitcher or glass gallon jar; stir lemon juice and ginger until blended. Add cider, water and orange juice concentrate and stir until blended. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
Basic Blood Punch

This well-known "blood" mix is a Halloween standard. Take a large punch bowl and fill it half with tomato juice and half with orange juice. Let sit until it reaches room temperature (some prefer it served at body temperature - you could warm it gently by placing the punch bowl atop a warm oven) and serve. To spice things up a bit, use Mott's Spicy Clamato mix instead of tomato juice.

Blood Bath

This very simple recipe mixes sweet tart flavor with bright color and vanilla ice cream to produce a fun and tasty punch. I have seen this served in a new cleaned baby bathtub for a fun effect, but you can serve it in a punch bowl.

64 ounces cran-raspberry cocktail
4 cups apple juice
4 cups vanilla ice cream

Mix together the cran-raspberry cocktail and apple juice and chill. Pour into a punch bowl or other serving container. Scoop the vanilla ice cream into the punch and serve immediately. (from http://recipecard.com )
Hot Pineapple Orange Toddies

This is an aromatic and luscious drink to savor on a cold fall evening. It has a unique flavor that will be sure to please the children and adults at your next party. For best results, try to peel the orange in one big piece, or else pieces large enough so that they won't end up in individual mugs. If you like, try adding a tablespoon of warmed apricot brandy to each mug before pouring in the pineapple mixture for a great adult drink.

6 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
Peel from 2 oranges
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
additional cinnamon and nutmeg

Mix together the pineapple juice and orange juice in a large soup kettle. Bring to a boil and add the 1/4 cup brown sugar, orange peel, and spices. Simmer for five minutes. Whip the heavy cream with the honey and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Ladle the punch into warmed mugs and top with the whipped cream mixture. Lightly sprinkle the whipped cream with additional cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve immediately.
Day Old Bath Water

12 ounce Can frozen lemonade
2 liters 7-Up
1/2 gallon Rainbow sherbet

Thaw sherbet for approximately 15 minutes and place in a plastic tub. Add lemonade (prepared according to directions) and 7-up. Sherbet will melt and turn mixture day old bathwater grayish-brown. Float a handful of green, yellow and white tiny after-dinner mints (tiny bars of soap) on top of the scummy punch.
Bloody Milkshake

Prep: 10 min.
1 quart plus 2 cups buttermilk
1 quart plus 2 cups vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, stemmed

Combine first 3 ingredients and reserved pineapple juice in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more ice cream for extra thick drink. Add pineapple for phlegm and cherries for blood clots and blend very briefly until cherries are roughly chopped. Fill glasses and serve.

EZ Cinnamon Cider

4 cups cider or apple juice
1/4 cup cinnamon "Red-Hot" candies
Combine juice and candies in a large pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 4 minutes until candies are dissolved. Serve hot or cool. Serves 8.
Eerie Witches Brew

4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup chopped candied ginger
3 medium-sized oranges
1 can (12 ounces) thawed frozen apple juice concentrate
2 cups seedless grapes
4 cups water
2 bottles (32 ozs each) ginger ale
In a 1 to 2-quart pan, bring 1 cup of cranberry juice and candied ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil, uncovered, about 2 minutes; set aside. With a vegetable peeler, pare peel (colored parts only) from orange; cut peel into thin 2-inch long "worms". Add orange peel to cranberry mixture. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or as long as overnight.
Juice oranges: put juice in a 6 to 8-quart pan or heavy bowl. Stir in cranberry-ginger mixture, the 3 cups of cranberry juice, apple juice concentrate, limeade, grapes and water. If made ahead of time, cover and chill up to 2 hours. Add ginger ale and about a one pound piece of dry ice. Ice should smolder at least 30 minutes. Ladle into cups. Add remaining ice when bubbling ceases. Makes 5 quarts

Swamp Punch

Make a nice punch (cranberry juice, frozen orange juice WITH PULP, and ginger ale, or even just plain ol' orange juice WITH PULP) and then add some green and blue food coloring until it turns a sort of yucky gray color - mmmmm....The PULP is very important 'cause it looks TOTALLY DISGUSTING when it's all gray and that stuff is floating around on top. The kids said, "Do I HAVE to drink that?"
Spooky Punch

This punch relies on classic flavor combinations and food coloring to give it a great flavor and appearance.

8 cups orange juice
4 cups apple cider
6 ounces frozen peach juice concentrate (undiluted and still frozen)
green food coloring
3 cups rainbow sherbet

Mix together the orange juice and apple cider. Add the frozen peach concentrate and swirl in green food coloring to turn the mixture into a murky black color. Add the rainbow sherbet and serve immediately. (from http://recipecard.com/)
Witches Brew Punch

Two jugs of apple cider
1 can of concentrate grape juice
a pint of orange sherbet
a bottle of ginger ale.

Mix cider and grape juice in large punch bowl. Put in scoops of sherbet and add the ginger ale! Stir until foamy! (from http://clik.to/mysticfire)
Samhain Cider
2 quarts apple cider
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup apricot brandy
In a large pot, combine the apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and sugar. Simmer slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes - do not boil. Add the apricot brandy and serve warm.
Black Halloween Punch
1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened grape soft drink mix
1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened orange soft drink mix
2 cups white sugar
3 quarts cold water
1 liter ginger ale
To make a frozen hand for floating in the punch bowl, wash a disposable glove, fill with water, seal with a rubber band and freeze until hard. Stir together grape soft drink mix, orange soft drink mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved. Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving. Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, then peel off the glove. Float the prepared hand in the punch bowl for a ghastly effect.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Samhain-Halloween Cakes and Deserts

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:25:54 -0400

Salem Witch Pudding
4 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup half-and-half
5 tablespoons rum
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
In an electric mixer or large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. In a different bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the yolks with the remaining eight ingredients; mix together well; and then fold in the egg whites. Pour the pumpkin mixture into a buttered 1-quart souffl‚ dish. Place it in a pan of hot water and bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for about 45 minutes. (This recipe yields 6 servings.)
Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake

1 1/2 c Gingersnap Crumbs
1/2 c Finely Chopped Pecans
1/3 c Margarine, Melted
16 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
3/4 c Sugar
1 t Vanilla
3 ea Eggs
1 c Canned Pumpkin
3/4 t Cinnamon
1/4 t Ground Nutmeg

Combine crumbs, pecans and margarine; press onto bottom and 1 1/2-inches up sides of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees F., 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar and vanilla, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reserve 1 c batter, chill. Add remaining sugar, pumpkin and spices to remaining batter; mix well. Alternately layer pumpkin and cream cheese batters over crust. Cut through batters with knife several times for marble effect. Bake at 350 degrees F., 55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill. Serves:10. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Raven and Crones PUMPKIN BREAD
3 ½ cups flour
2 ½ cups sugar
1   tsp. cinnamon
1 ½ tsp.. salt
2   tsp.. Baking Soda
1   tsp. nutmeg
1   cup oil
4   eggs
2   cups canned pumpkin
1   cup raisins
Mix oil, eggs and pumpkin. Add flour, sugar, salt, soda and spices. Beat well. Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes at 350°F. OR Mini loaves bake for 50 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE and check 5 minutes before done. Remember every oven is different.
Pumpkin Pie Muffins
2 cups flour
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts
3/4 cup chopped dates, optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease twelve muffin cups. In a large bowl, stir together 9 ingredients. In another bowl, stir together pumpkin, butter, buttermilk, eggs, molasses and vanilla until blended. Make a well in center of dry ingredients; add pumpkin mixture and stir just to combine. Stir in pecans and dates. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in center of one muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack. Cool 5 minutes before removing muffins from cups; finish cooling on rack.
Halloween Black Cat Cake

Frighten away those chocolate cravings with this hauntingly delicious chocolate cake cut and frosted to resemble a black cat.

1package Betty Crocker(r) SuperMoist(r) devil's food cake mix
1 1/3cups water
1/2cup vegetable oil
3eggs
1tub Betty Crocker(r) Rich & Creamy chocolate ready-to-spread frosting1
large yellow gumdrop
1small black gumdrop
Black shoestring licorice
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottoms only of 2 round pans, 8 or 9x1 1/2 inches, with shortening.
2. Make cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.
3. Bake 8-inch pans 33 to 38 minutes, 9-inch pans 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. Cut cake as shown in diagram; arrange and frost top and sides of cake pieces with frosting. Use yellow gumdrop slices for eyes, black gumdrop for nose and shoestring licorice for whiskers, lines on eyes and front paws. Store loosely covered.
Super Scary Spider Cake
This treat looks so real that you'll want to invite your friends for scaring, umm, sharing.
Ingredients:
Boxed white cake
Chocolate syrup
1 container prepared vanilla frosting
1 Bag of spider rings
Toothpick
Icing bag and decorating tips or zip-closed bag

Directions:
Make a white cake per box directions. When it's cool, ice with vanilla frosting. To make a web, place the chocolate syrup in an icing bag and attach a fine decorating tip to the bag. Alternatively, cut the bottom corner off of a zip-closed bag leaving only a tiny hole. Pipe the syrup onto the vanilla frosting in large circles starting at the outer edge around the entire cake, each one smaller than the last. In the end, you will have circles of graduated sizes from the middle to the outer edge of the cake.

Using a toothpick, make the web by placing your toothpick tip in middle and very gently pulling it to the edge. Do this every inch or so, all the way around the cake. Place the entire bag of plastic spider rings on the "web" for a very creepy-crawly effect. Do not use 8-inch rounds. Make cake mix following high altitude directions on package for 9-inch rounds.
Pumpkin Muffins

1 c Unbleached Flour, Sifted
2 t Baking Powder
1/4 t Salt
1/4 t Ground Cinnamon
1/4 c Vegetable Shortening
2/3 c Sugar
1 ea Large Egg
1/2 c Canned, Mashed Pumpkin
2 T Milk

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Cream together shortening and sugar in mixing bowl until light and fluffy, using electric mixer at medium speed. Beat in egg. Combine pumpkin and milk in small bowl. Add dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin mixture to creamed mixture, stirring well after each addition. Spoon batter into paper-lined 2 1/2-inch muffin-pan cups, filling 2/3rds full. Bake in 350 degree F. oven 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and homemade jam. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Irish Apple Fritters
5 oz. flour
5 fluid oz. water
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs (separated)
1 Tbsp. melted butter
2 large cooking apples
4 oz. confectioner's sugar
lemon juice
oil for deep frying
Make batter at least an hour before required, using the following method: Sift together flour and salt. Make a well in the center, add the cooled melted butter and some of the water and egg yolks. Work in the flour and beat until smooth. Add remaining water. Leave to stand. Just before using, beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Fold into batter mix. Peel, core and slice apples (make slices about 1/4 - 1/2" thick). Dip into batter and deep fry in very hot oil (175°-180° C) until golden. Drain and serve drenched with confectioner's sugar and sprinkled with lemon juice.
Harvest Pumpkin Bread
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Margarine
1/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) solid pack pumpkin
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Lightly grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan or coat with vegetable spray. Beat sugar, margarine, and applesauce until creamy and light (about 5 minutes). Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat. Add pumpkin and mix until smooth. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir into pumpkin mixture and mix until smooth. Add raisins, orange rind, orange juice and nuts (optional). Stir well and pour into loaf pan. Bake at 3500F for 60-65 minutes. You can test for doneness by sticking a wooden pick into loaf. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. YIELD: 1 loaf, appx 12 Slices
PUMPKIN-CIDER BREAD
Ingredients:
2 cups of canned pumpkin
2 cups of flour, and then enough to keep the consistency just right
2 tblspns dry yeast in 1/2 cup of 110 degree water
1 tblspn salt
2 tblspns vegetable oil
1/3 to 1/2 cup molasses
2 cups of fresh cider
Directions:
Start with two cups of flour, then slowly sift in more after wet ingredients are added. After the flour and salt are combined, mix in the rest of the ingredients from wettest to most solid (cider, then yeast mix, and so on). Once mixed, pour the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it in rise until it's doubled in size in a warm place. (Generally, this takes from half an hour to an hour). Punch down the doubled dough. Roll the dough out into a long, thin, relatively narrow strip and roll from one end. Place in a greased pan (probably circular in this case), and let rise until doubled again. Baking bread is not for the impatient! Finally, put it in a preheated oven at about 400 degrees F for about 50-60 minutes. If it looks like it's browning too quickly turn the temp down a notch or two. You'll know it's done when tyou can poke it with a fork and then fork comes out clean. If the fork has some dough on it, let it bake a little longer.
Pumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups (12 oz can) evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp.ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 & 3/4 cups ( 15 once can) pure pumpkin filling (no spices added)
TIP: You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for all the individual spices. Use 3 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice instead.

PREPARATION
Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat the eggs lightly in a separate large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and dry mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Press a pre-made pie crust into a 9-inch deep dish pie crust and cook according to directions on the package. Pour mixture into the pie shell.

BAKING
Cook in a pre-heated 425º F. oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temp to 350º F., and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife tip inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack or a cool counter top for 2 hours before serving. This also gives it time to set up, so when you cut it and set it on a plate, it will stay in one piece.

STORAGE & SERVING
Store in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Chilling will cause the crust to separate from the pie slightly but it's better then getting botulism. Top with a whipped cream and there you have it! A classic pumpkin pie!
Granny McCoy's Pumpkin Pie
by Edain McCoy
This recipe makes two nine-inch pies.
3 cups Cooked Pumpkin (canned is fine)
1-1/4 cups Evaporated Milk
2-1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
1/2 heaping teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/2 scant teaspoon Salt
1/4 rounded teaspoon Allspice
1/2 rounded teaspoon Cinnamon
4 well-beaten Eggs
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and pour into two deep, unbaked pie shells. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until a knife comes out of the center clean.
(The above "Granny McCoy's Pumpkin Pie" recipe is quoted directly from Edain McCoy's book "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways", page 32, Llewellyn Publications, 1994.)
VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE
Filling:
1 1/2 packages silken tofu
1 15 oz. canned pumpkin
2/3 cup barley malt syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pie Crust:
1 1/2 cups sifted unbleached flour
about 6-7 tbsp. non-hydrogenated margarine
about 2 tbsp. cold water
pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Blend tofu in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Pour into a 9" unbaked deep dish pie shell. Bake for about one hour. Filling will be soft, but will firm up as it chills. Chill overnight and serve.
Ichabod Cranes Baked Pumpkin Mousse

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup superfine sugar
4 eggs, seperated
5 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter a 6-cup ovenproof bowl. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cups sugar. Beat in the yolks, one at a time. Stir in the cornmeal, pumpkin, and spices, then the cream. Beat the egg whites until they are foamy. Add the salt. Continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, a teaspoon at a time, and continue beating until the whies are stiff and glossy but not dry. Fold the whites into the pumpkin mixture and pour the mixture into the buttered bowl. Set the bowl in a larger pan filled with 1 inch of hot water and bake for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm from the bowl, or let it settle on a cooling rack for 30 minutes and then invert the mousse onto a plate. Make a jack-o'-lantern face with currants and serve with unsweetened whipped cream. Serves 8. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Creepy Crawly Gelatin

1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 (6 ounce) package JELL-O Brand Orange Flavor Gelatin
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 (16 ounce) package gummi worms
Stir boiling water into gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour into 9-inch pie plate which has been sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Refrigerate about 1-1/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression). Push gummy worms into gelatin. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Unmold.
Black and Orange Spook Cups

4 cups cold milk, divided
1 (3.9 ounce) package JELL-O Chocolate Fudge Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 (3.4 ounce) package JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
3 drops red food coloring
3 drops yellow food coloring
12 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies , crushed
3 tablespoons Halloween sprinkles
POUR 2 cups of the milk into large bowl. Add chocolate fudge flavor pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes. Fill 10 to 12 (7 oz.) glasses or plastic cups about 1/2 full with pudding mixture. Pour remaining 2 cups milk into another large bowl. Add vanilla flavor pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes. Stir in a few drops food coloring to tint mixture orange. Spoon orange mixture evenly over chocolate mixture. Top with crushed cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with Halloween sprinkles. Note: Pudding cups can also be served frozen. Use plastic or paper cups, not glasses. Freeze 3 hours or until firm.
Samhain Apple-Spice Nut Bars
3 eggs
1½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups apples, unpeeled, cored, finely chopped
1½ cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
Beat eggs until foamy; add sugar, beat until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Add vanilla. Mix flour, spices, salt and baking powder. Blend into egg mixture. Fold in chopped apples and walnuts. Turn into greased and floured 13 x 9-inch pan. Bake 30-40 min at 350° or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into squares. Serve warm with ice cream. Source: AboutThyme.com
Fairy Cakes
If on this day of 'in-between' you've come to find peace with the spirits that are always around it's good to have the Fey join you for a treat. But if you fear the presence of the Fey at least remember to leave them an offering of fairy cake and milk so they aren't tempted to take offence and make you the butt of their mischievousness. Here's a recipe to make the hardest Fey let their hair down and toast your health:
Ingredients:
16 ounces of cream cheese
½ cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla
A fruity Jam of your choice (or several for variety)
Vanilla wafers
Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper baking cups. In a medium to large glass bowl mix the following ingredients until they are fluffy: cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla. Place a whole vanilla wafer at the bottom of each baking cup. Spoon the mixture over the top Bake in the oven approximately 15-20 minutes. After cooling slightly top each cake with a dollop of your favorite jam *Be extra sure to take the fairy at the end of the garden into account when passing out these delicious treats.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Samhain-Halloween Sweet Treats

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:20:45 -0400

Crispy Marshmallow Ghosts

1/3 c Butter
6 c Miniature marshmallows
1 ts Vanilla
8 c Crispy rice cereal
2 oz Semisweet chocolate, chopped
PALLOR ICING
1 c Granulated sugar
3 tb Water
1 Egg white
pn Cream of tartar
pn Salt
1/2 ts Vanilla

Pallor Icing:
In top of double boiler over boiling water, combine sugar, water, egg white, cream of tartar and salt. With electric mixer, beat at high speed for 7 minutes or until stiff glossy peaks form. fold in vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until thickened. Can be stored up to 3 days. Makes 2 cups.

Ghosts:
In Saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in marshmallows until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Scrape into large bowl; stir in cereal until coated. Set bowl over saucepan of boiling water. Using rubber gloves, shape cereal mixture into 4-inch long ghost shapes. Let stand for about 30 minutes or until firm.

Spread with Pallor Icing; let stand for about 30 minutes or until set. In top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate; pipe onto ghosts to make faces. Ghosts can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days. Decorate by drawing faces with chocolate, or use candies and licorice strings. Yield: 14 ghosts

Variation: Jack-O-Lanterns: Add orange food coloring with vanilla; shape into 1-1/2 inch balls. Create face with currants, red fruit leather, and licorice shoestrings and twists.Source: Canadian Living magazine
Lizard Skins
1/2 c Peanut butter
12 oz Marshmallows
4 dr Green food coloring
4 c Rice krispies; cheerios or cornflakes
Pam spray
16 Raisins
Heat peanut butter with marshmallows in a large saucepan over low heat until melted. Add green food coloring and mix in. Pour in cereal and stir quickly. Spray 8" pan with pam then pour contents into pan. Allow to cool in fridge, then cut into long thin strips, about 1" x 4". Cut each raisin in half and stick on one end of each strip to make the lizard's eyes.
Candied Apples

8 apples
3 cups white sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 cup water
8 cinnamon red hot candies
1 teaspoon red food coloring
Insert a wooden craft stick into the bottom of each apple. Butter a baking sheet and set aside. Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Heat, without stirring, to 270 to 290 degrees F (132 to 143 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard but pliable threads. Remove from heat and stir in candies and food coloring until just mixed. Holding each apple by its stick, quickly twirl in syrup, tilting pan to cover apple. Lift out of syrup, turning to allow drips to adhere to apple. Place apples on prepared baking sheet to cool completely
Popcorn Balls
INGREDIENTS FOR 6 SERVINGS
8 cups Popped Popcorn
1/2 cup Corn syrup
1/2 cup Light Molasses
3/4 cup Butter
1/2 teaspoon Salt

PREPARATION
Cook 1/2 cup light molasses with 1/2 cup corn syrup until your candy thermometer reaches hard crack stage, about 270 degrees. Stir in butter and salt. (I only let my thermometer get to 250, it was starting to burn so temp may vary due to climate and altitude). Have the popcorn popped and in a bowl. Slowly pour in the mixture over the popcorn and stir with a wooden spoon. Coat all the popcorn. Now the fun part, butter up your hands!

IMPORTANT!
Wait until the mixture cools a bit so you don't burn your hands. It will be very hot when you pour it in, take some time to mix it all up well to let it cool a bit. Butter your hands lightly and shape the popcorn into balls. Make them the size you want. Set them on wax paper and let them harden.

SERVING & STORAGE
Just in case you have some left over, wrap the ones you don't eat with wax paper. And if you are handing these out as treats, wrap them as well. If you want the kids to eat them at the door, just set them on a plate and watch them disappear!
Caramel Covered Apples
MAKES 5 CARAMEL APPLES

INGREDIENTS
40 - Caramel cubes (I prefer the Borden Brand)
5 - Apples (I like Macintosh apples)
1 - Tablespoon of water
5 - Wooden sticks
1 - Wax paper Halloween

PREPARATION
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Remove stems and Insert the wooden sticks into the stem hole until about half the stick is in the apple. In a small saucepan, over low heat, melt the caramels with the water, stirring constantly until smooth. Now dip the apples into the hot caramel sauce, coating the apple completely. Place on greased, wax paper. recipes

STORAGE & SERVING
Store your caramel covered apples in the refrigerator. Before serving, remove them from the refrigerator and allow them to stand for about fifteen minutes.
Green Chocolate Slimedoo

2 cups heavy cream
2 ounces sugar
2 ounces butter
2 pounds white chocolate
6 to 12 drops green food coloring
2 bags pretzels
Strawberries, bananas, pineapples, apples for dipping
Candy corn and Halloween shaped sprinkles

Make a ganache. In a non-reactive double boiler set over medium-low heat, bring the cream, sugar, and butter to a boil. Meanwhile, chop the chocolate into small chunks - a serrated knife works best for this. Add the chocolate chunks to the cream mixture in the double boiler, whisking, until it is melted and incorporated into the cream. Finally, add the food coloring until it is the desired shade of green. Keep mixture warm in a fondue pot near the door. Set out the fruit and the pretzels for dipping with long wooden skewers next to the fondue pot. Guests can dip their pretzels or fruit into the fondue and then roll them in the candy sprinkles, if desired. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook

Night Crawlers

12 large apples
Boysenberry jam
4 tablespoons butter
12 gummy worms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Core apples from stem end to 1/2 inch from bottom. Stuff each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and 1 teaspoon butter. Place in a pan and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes. Remove apples let stand for 15 minutes. Set each apple in a bowl and spoon syrup from baking pan around it. Insert a gummy worm with half its body protruding. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Creepy Spiders

4 cups semi-sweet chocolate baking chips
Melt the chocolate chips in top of double boiler. Let stand over the water until water is cool, about 10 minutes. Place wax paper on a cookie sheet. Pour chocolate into a pastry bag that is fitted with a 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch tip. Squeeze the melted chocolate onto the wax paper in the shape of spiders. (8 legs!) If the chocolate is runny it needs to be cooled a little longer. Chill the spiders for about 10 minutes. When hard, peel the spiders off the wax paper. Store on a flat surface in the refrigerator. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook

Samhain Party-Eyeballs!!

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 lb. icing sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
12 ozs. white chocolate

Cream the butter and peanut butter together. Add the icing sugar and vanilla and blend thoroughly. Shape into small 1-inch balls. Refrigerate on waxed paper for half an hour. Melt the white chocolate (you can use a microwave for this). With a toothpick, dip the "eyeballs" into the chocolate, covering all but a small circle on the top. Let cool on waxed paper. Makes around 40 eyeballs. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Eerie Eyeballs

* 3 oz lemon gelatin (can be sugar-free)
* 1 cup hot water
* 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
* 1 cup pineapple juice
* 8 oz cream cheese (can be lowfat/Neufchatel)
* 1 cup mayonnaise (can be fat-free)

Instructions:
1. Dissolve lemon gelatin in 1 cup water in double boiler, add marshmallows and stir to melt. Remove from heat.
2. Add pineapple juice and cream cheese. Beat until well blended. Cool slightly. Fold in mayo. If you have a truffle candy mold or round ice cube trays, pour the mixture in the molds and leave to set in the fridge.
3. Otherwise pour into a deep ceramic dish and chill until thickened or firm enough for scooping into eyeballs.
4. Using a melonballer, scoop full balls of the mixture and set aside for decoration. To decorate, use liquid food coloring and an old detail paintbrush and get creative.
5. You will need black food coloring for the pupils. Also, if you are in a hurry, instead of painting the colored irises, you can carefully dip the ball in a small pool of food coloring to approximate the iris, but still paint on the pupils. Yields approximately 9 dozen bite-sized eyeballs   From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
PUMPKIN TREATS
Filling:
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup. flaked coconut, lightly packed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
Directions:
Mix the first five ingredients well in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high, stirring constantly for 15-20 minutes. It is done when it is very thick and leaves side of pan, forming a ball in the center as you stir. Turn onto a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Let cool completely. Lightly grease your hands and shape candy into balls. Roll the balls in nuts. Cover, store in refrigerator. This recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen. Vary by stirring 1 cup crushed granola into cooked candy before cooling and shaping.
Soothsayer's Sliced Apples

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pecans, finely ground
6 large, firm apples
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat until it is almost melted. Remove from heat, stir, and let cool. Spread the nuts in a small bowl. Dip the apples into the chocolate and shake off excess. Then dip the apples into the nuts to coat the bottom. Set them 3 inches apart on a lightly buttered tray and refrigerate for 45 minutes. In a small pot, stir together the sugar, cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until the mixture reaches 240, stirring occasionally. Remove pot from heat and add vanilla. Pour the hot caramel over the apples, a little at a time, letting it drip down the sides. Cool the apples but don't refrigerate them. When ready to serve, slice the apples in half and remove the cores. Cut each half into 4 slices. Makes 48 slices.
From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Witch Hats

24 small chocolate covered cookies
24 chocolate kisses
4 ounces milk chocolate
assorted decorations (dragees, Halloween decorations, edible gold or silver dust, superfine sugar, edible glitter)

Place the cookies on a large platter or cookie sheet. Unwrap all of the kisses. Melt the chocolate in a small heavy saucepan or microwave, stirring frequently until smooth. Dip the bottom of the kisses into the melted chocolate and place on top of the cookie to form the hat. Repeat until all of the hats are formed. To add dragees or small decors, lightly dip or brush with melted chocolate and place on the hat. To dust with sugar (will give a slightly sparkly appearance), edible silver/gold dust, or edible glitter, lightly brush the entire cookie with melted chocolate and quickly sprinkle
Edible Spiders

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon butter
24 large marshmallows
1 (6 ounce) package chow mein noodles
1 (12 ounce) package mini candy-coated chocolate pieces

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Pour chocolate into a sealable plastic bag and set aside. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Stick 4 chow mein noodles into each side of marshmallow for legs, and arrange on wax paper. Using scissors, cut one corner off the bag of melted chocolate. Drizzle over the marshmallow spiders. Attach 2 candies to each marshmallow for eyes. Chill until chocolate hardens
Cassic caramel corn

INGREDIENTS
14 cups popped popcorn
2 cups sugar (packed)
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Halloween carmel corn

PREPARATION
Combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to boil, stop stirring for 5 minutes, or until mixture reaches 255 degrees on candy thermometer. (You may have to adjust according to altitude and humidity). Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. The mixture will start to foam, so stir well until blended. carmel corn While the caramel mixture is cooking, pop the pop-corn either in a hot air popper or microwave. Once you have popped the pop-corn, remove any unpopped kernels. Now place the popcorn in a large (buttered) metal bowl. Pour the hot mixture over the pop-corn and toss gently with well buttered forks to distribute evenly. Halloween cookbook Spread onto 2 ungreased baking sheets and bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. if it starts to look too golden it may be time to take it out! Oven temperatures vary not only with model but with altitude, so you'll have to adjust time accordingly. Halloween STORAGE & SERVING Remove the caramel corm from the oven and allow to cool completely. Once cool, break it into clusters, and store in a tightly covered container. For a Halloween party, serve on on a large serving tray or in decorative bowls. For treats, fill those little paper Halloween bags.

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Samhain-Halloween Cookie recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:43:42 -0400

Remembrance Cookies

These cookies can be made on Hallow's Eve. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritul, but it need not be.

Ingredients for the cookies:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary

Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Cranberry-Pumpkin Cookies

Makes soft, cakelike cookies.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup pureed cooked pumpkin
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cranberries
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, egg and pumpkin. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and add to mixture. Mix until until well blended. Cut the cranberries in half and stir into mixture. Add orange peel and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies. From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
Gingerbread Corpses

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons warm water
1/4 cup raisins for decorating

DIRECTIONS
1. In large bowl, cream shortening, sugar, egg and warmed molasses. Dissolve baking soda in warm water and add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth.
2. Slowly add flour, spices and salt. Mix until well blended.
3. Cover and chill for 24 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
5. Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface. Cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
6. Use raisins to make eyes, noses and buttons. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.

FINISHING TOUCHES: Use icing to make "X"s for eyes, bloody gashes and decorate accordingly.
Cobweb Cookies

It's frightening how simple it is to create these creepy Halloween cookies right on your stove top!

3/4 cup Gold Medal(r) All-Purpose or Unbleached Flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 Eggs
Powdered sugar

1. Beat all ingredients except powdered sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Pour batter into plastic squeeze bottle with narrow opening. Heat 8-inch skillet over medium heat until hot; grease lightly.
2. Working quickly, squeeze batter to form 4 straight, thin lines that intersect at a common center point to form a star shape. To form cobweb, squeeze thin streams of batter to connect lines.
3. Cook 30 to 60 seconds or until bottom is golden brown; carefully turn. Cook until golden brown; remove from skillet. Cool on wire rack.
4. Heat oven to 325ºF. Bake cookies on ungreased cookie sheet 5 to 7 minutes or until almost crisp (cookies will become crisp as they cool). Remove from cookie sheet; cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store cookies in container with loose-fitting cover.
Brain Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup very finely chopped walnuts, or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 5 drops red food coloring
About 9 drops blue food coloring
Blood Glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
35 to 40 drops red food coloring
2 to 4 tablespoons milk, as needed for thinning glaze

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Into a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Alternating with the eggs, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating well after the addition of each. Fold in the nuts, vanilla, and red and blue food coloring, being careful not to overmix the dough. (The food coloring will make the dough a grayish color, resembling the color of brains.)

Place the dough in batches in a potato ricer and push the dough out onto the prepared baking sheets in long tubes of dough. With your fingers, loosely pat and arrange the dough strands into clumps resembling brains, pushing to form 2 hemispheres and shaping into a walnut-like shape. Bake until golden brown on the bottom, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To make the "blood glaze," in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar with the food coloring to make a thick glaze, whisking together. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is a good consistency for drizzling. Drizzle the "blood" onto the cookies and serve either warm or at room temperature.
Cat Poop Cookies

1/2 cup honey
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup wheat and barley nugget cereal(eg. Grapenuts TM
Microwave honey on high until bubbly (about 1 minute). Stir in the margarine. Add the egg and mix well. Stir in the flour, cocoa and vanilla. Mix well and chill dough for several hours in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll chunks of the chilled dough into cylindrical shapes in order to resemble cat poop. Roll cookies in cereal and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve cookies in a new litter box on a bed of malted barley cereal. Use a new litter scoop to remove cookies
Hallowmass Cakes
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar
In a mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar. Blend in eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture. Chill for several hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 350° F. Roll about a Tbsp. of dough into a ball. Drop balls into confectioner's sugar, and roll until coated. Place balls about 2" apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cakes should be soft and the edges firm. Do not over bake; they burn easily. Makes about 3 doz.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
1 1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar or 1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pureed pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (grind rolled oats in a blender, but not into a flour)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Cream together butter and sugar (or honey). Beat in eggs. Mix in pumpkin and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, soda, and spices. Add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 12 minutes.
Triple Moon Cookies
This recipe is a rich, dark cookie in honour of the Triple goddess herself.
You will need:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter (room tempertaure)
7 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
8 ounces semisweet (dark) baking chocolate (melted and cooled)
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside: with a mixer beat together butter, sugar, and eggs at MEDIUM speed until smooth. Add melted chocolate and continue mixing on MEDIUM speed until blended. Reduce speed to LOW and add dry ingredients. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts mix well. Drop by tablespoonsfuls onto cookie sheet 1-inch apart. Bake cookies til they look dry and cracked but feel soft when lightly pressed. Bake about 11 minutes. Let cookies stand on sheet in 5 minutes transfer to racks and cool completely. Makes 24
Cauldron Cookies
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
3/4 cup softened butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Cream the butter in a large cast-iron cauldron (or mixing bowl). Gradually add the brown sugar, beating well. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and rind, and then beat by hand or with an electric mixer until the mixture is well blended. The next step is to stir in the flour and pecans. Cover the cauldron with a lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.When ready, shape the dough into one-inch balls and place them about three inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake in a 375-degree preheated oven for approximately eight minutes. Remove from the oven and place on wire racks until completely cool. This recipe yields about 36 cookies which can be served at any of the eight Sabbats, as well as at Esbats and all other Witchy get-togethers. (The above "Cauldron Cookies" recipe is from "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, page 167, Citadel Press, Carol Publishing Group Edition, 1995.)
Samhain Cakes
1/2 c veg. oil
4 sq unsweetened chocolate (4 oz) melted
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups pastry flour (not hard, sifted or cake flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar
Mix oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar. Blend in one egg at a time until well mixed. Add vanilla. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture. Chill several hours to overnight. Heat oven to 350 deg F [175 deg C]. Roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball (yes, it's messy). Drop balls into confectioner's sugar & roll around until coated. Place about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 min. They will be a little soft but should not be mushy. Edges should be firm. Don't overbake---these burn easily. Makes about 3 dozen
The Purr-fect Cookie Treat
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup shortening
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
2 teaspoons orange juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 recipe Orange Icing

In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds or until softened. Add half of the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, egg, milk, orange peel, and juice, baking powder, and vanilla. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat or stir in remaining flour. Divide in half. Cover; chill for 1 to 2 hours or till easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion to a 1/8-inch thickness. With a cat-shaped cutter, cut into shapes. Place shapes 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are light brown. Remove cookies; cool thoroughly on a wire rack. Decorate cats with Orange Icing. Makes about sixty 2- to 3-inch cookies.

Orange Frosting
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
In a bowl stir together powdered sugar, butter, orange peel, and enough orange juice (2 to 3 tablespoons) to make an icing of spreading consistency. Makes about 2/3 cup (ten 1-tablespoon servings).
Creepy Witches Fingers

* 1 cup Butter, softened
* 1 cup Icing sugar
* 1 Egg
* 1 tsp Almond extract
* 1 tsp Vanilla
* 2 2/3 cups Flour
* 1 tsp Baking powder
* 1 tsp Salt
* 3/4 cup Almonds, whole blanched
* 1 Tube red decorator gel (optional)

Gross everyone out with these creepy biscuits.
1. In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla.
2. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
3. Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remainder refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie.
4. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in centre to create knuckle shape.
5. Using paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle.
6. Place on lightly greased baking sheets; bake in 325F (160C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale golden. Let cool for 3 minutes.
7. Lift up almond, squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place, so gel oozes out from underneath. You can also make slashes in the finger and fill them with "blood."
8. Remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks. Repeat with remaining dough. Yield: 5 dozen From Wandas Halloween Cookbook
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Prosperity, Abundance, Money Spells Part 2

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:54:54 -0400

Coltsfoot Wealth Spell
For wealth and prosperity for a year, take the husk from an ear of corn and put a dollar bill along with a note written on parchment:
"Oh, dear god of luck,
money is like muck,
not good except it be spread.
Spread some here at---------- ----(write in your address).
Thanks be to thee. Amen."
Sign your name. Sprinkle the dollar bill and note with Coltsfoot leaves. Roll the husk up and tie together with green string or ribbon. Hang the token up above the entryway with green cord. That husk should bring riches into your home or business by the bushel.
MONEY SPELL WITH SMARTWEED
To find money, one should make a conjure bag containing a magnetic horseshoe, and a lodestone to attract and draw wealth to you, and some Smartweed to enable you to see how to capture it and hold it without being led astray by unprofitable distractions or foolish delays. Feed your money bag with a sprinkle of Gold Magnetic Sand every third day until you find the amount you need.
YELLOW DOCK MONEY SPELL
Brew a tea with a spoonful of yellow dock herb to a cup of water, strain, and use to wash door knobs at your place of business to draw customers, or at home to attract good fortune.
SCULLCAP MONEY SPELL
To inspire others to give you money, place some skullcap in a small saucer and moisten it with money mist, or money drawing oil. Get a ball of green cord or yarn and wind it around your "nest egg" of skullcap and oil, binding until the herb is completely covered and secure. Tie the cord so that the ball will not unwind and hang above the doorway. All who enter will become possessed with an unreasoning desire to bring gifts & money to your home. Anoint the ball every seventh day with a few drops of the oil to preserve it's powers.
PROSPERITY CHARM
Put a sprig of basil, a magnet and five small coins above your doorway to invite prosperity!
MONEY POWDER
Money Powder Mix equal amounts of the following herbs together:
Chamomile, marigold, hyssop, jasmine, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinquefoil.
Combine all herbs with your hands empowering them with your energy and your need. Sprinkle in your purse, wallet, mailbox, anywhere you might expect to receive money. Rub It on your money before you spend it to call it back to you.
Prosperity Spell
Items required:
Blank check
Bloodstone
Green silk pouch
Cinnamon pure essential oil
Half a yard of gold ribbon
Silver pen.
For the best result perform this spell on the waxing moon. Be careful this spell should only be done for need not greed?
Write on the blank check using the silver pen the amount of money you need. Dab a drop of cinnamon oil on
each corner of the check. Hold the bloodstone in your hand and empower it by visualising it as a money
attracting crystal.
Place the crystal in the center of the check, wrap the check around the blood stone, and place it in the green
silk pouch. Tie it up using the gold ribbon and repeat the following words:
"This spell give luck,
I ask of thee,
Help with my prosperity.
I ask for aid in what I need,
In keeping with the Wiccan Rede."
Keep the pouch in your purse or wallet.
Bill Banishing Spell
Light a red, gray, or black candle with patchouli oil, and pay your bills as usual. However, when you are done, go through the invoices again. Get some old checks or make blank ones and write "void" in small letters so no one accidentally negotiates them! Then, write the "check" not for the monthly amount of the bill but for the entire balance due. If your car payment is $300, but your total balance is $8,645, write the "check" for $8,645, and then write "paid in full" and sign your name. "Pay" all of your balances, even one-time payments you haven't been able to afford yet. And definitely write a "check" to pay off the mortgage on your house, or, if renting, write a check for the amount of a house you want. Keep these "checks" in a pile, while feeling free of all debt and paying only with cash from now on. Burn the "checks," knowing this energy is launched. Expect miracles! By: Calantirniel
New Penny Prosperity Spell
To boost your prosperity in the New Year, empty your pockets, purse, wallet -
any place where you hoard change. Find as many pennies as you can marked with
the current year , and put them aside. Take a small, clean jar or box. Cleanse and
consecrate it as normal. Gather the pennies, and place them in your receiving
hand-left hand if you are right-handed; right hand if you are left handed. Cup
the dominant hand over the receiving hand, and say New year brings new wealth.
May each penny symbolize thousandfold abundance. Feel the energy in your hands.
When the heat becomes intense, drop each penny into the jar, speaking the spell.
At the end of the year, give half to charity, and use half for yourself.
by Cerridwen Iris Shea
Llewellyn's Spell-a-Day 01-08-04
Cash in Your Pocket Spell
Take out all of the cash in your wallet or all of the change in your pocket today. Set it on a table about a foot away from you. Rub a small amount of cedar or pine oil on your hands. Rub them quickly until you feel your hands warm up. Then say to yourself or chant:

Money, money, come to me.
Riches and wealth, Increase by three times three times three.

Count your money three times by pulling each bill or coin closer to you as you count it. Continue your chant as you count. When you are done, fold the bills toward you and return them to your wallet or pull the coins in to you before returning them to your pocket. Repeat this spell every three or nine days until you have what you want.
By: Kristin Madden
MONEY GOOD FORTUNE - LUCK SPELL
Ingredients:
Green Candle
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Bowl
Spoon
You can anoint your candles with pine oil if you wish or any oil, e.g.: olive oil from the kitchen which you charge with your personal energy and anoint the candles with it to make them tools of magic for the spell.
*This spell should be cast on the evening of a New Moon. - best results.*
Use your altar because it has personal meaning to you and because everything you need should be there. (An upturned box covered with a cloth is fine.)
Light a green candle, and place a bowl and a spoon on the altar before you.
Mix a teaspoon of nutmeg and a teaspoon of cinnamon from your kitchen in the bowl.
As you mix the ingredients, think of an amount of money you would like to see in your bank account. (Don't go overboard, though, or you will "scatter the spell's energy".)
Continue to focus on that amount of money as you take three coins of low denomination and toss them repeatedly, until you get one tail and two heads.
Place the coins and the powder together in an old wallet or purse and shake it up as you chant:
"Money Attraction powder let it be
Send me all the luck and the money I/we need."
add words like
" May this money come with harm to none and for the good of my family.
May this money not come through a death or in any negative way."
Place the purse in the same place as you keep all your financial documents.
Money should manifest itself quickly.
Put all your emotion and energy into the oil and herbs as you charge them as this will make the spell work. Basically you must focus on your need like a prayer and then let go of all that energy as you cast the spell to the universal forces to ask for help.
WORDS OF POWER FOR MONEY OR MATERIAL ABUNDANCE
Light a candle, burn some cinnamon incense for money drawing, and say these words on 7 days during the Waxing Moon and on the night of the Full Moon.
Keep it up until you have what is needed.
"There is One Power, Which is perfect abundance and fulfillment.
And I (your name), am a perfect manifestation of this Power.
The Power, working for me and through me, provides for me all the abundance and fulfillment which is rightfully mine.
I draw to me and create in my life all that I need in the World of Form to fulfill my needs.
This may come specifically in the form of money,
I hereby realize all cause, effect, manifestation, form and essence and any channel within me,
Which may have been preventing the appropriate flow of abundance in my life.
I draw upon the balance of resources in the Universe, For the good of all, According to the free will of all,
And I affirm my own wisdom in understanding my needs, and how to fulfill them.
I call to me just enough resources, Knowing I deprive none, And am not deprived myself, I have just enough. And so must it be."
A QUICK MONEY SPELL
This spell requires good visualization.
Take a green candle and anoint it with cinnamon oil.
Take the bill or write on a piece of paper the amount of a bill you owe and who it is to.
You will need a candle that can burn for 7 days. Place the paper under the candle.
Hold your hands over the candle and say...
"This candle burns to light the way for the money I need to pay this bill in a way that harms no one."
Light the candle and burn patchouli incense.
Meditate for about 5 minutes as the candle burns.
Visualize yourself writing the check or purchasing the money order for this bill and putting it in the mail. Burn the candle every day around the same time for 7 days and 15 minutes at a time. Also, burn patchouli incense every day too with the candle. On the last day, burn the paper with the flame from the candle and let the candle burn completely out.
SPELL TO HELP IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
With clove or cinnamon oil, trace a money symbol or rune on the largest denomination of bill
that you have. Put this in your wallet and resist spending it for as long as you can.
Every time you look at the bill, visualize the rune to reinforce its power.
LAVENDER MONEY SPELL
A lucky money spell is made by placing in a conjure bag seven pieces of money, each different, such as a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, a half dollar, $1.00 bill, and $5.00 bill, all of which are sprinkled liberally with lavender. Take the bag with you for seven days and your money should multiply seven times (this would give you $41.46 above your original investment) or, in some instances if the gods are smiling in your direction, seven times seven!
This would result in a tidy sum of $338.50 and seems well worth trying for!
LUCKY HAND ROOT MONEY SPELL
To get and hold a job, always carry a lucky hand root on your person.
Use Lucky Nine Oil on your wrists each day for nine days, and burn some High John the Conqueror Incense each night. These roots bring luck in all undertakings and no conjure bag would be considered complete without one.
The hands are usually imperfect, but this does not affect their value as a talisman.
The ones which are formed so that all five fingers are distinguishable are very rare and therefore extremely expensive.
YELLOW DOCK MONEY SPELL
Brew a tea with a spoonful of yellowdock herb to a cup of water, strain, and use to wash
door knobs at your place of business to draw customers, or at home to attract good fortune.

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Craft Name and Choosing One

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:38:00 -0400

CRAFT NAME

It is the custom in witchcraft to adopt a new name upon initiation. This reflects one's new identity as a witch. You may choose to only disclose your craft name to certain people. Usually your craft name should not be disclosed to outsiders.

The main reason for secrecy around craft names is is because of the power of names. It is believed that knowing the craft name of a witch gives a magical power over that person. Many spells involve writing a persons name upon a piece of paper or object. Craft names tend to be individualistic in nature and may reflect heritage or aspirations.

You select a craft name through meditation, study or divination. Some are given craft names by the high priestess. Witches may also change their craft name as they advance in the levels.
Exercise to Help You Find Your Magickal Name

Okay, so you are ready to choose your first magickal name... now what? You already saw the list of methods used to choose a magickal name. Yet you still feel not too sure how to go about it. Choosing your own magickal name does not have to be a tedious and confusing activity. Actually the whole process can be quite fun as well as very insightful.

I suggest you the following little exercise to help you with the process of finding your first magickal name. Take some sheets of paper or index cards. If you prefer, you can do this on a notebook too. It is up to you. Now, write on the top of each page the following headings: favorite animals (you can subdivide this into birds, fish, mammals, etc.), favorite colors, favorite elements, favorite seasons, favorite stones-gems, favorite plants (again, subdivide it into flowers, trees, herbs, etc.), and favorite deities. This is just an example of some of the possible headings you can have. I am sure you might come up with other headings (like favorite tarot cards, etc.). You can modify this part of the exercise to fit your needs. Now proceed to make a list for each one. Take your time! Do not rush your answers. Think carefully what you are answering. Remember, your answers will reveal a part of yourself.

Once you are finished, look at all your lists. Some of the lists might be short. Others might be overwhelmingly long. (I know mine was!) Don't worry about that. Take one of the lists and put the others aside where you cannot see them. Look at it carefully. Take your time to examine your answers. Do you feel drawn to certain words in each of those lists? Then highlight them. Repeat this process with each list.

By now you will have narrow your options in each list. Spread all your lists before you and look at them. It is true that your magickal can consist of just one word, such as Willow, Selene, or Agate. However, you will be surprise how many pagans are named Raven or Eagle. Calling Merlin or Rhiannon in a festival can cause a lot of heads to turn. Of course that some duplication can occur. So it is best if you add a second name (or last name if you prefer to call it so). Try to combine the words you have written and see what happens. Maybe one of them will "click." Be as original as possible!
How to Choose a Magickal Name

There is no right or wrong method on how to choose your magickal name. The only thing you should keep in mind is that your magickal name should represent your higher self and your personal values and ideas. Below there is a list of methods used to choose a magickal name with a few examples.
Pick your magickal name from a favorite legend. - Beowulf, , Merlin

Look to the Earth for names (flowers, trees, seasons, natural incidents, etc.). - Willow, Storm, Autumn

Study the celestial universe and seek a name. - Star Vision

Name yourself after animals. - Eagle, SheWolf

Name yourself after elements. - FireMoon

Name yourself after gems or herbs. - Ruby, Rowan, Amaranth

Seek your magickal name through dreams and vision quests. - Azura Morganne

Look on a pantheon of Gods/Goddesses for your name. Some pagans are named after their patron(ess). - Rhiannon, Druantia

Find your name among mythological beasts. - Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn

Combine the essence of two animals. - RavenWolf, JaguarWoman

Combine Earth things with animals. - StormCat

Combine elements and animals. - ShadowHawk
Combine colors and animals or elements or things from Earth. - RedStang, GoldenFire, Silver Springs

Use divination tools (tarot, runes, etc.) to find your name. I know there are those who shuffle the cards and pick the first card. - Magician, Birca

Use numerology to determine the letter or letters of your magickal name. There are a few, very simple books in the market that might help you with this.

Scry for the name. Use a black mirror, a crystal ball, the flame of a candle, or a cauldron with black-tainted water to scry for your name.
When looking for a magickal name, watch around for signs and learn to "see" with your heart and energies for what feels right. Maybe while you are camping, you have seen deers around you peering at you for unusual long periods of time. You will be surprised how some pagans got their magickal names! I got mine, Raven Dance, when I saw it as a title of a movie while changing channels. I read it aloud, and as I did so I knew that was the one. It felt right! After thinking carefully about it, I realized that the raven symbolizes the goddess Morrigu, to whom I had taken as my patroness not so long ago. No wonder it felt good to be called Raven Dance! A friend of mine, Silver Springs, got hers from a Fleetwood Mac song. When I asked her about it, she told me at first that it aroused within her certain emotions she could not explain at the moment. Eventually she discovered her strong "pull" toward the element of Water. By the way, she is great doing cauldron magick! There are two good books you can read on this topic:The Sacred Power in Your Name by Ted Andrews and The Complete Book of Magickal Names by Phoenix McFarland.
Magickal Names

As you surf the web and get acquantainted with Wicca and Paganism, you may have noticed some of the names by which many of us go by. These are called magickal names. Those who enter the Craft prefer to choose a new name for themselves. One that has no connection with their old selves. In this way they are separating their magickal selves from the mundane ones.

Many wiccan and pagans choose a secret name for themselves that it is used only during rituals. The use of a magickal name helps you to separate your mind from the everyday world and prepares you for the supernatural work.

Sometimes a magickal name can be everything to a pagan. It means the difference between coming out of the broom closet or remaining there. Some pagans choose to go by their given names. Yet these are few. They are lucky to be able to be open about their religion without worrying how it will affect their families, relations with other people, and jobs.

Many witches have two names; one for correspondence and writing, and another for their private rituals. If you are thinking in acquiring a magickal name, I suggest you start using one name first. You need time to get to know your "new" you. Once you feel comfortable with yourself as a pagan, then you might want another one. There may be a time when you may feel that you have "outgrown" your magickal name and it is time to change it.
Who Chooses Your Magickal Name
The answer to this question depends greatly upon the situation the witch or pagan is in. Solitary witches, like me, choose their own magickal names by themselves. By this, I mean that there is no other person involved in the process (except the Goddess if the witch does a ritual for . The solitary witch uses one or several methods to choose his/her magickal name. (See How to Choose a Magickal Name). They might change their magickal names accordingly to their needs as they grow in the Craft.

In coven enviroment, it varies by coven and tradition. In many covens the initiate acquires a magickal name through a vision quest. Yet it will change as he/she raises within the ranks of the coven. There are covens in which your magickal name is given by your mentor/teacher; or sometimes your mentor/teacher adds another part to the magickal name you have already chosen. Some covens allow you to have two names; a ceremonial one used within the coven, and another known only to the Goddess/God, your mentor/teacher, and you.

Spell Your Magickal Name

Okay, you may have chosen a magickal name already. Now, you have noticed that many magickal names are spelled as one word. Examples: SilverHawk, CrystalWater, NightOwl, FreeEagle. But, is this really necessary? Personally I do not think there is a rule in any book that states magickal names must be written as one word. I have always written Raven Dance (my magickal name on the web) as two separate words. Come to think of it,
I spell all my magickal names as two words. So I leave this up to you to write your magickal name as one or two words.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN FOT ABOVE INFORMATION
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Job Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:22:01 -0400

Job Interview Spell
January is a great time to seek employment, due to many companies renewing their budgets for workforce expansion. On a computer, create a mock business card with your desired company, your name, and the anticipated position. Bring this together with an Ace of Pentacles tarot image (a real card or one printed from a computer). Light an orange candle sprinkled with cinnamon or nutmeg, and fully visualize your confidence in the interview. You look fabulous and answer all questions with ease. Imagine you are exactly who they are looking for, and they even show you your working area. See yourself happily doing the work you want and receiving excellent compensation. At this point, say out loud your name, your company name and your anticipated position as if it were already here. When interviewing, wear your mock business card, and sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg on the soles of your shoes. By: Calantirniel
A CHARM TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT
Take a green handkerchief or a piece of green cloth roughly that size, lay it flat with one of the corners facing you. Place upon it 3 cardamom seed, a bay leaf and a sprig rosemary (or 1 tsp. of dried herb).
These herbs surround you in self-confidence and attract energy. Cardamom sweetens your personality and brings out your natural eloquence. Bay leaves are symbols of success and triumph. Rosemary is a herb of achievement and
mental alertness.
Tie the corners together with a length of string, so that you have a little bundle of herbs.
Before each interview, hold this bundle and visualize yourself walking into the interview room, radiating confidence
imagine yourself being in a position to pick and chose jobs at will.
Carry this to your job interviews. And accept that any rejection is a sign from the universe that the job was not
right for you.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Spirit and Death Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:45:29 -0400

Incantation of Bereavement
An incantation for the passing over of a loved one.
This incantation should only be worked on a dawn following a death. Seven candles should be lighted
and placed in the following formation on a flat surface, such as the top of a table:
            NORTH
               O
         O    O      O
     WEST         EAST

               O
           O       O
            SOUTH
Standing at the southern end of the formation, the following invocation should be spoken aloud:
Guides of the journey of the dead hear my plea
That the spirit of (full name of the departed) shall follow thee
Let it be no harm to them may pass
Or worry break across their traveler's trail
Lead them to their place of just reward
Opportunities for peace please them afford
That in their haven may abide
Safety, peace and love
Guard them from all evil
Let enter
No trepidation
No anguish
No more.
The candles should be allowed to burn for the minimum of an hour before extinguishing.
Pet Death-Euthinasia Ritual
Materials:
sandlewood incense
rose quartz
red candle
white candle
vinegar
flower of choice
honey
Light the incense and candles and greet the Lady and Lord and say:
I come to you now to release (name of pet)
This pain and all emotional burdens
That plague my heart so heavily
Take them from, me-set my free!
Name the flower for your pet. Stroke it's petals and tell your pet how much it is loved and will be missed. Take the flower and place it on your altar. Lay the rose quartz on top of the rose. Tell the pet that the stone will always represent him or her to you. And urge them to go freely into the Summerland to be reborn. Now say:
Your free to go now Little one
Rejoice and play-the time has come
For your spirit to be on it's way
Have fun, be happy-your love will stay!
Remember your pet, then place a drop of vinegar on your tongue to represent the sourness we feel when a loved one crosses the veil. Have a good cry if you need one. When you can cry no more put a drop of honey on your tongue. Extinguish the candles and thank the Lady and Lord. Release the flower into a body of water. Wish it a fond farewell. Keep the rose quartz close to you. Author Unknown Cemetery Summonings
Do you wish to talk to the dead? Take a trip to the cemetery.
Before you leave your house:
1. Burn Frankincense or Bay Leaves to clear out any negetive vibes and strengthen your energy defenses. 2. Make sure that you have a protective stone on you. Such as a Turquoise, Onyx or Black Tourmaline. 3. Call in your Guardian Angels and Spirits Guides to be with you.
When you get to the cemetery, walk around it three times, keeping your wits about you and focused in on your desire for communications. As you walk, the dead will communicate. After you are finished and get home burn Frankincense or Bay Leaves to clear out any negetive vibes and spirit attachments. Thank your Guardian Angels and Spirits Guides for their aid. From Hearth & Home Witchery
A Spirit Summoning Spell
To create an incense portal for summoning the ancestor spirits from the otherworld, you will need an altar complete with pictures and items to honor them. In a strongly protected circle, place lavender, cinnamon, and wormwood on the coals. Call out only to benevolent and loving ancestor spirits by saying: Blood of my blood, you spirits of love,
Come from below and from above;
Entities loving who wish me well,
Come to this circle when I sound the bell.
Intone a bell three times and welcome the ancestors spirits. Afterwards, ring the bell seven times to send them back through the portal so you can close your circle. By Edain McCoy
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Ritual, Magick, Moon and Sun Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:40:58 -0400

BINDING A SPELL CHANT
Come ye as the charm is made!
Queen of heaven, Queen of hell,
Horned Hunter of the night
Lend your power unto the spell,
And work our will by Magick rite!
By all the power of land and sea,
By all the might of moon and sun
I call the Earth to bind my spell.
Air to speed it well.
Bright as Fire shall it glow.
Deep as tide of Water flow.
Count the elements fourfold,
In the fifth the spell shall hold.
White Candle Spell For Blessing
Obtain a white candle -- either a plain one (offertory, pillar, or taper) or a figural one in the gender of the person you want to bless. Carve the person's full name on the candle, then dress it with Blessing Oil or Holy Oil. For more power, you may place a name-paper of the person, or a photo, or some personal item of theirs (such as a bit of hair or a snippet of clothing) either under the candle or next to it. An easy way to do this is to place the paper or personal concerns under an overturned saucer and put the candle on top of the saucer. Burn a portion of the candle every day for seven days, pinching it out between burnings. As you light it each day, say this:
Your Name, may you be blessed
May all good things come to you
May nothing whatsoever harm you
May your heart be light
May your travels be safe
May your health be good
May your mind be sound
May your friendships sustain you
May you be blessed in every way
If you have a special request for this person (such as that they find a lover, get a good job, come home safely from a war, or whatever), just add it to the list.
FULL MOON SPELL
The Moon's energy is most intense when she reaches abundant fullness. Any magical effort, especially difficult ones, can benefit greatly from the potency of this phase. Use the full Moon to amplify magical intent and to give spellworkings additional power. To seal spells performed during the full Moon, use this chant or one of your own choosing. Abundant Mother, Moon so bright, Hear my plea upon this night. Your fertile power lend this spell, Make it potent, strong, and well
Moonstone Ritual
The moonstone is a semiprecious stone that can aid in any magic you wish to do involving the Moon, water, or the astrological signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. A cabochon-shaped piece of moonstone should be easy to find in rock shops or in New Age stores, and the stone is relatively inexpensive. Once you find it, bathe the stone in salt water. Go outside to face the night sky. Hold it and visualize it becoming the Moon while you say:
Moon in my hand
Lovely to see,
You are mine to hold,
Mine to find
When no Moon I see.
When I wish the Moon's power
Indoors with me,
Moon in my hand
You will abide with me.
Take the stone inside and place it on your altar. Burn a silver candle and place the stone before an image of a Moon god or goddess, such as Thoth or Diana. Meditate on the stone, imbuing it with the powers of the Moon and the sea. Scry with it. Write down what you observe. Repeat the washing of the stone and presentation of it to the Moon each night until the Full Moon for maximum moonstone power.By: Denise Dumars
Full Moon Scrying Ritual
written by D.J. Conway
Items Needed:
1 bright, shiny silver coin
1 small, black cauldron or scrying bowl filled with water
Perform this ritual outside where the rays of the Moon can fall directly onto the water in the cauldron. If you cannot go outside, stay in a darkened room near a window that the Moon shines through. Place the coin in the water and take thecauldron in both hands. Gaze up at the Moon and say:
"Lovely Lady of the night,
Mysteries old and futures bright,
Give me a glimpse of that to be
And as I will so mote it be."
Look down at the coin shimmering in the cauldrons water. With your eyes half closed, adjust your vision as if you were looking into and through the coin. Don't try to analize anything you might see or that might come into your mind. Just accept it. Some people, rather than seeing actual pictures within the cauldron, will have mental impressions, feelings or pictures. When you have finished, bow to the Moon and say thank you. Pour the water out on the ground. You're done!
Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools by Jame Kambos
Whenever you buy a new tool for magical workings it is important that the tool is purified. This is a simple purification ritual that I use to cleanse my new magical tools:
Ingredients:
cauldron or any heat-proof dish
dandelion leaf
wormwood
sage
Ignite the herbs and let them smolder awhile. As the smoke curls about you pass your tool through the smoke and say:
"Smoke rise,
Let me be wise.
This (name of tool) is cleansed.
I will use it only for good."
The item is now ready to use!
Recharging Psychic Energy
Tools Needed:
2 Drops Of Jasmine Oil
2 Drops of Geranium Oil
An Oil Burner
3 clear Quartz Crystals
Instruction:
Take a soothing bath and prepare yourself. Once you have finished, go into the bedroom and burn the oils, cleanse the crystals and then lie on your bed. Place one crystal over your third eye chakra (between the eyebrows) and hold the other two crystals one in each hand. Make sure that the crystal on your forehead is pointing downwards and that the other two are pointing upwards. Visualise a mighty surge of gold heat and energy entering through your feet and climbing through your body and into the palms of your hands, where the crystals light up. This energy will continue rising until it reaches the third crystal, which will light up and release the powers through the top of your head. Enjoy all your senses tingling and the pleasure of being revived again
A Sun Power Spell
The following spell uses the August Sun to empower a cord or ribbon. This can be used in knot magic later in the winter, when the Sun's strength has ebbed. Before the summer ends, obtain a yellow or gold-colored cord and offer it to the August Sun. Let it absorb the sunlight and say:
Before autumn leaves, Protect me from winter's grief.
I thank the Lady; I thank the Lord
For the power flowing through this cord.
To complete the spell, tie six knots in the cord. During winter, if you need some solar power to energize a ritual light an orange candle and untie one knot. By James Kambos
A GENERAL CHARGE FOR SPELL WORK
The following chant is a good all purpose chant that can be used for just about any spell:
Witches power burning bright, Tarot, rune and blade,
Charge the spell, enfilled with might, Here and now the magic's made.
Wave and tree, hedge and flame, Strength of the elements gather here,
To bless this work and charge it well, To complete the spell now far or near.
Mystic Moon and Brilliant Sun, Send your power here this way,
Gracious Lady, Mighty Lord, Bless this charge that I lay.
Powers that are, powers that be, Gather round this spell I cast,
Empower my working three times three,
Send it forth to see it last! So Shall it Be!
Full Moon Ritual By: Winter Wren
Here, on the night of the Full Moon, the Moon Mother shines in her brightest glory. In addition to being a time of protection magic and the dismissing of unwanted energies in our lives, Full Moons offer us a chance to say "thank you" for things accomplished during the previous lunar cycle. Giving thanks for completed work is part of the cycle of balance that we work toward achieving in our lives. Create your sacred space, invoke your guardians, and light a red candle and
some frankincense. Quiet your mind for a few moments, reflecting back over the workings you have completed in the past month. When you are ready, speak with the Lady in her guise as Moon Mother:
Lady Mother, I, who am your child, stand between the worlds in sacred space under your light. Once more I affirm my joy in life and in my union with you upon your path. I honor you, Lady Goddess, for the favors and energy you bring to my life, and ask your blessings upon me. Beautiful Lady, thank you for the light and beauty you bring to my life. Thank you for the energy and wisdom you give to me to walk in balance in your world.
So mote it be.
Moonstone Ritual
The moonstone is a semiprecious stone that can aid in any magic you wish to do involving the Moon, water, or the astrological signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Bath the stone in salt water. Go outside to face the night sky. Hold it and visualize it becoming the Moon while you say:
Moon in my hand
Lovely to see,
You are mine to hold,
Mine to find
When no Moon I see.
When I wish the Moon's power
Indoors with me,
Moon in my hand
You will abide with me.
Take the stone inside and place it on your altar. Burn a silver candle and place the stone before an image of a Moon god or goddess, such as Thoth or Diana. Meditate on the stone, imbuing it with the powers of the Moon and the sea. Scry with it. Write down what you observe. Repeat the washing of the stone and presentation of it to the Moon each night until the Full Moon for maximum moonstone power. By Denise Dumars
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Protection Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:48:25 -0400

Protection-Success Charm
Need:
red cloth
black ribbon
lavender
chamomile
cinnamon
grind the 3 herbs together, place in red cloth and tie w/ ribbon, making a sack, carry with you. author unknown
Cider and Spice Protection Spell
In a small saucepan combine one cup of cider, one stick of cinnamon, and nine whole cloves. Heat until the mixture is warm and fragrant. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly, and stir clockwise while saying: "Cider strengthen me, cinnamon protect me, clove cleanse me." Pour the potion into an earthenware bowl. After dark, pour the mixture around the garden or home. Speak this charm:
I have brewed this potion With my hand,
To protect my home And my land.
No dark spirits Shall dwell in this place,
For I have blessed Every crevice and space.
Any friend who comes, Night or day,
Shall be welcomed To sit and stay.
But no foe Shall darken my door,
Today, tomorrow, Or forever more.
When you've finished, press the cinnamon stick and cloves into the earth. Burn candle to protect someone else. By James Kambos
Home or Business Protection Spell
To bless your home or business, place a bowl of candy, herbs or stones by your front entrance. Bless the bowl's contents by speaking aloud the following verse:
"As all who enter here are Children of the Great Mother,
May those who pass always walk safely in her steps.
May they feel the guidance of her hand,
And know she is always with us,
From the time we meet till we meet again."
Invite visitors to take an offering as they enter the premises.
Protection Oil:
Equal parts of Hyacinth oil, Jasmine oil, Orange oil, Musk oil, and Anise oil. Touch the oil around the area that needs protection (such as your home) or on yourself. (It is said that touching this oil to the bottom of your feet allows you to run away from evil.)
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Negativity Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:36:55 -0400

3 X 3 Spell (author unknown)
To get rid of physical, emotional, or spiritual negativity, and to bring forth balance in your life, try the Three Times Three spell. This spell is best performed outdoors during the 3rd quarter of the moon. You will need one black candle, a small spool of cotton twine, a small amount of lamp oil, a deep dish to contain the candle, sand to fill the dish, and a sharp knife or Witch's athame. Using the knife/athame, inscribe the name of the person, or word symbolizing the negative situation you are experiencing, near the bottom of the candle. Place the candle between your palms and breathe on the candle three times. With each breath, imagine you are exhaling the negativity you have received onto the candle. Take the cotton twine, and tie it around the base of the candle so that at least two feet of twine hangs from the knot. Begin tightly coiling the twine around the candle in a counter-clockwise direction. While doing so visualize a giant, protective, mirrored egg surrounding you and repeatedly chant:
"Three time three, as ye have sown
Is thine to reap, thy harvest grown.
For best, for worst, for praise or chide,
The Gods alone your fate decide!"
Continue wrapping the candle with the twine until you have spiraled to the top, covering every bit of candle. Loop the twine, trying it in a knot to one of the coils at the top near the wick. Next, take the oil and liberally smear the twine and candle with it--cover every inch of the entwined candle. Pour the sand into the dish and then wedge the candle into the sand so that it stands erect, then light it on fire. Watch as the candle melts away, knowing that the magical attack has been deflected.
Spell to Disable any Negativity
If there is someone always on your case who wishes you ill, this is a powerful energy magic spell to disable the attacks without resorting to any negativity yourself. However, you can if you want to, surround this spell with any amount of bells and whistles you feel you need to strengthen it further. This might include casting a circle, calling in archangels or guides to assist you, considering what day or time of day might be the best for you and many other things besides. When you do this spell, raise energy first through yourself, and visualise the negative person being enfolded in a bubble of clear, mirror smooth energy to keep their negativity inside. This is an interesting manouvre because it has a dual action - this bubble in which they become encased contains their energy emissions absolutely and doesn't make any distinction between good or bad emissions. So should they think loving thoughts, they will be healed just the same as they will be getting painful repercussions from thinking or broadcasting ill thoughts.
Here is the core spell:
All acts of negativity will now return threefold to thee.
All bad you try to send my way upon your own self will hold sway.
All actions, thoughts and words of hate become your own decided fate.
By all up high, the worlds and wise by oceans wide and deep blue skies by day and night, and powers three this is my will, so mote it be!
The more power you can raise before you cast this spell, the longer lasting and more profound the spell becomes. From Magic Spells and Potions
Banish Negativity
Now is a good time to rid yourself of anything negative that is bothering you. This could be something from the past you can't let go of, a negative attitude in general, or regrets. Or perhaps you feel someone is acting negatively toward you. Use this spell to break that negative energy. You will need a black candle and a small piece of string or sewing thread. Light the candle. Visualize the negative aspect you wish to dispel; the string represents this negativity. Now imagine yourself free from it and hold the string at each end, pulling it tight in the middle. Pass the center of the string through the candle flame as many times as it takes to burn through it. Once the string is severed, bury the pieces of string in separate locations. Allow the candle to burn out. By: Ember
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source. Some information is from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Comments from Satisfied Customers

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:54:30 -0400

Hi,    I just received the Auralite 23 crystal that I ordered from you on Monday night and am really pleased with it. I had seen these crystals for the first time about 4 days ago and they were quite expensive. So I went on line and found your store and the price was really good so I thought even if it is isn't great I'll buy one for $12.99 just to have a small piece. It was really a wonderful size and I'm pretty excited about your store. I also thank you for the little Prehnite that you sent with it. Also you sent it so quickly that it hasn't been 3 days since I ordered it. Thanks for such wonderful customer care . It is very appreciated. I'll be shopping with you often.. ~~~~Love & Light Nancy 4-27-12

Louise, Wow , I am soo excited to place an order with you. I have looked high and low for the apophyllite and am so pleased to be getting them from you. Thank you for many wonderful products and I hope to order again soon. Deanne 4-16-12
Awesome buying experience!!! I am very satisfied with your service. P.S. Thanks for the extra's! Jerry 4-9-12
Thank you so much! Excellent service! I look forward to doing more business with you in the future! Thanks again and blessed be! -Eowyn 4-5-12

I received my order of stones today and all I can say is wow! They are just beautiful. I couldn't have hand picked them any better myself. Thank you so much for the care you gave to choosing, packaging, and shipping them. I also love the tags placed on each bag. That's such a nice touch.
Also I must thank you for the gifts. How did you know I didn't have that stone in my collection yet? That worked out perfectly.
Needless to say you have a very happy first time customer and I will be placing many more orders in the near future.
Thanks again and you are tops on my list. Brightest Blessings Penni" 3-14-12
I received the mortar and pestle today, Thank You very much for the anointing oil! i love ordering from you.  Roxan 3-12-12
Hello, received my package yesterday, thank you so much for a quick delivery. Will be buying from you again. Blessed be, Jo 2-23-12
The stones are beautiful, nice size and color! Blessings, Pam 2-17-12
Hi Louise, I just received the order today! Indeed the shipping was pretty quick I'd say. Well packed and I appreciate the labels on the Little bags, listing the stone's properties. And the stones are all pretty much what I expected and hoped. The chrysanthemum are perfect size and pattern wise. And as for the carnelian, well it IS the color I was thinking of. So you were drawn to the right one's. Love the amethyst shape too, I must say. Oh and thanks for the little extra Red Jasper! Thanks again. Garett 2-8-12
Hello, just wanted to say thank you so much for great customer service and I want to say that I am very thankful for this product that i ordered, the lady was very please and I am as well. I will continue to order from u as needed and I'll recommend your place to others thank you. Caroline 1-18-12
Hi Louise, Got our latest order the other day. Wow, you are fast!  I see what you mean about the moonstone but we are very happy with all the stones. Thank you for everything.  We really could not ask for a better online shopping experience. Sherwin 1-11-12
Hi Louise, I was away on holiday, and only received your parcel yesterday. I was jumping for joy as all the items are fantastic! Thank you so much for the care and quality of service that you provided. I am more than satisfied. Thanx again. Blessings, Theresa 10-20-11
Hi Louise, I will be excited to get my order. Love your website store and all it has available. Blessings, Lori 7-26-11
Thank you so much. I appreciate the quick service and notification. I will know where to purchase things in the future. Thanks again.   Val 7-20-11
Hi Louise, I received my order today and I couldn't be happier. thank you so much for the extra little gift in there. I looked around your site to see if there was anywhere I could leave a comment because I would recommend you to anyone who is thinking of ordering online and wants a safe and very pleasant experience. You have a true fan here and I will be ordering from you again. Dorothy 7-16-11
Thank you SO much Louise. As always, it is a pleasure to do business with you. I love your merchandise, I love how easy it is to use your website and I love how promptly you take care of your customers. Is there a place on the website where I can leave a comment? I would LOVE to let others know how WONDERFUL you are...
Blessings, Gina 6-12-11
Hi Louise, I just wanted to thank you so much! I received everything and love it all. I really love the oils. Thanks again Louise! Andrea 5-31-11
Hi Louise, I received my order today, I just want to thank you for the nice shipping of the goods . And also ... the gifts clear quartz and Pen. I will be a regular customer and recommend your website to other friends and colleagues. Blessings, Daniella 5-30-11
Thank you so much, and thank you for the tektite as This is my first piece. I bookmarked you site and I will be ordering again. Roslyn 5-2-11
Thank you very much for the great service. I will definitely be ording from you again. Teri 4-11-11
Very Pleased. I did receive the Gems and thought they were in wonderful condition and shape. I am very pleased with the way you handled the shipping and letting me know how to track as it got here. I do plan on ordering from you again very soon and have also told my friends on your wonderful Website.
Melissa 3-11-2011
Thank you again for all your help! I love getting shipments in from you lol. So shiny Liz 3-10-2011
I just received my stones this morning and I love them. The jade has the most beautiful coloring and dalmation jasper is by far thee most unique, I really like the breciated jasper, another unique stone   love the   bright coral-orange color. Thank you for picking out the most unique and beautiful stones, Bonnie   3-9-2011
Thank you for your letter, definitely I am very satisfied with your service, excellent! The product especially is very beautiful, nothing to compare to, it enrichs my collection already.
As you know, I am very fond of stones, especially this extraordinay one.
Keep in touch Lucy Feb 18, 2011
Greeting Louise, I have my package and I appreciate your fast shipping despite the horrible weather you had. I am going to pass along your website to my friends. Thank you again, Cheryl 2-8-2011
I just received my stones, and they are perfect. I was a bit worried about not being able to pick the stones myself, but the ones I received have amazing power and clarity that my normal supplier simply doesn't compete. Rare for me, at least to find such cheerful and determined sparklies. I will be coming back to you the next time I'm ready to expand my kit. Thank you, Liz 2-8-2011
The carnelian arrived and is quite lovely. Thank you again for taking so much time to search out just the right piece for me; that was extraordinary of you. I simply couldn't have done this by randomly ordering from some high-volume place. Dorothy 2-6-2011
Hi Louise, I just received my order and everything is beautiful. Thank you for your help and advise with my selections, I couldn't be happier.Thank you also, so much, for my lovely citrine, its just what I needed. I look forward to becoming a regular customer and I have forwarded your web site to my friends.
Sincerely, Julie 1-25-11
Thanks, Louise. Your prices are very reasonable, and your customer service is awesome..Dorothy 1-31-11
Dear Louise, I am writing just to thank you for the efficiency and excellent quality of your service. We received the email that let us know about shipment of our order in 2 separate packages. Today we were very happy to receive the package within 4 days of our purchase date. It was a pleasure to order the supplies through Raven & Crone. Blessed Be Jaroslaw 12-4-2010
I will continue to be a loyal customer I am always satisfied with the product and the emails letting me know are the best, they will keep me returning many blessings to you , Bonnie 12-2-2010
I must tell you how much I enjoy doing business with you. I tried a few other places but they were very slow in shipping and very impersonal - I like the service you provide and how friendly you are over email. It means a lot. A personal touch definitely keeps me coming back. Kate 11-20-2010
Dear Louise, I just wanted to say that you are great and that I appreciate your kindness and friendliness. I am definitely a fan and life long customer of Raven and Crone. You have excellant prices, extremely fast shipping and your one-on-one service is a rare and valuable thing and it will keep me coming back to you. Again, thank you for your wonderful "customer service," I appreciate you!
Blessings, Margaret 11-12-2010
Thank you, Louise!! Looking forward to the positive energy you and your stones bring. Always a pleasure doing business with you. Darlene 11-8-2010
I want to say- you have first class customer service! Thanks! Valerie 11-6-2010
Thank you for your pleasant and prompt service. Blessings to you as well! Sherry 11-2-2010
Hi Louise, I've just picked up my package. The stones are beautiful!
Thank you so much for the extra Quartz Crystals. Blessings from Guam 10-24-2010
Thank you for your assistance with the order. I appreciate how you deal with issues on a personal, direct level - unlike some companies where the customers are dealt through automated and indirect messages. Until next time...
Greg 10-22-2010
Thanks so much. I really appreciate your extra time and attention.Blessed Be, Cara 10-12-2010
I want to thank you again for enduring to persevere. Please consider me a friend cause I think of you that way. Jim 10-9-10
Thank you for all the personalized attention. That matters in business.
Ariel 10-7-2010
You are awesome and I have not even received my order yet. This kind of care will keep people coming back again and again though - I already feel a repeat coming on. Kate 10-3-2010
I just wanted to say thank you very much for the service. All of my needs were met, you gave me all of the information I needed, and thew package came discreetly shipped through USPS. I just got the package today and was very pleased with the service. Thanks again, Glenn 9-18-2010
Hi Louise, I received my stones a few days ago and I am just so grateful. Thank you so much for the extra stones. I really appreciate your generosity.
Blessings to you, Leah 8-31-10
Thank you. I received my order in a timely manner and that is much appreciated. The stones are beautiful. Thank you for adding the clear quartz free of charge, that was very thoughtfull of you. I will definitely be continuing my business with you in the future and I look forward to future purchases.
Amanda 6-10-2010
Louise, Thank you so much! Such prompt service!
Lesley 4-23-2010
I will always be a customer to you, I am very happy with your service and I love to chat with you here in there. You are a wonderful company! Blessings, Natalie 3-17-10
Thanks again Louise. Again, it's a pleasure purchasing from you, will definitely continue to do so in the future. Light and Love, Lane 3-5-10
Thanks again Louise, I look forward to purchasing from you again in the future.
Light and Love, Lane 2-10-2010
Thank You Louise, I just received the mug. I love it , it is co cute..lol. You are the best..will be shoping with you again Christine 2-1-10
Louise, Oh my goddess, thank you so much. I have purchase from a couple of place on line but I noticed that on your website had a lot of stones. Again thank you very much!! That was very thoughtful and that kind of service is very nice to see. I will make sure that our coven uses your web site in the future. Blessed be, Laurie 2-1-10
Dear Louise,
I received the last package thanks for the great service. It was a pleasure to have someone to get stuff from that is responsive instead of waiting or dealing with an automated machine. Blessed be. Christina 1-28-2010
Thank you! Your customer service is the best I've ever encountered - TRULY..
Stephanie 1-5-2010
I recieved my order and love everything. Thank you so much, I am so happy to have found your website.
Blessings,
Lori 8-23-09
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I soooo appretiate all of your help and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.
Blessed Be,
Rebecca 8-3-09
Thank you so much for your email, it is nice to see that a company still cares about their customers. You should be very proud. Light and love, Darlene 7-29-09
Thank you Louise. We rec'd the check. Really appreciate your promptness and fairness.Will def keep u in mind in the future. Sheila 7-28-09
Louise...I love that you contacted me to keep me updated...thank you! Jane 7-16-09
Dear Louise, Thank you so much for all your help. The etra attention is truly appreciated.
Thank you agian -it was nice speaking with you.
I am about to place my third order with Raven and Crone and I am so happy with their service and quality of product! Raven and Crone not only delivers the products promptly and correctly, the quality is top notch. I have tried other on line pagan shops without success. When I placed my first order with Raven and Crone, I was so impressed that I stopped shopping around and found a home for all of my pagan needs. Thank you Raven and Crone. Gina 6-17-2009
Greetings,
I just wanted to personally thank you for the consideration you have taken in my order. The gift box for the present was very thoughtful. I am very excited in awaiting my items. I will be ordering more in a week or two.
Again, thanks. Teri 6-2009
Thanks Louise
Your personal touch is very appreciated! Sheri 5-20-09
I am just glad I found such a user friendly site with lots to offer at really good prices.
Elisabeth 5-14-09
Hi Louise, I did get the package . They were wrapped wonderfully. The necklace is very beautiful. I had to email my thanks and I should be placing another order late this week. Myself and friend are ordering together. He likes the website also. Blessed Be. Teri 5-6-09
Hi Louise, Thank you so much for your prompt attention to my order! I truly appreciate it! You have a wonderful selection, an easy website to navigate and prompt response. I will definitely be ordering from you time and time again!
Thank you, Gina 5-5-09
Hey Louise, thanks for the fast service and help. Kevin 5-4-2009
I wanted to let you know that the necklace came today and it is beautiful!! I know that my Granddaughter will love it. Thank you so much for the wonderful items you offer and the very quick delivery.
Blessed Be
Sharonmarie
Hi Louise,
I just wanted to tell you how much I love the pendant I bought in my last order, the
triple moon with the pentagram in the center. I just love it! And thank you for
getting my orders out so quickly. I really appreciate it.
Blessings,
Terry
Hi Louise,
Thank you so much. I appreciate this greatly especially for going out of you way to accomodate my wishes, as far as putting a note on the outside of the package. You can be sure to seeing more orders froom us, whether it is from me abroad or my darling Wife in PA. Thank you for everything.
Blessed Be,
Jordan

Lammas, Lughnasadh Rituals, Spells and Activities

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:33:36 -0400

Date: August 1 or 2, or the first Full Moon of Leo
Lammas Ritual
For the Lammas ritual contained here you will need your regular altar supplies. It is appropriate to have corn husks, corn dollies, wheat and grain decorating the altar and the quarters. In addition you will need:
Parchment paper (or regular paper) cut into squares, enough for each person
Pens or pencils
Large eyed needles
Heavy thread
Slightly dried sweet corn or indian corn with which to make corn necklaces prior to circle
A large cauldron, or some type of container resembling a cauldron in which a fire can be made to burn the parchment papers. Corn cakes and mead or ale is very appropriate, can use apple juice as a good non-alcoholic substitute.
Lammas Circle Notes:
Use a yellow or yellow-orange altar cloth, and green, yellow, or orange candles. Decorate with bunches of herbs, sheaves of grain, ears of corn, and small baskets of fruit and vegetables. Burn Lammas Incense (See our Lammas Incense Recipes). Cast the Circle using the athame.
Lammas Circle Ideas:
Kindle a Lammas fire of herbs and wood to commemorate the Sun's passing. Say goodbye to the Sun by saying: "We thank You God of Sun and Light, for warming us from dawn 'til night. For fertilizing all on Earth, for bringing us Your cheer and mirth. For laughter, joy, and shining ray, for guiding us along our way. And as You go, we hold You dear, until the winter brings You near. And with the Yule You're born anew. Goodbye, dear Sun, we shall miss You." Thank the Mother for Her bountiful gifts by blessing the onions, garlic, and grain stables in your kitchen (flour, cornmeal, oatmeal, and so on). Line them up on the altar or counter, place your hands over them, and say: "We thank You, Mother, for these gifts, for meal and bulbs and that which sifts. Please bless these items with Your grace, and hold them dear within their space. So as we eat, Your blessings flow, within, without - from head to toe."
Bake magickal bread in celebration of the harvest. This doesn't have to be difficult or take all day. Just use frozen bread dough, and knead in a tablespoon or two of fresh herbs when it thaws (basil, oregano, dill, parsley, and chives are all good choices). As you eat the bread, say: "Cycle of Life contained herein, Birth and Death and Birth again. Help me to understand my role, in life, and help me cleanse my soul. So I may walk this path with ease, as I will so mote it be."
Make the corn dolly for next year's Imbolc. Just acquire three ears of corn and tie them together as directed in the Imbolc celebration ideas. Bless the dolly by saying: "Seeds of Life that burn and thrive, seeds of plenty come alive. By Sun and Earth this spell fulfill, become now Brigid, who melts the chill." Put the dolly in a safe place to await the Imbolc celebration.
Perform prosperity magick for the coming months by making a Witches' Bottle. Just gather together a small bottle with a tight-fitting cork, a fish hook, some clover, a bit of cinnamon, and a few coins. As you place the materials in the bottle, visualize money coming to you from all directions. Cork the bottle and seal it with a bit of wax from the altar candles, then enchant it by saying: "Money come alive and grow, pour down on me both high and low. By herb and hook and glass and coin, prosperity and I now join. Paper money and coins that shine, come to me, for you are mine." Bury the bottle near your front door. If that's not possible, set the bottle in a place where it won't be disturbed.
Harvest Spell author unknown
Set an orange candle on either side of the caldron. On a piece of small paper write the things you have harvested over the past year, light the paper from one of the candles and let it burn in the cauldron. After it is done put some corn or squash seeds in the cauldron. Stir" the seeds with your wand visualizing white light coming from the tip of the wand, filling the cauldron and entering the seeds. When you feel the seeds have absorbed their fill stop, put the seeds into another container to be kept on the altar until next years planting.
Solitary Lammas Ritual from: Secrets of a Witch
Materials:
chime
loaf of bread
candles
The Chime is rung three times. Say:
"I come to this space in celebration Within the Sacred Garden of the Gods.
The Sun God, He gives forth light and the energy of life to all.
Through the Goddess and from the Goddess All things grow and mature.
It is She who is the bearer of life and rebirth of the Harvest to come.
The land is full and must be tended. Let me now share Her bounty."
Break off a piece of bread and eat it. Prepare a candle for lighting, saying:
"I must open myself to change. To do so, I must abandon my faults, Refresh and vitalize the body and spirit, And embrace growth as I prepare for what is to become; For what the future holds, Yet for me to grow it is necessary for a part of me to die."
Light the candle, declare any faults you would like to be cleansed of, and stick the candle in the ground before you. The Energy Circle is raised and at its climax blow out the candle. After a moment of meditation, say:
"Out of the death of this small part of me, life begins anew."
The ritual is complete and the circle is released.
Lammas Bread Protection Spell
A book of Anglo-Saxon charms advised the crumbling of the Lammas loaf into four pieces and the burying of them in the four corners of the barn to make it safe for all the grain that would be stored there. You can use this old spellcraft in a protection spell for your home.
Bake a Lammas loaf, and when it is cool break it into four pieces don't cut it with a knifeand take one to each corner of your property with the words:
I call on the spirits Of north, and south, east and west
Protect this place, Now, at the time of the Blessing.
Leave the bread for the birds to eat or bury the pieces.
Lammas Bounty Spell
Lughnasadh; it is a celebration of plenty and optimism, and of nature's infinite bounty. It is the time of the first harvests, and it marks midsummer's joyous and fanciful energy. This spirit is celebrated, too, in Shakespeare's A Mid-Summer's Night Dream. To tap into this energy, gather a small bundle of long grass or reeds to braid, and light a white candle. Braid the grass as you speak this verse:
Fairies prancing in the meadow, Spirits in the corn;
Green Man is flourishing everywhere On this Midsummer morn.
Grains begin to ripen, All things bear fruit.
Summer glistens with possibility, Blossoms take root.
Fairies whisper secrets, Powerful blessings to see.
Cycles move and all around, they share their gifts with me.
Air to fire, Fire to water, Water to earth, Earth to air.
Elements feed spirit, And the circle glows.
At Lammas, day and night, We witness Nature's awesome might.
Growing full And blessing all,
'Tis Earth's celebration Before the chill of fall.
Now braiding this grass, I mark this day
Protect my hearth, With the abundance of grain.
The blessings of the Goddess come again;
Place the braid above my door. Hunger be banished now and then.
Blessings be drawn to this place, Summer's energy fill this space.
Air, fire, water, earth unite, And bless us all this day.
Activities that may be incorporated into the Sabbat ritual or engaged in during the day.
From: Green Witchcraft, Ann Moura
Make sand candles to honor the Goddes and the God of the sea. If you don't live near a beach, you can achieve the same effect by putting sand in a large box, adding water, and working from there. This is definitely a porch or kitchen job, and newspapers are recommended under your work area for easy clean-up. Melt wax form old candles(save the stubs from altar candles) in a coffee can set in a pot of boiling water. Add any essential oil you want for scent(or scent blocks from a candle supply store). Scoop out a candle mold in wet sand(you can make a cauldron by scooping out the sand and using a finger to poke three "feet" in the sand). Hold the wick(you can get these ready-made in arts and crafts stores)in the center and gently pour in the melted wax. Wait until it hardens, then slip your fingers under the candle and carefully lift it out and brush off the excess sand.
String indian corn on black thread for a necklace.
If the Sabbat falls on a rainy day, you could collect rainwater in a glass or earthenware container, add dried mugwort, and use to empower objects.
Create and bury a Witch's Bottle. This is a glass jar with sharp pointy things inside to keep away harm. You can use needles, pins, thorns, thistles, nails, and bits of broken glass; it's a good way to dispose of broken crockery, old sewing equipment, and the pins that come in new clothes. Bury it near the entry to the house(like next to the driveway or the front door), or inside a large planter.
Do a Harvest Chant when serving the corn bread at dinner: The Earth Mother grants the grain, The orned God goes to his domain. By giving life into her grain, The God dies then is born again.
Make a Corn Dolly to save for next Imbolc. Double over a bundle of wheat and tie it near the top to form a head. Take a bit of the fiber from either side of the main portion and twist into arms that you tie together in fromnt of the dolly. Add a small bouquet of flowers to the "hands," and then you can decorate the dolly with a dress and bonnet(the dress and bonnet may be made out of corn husks if you wish, or and cotton material is fine too).
Collect blackberries and make a fresh pie marked with the Solar Cross.
Have a magickal picnic with libations to the earth of bread and wine.
Sprout whear germ in a terra cotta saucer(these can be found in nureries for use under terra cotta flower pots). The sprouts can be added to homemade bread or used as an offering. Children enjoy planting the seeds and watching them grow, too.
God the grain, Lord of rebirth. Return in spring, Renew the Earth.
Make a Solar Wheel or Corn Man Wheel:
Turn a wire hanger into a circle(standard circle material for wreaths too), keeping the hook to hang it by. Make a small cardboard disk to glue the corn tips onto. You can decorate it with any design, for example, a pentagram or sun.
Place ears of Indian "squaw" corn(it is smaller than regualr corn and fits easily on a coat hanger)with the tips inthe center of the circle and secure with hot glue to the cardboard disk. Use eight ears for a Solar Wheel, or five ears for a Corn Man. If all the ears of corn meet just right you won't need the disk, but if they are uneven the disk is helpful. Wrap a bit of the husks of each ear around the wire on either side of the ear of corn, leaving some to stand out free from the corn. Let dry overnight and hang on the front door.
Other activities:
bake breads, make preserves, canning
make corn dollies (burn previous years, and bury)
bless tools
make corn necklaces
spells for money
prepare house for fall
corn husking contests
Corn Husk Dolls
Corn dollys bring health, wealth and general prosperity to the land or property owner. A simple ritual could include writing a special wish with a marker onto the dolly (good health for a friend?) and burn the dolly.
Items Needed:
Corn husks
Large bowl of water
Twine or string
Scissors
Old pieces of fabric
Watercolors or markers
Glue
Soak the cornhusks in warm water for an hour, until they become pliable. Gather several of the damp husks and then tie them together with a piece of twine about ½ inch from one end. To make the head, hold the knotted end in one fist, then fold the husks down (as though you were peeling a banana) so that they cover the knotted end. Smooth out the husks to make a face, then secure them with a piece of twine around the doll's neck. To make the arms, roll up a single husk and tie it off at both ends. Position the arms up between the husks, under the doll's neck. Smooth the husks over the arms to form the chest and back then cinch in the waist with twine. For a skirt or legs, arrange several husks, inverted (like a skirt that has blown up over the doll's head) around the waist. Secure with twine, then fold the skirt down. For legs, divide the husks into two parts, tying each bunch at the knees and ankles To make clothes, hair, hats or other headpieces, glue on little pieces of fabric You can use markers and watercolors to give the illusion of facial features. Glitter can be added as well as any other decorations to the Corn Husk Doll.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Harmony, Peace, Inspiration Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:40:56 -0400

A Spell for Harmony and Peace
In a violet-colored cloth with a pleasing pattern, place a purple candle. Next to it, place a small, flat dish of salt. Light some lavender incense and breathe deeply, then let out your breath in a lovely tone. As you breathe and intone, light the candle. Still your voice and draw a pentacle in the salt as you say:
By air, fire, water, earth, and spirit
Hearken my prayer, all those who hear it.
Let there be peace and let there be harmony.
Blessed be.
Wild and free.
Chant the verse nine times, and then return to your single tone. Breathe deeply and envision being filled with this peace and harmony. Extinguish the candle in thankfulness. By: Gail Wood
A Lavender Dream Spell
Lavender is a great herb to use if you wish to work sleep or dream magic. It is especially good if you wish to induce a psychic dream. To do this, you'll need some fresh or dried lavender (both flowers and foliage), a small square of white fabric, lavender-colored ribbon, and an amethyst crystal. Perform this spell in the evening. First, crumble some of the lavender onto the fabric and tie into a bundle with the ribbon. Place this beneath your pillow, and set the amethyst crystal near your bed. Smolder the rest of the lavender in a dish and scent your bedroom. As you get into bed, think of your question. Expect a vivid dream. If an answer isn't revealed, wait a week and try again. By: James Kambos
Inspiration Jar
Purpose: To bring on inspiration. For creativity.
Ingredients:
Mason jar
Small crystal
Dried orange peels (two-thirds)
Dried mint (one-third)
2 drops orange essential oil
1 drop mint essential oil
Square piece of black cotton fabric
Rubber band
Orange fabric paint or orange acrylic
Orange ribbon
Note: The colour orange is the colour of creative energies. The shading (how dark or light the orange is) that you use will denote the level of creative energies you wish to channel. A dark orange will take you deep into the creative energies while a light orange is less intense.
Moon cycle: No moon cycle is selected for this spell because all phases of the moon hold different levels of creative energies, including the dark moon. If you follow moon phases, ch oose the cycle that fits your purpose best. Gather ingredients. With a clean and dry jar before you, place the mint first and then the orange peels inside, filling it up about two-thirds of the way. Add two drops of orange essential oil and one drop mint ssential oil. More if you are using a large mason jar. Stir ingredients together. Take the small crystal in your hand and say something such as:
"Creativity Come to me
In whispers and dreams
And visions that gleam."
Place the crystal inside the jar with the potpourri. For the lid, cover the opening of the jar with black fabric so that the side of the fabric hang down over the edges about 2 inches. With a pencil, mark the center top of the fabric. Take the fabric off the jar, lie it flat on a hard surface. Using orange paint, acrylic or fabric paint, paint on a spiral. While the paint is drying, cover the jar temporarily with a lid so that it doesn't get spilled.
Spiral: The spiral is a symbol of the dance of life. It shows the continuous cycle of ourselves going inward within ourselves and our psyche, and then going outward expressing ourselves.
Black: The black fabric in this spell is used as an absorption colour. Black absorbs all colours, all energies. By placing the orange spiral on this we are signifying just what those energies are that the black is absorbing, all creative energies. Once the paint is dry, place the fabric on the jar once again. The spiral should now be on the centered top of the jar's mouth. Holding the fabric in place, wrap the rubber band around the sides to hold it in place. Next, tie the orange ribbon overtop of the rubber band. Keep this inspiration jar in your work area, where you do your writing, painting, drawing, or keep it by your bed to bring on inspiring dreams. From Hearth and Home Witchery
Releasing Intense Emotions Spell
Perform this easy spell to calm yourself when dealing with intense emotional family or other issues. By ridding yourself of this excess emotional energy, you will allow your mind and body to stay healthy during this stressful season.
Ingredients:
a piece of unlined paper
a pen
a black candle
a bowl of purified water
sea salt
Spell:
Light the candle. On the paper write down any fears, frustrations, or concerns you may be feeling. Let the words come flowing from inside you, do not hold back. If you feel like saying the words aloud as you write them do so. Once you are finished fold the paper up and burn it in the candle flame. After you burn the paper, dip your fingers in the water and sprinkle yourself with it while saying:
"I release these words, I release this tension, I release this negativity from my life" You're done!
Recharging Spell
Draw upon the energy of Earth and Sun when you need to recharge. Gather a tiger's eye stone, a small container, and some olive oil. Holding the stone in your hand, imagine it glowing from within. Place it in the small container and add enough olive oil to cover it. Set the container in a spot where it will feel the Sun's warmth but not be disturbed, and leave it for seven days. After seven days, remove the stone, wash it gently to remove the oil, and carry it with you. When you need to recharge a bit, hold it gently in your hand and imagine that glow moving up your arm to engulf your body, lending you the stored solar energy. From Spell-a-Day, 2007-2008 Almanacs
EMOTIONAL HOUSEKEEPING
Emotions are the seat of sensitivity within our spiritual bodies. Emotions are a spiritual guide, and becoming aware of them and their influence is vital to any living spiritual path. For this spell, light a blue candle and anoint your neck with lavender, jasmine, or rose oil. Put yourself in a meditative state of mind and think about the role emotions play in your life-to what extent are you in control of your emotions, and to what extent do you feel they control you? Next, take some herbs associated with the element water and sprinkle them at the base of the candle. Cup your hands around the flame and say something like:
As this candle burns, I attune my soul to emotional awareness. I vow, from this day forth, to truly monitor and become aware of my emotions as I experience them. I recognize my emotional body as a profound spiritual vehicle that deserves the utmost care and compassion. So mote it be.
Going forth, stay true to your vow and reinforce it when necessary.
This post was written by Raven Digitalis on March 04, 2010

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Addiction-Bad Habit Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:29:11 -0400

Addiction Spell
Most of us don't have the will power to overcome addictions on our own; if we did, addiction wouldn't present the dilemma that it does today. No matter the nature of your problem, please get professional help. Then use the following ritual to help rid yourself of any urges to continue unhealthy behavior patterns.
Ritual to Overcome Addiction you will need:
paper and pencil
chrysoprase tumbled stone
wide-tipped black marker
orange calcite or quartz tumbled stone
green candle
fireproof dish or small cauldron
matches or lighter
cloth bag (optional)
hematite tumbled stone
Write your addiction on a piece of paper, then mark through it with a heavy black line. Put it aside. Inscribe the candlewith your name. Light the candle and say:
Healing Ancients, I ask of Thee Take this pain away from me. Remove any trace of this addiction, And heal me of all related afflictions.
Hold the hematite to your forehead and say:
Grant courage now and healing power Strengthen my will hour by hour.
Place this stone on the right side of the candle. Lift the chrysoprase to your forehead and say:
Stone of joy and happiness Put my urges now to rest.
Place this stone on the left side of the candle. Hold the orange calcite or quartz to your forehead and say:
Amplifier of energies Magnify their powers, please.
Place this stone in front of the candle. Stand in front of the altar and turn your hands palms up. Say:
Powers of the Earth unite, Bind the powers of this addiction tight, So it will have no hold on me, As I will, so mote it be!
Take the paper in your hands and say:
Chains that bind me, now break free, I am power, strength, and resiliency, I have the courage to overcome This addiction-go now-run! Begone from me! Do not return! Your power over me, I burn!
Light the paper with a match or lighter, then burn it in the fireproof dish, saying:
By flame of Fire, I'm purified, Of your delusionary lies. I'm free of you and all the strife, That you once cast upon mylife. am healed now. 1 am free. As I will, so mote it be!
When the candle has completely burned out, carry the stones with you either loose or in a cloth pouch. Repeat the ritual as often as necessary to get control of the problem. By Dorothy Morrison
Getting Rid of Bad Habits
What You'll Need:
A black candle
Anointing oil
Something sharp to inscribe your candle
If you don't have a favorite oil for anointing candles, I would suggest an oil with strong banishing energy, such as: rosemary, sandalwood, clove or cedar.
Instructions:
Cast your circle as you usually do. Use your burin (or other implement) to write in the wax what habit you are trying to banish. Anoint the candle with your oil. Light your candle, and repeat the following words:
Unwanted habits, please be gone.
Leave me when the candle is done.
Candle burn to remove all ill.
By the power of my will.
Repeat several times as you concentrate on your habits burning away, like the candle. Let the candle burn out on it's own. You should do this spell during the waning moon phase, on a Saturday, or both, if possible. From:pythorium.com
Release Bad Habits Spell
Author: Kristin Madden
Springtime is the perfect time to release yourself from unwanted habits and negative energy. To release bad habits, cook with an onion. Before beginning breathe the energy of the earth into the knife. As you cut the onion, say to yourself:
"Here I see into my core and accept myself for all that I am, and I release that which no longer serves me."
If there are specific habits you want to eliminate, visualize them as you cut the onion. Energize the pan as you did the knife. As you cook the onion say:
"Heat of fire, heat of life; Transform these habits before my sight."
Visualize your bad habits transforming and see the patterns you prefer filling the onion and the other food. Give Thanks for the blessing of change and release as you eat.
Banish and Resolution Spell
What you need:
2 peices of paper
ink pen
cauldron, or fire safe dish
candle holder
1 black candle
1 white candle
What you do:On the first peice of paper write a list of all you want gone or to change in your life. On the second peice of paper write out a list of positive goals, achievements, and happenings that you can visualize or see coming to you this coming year. When ready take the black candle and place it in your cauldron and light it and burn the negitive list saying...
"take my burdens from my mind
leave afflictions far behind
help me ease my irksome strife
and bring forth balance to my life."
When you feel the moment is right put out the candle but be sure paper has burned away. Now light the white candle, and read out the positive adding the following...
"I see all of these goals and blessings coming to me, By (your Goddess's name here) grace, so mote it be."
Keep the white candle going till it goes out as a small offering for the Goddess's help. Keep the list of positives on your alter, and read them over every New Moon to keep the spell empowered. When something on your list comes to be, be sure to give an offering of thanks and graditude for the blessing that you have recieved. From Halloween by Silver Ravenwolf
Bury Your Old Self Spell
by Robert Place
If you are bothered by an aspect of your personality that you would like to let go of, then take a new potato and a knife (or your athame) and carve the potato into an image that represents the aspect to you. At midnight, take the carved potato our into a field (or wherever you can find relatively undisturbed dirt) and bury it in the ground. As you do, repeat these words:
"With this image, I
consign this aspect of
myself to my mother the Earth.
As this image returns to the Earth,
this aspect of my personality
dissolves into my psyche
and is transformed into
new capabilities"
You're done. As the image under the earth dissolves, so will the quality you want to be rid of!
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Luck and Success Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:46:52 -0400

Mojo Luck Spell
This provides a charm to carry with you at all times
You will need:
1 fireproof container
1 charcoal disk
1 cream colored pillar candle
1 bunch of dried white sage
Dried Juniper Berries
1 teaspoon honey
1 spool red cotton thread
1 small white pebble
1 small red velvet drawstring pouch
Spell is best done on the sixth night after a new moon,when the moon is visible. Cast your circle, light charcoal disc and sprinkle with Juniper Berries. Smooth honey onto the top of candle, avoiding the wick. Light the candle saying:
"Hear me, I stand between the light an the dark
Between a high place an a low place
An none that inhibit these places
May gainsay or cross the luck I seal within."
Next measure the circumference of your right wrist with the thread. Knot it into a bracelet,an place it in the pouch. Cense the stone with Juniper berry smoke, and place it in the pouch. Put three sage leaves in the pouch. Light the remaining sage with the candle and allow it to smolder. Using sage smoke cense the mojo bag saying:
"All within is pure an safe
That within is that without
That without is that within
Let the charm begin"
Seal the bag immediately. From the book"The Spells Bible" By Ann-Marie Gallagher
Meditation for Luck
Choose a small green candle, or a color that says "luck" to you. (Or use white for all purpose). Anoint the candle with the oil, working towards you (drawing luck to you) with one or both hands. You can also lightly anoint yourself if you desire. While anointing your candle, state your purpose, mentally or out loud. Example... "I charge this candle to bring me luck!" Place the candle in the holder and light it. Sit in a comfortable position where you can view the candle. As you watch the candle, think of the kind of luck you're looking for. No either close your eyes or watch the candle and meditate on luck, imagine a four-leaf clover, imagine luck swirling all around you, radiating from your skin. Do this for 15 min. or longer if you wish. You can snuff the candle out when you're finished, or let it burn out on it's own. *For safety purposes, never leave candle burning unattended* From Thyme for Herbs and Aromatherapy author Sunny
Bad Luck Banishing
Sometimes, it seems that in spite of our best intentions and efforts, things just are not running in a positive manner. Often we attribute this to a run of bad luck-but the cycle can be broken. In a small draw-string pouch, place a couple of pinches of each of the following: angelica root, African ginger, fennel seed, holy thistle, clove, and basil. Add a small piece of citrine and secure the bag. Place the bag on your altar before a white candle. Light the candle and repeat three times:
As these words are spoken, Bad luck is broken.
Bad luck will now flee; From its influence I am free.
Bad luck goes out the door And troubles me no more.
Leave the bag on the altar until the candle burns out naturally, then carry the bag near your heart for seven days.     By Winter Wren
Oil for Luck
2 drops patchouli
2 drops sandalwood
2 drops carnation
1 drop juniper
Mix essential oils in 1/2 Ounce carrier oil (Almond, Grapeseed, Safflower, Olive, etc) Wear when you feel you need luck, or do the candle meditation below.
Lucky Oil:
1/2 of the oil should be pure Olive oil, 1/4 part Myrrh oil, 1/4 part Jasmine oil. Anoint feet before putting on shoes you will wear in a situation where you want to feel lucky.
THE 7 DAY LUCK SPELL
Items you'll need:
Black 7 day candle, Water, saucer, paper.
Fill your saucer slightly with some water. On a piece of paper write the things you most desire, (like love, money, a job..) Fold that up and put it on the saucer (yes, in the water). Now put your 7 day candle on top of the paper and light it. Each night before you go to sleep visualize your desires being obtained. On the seventh day, snuff out the candle and dispose of it by getting it away from your property. This spell can be customized by using different colored candles, pink or red for love, purple for spirituality, and so on. The black candle is used for "breaking through" those obstacles that are preventing you from your desires.
Candle Spell for Success By Ember
To dissolve blockages standing in your way at work, school, or in your personal life, find a yellow, gold, or white candle. With a toothpick or crystal point, carve a symbol into the wax that identifies the area where you desire success. Visualize obstacles and imagine them dissolving in the candle flame.
Chant the following as many times as you like:
I will succeed
my goal is near.
I will succeed
my way is clear.
Allow the candle to burn out.
Business Success Basil Spell
You will need:
flower pot
basil seeds
soil
water
9 pennies
Fill the pot half full of soil. Using a clockwise motion, form a circle with the pennies, placing them one at a time on top of the soil. As you place each penny, say:
Money grow and join in force, Bring new riches from this source.
Cover the pennies with soil until the pot is full. Plant nine basil seeds, chanting with each one:
Basil seed, as you grow and sprout My business shall prosper within and without.
Water the seeds well, and place the pot in the room where most cash transactions occur. Wrap your hands around the pot and say:
Copper, earth, and seeds, I now enchant,
I transform you into a money plant.
Grow lush, bring cash, bring success to me.
As I will so mote it be!
As the plant grows, so will your business. From Dorothy Morrison's Everyday Magic

SPELL FOR GENERAL SUCCESS!
Supplies:
1. Leaves from the Ash tree
2. A small sword or large knife
3. A large open place outside where you can work undisturbed
The Spell:
Scratch a circle in the ground with your sword or knife large enough that you can work within it without stepping out accidentally. Place the sword or knife on he ground in the center of the circle so that the blade is pointing East. Stand in the center of the circle with the Ash leaves in your hand. Face to the East and hold the leaves high and say,
" Elementals of the Air, bring me Knowledge and the creativity to use it!".
Then throw a few leaves to the East.
Then face to the South, again holding the Ash leaves high, and say,
"Elementals of Fire, bring me the energy to change myself for the better!".
Then throw a few leaves to the South.
Now turn to the West, hold the leaves high and say,
"Elementals of Water, shower me with true love and healing!"
Throw some leaves to the West.
Turn to the North, leaves held high, and say,
"Elementals of Earth, bring to me all forms of prosperous success!
Again, throw some leaves to the North.
Now turn to the East again and throw the remaining leaves straight up into the air as high as you can and say,
"All those who help me shall be richly Blessed! For Them and Me, comes only the best!"
Now wipe out the circle and you're finished! From Kristi at Pagan Promises
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Healing Rituals

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:37:56 -0400

Violet Healing Spell
Tools Needed:
Purple paper
White yarn or string
scissors
Fresh Violets (whole with stems in holder or vase)
Black pen
Purple candle
Instructions:
This is best done when the moon is full, but you can do it whenever you feel it necessary. Light the candle and fill the small vase with water. Place the freshly cut violets in the vase and say a chant, focusing on the well-being of the person and the healing of their ailment. Cut a heart out of the purple paper and write the name of the person on one side, and a short but heartfelt "Get Well" message on the other side. Poke a small hole in the top right side of the heart and thread the white string through it, tie it, and attach it to the vase. Give the little vase of violets to the target person and await their recovery.
Health and Vitality Spell
Cut a circle from a white or yellow piece of paper. Write on the paper the words Health and Vitality. Add any specific health issues you wish to deal with, and in the center of the paper place a bay leaf, a small amount of cinnamon, and three grains of rice. Fold the paper into a packet to hold the ingredients. Take the packet in hand for a moment and concentrate on your healing intentions, sending that energy into the package. Place the paper in a fireproof container and light it on fire. As it burns, say;
"Sacred fire,
I pray to thee,
Release all bonds
And set this free-
That health and vitality
might come to me."
Spell for Healing a Pet
Please consult a Vetinarian, this spell is in addition to proper vet care

Mix some healing oil, using:
6 drops Lavender oil
6 drops Camphor oil
6 drops Rosemary oil
1/2 ounce base oil: apricot kernel, jojoba, grapeseed, even olive oil

Anoint a black candle, a red candle and a brown candle with this healing oil. The black is for absorption of the negativity - the illness, the red is for strength and health, and the brown is an "astral" or "significator" candle for the animal. Place the brown candle between the black and red candles, and make a ring of stones around the set-up, using stones or crystals that you associate with healing (amethyst, quartz, agate...you choose whichever type or combination of types). Place some of the oil in your hands, and begin to rub them together, generating heat and energy. When you feel that you've built a small "bundle" of healing energy, place your hands on your pet, stroking it and giving it the healing energy you've built, making sure to concentrate on any areas where you feel or sense the illness. Focus on the candles, continuing to maintain contact with your pet, and visualize the strength from the red candle pouring into the brown candle, and pushing all the sickness into the black candle. Attune with the Goddess, and when you've got a good grip on the visualizations above (and the animal!), say:

"Goddess, with your healing touch
Bless this animal we love so much.
God, with beasts as your domain,
Remove the sickness, heal the pain.
So mote it be!"

Continue the stroking and energy flow until you feel that the spell is done, then allow the animal plenty of time to rest and heal. Obviously, if you wish to perform this spell in a cast circle, that's your choice. If you wish to continue the spell for a number of days (I'd suggest at least 3 days), and your pet has a special place where it rests or "lives" (such as a cage, etc.), ring this area, if possible, with the stones, place a red candle on one side of the area and a black candle on the other (anointed with the healing oil); focus on the red candle and project its energy into area with your pet, visualizing the illness being pushed out the other side, since there's no room for it, and into the black candle. Rub the oil onto your hands and stroke it into - onto the animals body as often as you feel necessary.
Blessed Be! author unknown

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Cleansing Clearing Rituals

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:34:00 -0400

A CLEANSING RITUAL
1 tbls bicarbonate soda
5 drops essential oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp. good oil, such as sweet almond
½ cup sea salt
Stir the soda, essential oil, lemon juice and oil together and then blend in the salt. Dissolve in the bath water. Light 4 candles (colors of your choice) and place at the 4 corners of the tub. Step slowly into the bath water, feeling it envelopearound you. Close your eyes. Visualize yourself laying on the surface of the ocean. There is nothing around you, you are alone and at peace. Feel the warmth of the sun beating down on you. Say either out loud or quietly to yourself:
Be Comforted, All is well Now you are blessed.
You have life to nurture and nurture you.
Be calm. Be easy. Be Comforted. You are blessed.
Magical Cleaning
It stands to reason that our magical tools should be cleansed periodically, and the waning Moon is the best time for that task. Gather up your tools and place them on a clean cloth away from your altar. Assemble a bowl of salt water, a burning smudge incense blend, a smudging feather or fan, some clean cloths and a white candle. Light the white candle and invoke your guardians. Begin a methodic cleaning of your tools, wiping down with salt water those that can be exposed to water without harm, and then passing them through the smoke from the smudge while focusing on clearing and cleansing them from unnecessary influences. For items that cannot get wet, pass them three times through the smoke from the smudge or hold them near to the smoke while directing it with the feather or the fan. Thank your guardians and return your tools to their proper places. By: Winter Wren
Cleansing Your Crystal
Several ways are suggested:
*Place it under the light of a full moon/sun for 24 hours.
*Bury it in the earth (make sure you mark it!), for 24 hours.
*Place in Sea Salt Water. One teaspoon of Sea Salt in a glass bowl in cool water. Place the crystal in the water. Make sure the crystal is covered with water. Let this bathe in the water for 24 hours. This is a wonderful way to rejuvenate the power of your crystal. It washes away the negative energy it has absorbed and recharges it with the positive healing energy again.(Note: Some crystals should NOT be washed/cleansed in salt water/sun for it changes their physical properties(not their metaphysical properties), they are listed below:
Not to be cleansed in Salt Water:
*Calcite
*Carnelian
*Labradorite (Spectrolite)
*Lepidolite
*Moldivate
*Opal
*Turquoise
*Ulexite
*Use caution only with the softer Mica and crystaline stones
May fade in Sunlight:
*Amethyst
*Celestite
*Opal
*Turquoise
*Smudge your crystal with sweetgrass, sage, cedar or incense. Pass the crystal several times through the wafting smoke.
*Place your crystal on a large crystal cluster for 24 hours.
*Soaking your crystal in flower water with the petals of the flowers such as rose, honeysuckle, orange blossoms for 24 hours will cleanse the crystal of all it's negative energy.
Crystal Clearing
Crystals are another precious gift of Mother Earth. It is not necessary to have a new crystal for every purpose or working. Crystals can be reprogrammed to new uses with just a bit of forethought and planning. When a particular working for which you have charged a crystal is completed, under a waning Moon, collect up the crystals no longer in use and thank them for their energy in your working. Clear them by first smudging them with sage and cedar smoke and then cleansing them in a salt water bath followed by a good rinsing in clear, running water. Place the cleared crystals in a windowsill where they can receive light from the Moon as she passes through her cycle. After a full Moon cycle, the crystals are once more ready to be charged with a new purpose and a new working. By: Winter Wren
Fresh Air Spell
This spell is to create a room-cleansing mist to cleanse a space of negative energy and create a positive atmosphere. Make a "tea bag" by adding equal parts of rosemary and sage to a piece of cheesecloth. Tie the bag and toss it into water that is just at the brink of boiling. Allow this infusion to steep until it's partially cooled. Remove the cheesecloth bag and pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle. Sprinkle in a few drops of peppermint and orange essential oil and add a sprig of dill and a pinch of sea salt. Place the bottle on your altar or a table and allow it to cool completely. If you wish, make a circle of quartz crystals around it and focus your intent on specific issues you wish to manifest. Spray the mixture into the air of any room you would like to freshen with positive energy. By Ember
Spring Psychic Housecleaning Spell
In March the forces of nature begin to stir. The brook beyond my garden is free of winter's grip and the water is rushing again. It's time not just for spring cleaning, but for psychic housecleaning as well. Over the winter our homes may collect unwanted energy. By using some of nature's elements we can ritually cleanse our living space. Begin by opening all windows and doors to let the spring air in. Go through your house and pour bottled spring water down each drain. Visualize trapped negativity being rinsed away. Light a pale blue candle that you have blessed, and moving clockwise about your house, pause at each door, window, and fireplace. Use your power hand to trace the shape of a cross or pentagram before each opening. End the ritual by placing some potted hyacinths in a special place. They have a protective quality and will bring the scent of spring indoors. By: James Kambos
Room Candle Cleanse

You need:
White candle
Holder of salt

Place the candle in the middle of the room. Sprinkle the salt in a circle deosil around the candle. Light it and say:

Creature of wax, Creature of fire,
Listen to me, Hear my desire
Cleanse this room By the power of three
And blast away all negativity
With harm to none So shall it be !

Leave to burn for at least 1 hour.

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source. Some information is from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Love Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:45:56 -0400

Freyas Love Spell by Ellen Dugan
Combine the energies of the waxing Moon phase and the loving energies of a Friday (which is Freyas day and connected to Venus) in your spell work. This is the opportunity to work a spell that draws romance and attraction into your life. It also boosts your own confidence as well. To begin, light a pink candle and repeat the charm:
Rosy pink candle
Burning warm and bright,
Lend your magic to mine
On Freya's night.
May I walk in beauty
Each and every day,
Bring romance into my life
In the best possible way.
Self-Love Bath
To bring love in your life, you need to love yourself! Draw a warm bath and add Epsom salts, baking soda, and/or sea salt. Light tealight candles around the tub and bathroom and bring your favorite crystals and shells to bathe with you. Before entering, add a few drops of several essential oils: vanilla, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, rose geranium, and/or patchouli. Rose, jasmine, and neroli are costly, so go easy if you have them. Roll a towel behind your neck, moisten it, enter the bath, and relax! Visualize the Goddess cleansing away all old energy and opening all of your chakras-the red and orange ones for passion and sensuality; the yellow one for self-esteem and the ability to receive; the green-pink one for easily feeling emotion, gratefulness, and ability to give; the blue one for crystal-clear expression of your truth; the indigo for trusting your intuition; and the violet one for allowing your connection with Spirit. Think about how the Goddess loves you and since you are a perfect expression of the Goddess, know that you love yourself! If you don't have a date elsewhere, make a date with yourself-watch a movie, read a book & pamper yourself! By: Calantirniel
Attraction Oil:
Equal parts of Rose oil, Lavender oil, Vanilla oil, and Sandalwood oil. Touch to pulse points when in the presence of the one you want to attract.
Spell to Rekindle Love
1 sheet parchment paper
empty wine bottle with cork
red pen
1 3-inch by 5-inch piece parchment paper
2 12-inch lengths red ribbon
Write the following poem on the paper in red ink, but do not sign your name. Include a meeting place and time beneath the poem. (You might want to make the meeting place a public area like a nice restaurant, bar, or dance facility. Unfortunately, stalkers live in our world, too, and a secluded area may frighten the object of your desires.)
My heart had searched with every beat
For love aflame with fiery heat,
For love as soothing as the sea,
For love I was not sure could be,
Until the day that I saw you
And foolish fear took wing and flew!
Meet me, please-the time and place
You'll see upon this very page
And I shall guarantee your pleasure
My love, my cherished, valued treasure
Roll the paper sheet into a scroll and tie it with the ribbon. Put the scroll in the bottle and replace the cork. Write the following message retrieval instructions on the small piece of parchment paper:
Uncork and turn me upside down.Tap my bottom firm and sound.
The scroll will slip away from me,
So that its message, you can see.
Fold the paper in half and punch a small hole in the upper corner of the folded edge. Thread the ribbon through the hole and tie it around the bottle neck. Send the bottle by courier. By Dorothy Morrison from her Everyday Magic Book
Charm for True Love
Materials
1 red candle
1 pink candle
1 small piece rose quartz
6 strands of your hair
1 tablespoon love-attracting potpourri see above
Red charm bag
Light the candles and visualize your true love coming to you. See both of you enjoying a loving, romantic, and fun-filled life together. Then place the stone in the bag, saying something like:
Stone of love, now be a guide Bring my true love to my side Be a beacon day and night Bring my true love into sight Place the strands of hair in the bag and say something like:
Six strands of hair, 1 offer, too To draw the one whose heart is true, That she (he) shall know but with one glance
That we were meant for true romance.
Place the potpourri in the bag and say its related chant, then place the bag between the candles until the wicks burn out. Carry the bag with you. By Dorothy Morrison
Relationship Charm Spell
On the night of a waxing Moon gather a pink candle, two rose petals, lavender oil and a small china plate. Cast a circle and light the candle. Contemplate the flame as a symbol of love's light. Place the rose petals on the plate and add three drops of oil while saying:
"Love's truth burns bright,
I welcome my soul mate on this night."
Tip the candle to drip wax onto the petals, enough to form a coin sized token. Mold the wax and the petals together. Keep this token safe for six Moons then bury it beneath a rose bush.
Love-Attracting Potpourri
Materials:
2 tablespoons dried, crushed rose petals, preferably red and or pink
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon or 1 crushed cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon dried orange peel
6 drops vanilla oil
Mix all the ingredients together while seeing your perfect love being drawn to you like a magnet. Then place your hands over the mixture, palms down, saying some-thing like:
Come to me now, perfect love By Sea, by Earth, by Sky above Feel the Spark now in your heart As this essence now imparts Knowledge of my presence here Come at once to me, my dear Repeat the chant five more times, then pour the mixture in a bowl and place it in your bedroom. Alternatively, use the mixture as a simmering potpourri by adding one tablespoon to a small pot of water.
Relationship Release
Chant the following as you anoint an appropriate colored candle with oils and burn corresponding incense. If using a plain white candle artists acrylics can be used to paint colored symbols. As the candle burns the spell will be released.
"Bond be broken
Soul be free
In the Old Ones name
So mote it be!"
Penny spell for love

The use of a penny in this spell may need some explanation.
Older pennies are made from copper, and copper is the metal of the
planet Venus and of the element of Water; both loving energies.
That's why a penny is used here.
To smooth the path of a rocky relationship, visualize you and your
mate enjoying happy times, giving full attention to your love.
Pour energy into this penny that you hold in your projective-right
hand if you are right-handed or left if hand. Then toss the
penny over your right shoulder into a well while saying:
Coin of the realm, metal of Venus,
Ensure that naught will Come between us.
Strengthen our love, This magical day,
This is our will and this is our way.
NOTE This will be effective only when both parties are attempting to
improve the relationship.

From Earth, Air, Fire & Water by Scott Cunningham
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Divination

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:31:40 -0400

How to Use a Pendulum
By: Richard Webster
Finding a lost pet and determining whether or not food is safe to eat are two excellent examples of what the humble pendulum can do. Although most people know of the pendulum, few people use it regularly to enhance their lives. Part of the reason for this is that it seems too easy. I have met countless people who used a pendulum once or twice and then put it away to experiment with things that appeared more exciting. Many years ago, I met a man who had used a pendulum to help him decide on a suitable career. Although he had followed the pendulums advice, and was happy with his choice of career, he had never used it again. When I asked him why, he muttered that the pendulum seemed too simple, and he would probably have chosen the same field anyway.
Of course, even though a pendulum is simple to use, it still takes practice to become good at it. You can buy pendulums at any new age store, but any weight suspended on cord or chain will act as an impromptu pendulum. Choose something that weighs at least three ounces and attach it to four to six inches of cord.
Hold the cord between the thumb and first finger of your right hand, if you are right-handed. (Use your left, if you are left-handed.) Rest your elbow on a table and allow the pendulum to swing freely an inch or so above the surface of the table. Stop the movement of the weight with your free hand. Then ask the pendulum to move in a direction that means "yes." The pendulum may start moving immediately, or it might take a while to indicate a positive response. When it starts, it will either move from side to side, backwards and forwards, or rotate in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
Yes or No
Once the pendulum has indicated "yes," stop it again, and then ask it to indicate "no." Follow this by asking for "I don't know" and "I don't want to answer" responses.
Now you can ask the pendulum questions that can be answered with these four movements. Start by asking the pendulum questions that you already know the answers to. You might ask it if you are male. Ask if
you live at your current address.
After checking your pendulum in this way, you can proceed to ask questions that you do not know the answers to. Start by asking questions that you can check later on. The correct answers that your pendulum provides will give you confidence as you continue to experiment.There is no limit to the types of questions you can ask once you become proficient with the pendulum.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Auras

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:12:21 -0400

Exercise for Seeing an Aura
Ask a friend to sit or stand against a plain background.
Stare at your friend for a few moments and allow your eyes to drift slightly out of focus.
Close your eyes and notice the grayish shape of your friend temporarily imprinted on your retina.
Open your eyes again and look at your friend once more. Do this for a few moments.
Now close your eyes again and concentrate on what is going on around the gray figure. You will start to see lights and colors swirling around it.
When your eyes are open again, you may still see something of this aura hanging around this person, but you may always find it easier to see with your "third eye" rather than with your real eyes.
Author Unknown
Unleashing the Power of your Aura
Most magical folk are familiar with the aura, the field of light energy that surrounds the human body, and know that it can be read to determine disposition, character, or illness. What many do not know is that the aura can be temporarily programmed to reflect the color of your choosing. This is done for a variety of magical and mundane needs, such as helping alter your mood, giving you a boost of energy, or projecting a desired image to others. Even people who are not psychic, and who vehemently do not believe in the existence of the aura, unconsciously pick up on the color changes if you project them strongly enough.To alter your auric color, close your eyes, relax, and allow yourself to feel grounded and centered. As you do this, focus on the color you want to project, then begin to feel the core of energy at the center of your being expanding as this color. Keep up this visualization for about five minutes, or until you feel that you have sufficiently colored the light field around you. The results will be temporary and, depending on how much energy, and how far you are deviating from your natural auric color, the effect should last between twenty and sixty minutes.
Red: Project red when you need a boost of energy, when you want to let off steam, or are preparing for an athletic event. Keep in mind that others may perceive a red aura as stress or anger.
Orange: Project orange to attract attention to yourself, or when you need a boost of energy but do not feel you can handle the intensity of red.
Yellow: Project yellow when you need to bolster your creative self or when you are deep into intellectual pursuits, such as studying for an exam. Others who sense the yellow aura will likely view you as being very smart.
Green: Project Green when you need a calming influence. The color sense will be picked up by others around you, and you may find that you not only calm yourself, but your entire environment as well. Try on a green aura when you are gardening to help you merge with the energies of the plants.
Blue: Project blue when you are attempting any spiritual pursuit or when you suffer from insomnia. Those with blue auras are perceived by others as being balanced and selfless people, impressions that make this is a good color to work with when applying for a job in a service-oriented industry.
Indigo: Project this blue-violet when attempting any psychic work. Others who perceive this color will see you as being dreamy and not completely "with it." Avoid indigo when on the job hunt or any other time when you need to appear competent.
Violet: Project violet when attempting to heal yourself or others, or when you are working with visualization to ward off a bad habit. Those who pick up on your violet aura think of you as a person of intense emotion--ever hear of a purple passion?
Pink: Project pink for peacefulness, when trying to stir up a romance, or when you wish to appear non-threatening.
Peach: Project peach when you want to turn your attention outward to other matters. This can be useful to help overcome depression or when you need to put aside an issue for a while and let things work themselves out. Peach auras are perceived by others as being compassionate, making this is a good color for health care professionals to use when dealing with difficult patients.
Brown: Project a brown aura when you are working earth magic or magic for animals. Be aware that others sense brown as being dull-witted and even untrustworthy, so avoid carrying them into the workplace or anywhere else where first impressions matter.
White: Project white when you want to go unnoticed. White appears very neutral to the psychic eye as it tends to camouflage itself against the other energy fields that surround us. It is sometimes even hard for trained psychics to pick up on white auras.
Gold: The color of success in one or more areas of life. Dark gold shows greed, while a pale, beautiful gold indicates a growing awareness of the person's right to be successful. Author Unknown
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Wiccan Bath Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:56:33 -0500

Frankincense Bath Kisses
These lusciously scented kisses are a bath time luxury. Melt one ounce cocoa butter and 2/3 ounce shea butter available in most health food stores) in a microwave, then add 1/3 ounce sweet almond oil and 1/8 teaspoon each frankincense and sweet orange essential oils. Pour into small candy molds and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from molds. Place one or two kisses into hot bath water. Store the rest in a zip lock bag in the freezer. From: AromaThyme.com
Maple Oatmeal Soap
Difficulty level: 1, adult supervision required
1 bar Ivory soap, grated
oatmeal
a little maple syrup
soap molds
Mix soap, oatmeal, and maple in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Pour into soap molds, let cool.
Lavender Bubble Bath
1 bunch Lavender
1 large bottle clear organic shampoo
5 drops oil of Lavender
Clean wide-neck jar with screw top. Place Lavender head down in the jar. Cut down to fit. Add shampoo and Lavender oil. Close and place in sunny window. Strain and re-bottle. Use 1 tbsp. in a bath.

Lavender Mineral Bath
½ cup dried sea salts
¼ cup Epsom salts
¼ cup dead sea mineral salts
40 drops lavender essentail oil
Mix all ingredients well (adding essentail oil last) store in a glass jar or tin and use ¼ cup per bath.
Lavender Bath Bomb
Things You'll Need:
Citric acid
Baking soda
Dried lavender
Lavender essential oil
Food coloring
Almond oil
Molds
Waxed paper
Airtight container
Step 1.
Stir together 1/2 cup of citric acid, 1 and 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of dried lavender. It may help to powder your dried lavender with a mortar and pestle before beginning.
Step 2.
Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 tsp. of water to the mixture. You can add about 5 drops of food coloring to brighten the presentation.
Step 3.
Drizzle almond oil slowly into the mixture, stirring constantly. Add the oil slowly, using between 2 and 6 tbsp. You have added enough oil once the mixture holds together in a ball without crumbling.
Step 4.
Pack the bath bomb mixture firmly into lightly oiled molds. Once the mixture has set for a minute or two, tap your bath bombs onto a sheet of waxed paper and allow them to dry thoroughly. Once dry, store your finished lavender bath bombs in an airtight container.
Moon Bath Salts
1 cup salt
10 drops sandalwood oil
10 drops lotus oil
1/8 tsp. powdered orris root
Mix together well and use 1/2 cup per bath.
Secret Garden Bath Teas
Makes one tea bag.
1 tsp lavender flowers, dried
1 tsp rose petals, dried
1/2 tsp lemon balm, dried
1/4 tsp rosemary, dried
1/8 tsp spearmint, dried
4 drops lavender Essential Oil
2 drops rose Essential Oil
1 drop patchouli Essential Oil
Mix well, put into heat sealable tea bag.
Verbena Bath
Vervain leaves (4 stalks worth )
1/4 cup Honey
Few Dabs Florida water or other perfume
1-1/2 cups of water
Blend all ingredients in a blender. Combine this in a gallon jug and fill with warm water. Stand in shower and dump mixture all over, then just towel off. Its an invigorating herbal wash that is great after ritual or when you feel slightly off kilter.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Wiccan Craft Ideas

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:11:00 -0500

Make your own herb broom, salt jar or spell box. Learn how to witch your home. We hope to add many ideas here.

Make An Herb Broom
Note: source unknown
Collect handfuls of plants to use such as:
Yarrow
Cedar
Juniper
Fruit tree sprigs
Oak tree sprigs
Birch or ash sprigs
Bundle plants together and tie, cut ends together. The bundle may be Tied to A Branch if a longer handle is desired. Use the broom to sweep away Negativity And to sweep your magic circle clean.
A SACRED SALT JAR
source unknown
This is not only great to have for oneself, but it makes a nice gift to someone special if you happen to know what scents they like or stones they like. Since what you put into it is "yours", it is like giving a part of yourself, too. This mixture is excellent to charge stones in and to "simmer energies". I've had mine blended for years now and it has actually become quite powerful in itself. Once it has blended for a few months, a pinch can be added to rituals, etc., bath water or as a gift to Mother Earth. You can also make a "starter salt" as a gift for a friend. You can also give of your own sacred salt mixture to a special friend to help blend powers and energies when they make their own sacred salt mixture. The mixture should be made and kept in a covered stone or Earthen jar, but can be made and kept in a covered glass jar until you find one that is suitable. I actually discovered that I like the glass jar as I can see the stones and all in it every time I walk past it. There are thoughts on what kind of salt to use. Some use rock salt, some Earth salt and some sea salt, some even use normal table salt. I used sea salt in mine. Whatever salt you use, make sure that it is "natural" and not iodized. You blend the salt with chopped or ground herbs, tiny crystals, small stones, nuts seeds, jewelry, locks of hair, ground incense and a few drops of your favorite oils.....anything that you wish. Even rose petals and other flowers. It so happens that I saved a lock of my son's hair from his first haircut. A bit of that is in my sacred salt mixture also. When I have cleansed and charged stones and crystals by Sun and Moon, I place them in this mixture to store until I wish to use them or give them as gifts. Often, I will simply take the top off and inhale the fragrance and feel much the better for doing so. Of course, the larger the jar, the more things you can continue to add.
Inspiration Jar
The purpose is to bring on inspiration. For creativity.
Items you will need:
1 mason jar
1 small crystal
dried orange peels, two thirds
dried mint, one third
2 drops orange oil
1 drop mint oil
a square piece of black cotton fabric
a rubber band
orange fabric paint or orange acrylic paint
orange ribbon
***Note: The color orange is the color of creative energies. The shading of how dark or how light the orange is that you use will denote the level of creative energies you wish to channel. A dark orange will take you deep into the creative energies while a light orange is less intense.
Moon cycle: No moon cycle is selected for this spell because all phases of the Moon hold different levels of creative energies, including the dark Moon. If you follow Moon phases, choose the cycle that fits your purpose best.
Instructions:
Gather all items. With a clean and dry jar before you place the mint first and then the orange peels inside, filling it up about two thirds of the way. Add two drops of orange oil and one drop mint oil. More if you are using a large mason jar. Stir ingredients together. Take the small crystal in your hand and saying these words:
'Creativity
Come to me
In whispers and dreams
And visions that gleam.'
'So mote it be!'
Now, place the crystal inside the jar with the potpourri. For the lid, cover the opening of the jar with black fabric so that the side of the fabric hang down over the edges about 2 inches. With a pencil, mark the center top of the fabric. Take the fabric off the jar, lie it flat on a hard surface. Using orange paint, acrylic or fabric paint, paint on a spiral. While the paint is drying, cover the jar temporarily with a lid so that it does not get spilled.
***Spiral: The spiral is a symbol of the dance of life. It shows the continuous cycle of ourselves going
inward within ourselves and then going outward expressing ourselves.
***Black: The black fabric in this spell is used as an absorption colour. Black absorbs all colours and all energies. By placing the orange spiral on this we are signifying just what those energies are that the black is absorbing, all creative energies.
Once the paint is dry, place the fabric on the jar once again. The spiral should now be on the centered top of the jar's mouth. Holding the fabric in place, wrap the rubber band around the sides to hold it in place. Next, tie the orange ribbon overtop of the rubber band. Keep this inspiration jar in your work area, where you do your writing, painting, drawing, or keep it by your bed to bring on inspiring dreams. Source Unknown
Spell Boxes
Spells are cast by constructing a spell box, which are enclosed altars or tableaux. In general, a spell box is filled with power items necessary to achieve a goal, although you should follow directions given for specific spells. It may be a cumulative spell done in increments: items are gathered one by one and added to enhance the power of the box. Sometimes a special box lends itself to a magical or spiritual goal. The box itself can become an intrinsic part of the
spell.
Attach and incorporate the power items to the box itself, such as charms, beads, shells and feathers. Paint images on the outside or inside of the box to correspond with the spells goals. Embellish with sigils or other symbols using magic ink, henna or other natural dyes. From Hearth & Home Witchery
Protection Box
You will need:
heather, sage, pine, or cedar incense
a box
white wrapping paper
a sprig of rue
a holly leaf
a tiger's eye bead
a piece of dragons blood resin
Scotch tape
a pen with red ink
Light a stick of heather, sage, pine or cedar incense. Hold the box over the smoking incense to thoroughly saturate it with the scent.
Hold the herbs, bead, and resin in your hands. Charge them with energy, focusing on protection and safety for all who dwell within your household. Visualize a web of protective light encasing your home. Then put the ingredients into the box and close the lid. With the pen, draw protection runes on the box, and wrap it in the white wrapping paper. Hold over the smoking incense again and say:
Amidst the Autumn's darkest nights
Our home be bound by brilliant light
A web of hope and joy and peace
Be woven now, all danger cease
By watchful eye, by lock and key,
Protect our home, so mote it be.
source unknown
Make Your Own Set of Worry Dolls
Worry dolls are commonly used in Central America by children, but this doesn't mean that adults can't use them too!The legend states that if you tell one of your worries to each of your worry dolls before you go to bed, then place the dolls under your pillow and continue to sleep with them there, then by the time you awake in the morning, the doll's will have taken your troubles away (or at least lessen them!).
To make worry dolls, you will need:
toothpicks
several colors of embroidery floss or yarn
craft glue
small wads of paper
1. Wind embroidery floss or yarn, in the colours of your choosing, around the toothpicks. Do each arm and leg first. A touch of tacky glue or paste holds the ends of the embroidery floss in place.
2. A small wad of paper separates the legs and forms the base of the head.
3. Attach arms and legs to the body of the doll with some more twists of your thread.
4. Wind the yarn around the top of the wad of paper to make the heads. (you may want to create facial features, but this is up to you!) Add some loose peices of yarn to the heads to make hair.
It is better to make an entire set of the dolls, each with different "costumes" , as it is likely that you'll have more than one worry! 5 or 6 of the little worry dolls should be sufficient! It is common practice to keep your worry dolls in a little straw box, but you may keep them in a bag or purse if you wish! Worry dolls also make a nice little gift for friends and family! author unknown
Witching your Home By Tirgereh
Hang a set of chimes outside your door or a bell. Ringing bells and chimes are said to ward off and dismiss negative energies.(Which is why we do so at the end of rituals, in some traditions) This will also dismiss any mischievous fairies, I'm told!
Place an upright (bristles up) broom near the entry to your home. Any Spirits intent on harm will have to pass through the bristles in order to get to you and yours.
Place a bowl of magnetic oil charged water in your room to soak up the negativity. Float candles in it to make it a little less obvious and use black stones or black glass marbles to purify.
Place a witch's bottle filled with tacks, broken glass and ceramic, etc, behind your door where nobody can really see it. You can use a ceramic or colored glass bottle to make it less conspicuous.
Place amethyst near your door, or use something decorative with a bit of amethyst on it. Hanging an amethyst ring or cluster on a wreath or similar seasonal item makes your home more festive and helps keep things focused and clear for you, as well.
Place a small guardian totem such as a dragon or gargoyle and explain it's duties. People will just think you like statues of animals, usually.
You can inscribe a rune of protection into your doorway, or place a rune somewhere behind something, if you want to be secretive. Talismans such as the SATOR Square work well for this.
Place a dream catcher in your window to catch bad dreams before they come to you. Also try a broom under your bed, if you can't find a dreamcatcher. An athame placed between your mattresses will 'cut' the ties between yourself and old bad dreams so they cannot come again.
If you can, buy a small goldfish bowl and a small fish. Fish are lucky in Asian mythology and bring wishes. It can never hurt to pamper a small animal for good karma!
Place a small element altar (make sure to use weather proof items) outside; a bowl to collect rain water for the birds, a chime to catch the breeze, a bird feeder and a candle to light in the evenings. (Catholic candles work well for this). An outdoor God or goddess statue will complete your altar.
Never allow a mirror to face or reflect a doorway or window. If yours does, move it if possible. If you cannot move it, use a SATOR square or similar protective talisman. Mirrors are doorways and should not be taken lightly in a witch's room.
Fairy Water
Use this fairy water out in the garden as well as using it as an astringent and in the bath! Sprinkle a few drops here and there along with some glitter! If that doesn't make the wee ones want to visit
your yard, nothing will!
Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup fresh red rose petals
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/8 cup sage leaves
1/2 cup rose water
Gently heat vinegar and pour over rose petals and mint and sage leaves. Place in a covered jar and let stand, shaking daily, for 2 weeks. Decant and strain the mixture. Add rose water to the vinegar.
Decant into decorative bottles.
NOTES: Vinegar-based floral waters make fine astringents for your face and also may be added to bath water. Use as a refreshing after bath splash, sprits for an air freshener, or uncover and let the
fragrance refresh a room. From Making Glorious Gifts from Your Garden by Marie Browning
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

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Ritual, Casting Circle, Elements

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:39:37 -0500

The Five Elements ~ Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Akasha
By Jill Stefko
Elements and directions are important in Pagan tradition and magickal practice. Each of these has specific attributes and is part of the Tarot and astrology. According to Western European Pagan traditions, the four traditional elements correspond to the four directions. There are Native American tribes that also share this belief. Akasha, according to some practitioners, is the spiritual power of the universe and fifth element.
Fire
This element creates and destroys. It can't exist without demolishing something and transforming it into another form such as ashes, smoke, heat and light, therefore, it has to be controlled. Fire purifies, energizes, cleanses and is forceful. Its energy is projective, masculine, and the colors are red or white. Its powers are used for courage, protection, energy, strength, creativity, increasing one's personal power and banishing negativity.
Direction: South, Okaga Ska*, place of growth, rejuvenation and youth
Elemental spirits: Salamanders and Firedrakes (fire breathing dragons)
Archangel: Michael
Season and time: Summer and noon
Tarot suit: Wands or Swords: As with Air, there are two different interpretations, according to sources
Astrological signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Totem: Thunderbird
Spirit Keeper of the South: Shawnodese**, Coyote
Keywords: Pita's*, Eternal Life
Earth
This is the densest of the elements and is the mother who sustains life. Its energy is receptive and feminine. The element's natures are fertility, grounding, stabilizing and nurturing. Its energy is used to attract prosperity, abundance, grounding, career and fertility. Its colors are green or red.
Direction: North, Luta*, the place of renewal, wisdom and the grandparents
Elemental spirits: Gnomes
Archangel: Ariel also called Uriel
Season and time: Winter and night
Tarot suit: Pentacles
Astrological signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Totem: Turtle
Spirit Keeper of the North: Waboose**, Buffalo
Keywords: Maka's*, renewal
Air
This element is the power of movement, intelligence and refreshing. Movement sounds and flying are manifestations of Air. Energy is masculine and projective. Attributes are intelligence, travel, freedom, knowledge, recovering lost items and study which are used to attract these qualities. Its color is yellow.
Direction: East, Gi*, the place of clarity
Elemental spirits: Sylphs
Archangel: Raphael
Season and time: Spring and dawn
Tarot suit: Air or Wands
Astrological signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Totem: Butterfly
Spirit Keeper of the East: Wabun**, Eagle
Keywords: Niyan*, Life Force
Water
Healing, cleansing, psychicism and loving are associated with this element. Energy is receptive and feminine. Water is used for purification, psychic growth, peace, love, friendships and dreams. Its colors are deep blue and black.
Direction: West, Sapa*, place of meditation
Elemental spirits: undines, nymphs and merfolks
Archangel: Gabriel
Season and time: Dusk and autumn
Tarot suit: Cups
Astrological signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
Totem: Frog
Spirit Keeper of the West: Mudjekeewis**, Bear
Keyword: Minis*, creativity
Akasha
The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "kash" which means to shine or radiate. It's also another word for Spirit, the omnipresent immutable source of all energy. It's the domain of promise, potential and paths to be traveled. The energy permeates the Universe, the primal source that creates and nourishes the elements. Colors are white, purple and black. Akasha is transcendence. Elemental spirits are angels. Much else about this spiritual element is, yet, unknown or undefined. While some other traditions recognize this element, Akashan Witchcraft is a new tradition. * Lakota Sioux ** Chippewa
Moon Phases
***********
Waxing: Waxing to Full is the time to cast invoking spells that draw situations to you.
Full Moon: The Full Moon is the time to focus on culmination of spells cast dururing the Waxing Phase; it provides the strongest power of invocations.
Blue Moon: Anytime a single month has two full moons in it, the second full moon is referred to as a Blue Moon. This moon is considered stronger than a regular full moon. (spells can be done for this moon as the full mon but it also is the time to honor all dieties, healing and to strengthen your wishes also before I do any Spell Work I ask for the banishing of all things negative to bring forth light from the darkness).
Waning: Waning to New is the time to banish and release things from your life (to take apart or let go of).
New moon: The New Moon is the time to examine hidden issues; to plan for new beginnings and bring secrets to light. Some Witches will not do spell work on this phase but I find it a wonderful time to do some Dark Mother Rituals and spells to uncover secrets about a certain situation. Also a good time for Scrying-Divination work.
Black Moon: Any time two New Moons occur during a single month, the second New Moon is referred to as the Balck Moon and considered to be stronger than the regular New Moon.
There is some ancient moon knowledge that is not frequently taught to Witches or anyone else. There are two periods of the moon that are more powerful in many ways than either the Full or New Moon. These are Two Midway Points, or quarters which are about 7 days after the both the New and Full Moons. The Druids knew of these power points and used them for centuries. Halfway between the New & Full Moons, the moon is between the worlds of light and dark, this is more powerful than any other time of the month. Gray Witches can use these midway points for some of their most potent magical spells. The first midway point between the New and Full Moons, is almost equal blend of light and dark energies, with the light energy holding a slight edge. This time is useful for Full Moon magic that has not produced satisfactory results. This is a time for possitive magic that may need a dose of dark energy to break through the resistance such as healing or prosperity spells & contacting those who are deceased. The second midway point, falls between the Full and New Moons, a balance of light and dark energies. The dark energy is slightly stronger at this point. Witches can use this energy to break through barriers to success, remove psychic attacks and resistance to ordinary magic, or push ahead projects that have stalled.Both midway points are very powerful and are not to be taken lightly. They are also powerful for serious divination & trance work. The 2 power points are tremendously powerful and if what you are asking or the spells you are doing does not work at any of these times then either it isn't to be or you need to rethink-change your spell in some way. We all know that the Universe brings things about in all good time as it sees fit so be patient and don't get dicouraged.
EARTH ENERGY AND MAGICK
Everything in the universe has energy, both living and non living. These energies exist in varying strengths and speeds of flow. They range from energy used in a very mundane way such as electricity to energies that are harder to understand and harness such as kitetics and telekinetics. The ability to use magick is simply the ability to understand and manipulate these flows either Consciously or Subconsciously. Those who are born with these abilities do not yet
possess the Subconscious - Spiritual growth necessary to recognize and use these energies that lay beyond the Mind - Conscious accessibility. Those who are able to move spiritual energies consciously, such as in telekinesis, have developed and learned to control the connection between Spirit and Mind that makes manipulations possible.
However, it is possible to "see" these energies and still not possess the ability to manipulate them. Proof of the ability to manipulate these enegies, even to oneself, is elusive at best. Those who possess the strenght of spirit and Faith to question the possibilities reasonably and in a neutral fashion will more easily develop the honest ability to know the difference.
Some happenings are merely coincidence. You must be willing to admit to yourself what is reasonably coincidental and what is not. For example, gathering energy to cause rain can be done. You called. It rained. What is the possibility that it was going to rain anyway? How many times has thise exercise been successful for you? In order to understand and use magick you must be willing to ask these questions and answer them honestly. This is not a lack of faith or confidence. It is merely an exercise to prevent self delusion and therefore solidify your faith and confidence. An honest assessment of your own abilities is fundamental to spiritual growth.
Exercise: Keep a detailed note book of magickal attempts that had results. Including questions about the possibility of coincidence. Consider it a beginner Book of Shadows. This will become a valuable aid to seeing your own growth as well as where your strengths and weaknessess lie. Written by Twylyght_Dreamcaster Excerpt from Book of Shadows
Eleven Things Every Witch Should Know
By Phyllis Curott
1. Magic is what happens when you open yourself to the Divine. All real magic is a manifestation of the Divine - it is how you co-create reality with deity.
2. The Divine is within you and is everywhere present in the natural world. And everything is interconnected by this sacred energy.
3. Wicca is not about information -- it's about transformation, so practice, practice, practice -- and do it as much as possible in Nature! Witchcraft enables you to commune with divinity and to manifest your destiny, your desires and your highest and sacred self.
4. The real ethics of how Witches live and practice magic are simple: Witches live in a sacred manner because we live in a sacred world. We therefore treat all of life with reverence and respect.
5. Because all magic flows from our connection to the Sacred, our lives and our magic, must be guided by the sacred nature of the energy with which we work.
6. The energy Witches work with is not neutral -- it is divine love.
7. Magic often works in unexpected way because it is not a mechanical process, and the Universe is not a machine. You are living and making magic within a divine, organic, living reality.
8. Witches don't command and control -- they commune and co-create.
9. The real secret of successful spellcasting, as with all of magic, is your connection to the Divine power that dwells within you, and surrounds you. And spells do work so be careful what you ask for!
10. Nature makes the Divine tangible. By working, living, and practicing your magic in harmony with Nature, you are in harmony with the Divine.
11. The ultimate teacher is the God/Goddess inside you and in the world of Nature all around you.

Thirteen Goals of a Witch
From the book "Wicca" by Scott Cunningham
1. Know yourself
2. Know your Craft
3. Learn
4. Apply knowledge with wisdom
5. Achieve balance
6. Keep your words in good order
7. Keep your thoughts in good order
8. Celebrate life
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
10. Breathe and eat correctly
11. Exercise the body
12. Meditate
13. Honor the Goddess and God
Bath Time Spellcraft (cleansing bath before ritual)
By: Raven Digitalis
Take a magical bath? Baths are both physically and spiritually cleansing, and are essential for any Witch or magician. Bathing is purifying on many levels, and the ritual of bathing can quite easily become a magical act. This evening, plan to take a magical bath. Take time to gather certain salts, oils, and herbs (perhaps put these in a muslin bag) to add to the bathwater. Choose some candles, the colors of which should be aligned with your metaphysical purpose for the ritual. Choose also some incense that is spiritually aligned. As you lay down in the warm water, say something like: "I now enter the warm and cleansing womb of the Great Goddess. I enter sacred space to purify my body and mind." Follow this with a ritual, meditation, or resonating chant. You may wish to call upon spirits of healing, connect to the undines, or cleanse and realign your chakras.

Casting a Circle
Cleanse your mind and picture the energy of the universe and nature mixed with your energy. Imagine yourself glowing purple, white or orange, whatever works for you. While facing North point your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you use towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise (right) around the circumference of the circle. Imagine a sphere forming with you inside it, half below the ground and half above.
Closing a Circle
Close the circle by picking up your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you used to cast it and walk to the corner at which you started. Point at the boundary of the circle and begin to walk counter-clockwise (left) until you complete the circle. While you're walking visualize the circle disappearing and the energy flowing back through the tool. When you are finished say "The circle is open, but unbroken."
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Samhain Rituals and Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:32:08 -0500

Samhain Ritual
Edain McCoy
For this ritual you will need to have on hand photos of your deceasesd loved ones or items of theirs if possible. Also and unlit candle, matches, and if you wish to do divinations or spirit contact after the ritual, you'll need those items on hand also.
When you are ready too begin you should cast your circle as usual and invite your deities. Say:
Blessed be the season of Samhain.
The time of the wise Crone Goddess.
The night of the death of the God.
The night to celebrate the nearness of the spirit world.
Spend a few moments standing quietly inside your circle allowing your thoughts to dwell on the meaning of this SAbbat. Move to the photos or items of your passed over loved ones and stand before them. Say:
Dearest loved ones, tonight the passing of our God makes a veil which
separates us thin. Come now to my circleside and join the celebration.
Light the remaining candle on your altar to light the way for the spirits. Spend a few moments sensing their presence. Now address each one individually. say things to them you wish to say, and then fall silent to try to feel their response.
When you feel the time is right, take up both the God and Goddess candles. Say:
Tonight the Goddess and God belong to separate worlds, divided by the
thin veil which separates the world of the living from the land of the dead.
Blow out the God candle to signify his death, and replace both candles on the altar as far apart as possible. Say:
Blessed be the Crone Goddess,
sorrowfulin her mourning,
Blessed be the Aged God,
beloved of the Summerland.
Now you may do what ever other working you'd like. Close the circle however you wish
Solitary Samhain Ritual
Author: Erica Frank
Tools needed:
A knife (must be sharp)
Apples or Grapes (pref. room temperature or warm)
Pomegranate (pref. chilled)
God and Goddess Candles on the altar
Small serving dishes
Call elements, Cast your circle. Invoke deities by saying:
"Gaia, who nurtures all life, send your son Pan, Lord of the fields and flocks. May he join me in celebration and revelry."
Light the God Candle and say:
"Pan, master of beasts and rough, primal forces--enter this circle; share your wild abandon! Bring to us joys and lusts; bring the last kiss of summer before the cold of winter. Join me, Pan! IO EVOE!
Face Altar Saying:
"Ouranous, who rules the heavens, send your daughter Hekate, She who guards against the terrors of the night. May she join me in celebration and reflection."
Light Goddess candle and say:
"Hekate, queen of night and the restless spirits--enter this circle, share your peace and wisdom. Bring calm and endurance; bring guidance through the winter until the days grow warm. Join me, Hekate! IO EVOE!"
Cycling of the year:
Take the blade, and grapes [or apple]. Cut into fruit (apples or grapes); place on a plate, and offer it upwards & then hold it in front of you.
"I eat this last fruit of summer. May I be filled with the warmth that has ripened this fruit on the vine [or tree]. May I taste the sweetness of life in the sun."
Eat, and pause to think about the end of summer. Place knife on altar. Say:
"Summer ends. Winter begins. The fields lie fallow, and the beast sleep in their homes. The Lord passes the mantle of guidance to the Lady as the nights grow cold and long."
Take blade & pomegranate. Cut into it, place on plate; offer it upwards, then hold it in front of you.
"I eat this first fruit of winter. May I feel the chill that ripened this fruit in the rind. May I taste the richness of life hidden away."
Eat, and pause to think of what winter will bring.
Worship & prayers:
Say: "Hekate Apotropaios, averter of evil--control the wrath of the dead, whose spirits cry out for vengeance, and who may lash out at anyone they can reach. Protect the living from their rage. Hekate Chthonia, lady of the underworld--you have dominion over the hostile spirits who wander; guide them to their resting places, and seal the gates between the worlds. Hekate Phosphoros, light-bringer--bring us light and guidance as we stand in this doorway, this transition between peace and war. Let your torches show us the truths hidden in the shadows; lead us out of this darkness."
Remembrance & contemplation:
"I now remember and honor those who have died this past year."
Face altar, and mention someone who has passed in the last year that you will miss. This does not need to be someone you know personally. If you have incense, light a stick and wave it in a circle, or put another pinch on the charcoal for each person you mention. (Or light a candle.) If you have a token of the person (an item of theirs, or a photo), place it on the altar.Continue until you've had the chance to remember as many people as you care to. Pause. Simple Feast--cakes & wine, or whatever you want. Thank and release the Gods and Goddesses:
"Pan, lord of the fields in summer, thank you for your presence, for sharing your joy in life. Before you depart to your winter realms, I drink deep in your honor" [raise cup, drink, spill some in libation bowl, set it down & raise hands over head]... "Hail Pan! Hail & farewell!"
"Hekate, lady of night & magic, thank you for your presence, for extending your protection. Before you depart to take up your winter duties, I drink deep in your honor" [raise cup, drink, spill some in libation bowl, set it down & raise hands over head] "Hail Hekate! Hail & farewell!"
Open the circle, Dismiss the elements
Samhain Blessing
Ancestors hear my voice, know my heart,
I think of you at the season's start,
Descendant from your honorable tree,
I am a proud member of your human family,
Come to me from beyond the veil,
Share the wisdom that you entail,
Please bestow your gentle blessing,
And accept these humble offering.
(c) Cat High
Eve of Samhain Spell to Connect with the Spirit World
Get a white candle, matches, and a mirror for this spell. At dusk, go to a haunted area or a place you feel the spirits are especially powerful. Make contact by walking about and allowing your mind to roam. Light your white candle, and stare into it saying:
Clear as midnight,
the spirits are bright.
Ghostly curiosity
brings you to me.
As a form takes shape,
I am not asleep.
Spirit awake,
take your shape.
Let the candle flicker. Glance into the mirror, and look past your shoulder. Do you see mists or lighted balls in the reflection? This is how ghosts typically appear. Return to the area on the next three nights. Take some pictures. At home, place your mirror facedown. Mirrors trap spirits. Some spirits will track you as you search for their reflections. If you want your ghost to leave, just say so. Follow this up by putting a broom over your transom and burning sage.
Spiritual Path Reaffirmation
During the Witches' New Year, or Samhain, take time to stop and evaluate your faith and beliefs. Make a sacred ritual or retreat out of this evaluation. Light white candles and burn sandalwood, myrrh, or frankincense. Brew a cup of herbal tea. Sit down and ask the God and Goddess to guide you on your path. Write down your beliefs in a journal or your Book of Shadows. Some questions you can meditate on are: What is life? How do I view the universe? Why am I here? What affirms my spirituality and what lessens it? How can I bring spirituality into my everyday life? After writing, you can create a statement of faith based on your answers to the questions. Recite what you write by candlelight for the universe to hear. Rediscover and rededicate yourself to your spirituality.
Samhain Prosperity Spell
Pass a skull (plastic or wax), some pumpkin spice and some dried pumpkin seed, a large white plate, a small bowl, a black bag, and a gold cord through incense smoke. Mix the seeds and spice in a bowl and stir counterclockwise to banish negativity, clockwise for the blessings of your ancestors. Place a list of your ancestors on the plate, and set the skull on top, sprinkling it with the seed and spice mixture. Hold your hands over the skull asking that your ancestors bring harmony and prosperity into your life, and cover the skull with the bag for seven days. On the seventh day, place the spice, seeds, and skull in the bag, and tie it all securely with the gold cord. Place it in the west part of your attic or basement.
Pumpkin Prosperity Spell
from "HALLOWEEN, spells, customs and recipes" by Silver Ravenwolf
If you need to harvest a little money this Samhain season, try this
spell. You will need:
    1 small (not miniature)-sized pumpkin
    The amount of money you need, written on a piece of plain white
    paper in green ink (if you don't know how much you need, give a rough
    figure, but don't make the request outrageous - the universe works
    to ourneeds, not necessarily on our wants)
    1 bag fresh dirt
    7 dimes
    7 pumpkin seeds from this pumpkin
    7 ounces of rain water or water from a steam (no tap or bottled water)
    Pencil
    Lodestone, Optional
Cut the top off the pumpkin in a scallop design (to aid the flow of money to you). Clean out the pumpkin.. (Save the seed for other magical work.) Remember to keep 7 seeds for this spell. Place the pumpkin in the refrigerator until Halloween Eve. One-half hour before Halloween Eve (not after), bring out the pumpkin, the piece of paper with the
dollar amount you need written on it, the dirt, dimes, seed, and the water. Place the paper in the bottom of the pumpkin. Pour in the dirt. With the end of the pencil, make seven holes in the dirt in a circular pattern (keep the
holes at least one inch apart). Hold the first dime in your hand and think about the amount of money you need. (Important, do not think negative thoughts about the money you need, no matter how desperate you are.) Keep
the dime in your hand until it grows warm and you feel good inside. With the pencil, push the first dime in the hole that coincides with 12 o'clock. Follow the sameprocedure going clockwise, with the other six dimes. (if you happen to have a lodestone hanging around, bury it in the middle of the dirt.) Now,starting at the 12 o'clock and going clockwise, pour 1
ounce of water into each hole. When you are finished, hold your hands over the pumpkin and say:
   "One dime for beginnings
    One dime for drawing
    One dime for growth
    One dime for stability
    One dime for banishing negativity
    One dime for luck
    One dime to seal the spell.
    So mote it be!"
Bury the pumpkin on your property the following night one half hour before midnight (no later).
Halloween Charm Bag For Drawing Money
from "HALLOWEEN, spells, customs and recipes" by Silver Ravenwolf
You could make a bunch of these to use as Witchy Party favors at your Samhain party.... Write the instructions and ingredients to the charm but provide each guest with the orange bag. Okay here we go..... you will need (per charm):
7 pumpkin seeds
1/4 teaspoon dried, ground pumpkin rind
1/4 teaspoon dried mint
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 silver coin
1 small orange flannel bag with 17 in. red ribbon
black felt pen
On a new moon before Halloween, mix the herbal ingredients together
Hum:
"East and west, and south and north
Prosperity, I bring thee forth."
Draw a dollar sign on each side of the pumpkin seeds.. Add the pumpkin seeds to the mixture. Pour into the orange bag. Hold the coin in your hands until it gets warm. Humming the same chant all through this. On the following Thursday, hold the bag in your hands and repeat the chant until the bag becomes warm. Add 7 knots to the ribbon around the bag - two are for money, three for abundance, four for stability, five for protection, six for luck, and the seventh know to seal the spell. Put away until Samhain.
On Samhain, hold the bag in your hands over the need fire until the bag warms in your hands. Repeat the chant as you do this. Keep on your person or in your purse etc. Good for one full year. You can rework the spell on a new moon to keep the bag at its peak This makes a very nice gift for the certain someone.
Healing Love Pumpkin Spell
from "HALLOWEEN, spells, customs and recipes" by Silver Ravenwolf
To send healing love to someone over Samhain, try this little spell.
You will need:
    1 small pumpkin
    1 small piece white parchment
    1 red pen
    3 red roses
    3 drops rose oil
    1 green candle
    1 green ribbon
Cut the top off the pumpkin. Hollow out the pumpkin and save the top. Write the person's name on the piece of paper with red pen. Roll up into a little tube. Place the tube in the bottom of the pumpkin. Fill the pumpkin with rose petals, and add the rose oil.
Hold the green candle in your hand and say:
    "Samhain night, holy night,
    Sending loving energy from the dawn of tomorrow
    To the sunset of forever.
    So mote it be."
Light the candle and wave it around the pumpkin in a clockwise direction seven times, repeating the charm. Set the candle behind the pumpkin. Hold your hands over the pumpkin and repeat until your hands tingle or grow warm and you feel good inside. Place the top on the pumpkin, then tie the green ribbon around the stem while sealing the spell. Leave candle to burn out. Or turn this spell into to a seven-day ritual, beginning on the full moon, lighting the candle everyday, for six days for seven minutes. Letting the candle burn out completely on the last night. Bury the pumpkin seven days after you perform the spell, or give the pumpkin as a get-well Halloween gift.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Beltane, May Day, Rituals, Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:22:34 -0500

May Love Spell
1. Think about what qualities you desire in a mate and write these words down in a column on a piece of paper.
2. Next to the first column write another column containing what qualities you have to offer a prospective mate.
3. Cast a Circle by Cleansing your mind and picture the energy of the universe and nature mixed with your energy. Imagine yourself glowing purple or orange, whatever works for you. While facing North point your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you use towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise (right) around the circumference of the circle. Imagine a sphere forming with you inside it, half below the ground and half above.
4. Sit inside the circle and light two red or pink candles setting them a couple of feet apart in front of you.
5 . Read out loud the first word on the list of your prospective mates qualities and move the candle on your right towards the candle on the left.
6 . Read out loud the first work on the list of your qualities and move the left candle towards the right.
7 . Continue reading back and forth from the columns while moving the candles toward each other with each word read until you have read the last word and the candles are touching each other.
8. Blow out the candles.
9. Close the circle Close the circle by picking up your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you used to cast it and walk to the corner at which you started. Point at the boundary of the circle and begin to walk counter-clockwise (left) until you complete the circle. While you're walking visualize the circle disappearing and the energy flowing back through the tool. When you are finished say "The circle is open, but unbroken."
Beltane Eve Fairy Spell
Tis the eve of Beltane and the fairies are out in force. Here is a fairy spell to work in your own garden or backyard. Gather together violets, St. Johns wort, and clover. The violets are a fairy favorite. The St. Johns wort will protect you from becoming fairy-led or tricked, and the clover is for prosperity and good luck. Gather these plants together, forming a little posy, and then tie it up with green ribbons. Blow the fairies a kiss and leave the posy as a gift. Now go and sit in the garden and try to meditate or to communicate with the fairies.
Fairies from far and wide,
I offer you a gift,
Tied up in green for luck,
And sealed with a kiss.
I can sense you
If I'm pure of heart,
Bless me with good luck
To boost my Witch's art.
By: Ellen Dugan
Beltane Ritual
If possible, celebrate Beltane in a forest or near a living tree. If this is impossible, bring a small tree within the circle, preferably potted; it can be of any type.
Create a small token or charm in honor of the wedding of the Goddess and God to hang upon the tree. You can make several if you desire. These tokens can be bags filled with fragrant flowers, strings of beads, carvings, flower garlands - whatever your talents an imagination can conjure.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones. Recite the Blessing Chant. Invoke the Goddess and God. Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised:
Mother goddess, Queen of the night and of the Earth;
O Father God, King of the day and of the forest,
I celebrate Your union as nature rejoices in a riotous
blaze of colour and life. Accept my gift, Mother Goddess
and Father god, in honour of Your union.
Place the tokens on the tree.
From Your mating shall spring fourth life anew;
a profusion of living creatures shall cover the lands,
and the winds will blow pure and sweet.
Ancient Ones, I celebrate with You!
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.
pagans.org/~firerose/beltane1.htm
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Charms, Amulets and Pouches

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:42:58 -0500

Acorn: An acorn anointed with musk oil and carried in your purse, pocket, or charm bag will help to attract the opposite sex to you. The increase your income, anoint an acorn with 3 drops of pine oil when the Moon is waxing, and then bury it in your yard as close as possible to the front door of your house. For Witches and Pagans who follow a Druid or Celtic tradition, 3 acorns placed on a Yule Sabbat altar will help increase magickal or divinatory powers and also bring peace and protection to a Druid circle.
Adam and Eve Root: Carry a musk or rose oil-anointed Adam and Eve root in your pocket, purse, or charm bag to make any form of love magick more potent.
Amber: is a good-luck gemstone that strengthens the aura, and harmonizes and balances the yin/yang energies. It attracts compassion and can be worn as amuletic jewelry to protect against evil influences and accidental injuries.
Ankh: The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top. It symbolizes the power of life and cosmic knowledge, and is the oldest and most popular amulet/religious symbol used by the Egyptians. When worn or carried, the ankh brings good health, promotes fertility, and strengthens the psychic powers.
Arrowhead: Carry an arrowhead for protection against enemies, bad luck, hexes, jealousy, evil spirits, and all negative forces. Place an arrowhead over your front door (or under the mat) to prevent burglars from breaking into your home, and keep one in your car to help guard against accidents and theft.
Eye of Horus: Also known as the "Udjat" or "All-Seeing Eye'" the Eye of Horus is an ancient symbol used in modern Witchcraft as an amulet for wisdom, prosperity, spiritual protection, good health, the increasing of clairvoyant powers and protection against thieves.
Fairy Amulet: Wear any type of fairy-shaped jewelry as an amulet to increase magickal powers, enhance all enchantments, attract fairy-folk and put your spirit in harmony with Mother Nature.
Pyramid Amulet: Wear a pyramid amulet to improve work habits, increase or re-energize your psychic powers, or to attract good luck into your life. Crystals shaped like pyramids posses the power to balance emotional qualities and are said to bring wisdom. The power of the pyramid is also believed by many to enhance meditations and past life regressions, break unhealthy addictions and even revive ailing house plants.
Sun Symbol: Carry a gold charm shaped like the Sun in a gold or yellow colored velvet charm bag if you wish to acquire wealth, good health, success and/or fame. This is also an effective amulet to use if you feel that others have been causing you trouble. The symbol of the Sun is sacred to all solar deities, and is especially powerful for people born under the astrological sign of Leo.
Agate: Good luck, meditation, protection, health, purification.
Moon: Amulet worn in ancient and modern times to bring success in love and good fortune in travil. To assure good foftune it should be worn as a waxing, not a waning moon. That is, with the points to the left.
Pentagram: A five pointed star representing the five elements of air, fire, water, earth, and spirit. Also represents the figure of a human being. It is thought to protect the wearer from all kinds of evil spirits. Can also be used by magicians to control spirits. Should be worn with one point up.
Rings: Worn as amulets to treat illness, dispel forces of evil, keep lovers together, and prevent flight of the soul from the body.
Star: Ward off evil or encourage good fortune.
Sun: Said to bestow prosperity and friendship. Probably of Egyptian origin.
Car Protection Sachet
2 parts Rosemary
2 parts Juniper
1 part Mugwort
1 part Comfrey
1 part Caraway
1 small Quartz Crystal
Tie up in a red cloth and place in your car for protection.
Friendship Blessing Bottle:
Any decorative or uniquely shaped bottle ~ add in rows (amounts will vary depending on the size of the bottle you choose):
Catnip for lasting friendship
Cloves to protect from gossip
Coltsfoot for peace and tranquility
Marigolds for respect and admiration
Rose Petals for love
Chamomile to help wishes come true
Marjoram for joy and happiness
Seal with candle wax, tie a satin bow around neck, and add card with ingredients and what they represent (as above). Make enough for all of your closest friends!

Make a Putsi or Gypsy Pouch
by Raymond Buckland
The Putsi, or pouch is a fun and interesting gift to bring health, wealth, good luck and protection into the life of the recipient. Take a small red silk or chamois pouch and fill it with rose petals, acorns, a piece of amber, cinnamon, two cloves, a bean, a piece of orris root, and a silver or gold coin. Some Gypsies also include such items as a feather, a piece of lemon peel, lavender, a wedding ring (perhaps the mother's or grandmothers), and a small piece of coal.
Love Charm source unknown
Ingredients:
A pink, red, or white pouch or cloth
Rose quartz (stone and chips)
Malachite( chips)
Rose oil
Ylang ylang oil
5 small rosebuds
lavander
sea salt
Pink, red, or white string
Directions:
Put several drops of rose oil on the cloth. Anoint the stones with both oils, empower them and put them in the cloth or pouch. Anoint the rosebuds. Add only 4 of them with the lavander to the cloth. Sprinkle a bit of sea salt over everything to purify. Gather the 4 corners of the cloth together and tie with ribbon or string. Tie 2 knots while visualizing or chanting a spell. Example:
"By the spell i cast today
May the magick I weave bring love my way."
Place the fifth rosebud where the knots are being tied. Place it there and tie the remaining five knots over the rosebud to hold it in place. End the spell by saying:
" For the good of all
and with harm to none
this is my will and it is done".
Prosperity Pouch source unknown
Ingredients:
Green or gold cloth and bag
Cinnamon
Patchouli
Mint
Basil
Money oil, cinnamon oil, or heliotrope oil
1 small cinnamon stick
Malachite
Pyrite
1 Gold Candle
1 Green candle
Prosperity incense
Directions:
Empower all objects. Carve a prosperity rune or symbol on the candles and dress them with any of the above oils. Visualize your goal as you dress them. Add a chant if you like.
"Wealth and money, come to me
I deserve prosperity."
Light the candles on your altar or place of magick. Place the empowered herbs in the bag and ask for the blessings of the earth. Wave the bag through the incense smoke and ask for the blessings of air. Pass the bag throught the flame of each candle and ask for the blassings of fire. Anoint the bag with any of the money drawing oils and ask for the blessings of water. Hold the stones and tell them what they are to do. Explain their magickal purpose. Add them to your pouch. Take the cinnamon stick and drip some green wax on one end and gold wax on the other. These are 2 traditional money drawing colors but can also be viewed as colors for the Goddess (Green) and the God (Gold). Ask for their blessing on your spell. Say:
"For the good of all
and with harm to none
this is my will
And it is done!"
Inner Power Pouch source unknown
Ingredients:
Purple bag or cloth
Vervain
Dragon's blood resin
Rosemary
Frankincense
Galangal or ginger root
High John oil, personal power oil or Dragon's blood oil
A Clear quartz crystal
A personal talisman
Purple Candle
Directions:
It is suggested making up your own directions and spell for this one because it is a very personal pouch. Add ingredients or objects that have meaning to YOU. One suggestion: Try to sew on some small semi-precious stone chips or a stiched personal symbol.

We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Besoms and Brooms

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:15:11 -0500

Broom Magick
To Bless a New Broom
Before using your new broom for normal household sweeping, carve or write on its handle (the words running from the tip to the bristles on one side): "I sweep in money and luck." On the other side (with the words running away from the bristles) carve or write: "I sweep out evil and poverty." Visualize as you clean the floors, and you'll do just that.
Consecrating Your New Broom
Whether you make your besom in the traditional way, or purchase one that appeals to you, it is traditional to name your broom as you would a horse. Then when you have chosen a name, anoint it with oil as you would a candle and consecrate it with the following words:
Besom of birch and willow tied or a besom of straw with cord tied
Be my companion and my guide.
On ashen shaft by moonlight pale
My spirit rides the windy gale
To magickal realms beyond both space and time.
To magickal lands my soul will sail.
In the company of the crone I'll ride
This besom of birch with willow tied
or besom of straw with cord tied.
So do I consecrate this magickal tree.
As I will it, so mote it be!
For Protection While Sleeping
Lay a broom beneath the bed. Anoint the headboard or bedposts with a protective essential oil, such as sandalwood, rose geranium, rosemary, or frankincense. Then sprinkle a circle of salt around the bed (while you are inside the circle's perimeter), and you shall be guarded against all ill until morning. Sweep up the salt with the broom when you rise.
To Safeguard Your Bed
If you must be away from home for some time and want to return home to a safe, clean bed, tuck your magickal broom into it, laying the bristles on the pillow. Nothing will disturb a bed so guarded.
To End Tiresome Visits
If you have someone that stays too long and interferes with your life, try one of the following spells. None of them will harm visitors; they merely impel them to leave. Place a broom upside down behind the door. If the guests still refuse to leave, stick a fork into the bristles of the inverted broom. Failing this, go into a room adjoining that which the guests are in, place the broom so that its handle points toward the offending visitors and intone the following:
Get thee hence beyond my door For I am weary to the core. Of course, you could just try the surest spell of all--ask them directly to leave!
To Purify Your Home
Before dawn, take a branch from any tree. Thank the tree for its gift and leave a coin or semiprecious stone at its base in payment. Tobacco is another traditional offering among Native Americans. Next, obtain several brightly coloured flowers on long stalks. Tie these flowers to the branch to fashion a sort of broom, then sweep the floor in every room of the house, visualizing the flowers of the broom absorbing negativity as you work. Then, still before sunrise, leave the broom at a crossroads. Traditionally in the southwest United States and Mexico, this ritual is repeated at the first of
each month.
Sources For Above Info:
Pauline Campanelli, Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions
Pauline Campanelli, Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life
Scott Cunningham and David Harrington, The Magickal
Broom Folklore:
If a broom falls from your hands while you sweep, make a wish before retrieving it.
To bring rain, stand outside and swing a broom over your head in the air.
To safeguard your home against lightening strikes, cross a broom and a spade outside the main entrance to the house.
Placing a broom across any doorway allows your departed friends and family to speak to you if they so choose. As long as the broom remains in place, they can communicate freely.
To protect babies and children while they sleep, place a small broom underneath their pillows.
If nightmares are a problem, let a broom sweep them away. Hang one on the bedroom door to help you sleep peacefully.
Two brooms crossed and hung on a wall or nailed to a door guard the house, as does a broom placed on the ground before the door. The brooms are believed to disperse negative energies before they can bother you. You can also protect your home by taking two needles, making and equal-armed cross with them, and placing the cross inside broom. Then stand the broom behind a door.
Never move a broom from one house to another; it will bring the bad luck and dirt of your last residence into your new home. (This doesn't pertain to decorative brooms or those reserved solely for magickal use, only those actually used to sweep floors.) If, for some reason, you must move an ordinary broom, put it into the new house through an open window and the ill luck will be deterred.
The above info from:
Pauline Campanelli, Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions
Pauline Campanelli, Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life
Broomstick Wedding:
In Welsh Tradition among the Gypsies, there was an old custom of the broomstick wedding. The couple solemnized their rites before witnesses by jumping over a broom placed in a doorway, without dislodging it. To dissolve the marriage, they had to reverse the process, jumping backwards out of the house, over the broom, before the same witnesses.
An old Yorkshire belief:
should a young girl inadvertently step over a broom handle she will become, a mother before she becomes a wife.
In Sicily, on Midsummer's Eve, a broom is placed outside the home to ward off any wickedness that might come knocking.
Never sweep after the sunset, or fear chasing away happiness or hurting a wandering soul.
Brooms laid across the doorways are believed to keep evil out.
Never use a broom when there is a dead person in the house.
Never bring old brooms into new houses as a broom becomes attached to houses so leave the old one behind.
Never walk on a broom.
Never use a broom to sweep outside the house,unless the inside of the house is cleaned first.
If you sweep under someone's feet tell them that you will dance at their wedding. Otherwise they will have bad luck.
A new broom should sweep dirt out of a house only after it has swept something in.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Prosperity, Abundance, Money Spells Part 1

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:00:33 -0500

We have collected so many Prosperity, Abundance and Money spells that they now have their own section. So try one out at your next Ritual and remember the Magick is within You!
A NOTE ABOUT SPELLS: If you are looking for spells to bend the will of other people, for example make someone love you, harm someone, attain personal gain at someone elses expense, PLEASE DON"T. Spells are a way of directing energy to bring about change in YOUR life, not someone elses. Change can happen in our lives and may or may not be the way you expect. Pagans and Wiccans never perform spells or rituals to harm or bend the will of others, only to change their own lives in positive ways by using their own energies. Do not ask us for spells to control the will of others; we will not help you. There is no bad energy here. It takes many years of study and practice to channel your energy and it shouldn't be taken lightly.
TO DRAW MONEY
Need:
Dollar bill-Quarter
Buckeye
Basil
Cedar
Marigold
Lodestone
Bayberry oil
Green bag
Red string
Anoint Quarter, Buckeye, and the Lodestone with Bayberry oil.Place the quarter eagle side up on top of the eagle on the dollar.Place the Buckeye on the coin. Fold bill toward you so that the All-Seeing Eye is showing.Tie up with red string. Place in the green bag. Add herbs to bag. Anoint bag and herbs with Bayberry Oil. Charge in your own way. Carry with you and re-charge monthly.
8 SHORT SPELLS FOR MAKING MONEY
-Sprinkle cinnamon on your money.
-Always hand notes folded in half.
-Before shopping envision that whatever you spend comes back threefold.
-Sprinkle dried mint or cinnamon in your purse or wallet.
-Everyday drop a penny into a jar and say:
"My life is filled with abundance And all my needs are met."
-Place basil leaves in pocket/purse.
-Keep an organic, unhulled almond in your purse or wallet; wrapped in a piece of green cloth and you will always have enough money.
FINANCIAL AID
You will need:
two green candles
one gold candle
soft incense
fire proof container
Light the candles and meditate on how wonderful it would be to be without bills. Start with the bill you want paid off the most and move down the list of bills from there. On a blank piece of paper make up a statement that looks roughly like the bill. Write the total amount of the bill down and whatever else you need to make the bill seem real to you. Concentrate on this for a minute imagining that amount of money. This can be done by imagining a check written out for that amount or by imagining counting out that amount of money to the most evil bill collectors. Write with a red pen or marker across the bill in large letters "Paid in full". Then burn the bill and say "As I will it so mote it Be"
TO HELP IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
With clove or cinnamon oil, trace a money symbol or rune on the largest denomination of bill that you have. Put this in your wallet and resist spending it for as long as you can. Every time you look at the bill, visualize the rune to reinforce its power.
SPELL TO INCREASE CASH FLOW
To increase your business cash flow, hold a piece of Adventurine in your dominant hand during the waxing Moon. Concentrate money flowing into your business, and cast an enchantment through the stone by saying:
"Money come, money grow;
Increase my money flow.
Fill my cash box to the top;
Then may it never stop."
Place the stone in your cash register or bank bag.
LAW OF ABUNDANCE SPELL
On a new moon (that part is important): Take a check out of your checkbook. Do not write anything on the "date" line. On the "pay to" line, write your full name. In the box where you write the amount in digits, write "PAID IN FULL", and do the same on the line that you write the amount out in words. Sign the check "LAW OF ABUNDANCE", and place it somewhere special. You can make a little shrine around it, with fresh herb, aventurine stones, and rub a bit of patchouli essential oil on it, it is a way of making it your "own" spell. You will definitely get what is coming to you. Making it your own is why it works, and because you don't ask for an amount, you just are asking for what you are due.
LAVENDAR MONEY SPELL
A lucky money spell is made by placing in a conjure bag seven pieces of money, each different, such as a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, a half dollar, $1.00 bill, and $5.00 bill, all of which are sprinkled liberally with lavender. Take the bag with you for seven days and your money should multiply seven times (this would give you $41.46 above your original investment) or, in some instances if the gods are smiling in your direction, seven times seven! This would result in a tidy sum of $338.50 and seems well worth trying for!
LUCK HAND ROOT MONEY SPELL
To get and hold a job, always carry a lucky hand root on your person. Use Lucky Nine Oil on your wrists each day for nine days, and burn some John the Conqueror Incense each night. These roots bring luck in all undertakings and no conjure bag would be considered complete without one.
Mojo Bag for Prosperity
Work this spell if you'd like more abundance in your life. You'll need a 10-inch square of dye-free muslin fabric (cotton may be substituted), a piece of green ribbon, three dimes, and at least two of the following herbs: patchouli, mint, cinnamon, cinquefoil, or pine. To begin, lay the fabric flat and pile about two tablespoons of each herb in the center of the fabric. Drop the three dimes on top and hold your palms over the mixture as you say this incantation:
By coin and herb my voice be heard.
I draw into my life more prosperity.
With harm to none, my will be done.
Visualize your life with happiness and prosperity. Pull the edges up and tie the mojo bag closed with green ribbon. Keep the mojo bag by your purse or wallet.
MONEY JAR
paper & pen
seven dimes
quart jar with screw-on lid
bay leaf
Write your need on the paper and drop it into the jar. Take 7 dimes in your dominate hand and place them one by one into the jar. As each one drops, visualize it multiplying into huge amounts and say:
"Toward this wish, the money grows by leaps and bounds - it overflows.
Coins that jingle, coins that shine Come to me now - you are mine."
Write your name on the bay leaf and drop it into the jar. Screw on the lid and place the jar where you can see it everyday, but where it is not visible to everyone who enters your home. Add a coin or two to the jar each day, and watch as money flows to you from unexpected sources. After you obtain the money you need, remove the paper and bury it outside.
A MONEY SPELL
Green Voodoo Doll-Used in money rituals. Sew a small silver coin inside the doll. Set the doll between two green candles and anoint the candles with an appropriate money oil. Light the candles and pray for receiving finances.
MONEY SPELL
A green candle
A glass
A small bowl or saucer
Some coins, Bright new coins are best, the highest value you can spare Place the green candle in a small glass and place the glass in a small bowl or saucer. Place coins in the bowl neatly around the candle and glass. Light the candle and say:
Money flow, Money grow, Money shine, Money mine
Say it three times and leave the candle to burn out. Let it burn until there is nothing left. For safety you should snuff out the candle if you go to bed, but make sure you light it again when you are in.
MONEY SPELL
Supplies:
1 green candle
6 coins
green pouch or cloth
cinnamon
Create a circle with the coins around the candle. Light the candle and chant 3 times:
Money flow, money grow, money shine, money mine!
Sprinkle the bag or cloth with cinnamon and collect the coins and place them inside.
While doing this chant:
Bring me money 3 x 3. Keep the pouch or cloth with you for awhile.
A MONEY SPELL
Needed:
green silk mojo bag (cleansed & consecrated)
Comfrey
bayberry root
tiges eye stone
coin imprinted with your year of birth
sacred rune stone FEOH (you can write it on a small flat stone)
Cleanse consecrate and dedicate all items to bring you wealth, riches, money and prosperity. Put all items in the bag. Either carry with you to attract money or keep it with your money at home.
MONEY, MONEY SPELL
This may be done at any time, but preferably at the same time each day or night. A Green Candle and a White Candle. The Green candle represents the money, and the white candle represents you. Make sure you anoint the candles with oil first, thinking of your desire for money to come to you. Set the candles on your alter or table 9 inches apart. After doing this say:
"Money, money come to me
In abundance three times three
May I be enriched in the best of ways
Harming none on its way
This I accept, so mote it be
Bring me money three times three!"
Repeat this for nine days. Each day move the white candle one inch closer to the green candle. When the candles touch, your spell is finished. Make sure you visualize the money pouring in from the universe.
MONEY SPELL
Rub a small green candle with powdered cloves. Put it in a holder and set it on top of a new dollar bill. On a Thursday afternoon, three hours after sunset, light the candle and let it burn until it burns out. The next day bury the candle stub; rub the bill with powdered cloves and place it in a safe place in your home. You will never want nor need.
MONEY SPELL
Tools needed:
1 green candle
1 non-burnable candle holder
1 shiny penny
3 green ( jade, malachite, Aventurine, or a combination) attraction stones
Anointing Oil ( patchouli, clove, peppermint, frankincense, etc).
On a Friday night, during the waxing moon, anoint the green candle with the oil. Starting at the mid-point and anointing in a docile upward motion to the wick, say three times:
"Magical tool, I beseech thee, lend power to my prayer to the Lord and Lady",
Starting at the mid-point again anoint the candle in a docile downward motion towards the base, repeating the charge. Put the candle in the holder and place in the center of your alter. Place the penny in front of the candle holder, about 1-1/2 inches away. Place the three stones around the candle holder, one to right, one to left, and one to center (between holder and penny).
Chant three times:
"Money, money come to me, $_____ is what I need.
'An it harm none, this gift I seek, for even I ask not with greed.
And in days to come it shall help many, multiply, now, this shiny penny."
Now light the green candle and stare into the flame. Visualize the money coming to you from all directions. See yourself using the money to advance your education. Keep visualizing all the good that will come from this. When the candle has burned down completely, bury it somewhere in fertile soil on your property. Then carry the penny around with you to enhance the magical intent.
A MONEY SPELL
When the Moon is new, snip a piece of ivy and place it in some water to grow roots. One month later it should have some. You will need some soil, a green candle, a silver coin, some thread and some money drawing oil and incense. Anoint the candle with the oil as well as your wallet, some money you won't spend and the pot for the plant. Light some charcoal. Say:
Three by three, money come to me!
Put some incense on the charcoal. Pass the candle, plant, and pot through the smoke. Put the silver coin the soil but away from the root system of where the ivy will go. Now, light the candle saying:
"Money, draw to the light like a moth to the flame.
Burn away doubt and struggle and pain.
So mote it be."
Now pass the pot and plant over the flame and through the smoke again. Now, plant the ivy, saying:
"As this plant grows, so will my fortune.
As this ivy grows, so will my money.
Silver multiply and bring to me,
so many riches I can finally be free."
Now, put the pot in a sunny spot where the ivy gets late day light and don't drench it but keep it wet.
A Money Candle Spell
In the center of a large fishbowl, place a green candle marked with symbols and words that are personally meaningful for financial abundance. Anoint the candle with mint extract before affixing it to the bottom of the bowl. Every day for a month, beginning on a waxing moon, toss a coin into this magic well (the bowl) and light the candle for a few minutes. Add a brief incantation such as "Saving for a rainy day will help more money come my way."
Have this bowl nearby and the candle lit when you balance your checkbook against your bank statement at the end of the month. When the bowl is filled, or the candle burns too low, put the funds to charitable use so the universe can return your kindness. General Uses : Financial improvement or stability. Improved cash flow and resources. Prosperity.
Timing : The month of April. Full & blue moons. Moon in Taurus, Virgo, Aquarius, or Pisces. Sunday. From Free Spells and Rituals, author unknown

MONEY DRAWING SPELL
In addition to your white altar candle and quarter candles you will need a green candle for this rite. Do it on the night of the full moon just as you usually do. Gather into the circle articles made of silver (such as pentagrams and coins). Use St. John the Conqueror incense. Call upon the Lady and the Lords of the quarters and cast your circle just as you always do. As you light the green candle (after you've lit the others) say this:
"Lady of Night Your praises I sing,
Into my hands gold and silver now bring.
Comfort and coins now come unto me
The Moon passes o'er and poverty flees!"
Just before you close the circle drip a little green wax onto a penny and hold it up while the wax cools. Say this:
"Bring unto me that which is rightfully mine, oh Lady of the Night."
Meditate on your magical goal.
MONEY SPELL TO MEET EXISTING NEEDS
This spell helps bring money to meet existing needs. You need to be precise as to how much money you need, and for what reason you want it for. At the start of your day, print, type, or typeset with your computer, how much money you need, and what you want it for. Draw a line around that statement. Example: I need $500 to pay the bills Or: I want $1,000 to buy a new or used car. Fold the paper in half, and in half again, and carry it with you during the day, for at least 12 hours. Reread the paper, several times, during the day. When the night comes, go into your bedroom, or ritual room, and light a new white candle. Open the paper you have been carrying, and reread the message that you wrote, one more time. Say these words, three times:
"From beyond this candle light,
The powers that rule over money come,
To bring to me this needed sum,
Aided by a cosmic name,
Because I burn this sacred flame..."
Tear up the paper, and discard it in a wastebasket. Repeat, each night, for seven days, or until the money comes. This spell is very powerful, and effective, when you correctly follow the instructions. If it is meant to be, you will get your money.
MONEY MAKER SHAKER
Make a small box into a money shaker by filing it with some herbs of your choice (peppermint should be one if possible) and some coins. Seal the box and decorate it however you like. When you're in need of funds, shake the money shaker and say:
"Money come on the run, With no consequences to me or mine..."
TO OBTAIN MONEY
Done During the Full Moon
Fill your cauldron half full of water and drop a silver coin into it. Position the cauldron so that the light from the moon shines into the water. Gently sweep your hands just above the surface, symbolically gathering the Moon's silver. While doing this say:
"Lovely Lady of the Moon,
bring to me your wealth right soon.
Fill my hands with silver and gold.
All you give, my purse can hold."
Repeat this three times. When finished, pour the water upon the earth.
A QUICK MONEY SPELL
This spell requires good visualization.
Take a green candle and anoint it with cinnamon oil.
Take the bill or write on a piece of paper the amount of a bill you owe and who it is to.
You will need a candle that can burn for 7 days. Place the paper under the candle.
Hold your hands over the candle and say...
"This candle burns to light the way for the money I need to pay this bill in a way that harms no one."
Light the candle and burn patchouli incense. Meditate for about 5 minutes as the candle burns. Visualize yourself writing the check or purchasing the money order for this bill and putting it in the mail. Burn the candle every day around the same time for 7 days and 15 minutes at a time. Also, burn patchouli incense every day too with the candle. On the last day, burn the paper with the flame from the candle and let the candle burn completely out.
MONEY COME SOON/PROSPERITY SPELL
This spell is best worked on a Sunday or a Thursday during the waxing moon.
Tools:
Cauldron with burning charcoal
basil, chamomile and sage (all are herbs associated with prosperity) Or empower mint in place of chamomile
Cup of water
Dish of salt for earth
Athame or wand
Cast the circle however you choose. Invite the Lord and Lady to your circle in whatever manner is most comfortable to you. Cast the herbs onto the burning charcoal while visualizing your goal, whether it be bills that you need to pay or whatever reason you are seeking financial help. Sprinkle a few drops of water and salt or earth upon the charcoal. As you move your athame or wand over the cauldron clockwise, to blend the energies, say:
"By the powers of air, fire, water and earth,
I release this spell. I ask for Divine guidance as I seek help this
day. With harm to none, this spell be done."
Spend a few moments in meditation, visualizing the smoke from the cauldron carrying the energies out of the circle and into the universe. Thank the Lord and Lady for the assistance in your magical working. Release the circle. Ground and center yourself.
PROSPERITY CHARM
Put a sprig of basil, a magnet and five small coins above your doorway to invite prosperity!
PROSPERITY SPELL
2 black candles. Inscribe power words and runes (whatever ones you want) i.e. prosperity, health, money, wealth, friendships etc. Whatever you want to be of abundance in your life. Every night starting on either a Sunday or Thursday hold the candles firmly in your hands until you feel your own energy flowing through the candles. Once you have empowered the candles with your energy say:
"These candles bring me (whatever you are asking for) and in no way will this cause anyone harm." (continue chanting until you feel the time is right to stop)
Snuff out the candles and leave them on your alter until the next day.
Note: try to find dripless candles, you can add gems, oils, incense, your own different chant,
whatever makes you feel more empowered to this.
PROSPERITY SPELL
It is suggested doing this spell during a Full Moon on a Thursday, for maximum effect. Now you will need to create an altar on any natural surface such as a wooden table, the ground outside ect.
Now place on the altar your items:
East: your incense (Sandalwood)
South: your candle
West: a bowl or cauldron filled with water
North: your stone and a dish of salt
Center: 3 apples
1 green piece of paper
1 Green pen or magic marker
After you have set up your altar, take a shower or bath, to cleanse away any unwanted energies. When ready make sure you will not be disturbed. Take your salt and make a circle of it around you and your altar. Now it is time to start! Close your eyes and, in your minds eye see all the earthly possessions that you would like to attain, the things that would make you happy.
Invocation - face each direction, and say the following:
East/Air: " I call upon the Lords of the Watchtower of the East! Bring to this enchanted realm your golden color and sacred knowledge of obtaining earthly prosperity."
South/Fire: " I call upon the Lords of the Watchtower of the South!Bring into this enchanted real your powers of passion and desire."
West/Water: " I call upon the lords of the Watchtower of the West! Bring into this enchanted real your powers of abundance; let money flow to the seeker like a great river.
North/Earth: " I call upon the Lords of the Watchtower of the North! Great and strong Earth Mother, the one who sustains us all, bestow your earthly treasures on me, the one who is seeking."
Goddess: " Great goddess Isis, you who are most powerful; come to this realm, into this palace of gold that have created! I ask that you bless me with abundance and great wealth, with no harm to themselves or anyone! So Mote It Be!
At this time concentrate on what it is you want; visualize it and see yourself with it, see yourself sitting comfortably in an arena of gold in full prosperity, can you See It? Taste It? Smell It? Let the feeling and vision envelop you; let it's essence fill every cell in your body. On a piece of paper make a check out to yourself and put the amount you desire on it, Make it look as if it were written out to you.
Now say aloud the following 3 times:
"Abundance, Prosperity, come to me! With no harm to anyone, including myself. The prosperity is mine with all the powers that be! I will it to be! So be it, So it be, Blessed Be!"
Then burn the list or carry it with you. When you have experienced it fully and seen it in your mind's eye, the spell is complete.
Prosperity Ritual: Money Candle Magic
Timing: daily at the same time
You will need a Green Candle and a White Candle. The Green candle represents the money, and the white candle represents you. Make sure you annoint the candles with oil first, thinking of your desire for money to come to you. Set the candles on your alter or table 9 inches apart. After doing this say:
Money, money come to me
In abundance three times three
May I be enriched in the best of ways
Harming none on its way
This I accept, so mote it be
Bring me money three times three!
Repeat this for nine days. Each day move the white candle one inch closer to the green candle. When the candles touch, your spell is finished. Make sure you visualize the money pouring in from the universe.
PROSPERITY SPELL USING MINT
Take your wallet into the circle. Cast Circle. Call Quarters.
At the Earth quarter, draw an earth invoking pentagram over the mint. Take the mint back to the altar and rub the mint over the wallet. Place a mint leaf in your wallet to continue to attract prosperity to you. Dismiss quarters and close Circle.
Prosperity and Luck Spell
Tools:
A Gold Candle
A piece of Jade (or other lucky stone)
Light the Gold Candle. Focus on the changes you would like to happen. Hold the stone in your hand and focus those changes "into" the stone. Visualize your energy combining with the stone and say these words:
"Changing energies,
Universal luck,
Weighted my way~
Fortunate door opening,
Beginning this day."
Visualize the release of energy to the universe. Extinguish the candle. Keep the stone with you as a reminder to be alert for new opportunity or as in the words of Lucille Ball:
"Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it, and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: Hard work -- and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't."
Prosperity and Success Spell
Original Author D.J. Conway
Ingredients:
1 small cauldron
1 small green or brown charm bag
3 silver coins
Cinnamom
Cedar oil
A small table to use as an altar
Spell:
Place a little dish or cup inside the cauldron with a small amount of cinnamon and cedar in it. Lay the three coins next to it on your altar. Tap each coin with the forefinger of the hand you write with (your power hand) and chant:
"Glistening silver coin of the Moon,
Shiny and round, bring me a boon.
Draw to my hands many more of your kind.
Multiply, grow, like the image in my mind.
Place the coins in the cauldron with the herbs and three drops of oil. Using your power hand, stir the air clockwise seventimes over the cauldron and chant:
"Earth elements, cunning and bright,
Share you treasures here on this night.
Share with me riches of silver and gold,
Success, prosperity, all I can hold."
Place the herbs and the coins in the talisman bag. Carry this with you until the Full Moon goes through her phases andreturns to Full.
Winter Prosperity Spell
Gather your supplies:
A piece of ribbon from Yule in your favorite color at least 12 inches long.
A green candle
A bit of Myrrh oil
Ritual:
Rub a few drops of Myrrh oil into the candle and light it.
Tie nine knots in the ribbon while reciting this rhyme:
"By the count of one, this spell's begun,
By the count of two, prosperity's due,
By the count of three, I'll have no more need,
By the count of four, abundance galor,
By the count of five, this spell's alive,
By the count of six, prosperity's fixed,
By the count of seven, blessings given,
By the count of eight, I seal my fate,
By the count of nine, praise the Goddess divine!"
Pass the tied ribbon through the smoke from the candle three times. Put the ribbon in a safe place for the next year looking and meditating on it if you need extra strength throughout the year. As the next year commences, burn the old ribbon and empower a new one!
SUCCESS SPELL
You will need:
green candle
purple candle
A talisman with your religious symbol (pentacle, cross, star of David, etc)
Place a green candle on one side of a room. Place a purple candle on the other side. Now, light the purple candle. With your religious talisman hanging from a chain or string (to be worn as a necklace) dangling from your right hand, pick up the purple candle with your right hand. Now walk in a straight line across the room directly to the green candle. Using the purple one, light the green candle. Set down the candle so they sit next to each other. Chant:
"I walk forth without doubt and fear, And success draws me near."
Lay the necklace in front of it and meditate for awhile on the success you need. Let the candles burn themselves down, and wear the necklace whenever you wish success you follow you. When you walk through a door to job interviews, auditions, or anywhere you need success, imagine how you walked in a straight line in your ritual, and consciously make an effort to do the same when passing through the door.
RICHES OINTMENT
4 drops patchouli, 1 drop clove oil, 1 drop basil, 3 drops Oakmoss bouquet
Mix with oil and anoint body and hands daily.
RUE AND VERVAIN PROSPERITY BAG
To make a powerful prosperity pouch, obtain a rue plant and a Vervain plant from a local nursery. Make a small pouch of bright red velvet, cotton, or silk, and in this bag put coarse salt. Stitch the pouch closed. Then, form a larger red bag with a drawstring of red cord. Into this bag, loosely place the little pouch containing the salt, some rue leaves, and some Vervain. This bag will bring you both prosperity and protection.
Sweet Woodruff Spell for Prosperity
At dusk in my woodland garden, sweet woodruff sends out its fresh haylike scent, and its white flowers glow in the June twilight. In June, sweet woodruff reaches the height of its magical power, and is valuable in attracting prosperity. The prosperity spell which follows should be concluded next month, beneath July's Blessing Moon. On a June evening, just before nightfall, gather some woodruff flowers, leaves, and stems. Cut them all, and put them in a darkened room to dry on a hook or beam. When July's Moon is at its height, and the woodruff has dried, bury it with a dollar and a copper coin. Now, with what you've sown your wealth will increase. By James Kambos
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Ostara Spring Equinox Activities-Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:58:36 -0500

Ostara Lore
This marks the rekindling of life within the Earth and the renewal of fertility to our spiritual lives. This fertility festival and the Christian Easter celebration both get their names from the free-spirited goddess, Eostre. Legend has it that while entertaining a group of children, she once turned a bird into a rabbit. To the amusement of the children, the bewitched animal laid colored eggs. Her story is the basis for the Easter Bunny, spring egg hunts, and most other traditions associated with this holiday.
Eostre's story aside, the egg is an excellent symbol for the spring celebration. The egg white represents the all-encompassing nature of the Goddess while the golden yolk represents the virile qualities of the Sun God. The symmetrical outer shell binds the two together, sealing Their fertility and Their perfect love for one another.
From a more mundane angle, all animal life comes from eggs. Fish, fowL amphibians, and insects lay them. Mammals conceive when sperm cells penetrire them. If you wanted to stretch the imagination somewhat, you could say that vegetation sprouts from eggs, too. Being embryonic and shell-covered, seeds are egg-like in nature. For these reasons, eggs provide a prime fertility symbol for thr Ostara ritual.
The above article from Dorothy Morrisons The Craft A Witchs Book of Shadows
For those of us in colder climates the coming of this sabbat means the ending of the cold that has hung on for what seems to be forever. The sap begins to flow, the trees are budding, the ground softens, ice melts, and everywhere the fragrance and colors of spring slowly awake from their sleep. It's the second of the three spring holidays, Imbolc marking spring's first glimmer and Beltaine spring's height and power. If Imbolc is about inspiration and Beltaine about consummation, then Ostara is about growth. Since the Spring Equinox represents new life and growth, this is the perfect sabbat for planting the seeds of plans you made at Imbolc.
As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day are in perfect balance, with light growing every day. This is the time when the young Sun God now celebrates a sacred marraige with the young Maiden Goddess,who once again became a virgin at Imbolc. The courtship begins. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals.
One tradition is to go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Then bring them home and divine their magickal meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you've chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.
It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. Other traditional activities include planting seeds, working on magickal gardens and practicing all forms of herb work - magickal, medicinal, culinary and artistic.
Foods for this day include those made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables.
At this time, witches cast spells for careers, relationships, and love. It's a time for planting new ideas.
Seek harmony and balance in the incredible energy of the season, and project good health, good fortune, and confidence in achieving goals.
Symbols used to represent Ostara include the egg-for fertility and reproduction, and the hare-for rebirth and resurrection, the New Moon, butterflies and cocoons. Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Ostara by the planting of seeds, potted plants, ringing bells, lighting new fires at sunrise, either in the fireplace, in the cauldron, or light a balefire outdoors. I always give myself a gift of a newly potted plant or
take a seed and plant it within my cast Circle. Ritually, a fire may be lit in the cauldron during (not before) the rite itself. You may want to decorate your altar with a colorful bouquet of Spring wildflowers. Other traditional activities include working on magickal gardens and practicing all forms of herbal work --- magickal, artistic, medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic. author unknown
Ostara Deities: Eostre, the adolescent Spring Maiden, the adolescent Spring Lord, All Youthful and Virile Gods and Goddesses, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, Love Goddesses, Moon Gods and Goddesses, and all Fertility Deities including :Persephone, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Aphrodite, Athena, Gaia, Cybele, Hera, Isis, Ishtar, Minerva, Venus, Robin of the Woods, the Green Man, Cernunnos, Lord of the Greenwood, The Dagda, Attis, The Great Horned God, Mithras, Odin, Thoth, Osiris, and Pan.
Symbolism of Ostara: Renewed promise of life, The Union of the Goddess and the God,
Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.Resurrection of life , The Season of Rebirth
Symbols of Ostara: Eggs, bunnies, new moon, butterflies, cocoons, dragons, flowers,trees.
Colors: lemon yellow, pale green and pale pink. Other appropriate colors include green, all pastels, Robin's egg blue, violet, and white.
Ostara Foods: eggs, egg salad, hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham. You may also include foods made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables.
Plants and Herbs: acorn, broom, celandine, cinquefoil, crocuses, daffodil, dandelion, dogwood, elder, ginger, Gorse, honeysuckle (woodbine), iris, jasmine, jonquils, irish moss, lavender, lemon balm, lilac, Lily, lily of the valley, lovage, marjoram, meadowsweet, narcissus, oak, oakmoss, olive, orris root, peony, rose, rose hips, sage, snowdrops, strawberry, tansy, tarragon, thyme, trefoil (purple clover), tulip, vervain, violet, willow, woodruff and all spring flowers.

Incense: jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood, cinnamon, nutmeg, aloes wood, benzoin, musk, African violet, sage, strawberry, lotus, violet flowers, orange peel, or rose petals.
Gemstone: agate, amazonite, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, clear quartz crystal, garnet, lapis lazuli, moonstone, red jasper and rose quartz.
Spellwork for Ostara: Spellwork for improving communication and group interaction are recommended, as well as fertility, balance and abundance
Animals and Mythical Beasts: rabbits,snakes,unicorns, merpeople, and pegasus
Candle Colors: Yellow and Green.
Tree: The Alder, a tree sacred to the God Bran, who is said to protect the British Isles. Trees are very
important to Witches, and indeed important to us all. They are the lungs of the Earth, purifying the very air we breathe as they shade us and protect us.
Ostara Activities
Here is a traditional Vernal Equinox pastime according to Scott Cunningham: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Thank the flowers for their sacrifice before picking them and it is also best to leave an offering to the plant and/or the Earth for taking the flowers, such as some milk and honey, a small crystal or even a coin. Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magickal meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you've chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions. A particular suggestion from Scott Cunningham that I really enjoy each
year is to do the following... at this time in the turn of the Wheel of the Year, when all things are green and renewed life is all around us, it is a very good idea to plan a walk (or a ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply for exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an appreciation of Nature. You should make your walk celebratory, a ritual for Nature itself. Other Pagan activities may
include the planting of your herb and/or vegetable garden.
Another very popular Ostara activity is decorating and coloring or dying hard-boiled eggs - or other eggs such as wooden or paper mache (I call them "Ostara Eggs"), and drawing Pagan and magickal symbols on the colored eggs. You could then choose to either keep the eggs, bury them in the Earth or cast them into a fire as offerings to the
Goddess - the choice is yours. If you use hard- boiled eggs, then bury them in the Earth when the ritual is over. Wooden ones can be bought at a local craft store (such as Hobby Lobby). These eggs can be reused next year and you can even add new ones to the old, if you like. The first thing I do is paint them each a different color - whatever shade strikes me - whether it be dull, bright, pastel, or primary. Then I use gold and silver paint pens to draw Pagan designs and magickal symbols all over them. You may opt to use other color combinations. It is entirely up to your personal choice. I have one egg that is totally covered with interconnected triangles (Triple Goddess), a couple with pentagrams and God and Goddess symbols, some with words written in Theban script, etc. Just let your imagination take you there - it's a lot of fun!
Clear a space for a garden, or start flowers, herbs or vegetables indoors. It's too early in this climate to plant fruits and
vegetables; frosts can happen as late as April in the North.
You can clear weeds, grass and rubbish from the spot where you plan a garden, or you can start seeds indoors.
Pick up litter at your favorite park or beach. Help the earth rejuvenate by getting rid of the mess.
Meditate on the imagery of the seed.
Meditate on the season's flowers. Flowers are the sexual organs of plants, consider what this says to you.
Perform magick to give back to the earth. Raise and send energy to return to the Earth, our mother, some of the bounteous energy and fertility She gives to us.
Meditate on the Moon-Hare, rabbits provide an obvious symbol of animal fertility and see what comes to you about literal or creative fertility in your own life.
Honor the spring or Earth goddess or god of your choice, or a goddess or god of balance.
Light a bonfire at dawn on the Equinox to honor the light half of the year.
Meditate or perform ritual at dawn or sunset.
Meditate or perform ritual for balance in your life and in the earth's life.
Do a ritual denoting the passing of the year's dark half.
Use the energy of the time of year as you would the first quarter of the moon. You can use the energy of this time of year to fuel any new project or goal.
Meditate on beginnings, on the East, on air, on dawn. In meditation, note how these symbols connect organically and how you relate personally to them.
Taking a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magick of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty.
If you don't do your spring cleaning at Imbolc it is an ideal time to clean your home to welcome the new season.
Offerings of food and milk are left for the fairies and other spirits who live in and around rocks and are responsible for the fertility of the land. Leave a few fruits from the last harvest for the nature spirits.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Ostara Spring Equinox Incense and Oil recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:40:13 -0500

For Ostara incense, you could make a blend from any of the following scents or simply choose one... jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood, cinnamon, nutmeg, aloes wood, benzoin, musk, African violet, sage, strawberry, lotus, violet flowers, orange peel, or rose petals.
Ostara Oil
Ingredients
6 drops Rosewood
4 drops Geranium
4 drops Chamomile
3 drops Myrrh
2 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Bay
1/2 oz. Carrier Oil such as Jojoba or Almond
Ostara Oil
Ingredients
10 drops Almond
10 drops Patchouli
10 drops Elder
10 drops lavender
10 drops Violet
1/2 oz. Carrier Oil such as Jojoba or Almond
Ostara Incense
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Benzoin
1 part Dragon's Blood
1/2 part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violet flowers (or a few drops Violet oil)
1/2 part Orange peel
1/2 part Rose petals
Burn during Wiccan rituals on Ostara (the Spring Equinox, which varies from March 20th to the 24th each year), or to welcome the spring and refresh your life.
Ostara Incense
Mix orris root, jasmine, rose. and violet petals
Ostara Offering Incense Recipe
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon ground Rose Bud herb
1 teaspoon ground Vervain herb
1 teaspoon Myrrh Granular Incense
1 teaspoon Granular Frankincense Tears
Instructions:
Grind up the herbs with a Mortar and Pestle, making sure they are completely dry. Mix them together with the Myrhh and Frankincense Granular Incenses. Light the blend and while it burns meditate on your desires for the upcoming Spring, focusing on the Green Goddess and the renewal she brings with her.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Ostara Spring Equinox Rituals and Spells

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:55:21 -0500

Magick
Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include openings and new beginnings. Spellwork for improving communication and group interaction are recommended, as well as fertility and abundance. Ostara is a good time to start putting those plans and preparations you made at Imbolc into action. Start working towards physically manifesting your plans now.

Ostara Circle Notes From: Dorothy Morrisons-The Craft
Use a green altar cloth, pastel colored candles, and decorate with wild flowers or flowers of the eason.
Use small baskets of appropriately colored eggs to mark the Quarters.
Cast the Circle with the wand. Alternatively, use a flowering branch, Dogwood, cherry, and pussy willow branches all work well.
Ostara Celebration Ideas:
Serve deviled eggs and milk for libation instead of cakes and wine.
Using a white crayon, label boiled eggs with qualities you'd like to add to your personality or life. For example, you might label one with prosperity, another with kindness, and so on. Dye each egg an appropriate color, bless it during ritual, and eat it. Know that the quality's spiritual seeds have been planted within you and will flourish throughout the year.
Plant an uncooked egg at each corner of your property to ensure a fruitful home life. As you put each egg in place, say something like:
Fertile egg of ancient life
Bring joy and laughter-ease all strife-
And with your great fertility
Grant perfect love and harmony
To all who live within these bounds
Be they person, thing, wild life, or hound
OSTARA- Daffodowndilly Spell
The purpose of this spell is to make wishes concerning all areas of your life.
This is the perfect time of year for planting wishes that will come to fruition in summer and using plant ingredients for magic is a age old custom.
You will need:
one green candle
one yellow candle
matches or lighter
summer flowering bulbs, one to a wish
soil or potting soil in a medium sized indoor planter
As part of your OSTARA ritual and in a properly cast circle, work as follows.
1. Light the green candle saying: By the shoot
2. Light the yellow candle saying: By the flower I invoke OSTARAs power
3. Take each bulb and seperately name it after the wish you seek to acheieve.
4. Hold them in your hands and chant your wish into them with the following words: As the nights shrink down and this bulb goes underground, As the days grow long, so the thing I wish grows strong.
5. Bury the bulbs in the soil, or potting soil. Place your hands palms down on the soil and visualize the growth you have wished for coming to pass.
6. Keep the bulbs inside until the threat of frost has passed, then plant outside next to the spring flowering bulbs.
The idea here is to trade on the fertility of the daffodils by empowering summer flowering bulbs and planting them closely by. The summer bulbs will get the general idea from the flowering daffodown dillies and charged with your wishes hurry to grow and flower.
From Hearth and Home Witchery
Ostara Creation Spell
This joyous holiday honors the spring goddess, Ostara, whose name means "movement toward the rising Sun." Just as Imbolc signals the return of light, Ostara signals the awakening of the Earth. Trees are blooming, bulbs are pushing up out of the ground, birds are nesting, and animals are mating. The creative energy is at its strongest during this season. If you haven't decided what you wish to manifest this year, do so now.
To empower your goal, write it on a hard-boiled egg with a wax crayon. The egg is a powerful symbol representing the
universe in embryo. Your goal lives within you in the same way that creation lives within its egg, and like the egg, your goal has everything it needs to manifest. Now, draw two interlocking triangles to form a six-pointed star on your egg. This star symbolizes one of the most important keys in magic: as above, so below. What you can create in your imagination, you can manifest on the physical plane. Dye your egg a deep red to symbolize the goddess and life itself. Using your egg as a focus, work in the days ahead with the interplay of imagination and physical striving to achieve your desire.
By: Lily Gardner
A Spell of Reawakening
The Spring Equinox, called Ostara by many, is a day of perfect balance between night and day, darkness and light, slumber and awakening. Many craft traditions, covens, and solitaries have devised their own rituals for awakening Mother Earth at this time. Many of these can be traced back to England.
One common practice is to walk through a natural area, tap the earth three times with a staff or wand, and make a joyful noise to welcome the Goddess's return. This ritual is performed three times in keeping with the sacred number of many of the Pagan sects from western European countries. Now is not only a good time to awaken Mother Earth, but also to awaken ourselves. We should ask: Are we only going through the motions now? Or are we reawakening our spiritual selves, and seeing anew all the magical possibilities of spring? To awaken your own body, mind, and soul to spring's rebirth, give back to Mother Earth some of the things we've taken from her. Plant a tree, herb garden, or flowers. Feed her animals and birds. As you do any of these things, consecrate your offering by saying:
Mother Earth, Goddess we walk upon,
May my gifts be of value
Even after I'm gone.
Today, while I'm here,
May my offering be,
An act of love
for you from me.
By: Edain McCoy
Ostara Seed Spell
Small plant pot
Coin
Seed
Soil
Paper
Ink
Write your goals and ambitions for the following year on the paper. Place the paper at the bottom of the pot, and lay the coin on top of it. Fill the pot with soil. Plant the seed into the soil, and water. Hold the pot between both hands and visualise your dreams/wishes growing as the plant does. Place the pot in a sunny spot, and nuture.
Ostara Ritual
Flowers should be laid on the altar, placed around the circle and spread on the ground. The cauldron can be filled with spring water and flowers, buds and blossoms may be worn as well. Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle. Say:
"Great goddess, you have freed yourself
From the icy prison of winter.
Now is the greening, when the fragrance of
Flowers drifts on the breeze.
This is the beginning. Life renews itself
By Your magic, Earth Goddess.
The God stretches and rises,
Tiger in His youth, and bursting with
The promise of summer."
"I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance.
Mother Goddess and Father god, instil within me
Thorough this plant a warmth for all living things.
Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures.
May I never forget."
Ostara Eve Ritual
Light a purple or violet candle and burn patchouli incense. Carry them both through the house, and say: Farewell to wintry spirits and friends; On morrow we greet the spirits of spring. Our blessings to thee as your way we wend; And merry we'll meet next winter again. Blow out the candle and say: Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
Ostara Re-dediction Spell
Author: Edain McCoy
Re-dedicate yourself to your deities and renew your commitment to the magical life with this ritual. Invite your deities to your circle by lighting candles in their honor. Anoint yourself four times with the following oils: Sandalwood for purity, rosemary for power, lotus for spirituality, and clove for courage. When you are finished say:
Lord and Lady, as you dwell in me,
Make a fit vessel of me;
Give me strength and wisdom to do
All these thing I've promised to you.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Ostara Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:21:24 -0500

Foods in tune with this day include eggs, egg salad, hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, fruits of the season, fish, cakes, honey, biscuits and cheeses. You can also include foods made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame seedsand pine nuts. Sprouts, leafy green vegetables and flower dishes such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes (simply make spice cupcakes, Ice with pink frosting and place a fresh ediable flower petal on each cupcake). Stuff nasturtium blossoms with a mixture made of cream cheese, chopped nuts, chives and watercress. Appropriate Ostara meat dishes often contain fish or ham.
Deviled Eggs
INGREDIENTS:
6 eggs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

Place eggs in a pot of salted water. Bring the water to a boil, and let eggs cook in boiling water until they are hard boiled, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Drain eggs, and let cool. Cut eggs in half, lengthwise. Remove the egg yolks and mash them together in a small mixing bowl. Mix in the paprika, mayonnaise, and dry mustard. Spoon mixture into the egg shells, cool and serve
HAM AND SPINACH QUICHE
1 Pillsbury pie crust
1 c. chopped ham
1 c. chopped onion
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach (10 oz. size)
4-6 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c. milk
1 c. shredded cheese
Place pie crust in quiche pan. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven of 5 minutes, remove from oven. Set aside.
Place spinach in microwave oven in package. Cook on high setting for 6 minutes, remove and drain. Meantime place ham and onion in pie crust. Mix together slightly beaten eggs, milk and cheese. Add spinach and pour into pie crust on top of ham and onion. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Then bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Serve in wedges.

SPINACH QUICHE
1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. reduced calorie butter
1 c. onions, diced
1 sm. clove garlic, minced
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach
1 c. frozen egg substitute, thawed
3 oz. reduced-fat Swiss cheese, shredded, divided
Dash nutmeg
Dash white pepper
1 med. tomato, thinly sliced
In 9 inch nonstick skillet melt butter, add onions and garlic and saute over medium heat until onions are softened, about 2 minutes. Cook spinach according to package directions and drain thoroughly. Add spinach to skillet, stir. Cook until moisture has evaporated, about 1 minute. Transfer to medium mixing bowl, let cool slightly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add to spinach mixture: egg substitute, half of the cheese, nutmeg and pepper, stir well. Spray 10 inch quiche dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread mixture in dish, top with tomato slices and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until quiche is set, about 20 minutes.
Cream Biscuits
Knead the dough briefly just until it comes together, but don't work it too
much. Also, don't twist the biscuit cutter. The twisting motion seals the edge
of the dough, which can prevent the biscuit from rising completely.
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups (or more) bleached all purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup half and half
Preparation:
Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Combine 4 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl; whisk to blend. Add butter cubes and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles
coarse meal. Add cream and half and half and stir just until mixture is moistened and begins to clump together. Turn out dough on floured work surface. Knead gently just until dough holds together, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls if dough is very sticky, about 6 turns. Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using tines of fork dipped into flour, pierce dough all the way through at 1/2-inch intervals. Using 2 3/4- to 3-inch-diameter biscuit cutter or cookie cutter dipped in flour, cut out dough rounds. Transfer dough rounds to 2 ungreased rimmed baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake biscuits until light golden brown and tester inserted into centers comes out clean, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking, about 14 minutes Total. Transfer biscuits to cooling racks and cool slightly.
DO AHEAD: Biscuits can be baked 4 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Place biscuits on ungreased rimmed baking sheets and rewarm in 375°F oven for 5 minutes before serving.
Hot Cross Buns myspace.com/granniejen
3 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
¼ cup melted butter
¼ tsp. salt
1 large egg, well beaten
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp.allspice(optional)
¾ cup raisins
1 package (1 oz.) dry yeast
Combine all ingredients except eggs and yeast and mix well. Dissolve the yeast in a ¼ cup hot water. Add yeast and eggs to the rest and mix well. Cover with a cloth and allow the dough to rise in a warm spot until it has nearly doubled. This will take about an hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Shape the dough into round balls about 3 inches across and place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. After five minutes, remove buns and cut into the dough about ¾ of an inch down, slicing equilateral crosses into the tops. Return to oven. Allow to bake for another fifteen to twenty minutes. Remove the buns from the oven and drizzle on the frosting.
Frosting
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. Milk
2 cups orange juice
Mix all ingredients and drizzle onto hot cross buns.
Ostara Peeps Ambrosia Originally posted to Hestias Hearth
Everyone knows "Peeps", those overwhelmingly sweet little marshmallow critters that appear every Spring in the grocery store. Put your leftover Peeps to good use this Ostara, and make them into a delicious ambrosia salad! For the most
colorful results, use yellow or pink Peeps.
Ingredients:
* 1 pkg of 12 marshmallow Peeps (chicks or bunnies)
* 2 cans mandarin oranges
* 2 cans pineapple tidbits
* 1 jar maraschino cherries
* 2 chopped bananas
* 2 C. shredded coconut flakes
* 4 oz. sour cream
* 1 12-oz tub of Cool Whip or other dessert topping
Preparation:
Dice the Peeps into small pieces. Drain the juices from all the fruit. Mix all ingredients together, and allow to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours. Serve as dessert following your Ostara celebration!
Baked Egg Custard Recipe
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups milk, scalded
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs or cookie crumbs
Preparation:
With a hand-held mixer on low speed, blend together the scalded milk, egg yolks, sugar, and salt. Pour mixture into a baking dish, about 6x10x2-inches. Place in a larger baking pan then add hot water to the larger pan to a depth of about 1 inch. Bake at 325° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs then bake about 20 to 30 minutes longer, or until set. A clean knife inserted in center should come out clean when egg custard is done.
Custard Pie
1/2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
6 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2 cups milk
1 pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1. Beat eggs with a whisk. Beat in sugar, milk, and salt. Pour filling into pie crust. Sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon on top.
2. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue baking for an additional 45 minutes.
Ostara Egg Hunt Pie Originally posted to Hestia's Hearth
Ingredients:
1 Ready-made graham cracker crust
8 oz. package cream cheese , softened
1 can (14 oz.) Eagle Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated milk)
3/4 cup cold milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) instant vanilla (or your favorite flavor) pudding and pie filling
1-1/2 cups non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
16 mini chocolate eggs or other holiday candy
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth.
3. Add milk and pudding mix; beat on low speed until smooth.
4. Spoon half of filling into crust.
5. Place chocolate eggs evenly over filling. Top with remaining filling.
6. Chill 3 hours.
For young children, you may want to substitute holiday marshmallow candies or
other *soft* candies. Enjoy!
Ostara Mint Tea Cakes from Hearth & Home Witchery
4 C. Flour
6 Eggs, beaten
1 C. Granulated Sugar
Crumbled, dried Mint leaves or 1/8 t. Mint flavoring
1 Quart Milk
2/3 C. softened Butter
Glaze:
1 C. Powdered Sugar
2 T. Milk
1.Preheat oven to 350 F.
2.Cream butter and sugar together until light.
3.Beat eggs until very light. Add to butter and sugar mixture.
4.Add mint flavoring - taste. Do you want the mint flavoring stronger?
5.Add milk and mix well.
6.Add flour and mix well.
7.Pour into mini-muffin tins to fill each cup to halfway. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.
8.Allow to cool completely. Remove from muffin tin.
9.Leave tea cakes "upside down" and drizzle with glaze. Garnish with candied violets.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Imbolc Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:16:40 -0500

Candlemas Sunrise
Dash of nutmeg
2 eggs, separated
2 slices of toast, buttered
2 slices cheese, any kind
Instructions:
Preheat broiler. Combine nutmeg and egg white; beat until stiff. Spread over toast. Make small indentation in the center, drop in egg yolk. Sprinkle with salt. Cover yolk with one slice of cheese. Broil until egg is completely cooked and cheese is melted, about 3-5 minutes. NOTE: Using white cheese is actually my favorite, and when you do so
it adds the Goddess association. Yield: 2 helpings Source: Telesco, A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook
Source: Telesco, A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook Use for: Imbolc, Esbats if white cheese is used

Wild Rice with Mushrooms and Almonds
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons snipped chives or chopped green onion
8 ounce can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
3 cups chicken broth
Preparation Tips:
Wash and drain rice. Melt butter in large skillet. Add rice, almonds, chives and mushrooms; cook and stir until almonds are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Pour rice mixture into ungreased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Heat chicken broth to boiling; stir into rice mixture. Cover tightly; bake about 1 1/2 hours or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender and fluffy. 6 to 8 servings.
Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Almonds & Raisins for Imbolc
2 large red bell peppers (about 3/4 pound)
2 large green bell peppers (about 3/4 pound)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
6 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
6 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 egg whites
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons water
1. Cut bell peppers into 2 x 2 1/2 inch strips. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers, saute 8 minutes. Add raisins,saute 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat,- stir in almonds. Set aside, and keep warm.
2. Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a shallow dish. Place flour in a shallow dish, dredge each chicken piece in flour, and dip in egg whites. Dredge chicken in breadcrumb mixture.
3. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from heat. Place the chicken and bell pepper mixture on a serving platter,- set aside, and keep warm.
4. Add 4 tablespoons vinegar and water to pan, stir with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Spoon mixture over chicken and bell pepper mixture. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and 1/2 cup bell peppers).
Sunflower Bread
1/2 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
5 cups unbleached white bread flour
1/4 cup bulgar wheat, coarsely ground, soaked in 1/4 cup water for 10 minutes
1/2 cup barley flakes
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons shortening
2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon tumeric
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 package dry yeast
Start by mixing 1/8 cup of water with the bulgar wheat in a cup. As long as it soaks for maybe 5 minutes before you add it to the mix, it won't be crunchy in the final product. Mix 2 cups flour, and all the rest of the dry ingredients including the yeast. Then mix in the shortening, honey, bulgar wheat, and water until a batter is formed. Mix in the rest of the flour, 1 cup at a time. It should form a ball and be only slightly tacky. Knead for 10 minutes.
Form a ball, place into a buttered bowl, roll around in the bowl until coated with the butter (actually I spray Pam in), cover, and let rise until doubled in size. Punch down, and depending on the size of the loaf pans, form into 2
large or 3 smaller loaves. Let rise uncovered until doubled in size again.
Bake at 300F for 45 minutes until it sounds hollow when tapped. Serve with Honey Butter recipe follows:
Honey Butter
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup honey

DIRECTIONS
Allow butter to soften slightly at room temperature. Using and electric mixer, whip butter and honey together in a bowl until well mixed.
Caretaker Farm Bread
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110º F)
1/4 cup honey
3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
Mix oats in the hot water; let stand for about 30 minutes. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a separate bowl. Add honey and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour, beating for several minutes. Stir oats in and let the mixture sit for another 30 minutes. Add the remaining all-purpose flour and beat. Now add half of the wheat flour, the oil, and the salt, and beat that. Finally, add the rest of the flour with either or both of the optional ingredients, if you're using them. Beat it
all together and knead the resulting dough for 10 minutes. Now put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour, in a warm spot. Grease two 9 x 5 bread loaf pans. Punch the dough down and divide it in half, and put each half in a pan. Let the loaves rise in the pans for one hour, again covered in a warm spot. Finally, bake the loaves at 400º F for 30-40 minutes.
NOTE: After you add the first cup of wheat flour and mix, just use your judgment on how much more wheat flour you use, it doesn't have to be a whole second cup. You may wish to use less if you're using the sunflower seeds and/or the raisins, because dry ingredients will firm up the dough. If adding an entire second cup of flour will make the dough too dry, just add as much as you can without having crusty dough. Yield: 2 loaves     Source: Dee Dee Stovel
Rosemary Cheese Biscuits

Old fashioned biscuits are a treat at any season. According to Goddess lore, sprinkling rosemary into the dough helps us to attract love and longevity.

2 cups unbleached, all purpose flour
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/2tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. fresh rosemary, minced
pinch cayenne pepper
1 stick unsalted butter or margarine, chilled
1/2 cup milk or more if needed
2-3 Tbs. dry sherry
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl combine the flour, cheese, baking powder, salt, rosemary and cayenne.
Cut the chilled butter into pieces and mix into the flour mixture, crumbling the dough. Add the milk and sherry and quickly mix the dough just until the ingredients are moistened.Lightly knead the dough inside the bowl a few times to
form a ball, and place on a floured surface. Roll out the dough with floured fingers or a floured rolling pin, to
about 1/2 inch thick. Cut out rounds with a cookie cutter or jelly glass and place them on a baking sheet. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are golden brown. Serve warm in a festive basket. Makes about 15 to 18 biscuits.

Excerpted from the cookbook - Recipes from a Vegetarian Goddess Delectable feasts through the seasons  by Karri Allrich. All rights reserved.  May 2000 Llewellyn Publications.
Lemon-Poppy Seed Pound Cake
cooking spray
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/9 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
2/3 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 . Preheat oven to 350° .
2. Coat an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 teaspoon flour. Set aside.
3. Beat granulated sugar and butter at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 4 minutes). Add egg whites and egg, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon rind and vanilla. Lightly spoon 1 2/3 cups flour
into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 1 2/3 cups flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan; bake at 350° for 1  hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center conies out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Poke holes in top of cake using a skewer. Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl; brush over warm cake. Cool completely. Yield: 12 servings
Sour Cream and Honey Cake
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup raisins
5 fluid ounces sour cream
3/8 cup honey
Preheat oven to 400º F. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Rub in the butter with your fingertips. Toss in the raisins. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the sour cream and honey. Mix it all up to make dough. Flour a baking sheet and roll the dough out in a rectangle until it is 3/4 of an inch thick. Bake it for 12-15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, and then cut into squares as desired. NOTE: The non-standard measurement of "5 fluid ounces" of sour cream is a little tough to estimate. If you cannot find a container that measures fluid ounces, just add the honey in the well, mix it up, and then throw in maybe a fourth of a cup of sour cream, mixing until doughy. Add more sour cream until it feels like it can be rolled out without sticking. It won't be much more. When I made this I left out the cinnamon (I'm allergic) and left out the raisins (don't much like them in bread). It came out fine with these variations. Yield: 1 rectangular cake (about 9 x 13); serving size varies.    Source: Gail Duff, Seasons of the Witch
Waking Earth Cake
Celebrate the first stirrings of spring with this unusual not-too-sweet cake, a tasty way to begin fortifying ourselves for the new season ahead. It is sweetened with iron-rich molasses instead of sugar, and it uses no dairy or eggs. In fact, you will be surprised at how anything with so few ingredients could taste so good! This adaptation of a simple recipe by Peaceful Cook Harriet Kofalk is a nourishing tonic for the last cold days of late winter.
The recipe includes a magical surprise idea to celebrate the seeds that are beginning to stir deep underground. You may want to top it with vanilla ice cream, a beautiful way to represent the snow covering this waking earth. Think of the cake hiding its surprise gifts just as the earth gestates the waking seeds.
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
optional: small non-meltable surprises for hiding inside cake (a clean coin, a polished crystal, a ring, a gold or silver charm) optional: yogurt, ice cream or non-dairy frozen dessert
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl, combine both flours and baking soda. Stir in the vegetable oil and the unsulphured molasses. This mixture will resemble crumb topping. Remove 1 cup of it and reserve.
3. In a small bowl, combine the hot water and the blackstrap molasses. Add to the flour mixture remaining in the large bowl and mix well.
4. Now is the time, if you desire, to stir in any one or more of the non-melting surprises. Finding one of them in your piece of cake is good luck - but BE SURE to warn your eating audience to prevent accidental choking or broken teeth!
5. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch square baking pan, sprinkle with the reserved crumb topping, and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Serve warm, with a dollop of yogurt or vanilla ice cream, if you like.   Source: Witch in the Kitchen by Cait Johnson
Imbolc Ritual Cake
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbs. poppyseeds
1 tbs. grated lemon peel
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
powdered sugar
This is all done in one pan, so clean up is a breeze! Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, poppyseeds, baking soda, and salt with a fork in an ungreased 9"x9"x2" baking pan. Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the powdered sugar. Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, and the top is
golden brown. Remove from oven and cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 8 servings.
Source: http://forum.parentalplayground.com/index.php?action=printpage;topic=3387.0
Groundhog Day Cake

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup quick oats, uncooked
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
Frosting
Preheat oven to 350º F. Heat the water in a pan until boiling, then add the oats and stir. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the chips in a double boiler or carefully in a regular pan, until evenly melted. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, soda, and salt and make sure it's evenly mixed. In a large bowl, cream the butter and both sugars. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then blend in the oats and the chocolate.
Finally, add the flour mix. When it's all evenly mixed together, pour it into a greased and floured 13 x 9 x 1.5-inch pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then turn out of the pan onto a flat surface. Do not ice until completely cool! Royal Icing works well if you don't want to use a store-bought icing; try dusting with cocoa. Source: Scott Cunningham, Wicca in the Kitchen Use for: Imbolc
Maiden Wakes Muffins
2 cups flour
2 Carrots, grated
1/2 cup raisins
1 green apple, peeled, cored, grated
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almonds, sliced
2 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2tsp.vanilla
Soak raisins in hot water, in a covered bowl, for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large non-metal bowl, mix flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in carrots, raisins, apple, and almonds. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla until well blended. Stir egg mixture in to the flour mixture until just wet. Grease muffin pan with a little butter or use cupcake/muffin cups. Divide the batter into the cups and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 8 servings.
Source: http://thetestkitchen.bbq-n-grits.com

Ostkaka: Swedish Cheesecake
1 quart cottage cheese
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 400º F. Beat together all the ingredients until well-blended. Turn into greased 8 x 8 glass pan. Bake for one hour. Reduce heat to 300º F and bake for 25 more minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 30 minutes.
NOTE: I ended up having to bake this a lot longer than the recommended time, but that is likely to be because I used a different size of pan. If your cake cannot be cut without each piece coming apart, you probably need to bake longer. If the outside is done while the center is still mushy, you can even trim off the sides in little squares and set those aside while the center goes back in the oven. Yield: 1 8 x 8 cake   Source: Marina T. Stern, The Fairy Party Book
Lemon Pudding Cake for Imbolc
Pudding cakes are basically egg custards, but with two improvements. Unlike ordinary egg custard, pudding cakes contain a little flour and beaten egg whites. During baking, the beaten egg whites will float to the top, forming a spongy cake-like cap. Meanwhile, the remainder of the batter settles to the bottom to make a pudding-like layer.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, room temperature
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, strained
1 cup milk
4 egg whites, room temperature
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Adjust oven rack to center position. Lightly butter baking pan or custard cups of your choice. Bring several quarts of water to boil for water bath.
In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, and salt; beat until crumbly. Beat in egg yolks and flour, mixing until smooth. Slowly beat in lemon zest and juice; stir in milk.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently whisk whites into batter just until no large lumps remain. Immediately ladle batter into prepared baking pan or custard cups. Do not pour; otherwise, the first cups get all the froth and the later cups get all the batter.
Set a roasting pan onto oven rack. Lay folded dish towel onto bottom of roasting pan; set custard cups or baking pan on top of towel. Pour enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of baking pan or custard cups.
Bake 25 minutes or until pudding cake center is set and springs back when gently touched. Remove roasting pan from oven and set on a wire rack. Let pan or cups continue to stand in water bath for 10 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Makes 4 to 6 servings.    Source: WitchsKitchen@groups.msn.com

The Best Scones
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup softened butter
3/4 cup milk
1 beaten egg
Preheat oven to 400º. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter. Then mix in milk and egg. Roll to a 1-inch thick circle on a floured board, then transfer to baking sheet. Cut to make 6-8 wedges, without separating. Bake for 25 minutes. Yield: 6-8 wedges     Source: Amber and Azrael Arynn K, Candlemas

Boxty Scones
1 cup potatoes, peeled & diced
2 cups self-raising flour
pinch of salt & black pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons milk
Boil and mash potatoes, allow to cool. Add salt & pepper to flour and mix in butter. Add mashed potatoes and enough milk to make a soft but not too mushy dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch circles using a pastry cutter. Arrange on lightly greased tray. Bake at 400º F for 20-30 minutes. Eat
warm, split in half, with butter. Yield: 9-10 scones     Source: Franklin & Mason

Chocolate Almond Biscotti
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Dutch Processed Cocoa or HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced almonds
CHOCOLATE GLAZE (recipe follows)
WHITE GLAZE (recipe follows)
Additional sliced almonds (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs and almond extract; beat until smooth. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; blend into butter mixture, beating until smooth. (Dough will be thick.) Using wooden spoon, work almonds into dough.
3. Divide dough in half. With lightly floured hands, shape each half into rectangular log about 2 inches in diameter and 11 inches long; place on large ungreased cookie sheet, at least 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 30 minutes or until logs are set. Remove from oven; cool on cookie sheet 15 minutes. Using serrated knife and sawing motion, cut logs into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Discard end pieces. Arrange slices, cut sides down, close together on cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 9 minutes. Turn each slice over; bake an additional 8 to 9 minutes. Remove from oven; cool on cookie sheet on wire rack. Dip end of each biscotti in CHOCOLATE GLAZE or drizzle glaze over entire
cookie. Drizzle WHITE GLAZE over chocolate glaze. Garnish with additional almonds, if desired. About 2-1/2 dozen cookies.
CHOCOLATE GLAZE: In small microwave-safe bowl, place 1 cup HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and 1 tablespoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine or oil). Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth when stirred. About 1 cup glaze.
WHITE GLAZE: In small microwave-safe bowl, place 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Premier White Chips and 1 teaspoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine or oil). Microwave at HIGH (100%) 30 to 45 seconds or until smooth when stirred. About 1/4 cup glaze.
Honey Almonds
Servings: 25 pieces
Ingredients for Batter #1
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons pure honey
4 tablespoons corn oil
11/2 cups unsalted slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon ground saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoons of rose water
4 tablespoons unsalted chopped pistachios for decoration
Ingredients for Batter #2
1/2 cup unsalted melted butter
1/2 teaspoon saffron dissolved in
1/2 cup rose water
2/3 cup unsalted slivered almonds
8 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons pure honey
4 tablespoons unsalted slivered pistachios for decoration
Batter #1: In a heavy saucepan over high heat, melt the sugar, honey, and oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the slivered almonds to the mixture. Stir from time to time, for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is firm and golden. Add the saffron-rose water mixture and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a golden brown color. Be careful: it should not be dark brown. Place a bowl of ice water next to the stove. Drop a spoonful of the hot almond mixture in the water: If it hardens quickly, the mixture is ready. Reduce the heat to very low. Spread a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet. Place teaspoonfuls of the mixture on wax paper, leaving a 1-inch space between each. Immediately garnish with the chopped pistachios. Allow the almonds to cool, then remove them from the paper. Arrange on a serving platter. Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil to keep the honey almonds crisp or keep in an airtight container or cookie jar.
Variation using Batter #2: In a heavy saucepan, place 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 teaspoon saffron dissolved in 1/2 cup rose water, 2/3 cup slivered almonds, 8 tablespoons sugar, and 3 tablespoons honey. Boil over high heat for about 7 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon until the mixture is golden brown. Proceed with step 4 in batter #1 instructions.
Cannariculi-Honey cookies
4 cups Flour
1 cup Marsala Wine
2 Large Eggs
4 teaspoons Sugar
1 pinch Salt
Oil for deep frying
Honey
Make a well in flour in mixing bowl or on work surface. Add wine, eggs, sugar, and salt. Mix well, until thoroughly blended. Knead dough vigorously until smooth and glossy. If using processor, continue mixing for at least 1 minutes after ingredients are combined. Roll dough to an 1/8" thickness or less. Cut dough into 2" squares, starting with 1 corner, roll each square of dough loosely on the diagonal to form pastry roll about the thickness of a pencil.
Meanwhile, heat oil for deep frying. Fry pastries by batches in hot oil until golden brown, being careful not to crowd pan. Use a slotted spoon to remove fried pastries from oil. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to serving platter. Drizzle honey over top or dip Cannariculi into honey. Makes 4 to 5 dozen   Source: http://www.grouprecipes.com/
Candlemas Crescent Cakes
1¼ cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 cup finely ground almonds
3 drops almond extract
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk
In a large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add the butter, honey, egg yolk and mix together well.
Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then chill for 1½ to 2 hours in the refrigerator. When ready, pinch
off pieces of the dough (about the size of plums) and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents on a well-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. Makes about one dozen crescent cakes.   Source: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/
Imbolc Milk & Honey Rice Pudding
Pudding:
3 eggs beaten gently
1c milk
½ c sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 c cooked rice
Sauce:
Equal Parts Sweetened Condensed Milk and Honey
Cinnamon (optional)
In a mixing bowl combine eggs, milk, condensed milk, honey and vanilla. Beat gently by hand until honey is dissolved. Stir in rice. Pour into a 1.5 quart baking dish. Place the baking dish into a larger baking dish and put 1 inch of hot water into the outer dish. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove immediately from the hot water bath. Set aside while you make the sauce.
In a glass bowl mix equal parts condensed milk and honey. Heat in the microwave in 10 second intervals and stir until well mixed. Stir in cinnamon to taste. Drizzle over individual servings of warm pudding. Source:http://www.bellaonline.com
Almond Custard
Imbolc is traditionally a time to serve milk and dairy dishes.
3 C milk
3/4 C sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. almond extract
1 T. finely chopped almonds.
Mix together all the ingredents, except the chopped almonds, and pour into an ungreased 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle on the chopped almonds and bake at 325 for 60 minutes, or until a knife comes clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes, then refrigerates. Serves 4-6    By Margenta Griffith
Baked Croissant Pudding
4 large croissants, day-old
1/2 cup golden raisins or chopped dried apricots
2 cups whole milk
1 cup light cream or half-and-half
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter or grease a two-quart glass baking dish. Slice croissants into 1-inch pieces and press to line bottom and sides of dish. Sprinkle raisins on. In a bowl, combine milk and cream, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and nutmeg. Beat until light and frothy. Pour over croissants and press with a spoon to soak croissants. Cover with foil and set aside. Let stand 20 minutes. Set pudding into a large pan of 2-inch hot water and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake again for 20 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool, taking out of water. Let rest before serving.
Note: I prefer it without the fruit. It is a nice smooth dessert and in my opinion the fruit makes each bite too sweet. But I suggest trying it either way, or putting fruit in only one half of it, and see how you like it. Yield: 6 servings
Source: Allrich, Cooking By Moonlight
Salem Witch Pudding
4 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup half-and-half
5 tablespoons rum
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
In an electric mixer or large mixing bowl, Beat the egg whites until stiff. In a different bowl, beat the egg yolks until
Thick and lemon-colored. Combine the yolks with the remaining eight Ingredients; mix together well; And then fold in the egg whites. Pour the pumpkin mixture into a buttered 1-quart souffle dish. Place it in a Pan of hot water and bake in a 350-degree Preheated oven for about 45 Minutes. This recipe yields 6 servings.

This recipe is from The Wicca Spellbook A Witchs Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes By Gerina Dunwich, p. 173, a Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994
Divinely Spiced Wine
4 cups (1 liter) red grape juice
1 1/2 quart (1.5 liter) bottle of jug red wine
2-3 sticks cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon whole cloves
1/2 tablespoon allspice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 cup (170 grams) firmly packed brown sugar
In a large saucepan, combine juice and wine. Add spices and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Decrease heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust sweetness by adding sugar to taste. Yield: 10-12 servings
Source: Wood & Seefeldt, The Wicca Cookbook Use for: Imbolc
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Imbolc Activities

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:15:09 -0500

Activities of Imbolc:
Bless your candles for the coming year.
Cleanse and re-consecrate your ritual tools and clean your altar.
Start ordering garden seeds for spring. Do a seed blessing with the seed you have in stock.
This is an appropriate time to bless your house. Ritually cleanse your home and start your "spring" cleaning.
Do a period of spiritual purification. Burn the Yule greens to send winter on its way. Do a purification bath to purify your body,. a meditation to purify your mind.
Consider spending extra time just with your family. Instead of spending time traveling and surrounding yourself with strangers, concentrate on those closest to you. If you belong to a group this would be a good time to just hang out, drink tea, and get to know each other better instead of just group business.
As a time of cleansing and purification, it's a great time to make or buy a besom if you don't already have one. Symbolically sweep your home top to bottom, ridding the old and making room for the new.
On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl indoors for the fairies who travel with the Lady of Greenwood. Next day, dispose of it as the 'essence' will have been remove.
Place three ears of corn on the door as symbol of the Triple Goddess and leave until Ostara.
Decorate Your Altar with White and yellow flowers, a crown of thirteen candles, a sprig of evergreen, witches broom or besom, statue of Triple Goddess in Her maiden phase.
Herbal Potpourri Valentines

2 oz. sweet woodruf
1 oz. each red rose petals and red clover tops
3 oz. rose hips
3 tonka beans, sliced
1 oz. orris root, cut
30 drops essential oil of choice
Muslin
Lace
Ribbon
Cut muslin hearts and sew together sachets, leaving an opening for the herbs. Tuck some of the potpourri mixture into each sachet, close up opening and trim with lace and a ribbon for hanging. -
http://www.kitchenw itch.com/ valentines. html
A few ideas taken from Cunningham's The Magical Household:
For the doorway:
Suspend over the door a fresh sprig of dill, tied with a blue cord (or red, if you prefer), to prevent those who mean you harm from entering
Grind Dragon's Blood herb into a powder and sprinkle it on door and window sills, to protect your house from harm.
Brids Oil

2 drams of almond oil or olive oil
1 dram of dragons blood
1 dram of sage oil
and 1 crushed garnet

Warm slowly on a very low heat in an enamel pan.
Let cool and place in small corked bottles or jars.
Charge the oil in your Magic Circle, wear it or use
it to anoint candles in your rituals and spells.
Celebrate The Earth
By Laurie Cabot
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Candle Magic Colors

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:24:13 -0500

BLACK: reversing, uncrossing, binding negative forces, discord, protection, releasing, repel dark magic and negative thoughtforms.
BLUE: truth, inspiration, wisdom, occult power, protection, understanding, good health, happiness, peace, fidelity, harmony in the home, patience
BROWN: attract money and financial success; influence Earth Elementals, concentration, balance, ESP, intuition, study
GOLD OR VERY CLEAR LIGHT YELLOW: great fortune, intuition, understanding, divination, fast luck, financial benefits, attracts higher influences, male deity powers
GREEN: abundance, fertility, good fortune, generosity, money, wealth, success, renewal, marriage, balance
INDIGO: meditation, neutralize another's magic, stop gossip, lies or undesirable competition, balance out karma
MAGENTA: very high vibrational frequency that tends to work fast, usually burned with other candles; quick changes, spiritual healing, exorcism
ORANGE: encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, sudden changes control, power, to draw good things, change luck
PINK: love, affection, romance, spiritual awakening, healing of the spirit, togetherness
PURPLE: success, idealism, higher psychic ability, wisdom, progress, protection, honors, spirit contact, break bad luck, drive away evil, divination
RED: health,energy, strength, sexual potency, courage, will power, to conquer fear and laziness
SILVER OR VERY CLEAR LIGHT GREY: remove negative powers, victory, stability, meditation, develop psychic abilities, female deity powers
WHITE: purity, spirituality and greater attainments in life, truth sincerity power of a higher nature, wholeness
YELLOW: intellect, imagination, power of the mind, creativity, confidence, gentle persuasion, action, attraction, concentration, inspiration, sudden changes
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Metaphysical Properties of Healing Crystals

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:51:25 -0500

This list will grow as we add stones to it. If you would like more information and photos regarding these stones, look in our catalog for more detailed crystal and stone properties

Agate, Blue Lace: calms, assists inner attunement, healing, clears throat chakra
Agate, Bostwana: inner knowledge
Agate, Fire: Is a stone of courage, protection, and strength. Mystical lore says that it relieves fears, halts gossip and even reflects any threat of harm back to the source. Fire agate can help with spiritual advancement and progression. It promotes and enhances energy, including meditation, ritual, and spiritual healing energies. It also balances masculine-active and feminine-receptive energies. It is also said that it can take the edge off the emotional charge of problems. Fire agate is often used in spells to increase skills in communication in writing and speaking. It can also heighten creative visualization. Metaphysical healing lore professes that fire agate enhances all healing energies, and assists with healing of the circulatory system, lymph system, intestines. Fire agate dispels fear from the very depths of our inner being and provides a protective shield which reflects any negative energy back to its source so they understand personally their act. Helps us to stay on our path towards enlightenment by dispelling desires that woul steer us off track. It encourages us to be the 'best' possible Its energy provides the impetus to take action and stimulates both progression and advancement.Fire agate is associated primarily with the sacral and root chakras.
Agate, Moss: grounds, calms, centers
Agate, Tree: assist with introspection & self discovery, relives tension, gives a wider viewpoint of the world

Agate, Turitella: Overcomes negativity and bitterness of the heart, healing anger, fostering love, courage to start again, acceptance of ones self, emotional trauma, dissolves internal tension, accept love, self-confidence, concentration, perception, analytical abilities, stabilizes the aura and negative energy transformation. Emotional, physical, and intellectual balance, helps through transitions, helps to rid unpleasant thoughts during these transitions, calming, soothing, grounding, reduce fatigue, spiritual growth and inner stability. Helps adjust to changes in life that has to do with combining the old aspects of life with the new ones. Like families that have step children or step parents in them, helps them run more smoothly. Healing lore properties are digestive process, gastritis, eyes, stomach, uterus, lymphatic system, pancreas, blood vessels and skin disorders. Associated with root Chakra and the Earth element.
Amazonite:  soothes heart & throat, brings clarity, truth & trust. dispels negativity, general health & well being
Amethyst:  opens crown chakra, promotes inner peace, love, insomnia, balance, healing, true love, cleansing, initiates wisdom & under standing, communicates directly with the inner soul. It is a gemstone of power, peace, protection, and spirituality. It helps balance the aura, controls evil thoughts, eases tension, sharpens the intellect, and brings contentment and sincerity into the lives of those who use it. Amethyst as an amulet brings exceptional good luck for all persons born in the month of February or under the astrological sign of Pisces. When held in the hand or placed over the Third Eye chakra, it aids spiritual and psychic development, and can be used as a powerful meditation stone. To guard against negativity, wear an amethyst pendant set in silver on a silver chain.
Amethyst, Black: emotionally grounding, good crystal for healers who are burnt out to rejuvenate themselves. is a environmental clean up crystal With this in mind, it will need to be cleansed itself and Loves to be cleansed with water, used to remove radiation the body stores on the sides of the head, such as from computers, Place on the 3rd eye and visualize yourself breathing in the color for total mental emotional soothing, all round healer and also a brilliant meditation stone
Ametrine:  harmony, healing, stress relief, learning, meditation, negativity, psychic abilities, 3rd eye chakra
Angelite:  Brings serenity, inner peace, and a sense of calm. Angelite is excellent to use when you need to calm down from feelings of stress and overwhelm. Angelite dispeals fear, anger, and encourages forgiveness. Angelite is used to connect with spirit guides, the higher self, and guardian angels. It is excellent for enhancing telepathy, psychic awareness, astral travel, and spirit journeys. Angelite is a wonderful mineral that helps balance the subtle bodies and strengthens them against intrusion, as its energy constitutes a protective barrier around the location in which it is placed. It is used to aid the development and accuracy of telepathic communication and is useful in channeling due to the properties of protection and the enhancement of communication, both gross and subtle. Angelite can be used to aid expression and communication in group settings and in relationships. Angelite is used for infectious diseases, hemoglobin deficiencies, throat inflammations and infections, thymus, heart function and circulatory system.

Apache Tear:  aids in removal of limits,soothes grief, provides insight and acceptance at times of death
Apatite:  increase intellect, imagination, meditation or awareness tool, maintain focus, learn, think clearly, communicate, enhance energies of other crystals, inner peace, healing
Apophyllite:  charge objects,scrying, truth, calms,ground spirit,past lives,reiki healing,relax,healing,respiratory, rejunevates eyes, 3rd eye
Aqua Aura: used for power, healing, love, protection, soothe anger, cool feverishness, and release stress. It is strongly connected to the element of water, enhances access to the truth of emotions, throat Chakra, communicate inner truth, soothing and relaxing effect on the emotional body.
Aquamarine:  courage, strength, aids in peace, protection and calming
Aragonite: Aragonite increases energy, in particular it increases the energy of prayers and magick charms. Aragonite can be used for centering oneself before healing or meditation, allowing for stimulation of communication on the higher planes. Diminishes stress and anger, bringing patience when it is needed most! Aragonite promotes reliability in people and discipline. Provides insight into problems. Aragonite increases self-worth and self-confidence. In business, Aragonite helps clear the mind and provide energy required to meet professional challenges. Thought to teach the art of deep thinking, Aragonite gives the ability to live everyday life with an open heart and mind. An earthly grounding stone, Aragonite shows one how to effectively give-and-take, by making one think before acting, and is believed to teach moderation in all things. Aragonite has also been used to help access past lives. Aragonite increases energy levels and the energy of prayers. Because of its positive influence on the brain, nervous system and heart it brings energy to chronic fatigue sufferers. Aragonite helps with hair loss and skin disorders, working on areas that need calcium, such as strengthening and mending broken bones and providing relief from spinal pain. It is said that placing Aragonite on the body when chilled from the flu or a cold will bring instant warmth to the body and rid the body of the chill. It is associated with the Throat, Heart, Third Eye chakra
Aventurine Green: heals heart and all physic healing. clears emotional stress
Aventurine Peach: heals heart and all physical healing, self acceptance, money, luck, clears emotional stress
Azurite: Has a soothing effect and enhances psychic abilities. Azurite is called the "stone of heaven." It aids in developing psychic awareness, psychic skills and abilities, enhances intuition, and is said to guide you to be accurate in depicting psychic experiences. It is an excellent stone for meditation, allowing you to enter a meditative state easily. It can enhance prophesy and divination. Azurite is said to help control energy flow and bring just the right amount of energy to any situation. Azurite is helpful for healing in general, liver issues arthritis, joint problems and depression. It will also work to align all of the chakras. Azurite cuts through illusion, use on the third eye to release and transform old patterning and belief systems. Associated with All Chakras.
Azurite- Malachite: Natural mixture of minerals that helps the wearer to renew and remember their connection to the All. You get the combination of both mineral with this tumbled stone. It freshens the outlook and allows us to touch our core self without fear, letting us touch our child within and be "reborn into the light." Soothing to the soul, Azurite-Malachite releases stress and helps the wearer to make new beginnings. Azurite aids in developing psychic awareness, psychic skills and abilities, and enhances intuition. It is also an excellent stone for meditation, allowing you to enter a meditative state easily. It can enhance divination. Azurite is said to help control energy flow and bring just the right amount of energy to any situation. Azurite is helpful for healing in general and depression. It will also work to align all of the chakras. Azurite cuts through illusion, use on the third eye to release and transform old patterning and belief systems. Azurite has a soothing effect. alachite is a stone of transformation and helps with change and spiritual evolution. It can clear and activate all chakras, as well as balance them. Malachite is a stone that bridges the energy of the heart and base chakras. It is particularly useful for balancing and clearing the heart chakra. It helps balance pure love, romance, and one's own well-being. Malachite is a stone of good fortune and prosperity - abundance. Malachite is also a very protective stone, being especially helpful for general protection, protection from evil, protection for children. It is also an excellent protection stone during flying and other travel. Using this stone, one can counteract self-destructive romantic tendencies and help encourage true, pure love. Malachite is also good for enhancing emotional stability and balance in general.
Bloodstone:  Intense healing stone, courage, harmony, wealth, self confidence, business, purifies blood, soothes cuts and bruises, restores vitality, protection
Calcite, Honey: gently amplifies energy, assists with challenges associated with change. It can enhance psychic abilities, astral projection, higher consciousness, intellect and memory. It is an excellent massage stone. It is associated with the sacral and solar plexus chakras.
Calcite, Mangano: Gentle but powerful energy, and is excellent for energy healing because of its excellent properties of energy magnification. It helps to clear, soothe and support the emotional body by acknowledging and releasing deeply held emotional patterns and beliefs such as anger or grief. It helps with emotional traumas by activating the heart chakra and connecting to the energy of Divine Love which brings a feeling of wholeness to one's being. It is a calming stone, that eases and heals the heart chakra. It fills the heart with universal love and self-love. It offers hope. It heals inner child hurts and past abuse by filling one with a sense of motherly love. It is also excellent for channeling and astral travel, and for studying and retaining information learned. Use it to release fear, open your heart and move towards that which you desire. Mangano Calcite helps us to experience feelings of absolute safety within our own heart and can give us strength to cope with emotional pain. Perfect for studying and to those who need a sharp memory. It can give you extra energy to get through your day, as it is an energy amplifier. Use to speed up your spiritual development. Mangano calcite creates stability and trust in ourselves. It helps us to overcome difficulties. It enhances memory and makes us more energetic, industrious and successful. Helps to alleviate fear. Mangano Calcite is a calcium carbonate and has a distinct "baby" pink color with white inclusions. The pink color is due to it's Manganese content.
Calcite, Orange: protecting, purifying, grounding and centering stone, inner peace, increases creativity, imagination, and prosperity. Calcite is also a stone of spirituality, wisdom, reconciliation, open and balance the various chakras, healing, boost's psychic abilities & intuition, increases and amplifies energy, astral travel, channeling, increases intuition, lessening fear and reduces stress.
Carnelian:  strength, courage, grounding, creativity, mental ability, past lives, digestive system, purification, abundance
Cats Eye: Believed to have magical properties, protects against Evil Eye and black magic, increases personal power, prosperity, confidence, initiate intuition, self pride, healing tool, amplifies other gems energies, deepens spirituality, increases generosity, promotes forgiveness, peace of mind, grounding, stimulates intuition, dispels negative energy from the aura, provides general protection, brings beauty, confidence, happiness, serenity, good luck. Cats Eye is a symbol of tolerance, goodness, pride and harmony. Often given to lovers to increase the positive effects on their relationship.Healing lore says beneficial for eye disorders, night vision, headaches, facial pain, adrenaline, cholesterol, chest and liver. Opens crown chakra and aligns to solar plexus. It is asociated with the wind and water elements.
Celestite:  mental activities, balance, angelic realms, astral travel, dream recall, cleanses, healing, eyes, hearing, mental dysfunction, elminates toxins, digestive disorders, clearing chakras, throat & crown chakras
Chalcedony: Soothing, calming, peace, joy, cleansing, healing, balancing, stimulates optimism and goodwill while relieving hostility, promote mental stability, nurtures and promotes brotherhood and good will, assist telepathy, comforting vibes during mediation or energy work, absorb negative energy and dissipate it, communication with other realms. It harmonizes mind, body, and spirit, instills generosity. All Chalcedonies are thought to absorb negative energy, promote harmonious emotions, facilitate an exuberant vibe from a speaker to an audience. Carry it when in need of relief from depression or an immune system boost. This stone feels nice to hold, Blue Chalcedony has a special connection with the Angelic Realm and has a nice translucency. Chalcedony occasionally contains Opal. Associated with the Throat and Third Eye Chakras
Charoite: Assists to bring a new and vibrant life. It brings in focused clarity and the awareness of what we create. Having a more profound acceptance of our roles as Co-Creators, through clarity and alignment with Divine Wills Intent. Assisting to step out of the old, fear based existence of emotions, thoughts and patterns. It lightens the way to the unlimited self. Carry Charoite to release of limiting beliefs and old patterns, so you can manifest your reality with Divine assistance, for your highest good and greatest joy. Charoite is called a "Stone of Transformation" and is a stone of power. In particular it transforms negative emotions such as anger and fear into positive feelings. As part of the transformation process it allows release of those negative emotions. Charoite is also a stone of inspiration, bringing enhanced creativity, spiritual growth, and showing new possibilities even in old situations. This is a stone that allows us to see clearly which brings with it enhanced self-esteem and helps release one from victimization. Charoite can enhance or bring courage, inner strength, and appropriate assertiveness. In the psychic realm, chaorite is used for entity release or rescue work, clairvoyance, and prophesy. Physically, chaorite is helpful for speeding up healing of all kinds and alcohol detoxification.
Chiastolite: A polished stone also known as the Fairy Cross is a powerfully protective stone. Chiastolite Pronunciation kahy-as-tl-ahyt also known as the Cross-Stone. It has the properties of transmuting dissension into harmony. It is a creative stone with the power to dispel negative thoughts and feelings. It transmutes conflict into harmony and aids problem-solving and change. It is a gateway into the mysteries, and is helpful for those making the transition beyond death. It calms fears, enabling you to face reality. It aids you in transition between one situation and another. It clears feelings of guilt and stabilizes the emotions. It maintains spirituality during illness or trauma, invoking protective forces. The X in this stone was used to deflect the evil eye. Chiastolite is a wonderful energy to have around. It helps you find your path, balances your emotions, dispels negativity and helps to transform all inharmonious vibrations into harmonious ones. Use as a bridge between worlds or in times of change as an accelerator to release old limiting beliefs. It promotes practicality, creativity, adaptation to change, problem-solving, strength, devotion, balance, memory and harmony. Provides protection and enhances spiritual awareness. Reduces fears, illusions and guilt. Assists with transition and change. The chakras for this stone are the Base and Sacral. The color is Brown-gray, rose, gray, reddish-brown, olive green.
Chrysocolla: Peace, harmony & balance stone. Will give comfort, heal and self confidence
Chrysoprase:  emotions, relief of anxiety & stress.Rituals for abundance, transformations, friendship, healing, charging other items & stones used in healing
Citrine, Yellow: comforting, energizing, meditation, protection, creativity, manifestation, builds up aura, cleansing, grounds negative energy, abundance
Copper: Wonderful healing tool, a mineral of energy, mental agility, quick wit, channel and ground higher vibrations, conducts and enhances stone energies, conduit of Heaven and Earth, enhances and transmits thoughts, carries the energies of thought and emotion, help you become more aware of inner thoughts that create our emotional experiences, aids in gaining wisdom regarding emotional experiences. Healing lore says treatment of arthritis, relieves pain of broken bones and low energy, supports the formation of red blood cells, can assist the body in repairing tissues after an accident, injury or surgery. Associated with the earth element and all chakras
Coral, Agatized: Wards off the evil eye, draw luck if used as an ornament in the home, support trauma therapy and work through emotional issues from dysfunctional families, assists in achieving excellence in your personal and professional life, inner peace, quiet nagging thoughts, past life memorie, emotional cleansing, excellent protection stone for travel on or near water, shows the power love has to create change, strength to love other people, courage to greet life, ease irritability, help you feel better about other people. Healing lore says it enhances the bodys ability to absorb nutrients, aid digestion, promote long life, prevent snake bites, insect bites, relieve thirst, reduce fevers, body into harmony improving your general health, female reproductive system, womens health problems. Associated with the Base Chakra
Dolomite: Polished stone for relieving sorrow, and soothing hurt, loneliness and anxiety. It is a gentle stone that encourages charitable actions, generosity and giving of all kinds, as well as receiving. Helps us to see that everything happens for a reason. Provides stamina for those dealing with hyperactive indivdiuals. Use to align your energy, rebalance and remove blocks.It also encourages energetic thinking, original thinking, spontaneity, creativity, and manifestation. It is also used to stop energy leaks from the chakras, and to balance and align the chakras. It stabilizes both human and mineral energies, and when placed strategically in a home with other minerals they balance the energetic atmosphere. Sometimes it is called the "herb" of rocks. In the physical realm it is also beneficial for strengthening bones, teeth, muscles, and the female reproductive system. It reduces the effects of PMS. Pink dolomite is also particularly good for insomnia.
Emerald:  helps domestic bliss, stimulates heart chakra, harmony, fidelity, joy, all healing
Fluorite:  centers the mind, connects to the soul realms,healing, great for computer & electrmagnetic stress
Fluorite, Blue: Blue Fluorite is a rarer color of Fluorite and has a nice vibration. It is a protective and stabilizing stone, useful for grounding and harmonizing spiritual energy. When working with the upper Chakras, Fluorite increases intuitive abilities and develops connection to Spirit. It can heighten mental abilities, assisting in rapid organization and processing of information, and can bring mental clarity and stability to an otherwise chaotic situation.   Fluorite absorbs negative energies from the environment and is effective at Aura and Chakra cleansing. Fluorite can also shield the user from psychic manipulation. Fluorite should be cleared often. When used with the Third Eye Chakra, Blue Fluorite brings spiritual awaking and clear communication between the physical and spiritual planes. Used with the Throat Chakra, Blue Fluorite aids in orderly communication of intuitive insights. The calm, serene energy of Blue Fluorite brings inner peace.
Garnet, Red: creativity, imagination, purifies, strength, courage, root chakra. Its also known as the "Passion Stone," the garnet is a balancer of the yin/yang energies. It increases psychic sensitivity. Garnet is an ideal gemstone to use during meditative rituals, and it can be worn as amuletic jewelry to attract sexual love and soul mates. When placed under a pillow or worn while sleeping, it wars off bad dreams and evil spirits of the night. It also protects the wearer from all dangers when traveling.
Hematite:  grounding, protection, legal situations, divination, restful sleep, calming, healing, physical strength, removes negativity
Herkimer Diamond:  attunement, balance, stress, healing
Howlite: decreases rudeness, an overly critical state of mind, selfishness, stress and pain. It increases tact. It helps bones, teeth, calcium levels and leg cramps. It also heightens creativity.
Infinite: It is often called the healers stone and miracle working stone. It is useful for healers, athletes, chronic pain sufferers and whoever has an ongoing need for healing energies. Infinite is a soothing and calming stone. It is used in crystal healing to draw pain out from affected areas. It does need to be cleansed regularly. Although both shades are equally valuable, some people prefer the lighter shades and others the darker shades to work with. It is said to be excellent for the treatment of joints, muscles, connective tissue and is excellent fpr pain relief.
Iolite: Also known as Cordierite and "water sapphire" is usually a blue to violet colored gemstone. Metaphysical properties include: stimulation of the third eye, enhancement of your inner knowing, helps one to eliminate debt by accepting responsibility which leads to successful management of money, has been a stone worn by Shamans in the past to insure accuracy of visions. It also can aid the elimination of disharmony in relationships. Wear or carry Iolite Jewelry to aid financial situations.
Jade, Serpentine: protection, wisdom, shields, luck, love, purity, friendship
Jade: Health, Wealth, longevity, Promotes emotional balance, courage, wisdom, dreams, Protects from injury and accidents. Jade is a mystical gemstone sacred to the Chinese Goddess of healing mercy. It is the symbol of tranquillity and wisdom. It is said to possess yang (the vital masculine principal), and in China it was believed to impart immortality. When worn as amuletic jewelry, jade prevents nightmares and prolongs life. A jade statue placed in the house near a window or in the garden to avert lightning.
Jasper, Brecieated: relaxation, protection, eases stress, grounding
Jasper, Ocean: also known as Orbicular Jasper is very soothing polished stone and helps to love one's self as well as others. It heals the emotions and brings peace of mind. It helps with acceptance of responsibility and increases patience. The circulars patterns on ocean jasper symbolize and help us realize that we are all interconnected and nature is a cyclical pattern. It can also help with circular breathing for healing or meditation. Jasper is the stone of selflessness; it is the mother of all stones bringing about Love of all mankind. Ocean Jasper helps with one's emotional life which relates to the solar plexus, said to be a storehouse for emotions. Holding the stone is like holding on to an anchor, a safe haven, while allowing deeply buried feelings to well up like a rising sea. It is said that the Jasper helps these feelings to be released in a way that allows one to process them calmly, without drowning in them. For those who don't need such emotional work, ocean jasper is said to offer a soothing, grounding effect helpful in dealing with change. Ocean jasper is beneficial to the digestion, digestive organs, removing toxins,lessen body odour. Ocean Jasper is related to the heart chakra. Ocean jasper is a very protective stone, and any orbs - "eyes" enhance this in regard to protection from the "evil eye."
Jasper, Picture: grounding, creativity, harmony, business, emotional healing
Jasper, Red: intensifier, strength, balancing, calming
Jasper, Yellow: protects during spiritual work, positive energy, development of memory, intellect
Jet:  aleviates grief, protection, negativity, base chakra, psychic experience, calm, fear, negative energy, healing
Kyanite, Blue: Protection, honesty, anger, all chakras, meditation, communication, fibromyalgia, healing, arguments, psychic, dreaming. Astral travel, never needs cleansing, doesn't hold negative energy
Labadorite:  transformation,clear-balance & protect aura, clarity into destiny, attract success, dream recall, stress, psychic development, esoteric wisdom, solar plexus & brow chakras
Lapis Lazuli: signifies deep power, wisdom, and inner strength, development and use of psychic abilities, higher insight, and decision making, opens your mind for creative use, expanding your viewpoint, getting in contact with your inner power, for seventh and ninth anniversary jewelry, gemstones of friendship and truth, meditating on the color of the lapis lazuli they could touch the robes of God, stone of total awareness, activates throat, third eye and crown chakras, emotional balancing, PMS, protection, insomnia, dreaming, women's healing, depression, and infections.
Lepidolite:  Harmony, peace, calm, remove negatives, protects from nightmares
Lithium: Is a type of Quartz and is a super high energy healing and balancing stone. It is said to be self-clearing and self-cleansing. Lithium sends and receives energy as well as storing it. It is said to purify water. Lithium is excellent for meditation and prayer. It is a balancing and calming stone and is used in crystal healing as a natural anti-depressant. Emotionally and other ways it is said to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension, bringing relaxation and peace. It works in a gentle and slow but steady and powerful manner, not causing the discomfort of sudden change that some crystals might at times. It is used to heal repressed grief and anger, as well as emotional issues from past lives. Physically it is used in crystal healing for stress related disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, muscular tension, repetitive motion injuries. Lithium quartz is related to activating and balancing all chakras and is handy to work with any individual charka also.
Malachite:  clears mental blocks, heals the heart, brings true love
Mookaite: can help one balance the internal and external and acceptance of change. It is a stone of the here and now. It helps with living meditation. It is a very protective stone and is particulary good as an emotional protector. In the physical realm it stabilizes health and fortifies the immune system. Mookaite is associated with the lower chakras.
Moonstone, Rainbow: intuition, fertility, spirituality, magick, sleep, harmony, grounding, divination, love, peace, protecting, physic abilities
Moqui Balls: Know as Shaman Stones are believed to be among the most energetic on earth. The major propertiesclaimed for them are: cleansing, relaxation, and being able to provide great boost to meditation and astral journeying. Each stone is said to have a distinct energy which depends on its size and gender. The gender of the stone is linked to the motion of a pendulum when it is held directly above the stones. If it moves in a linear direction the stone is male while a circular motion indicates the stone is female. Small stones are believed to have faster, more vibrant energy while the larger ones have a slower, deeper energy. Use for a preventive shield against numerous forms of negative energy, working on the physical, etheric, and emotional plains, For grounding, centering and protecting oneself, Allowing for and understanding Earth healing. Moqui Balls, Shaman Stones, Mochi Marbles, or Boji Stones, they can be found in two places in the western areas of the United States, although more commonly at the Navajo Sandstone Formations.
Mugglestone-Tiger Iron:  Is a combination of hematite, red jasper, and sometimes yellow jasper or golden tiger eye. It is a grounding stone that also brings protection, especially protection from danger. It is also a stone of clarity, particularly clarity of knowledge, enabling one to see the truth below the apparent surface of issues. Tiger Iron also helps with creative endeavors and all types of artistic abilities. It is used to bring strength, vitality, confidence, willpower, and balance. It is an excellent stone for people wishing to bring more motivation to their lives. In folklore and crystal healing lore, Tiger Iron is said to balance white and red blood cells, increase natural steroids, and improve muscular structure, and help with healing legs, sexual organs, liver, and the nervous system. Tiger Iron is related to the sacral and root chakras.
Nebula:  memory,fear, letting go, grounding stone, vitality, meditation, healing, intuitive, enhance emotional stability, remembrance of spiritual heritage
Obsidian, Rainbow: brings pleasure, joy, love, enhance clairvoyance, scrying stone, self development, protection, grounding, centering, root chakra
Obsidian, Snowflake: letting go, meditation, intuition
Onyx:  centers, aligns, wise decisions, happiness
Petrified Wood: business success, protection, stabilizing emotions, grounding, useful in calming survival based fears and helps a person be practical.   Petrified wood is also used for past life regressions because of its inherent link with the past
Pietersite: forceful stone, jolts us into personal change, indicates a need to make changes in your present life, place this stone on the solar plexus chakra where the flow of energy leads to assimilation and integration, dispel illusion, stimulates dignified power, loving guidance, promotes loyalty to the self, assists one in remaining open to experience, support human courage, tenacity,vibrates to number 9, Unconditional love and forgiveness. It can assist to stimulate the pituitary gland, provide proper regulation of the other endocrine glands, produce, in the proper quantity the hormones concerned with growth, sex, metabolism, blood pressure, and body temperature. It aligns the energy centres of the body wile providing grounding, not to the Earth, but to the etheric body; this rarity in grounding ability has facilitated travel throughout the spheres of existence, culminating in access to the akashic records.
Pyrite:  Pyrite is a stone of intellect and protection. It enhances intelligence, mental stability, logic, analysis, creativity, memory, and psychic development. It can help you tap your own latent mental talents and abilities. Pyrite is a powerful protection stone, and is very grounding. Brings a positive outlook and releases ancient murk that has been held in the emotional body at the solar plexus. It strengthens the will and brings harmony with self and others. It is also a useful protector from radiation from computers.
Quartz, Clear: transmits energy, charges & intensifies, protection, balancing,healing,channels all the chakra colors, physic development, meditation
Quartz, Golden: Called the "Golden Healer" by Melody and other Crystal Masters. Great for Feng Shui cures, healing crystal work, scrying or as a distinctive addition for the collector. Golden Healer crystals are said to be helpful when used in any healing situation. Golden Healers also help keep contact with the spiritual worlds. It is said by some that Golden Healers access Christ consciousness as well as activating the solar plexus chakra to join our will with Divine will. Golden Healers also align all the chakras and balance yin-yang energies.They have a soft feel to them and do not have a high glossy shine but a soft and smooth finish
Quartz, Phantom Crystal: Can be used to connect to a spiritual guide, enhance meditation and recover repressed memories in order to put the past into perspective. They are stones of universal healing, crystals of grounding, dispelling negativity and energizing. They also aid intuition, open us up to universal love and acceptance while rejuvenating the user. Phantom Quartz crystals are wonderful awareness tools. Phantoms are considered excellent for past life work and meditation, and is valuable for the spiritual seeker. Physically, crystal healing and folk lore say that phantom crystals are excellent for initiating healing, bringing great energy to the healing process, and are especially helpful for emotional healing.
Quartz, Rose: opens heart chakra, develops love, healing, peace, happiness
Quartz, Rutilated: positive direction, strength, balancing, purification,self confidence
Quartz, Smokey: cleanses, grounds, protects
Quartz, Spirit: Increases physical and intellectual fertility, harmony, peace, healing, loss of a loved one, stimulate abundance,activate and cleanse other minerals, enhance and increase energy of other minerals, elevate self-worth, relieve difficult memories from the past,energy, peace, transform negative energy into positive energy, protective stone, auric shielding, astral projection, dreamwork, meditation, shamanic journeying, rebirthing, Emotionally removes fear, peace, happiness, familial abuse related stress disorders, align and balance all chakras. For dream recall, inter-stellar travel, combine with Herkimer Diamonds or Celestite. Overall, Spirit Quartz is just one of those crystals to have, hold and love in your life, a treasure to be enjoyed. These gifts from Mother Earth hold the consciousness of divine Love, Peace and Unity and when we choose to align our heart and soul with their vibrations, we are paving the way for all of humanity to make the shift into a higher state of consciousness.
Quartz, Tourmalated: promotes independance, responsibility, progression, helps remember dreams
Rhodochrosite:  balancing & love stone. use for harmonizing & cleansing
Rhodonite:  grounds energy, heals emotional shock, abuse & anger, helps w/ forgiveness, promotes calm, wound healer, alighns chakras
Rhyolite-Rainforest Jasper: Stone of protection, regeneration, and general healing. It is a stone of resolution, bringing the unresolved to completion. It is said to help communication of all kinds, and helps one listen easily and without distorting the message one is hearing. It is also an excellent stone for meditaiton with an emphasis on the highest truth.. Rainforest Jasper balances the Yin/Yang (masculine and feminine) energies. It can help one allow other people into their lives, even if one has been reclusive or solitary. It helps to strengthen body and mind to learn how to enjoy our potential! Assists us in processing things from the past helping us move towards the future, encouraging awareness in each moment.It is related to and helpful with the solar plexus chakra primarily, and also the throat chakra.
Ruby:  integrity, devotion, happiness, prosperity, love, protects home, healing, shields, astral travel
Ruby Fuschite: brings together the energies of ruby and fuschite and creates properties of both that make it what it is. Ruby in Fuschite is known in the metaphyscial as balancing stimulation with intuition, making it a great stone for psychic work in a very powerful way. It can also bring a great deal of awareness of problems of all kinds, whether emotional stress, social issues, lifestyle or physical health and use this awareness to find solutions. It is also said to help one understand Love at a Higher level. Physically in crystal healing lore it is said to be helpful with ailments where body functions are out of balance, carpal tunnel syndrome, blood and spleen issues, and virility. It is also said to be helpful when used in groups of multiple stones for crystal healing and to amplify the healing energies of the stones.
Ruby in Zoisite: powerful blend of two healers and it assists in balancing an over-reactive emotional nature and inspires confidence, integrity, optimism, and abundance. It is used for psychic ability and empowerment, as well as altered states of consciousness. Enhances recuperative abilites during any convalescence. It stimulates the crown chakra towards spiritual alignment and aids in developing a soul-level trust in the process of the Divine. Works with the root and heart chakras.
Sardonyx: stone of protection, strength, attracts friends and good fortune, It can bring happiness and stability to marriage and partnerships, alleviates depression, improves perception and the processing of information, supplements willpower, increases stamina, vigor and self-control, is most helpful in the healing of bones and lungs, strengthening the immune system and regulates fluids and cell metabolism.
Selenite: promotes good business practices. It is a stone of mental clarity, enhancing mental flexibility and strengthening decisions. It is also for angelic guidance. With it you can access past lives. . It removes energy blocks from the physical and etheric bodies. It also aligns the spine, is good for the skeleton, and decreases epilepsy and seizures. It also has the ability to clear other stones that are placed on or near it. Selenite is associated with the crown chakra.
Sodalite:  intuition, cleansing, health, mental balance, courage, endurance, meditation
Sugilite: Known as the healer's stone because of its ability to enhance healing, lessens effects of shock and disappointment and also well known for enhancing of crystal healing ability. It strengthens spirituality, psychic ability and channelling. Sugilite is a stone that helps spiritual love and open the heart chakra to unconditional love. It can help manifest one's natural gifts and protect against harsh realities. It lowers anger, hostility, jealousy, prejudice and gives a sense of freedom. Psychically, it is excellent for all kinds of psychic and spiritual protection. It has been used for headaches and to decrease all types of discomfort. Sugilite is associated with the brow, heart, third eye and crown chakras.
Sunstone, Gold: Sunstone is a powerful stone for dispelling fears and phobias of all kinds. It is also a leadership stone, and brings leadership qualities to its wearer. In addition to dispelling fears and phobias, sunstone also decreases stress and lifts depression. Sunstone also brings good luck and abundance, and turns negative energies and psychic attacks into positive energies. This stone increases personal power and will, as well as life force energy. Sunstone is also said to be helpful in contacting animal or spirit guides. Sunstone has solar radiance and helps us align to our Divinity. Enabling us to feel self worth, to come from our true self in life. It is able to assist in black depression and the depths of despair, sending in its golden rays. It gives the will to rise up from the depths and be open to the breath of life. Use to clear and energize the chakras. Alleviates stress and increases vitality. Physically, sunstone is beneficial for general health, physical energy, sexual dysfunction, increasing sexual energy.
Tektite: used for wisdom, knowledge, and to help withstand mental or emotional stumbling. Psychically they are used for extraterrestrial communication, astral travel, and lucid dreaming. It is also used to strengthen your energy field.
Tiger's Eye, Gold: personal power, balances spiritual/physical, protection, courage, prosperity, luck, energy, eases depression, honesty
Tourmaline, Black: deflects negativity, calming, grounding, reduce anger, protection
Turquoise:  astral travel, opens communication, joins love/wisdom, headaches
Turquonite, Blue:  inner peace, helps mood swings, decreases stress-rudeness-pain
Unakite:  visions, love, creativity, calms

Raven and Crone, LLC may not be held responsible for any damage or injury to person or property resulting from the use of any item sold by Raven And Crone, LLC The buyer understands that he or she is responsible for the safe handling of any item purchased from Raven And Crone, LLC. Metaphysical information is for educational, inspirational, and entertainment purposes only. Mystical information on spiritual healing information is not to be construed as prescription or healthcare information. See your physician or other healthcare practitioner for all ailments, disease and injury. Raven and Crone, LLC assumes no liability for any use or misuse of this information.
The information in this section is from information given in a number of texts such as 'Love is in the Earth' by Melody, 'The Book of Stones' by Robert Simmons-Naisha Ahsians and 'The Crystal Bible' by Judy Hall, unless otherwise stated. We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Color Symbolism of Tumbled Stones - Crystals

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:18:35 -0500

BLACK: Protection, binding, breaking hexes or spells, banishing negative energy. Try: Jet, Apache Tear, Black Onyx, Rainbow Obsidian
BLUE: Peace, journeys, understanding. Try: Blue Lace Agate, Amazonite, Angelite, Apiate, Aqua Aura, Aragonite, Celestite, Kyanite, Lapis, Sodalite, Turquoise
BROWN: Earth magic, success and psychic abilities, also improves common sense. Try: Picture Jasper, Tiger Eye
GREEN: Money, fertility, growth, balance, marriage, creativity. Try: Green Aventurine, Bloodstone, Chrysoprase, Emerald, Infinite, Jade, Malachite, Sardonyx, Unikite
INDIGO: Anything involving karma, restoring balance, past life experiences. Try: Sodalite, Lapis
ORANGE: Happiness, luck, power, taking control of situations. Try: Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Sunstone
PURPLE: Protection, future plans, spirituality, psychic powers, destroying bad luck. Try: Amethyst, Charoite, Lepidolite, Lithium
PINK: True love, friendship, healing. Try: Rose Quartz, Rhodonite
RED: Action, courage, strength, passion, willpower, energy. Try: Red Jasper, Ruby
YELLOW: Anything involving the mind, intellect, sudden change, creativity. try: Citrine, Yellow Jasper
WHITE: Purity, spiritual guidance, direction, centering, clarity, peace. Try: Apophyllite, Herkimer Diamond, Rainbow Moonstone, Clear Quartz, Tourmalated Quartz
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!
Raven and Crone, LLC may not be held responsible for any damage or injury to person or property resulting from the use of any item sold by Raven And Crone, LLC The buyer understands that he or she is responsible for the safe handling of any item purchased from Raven And Crone, LLC. Metaphysical information is for educational, inspirational, and entertainment purposes only. Mystical information on spiritual healing information is not to be construed as prescription or healthcare information. See your physician or other healthcare practitioner for all ailments, disease and injury. Raven and Crone, LLC assumes no liability for any use or misuse of this information.

Yule Rituals, Activities and Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:21:58 -0500

About the Name:
Yule is also known as the Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan, Finn's Day, Festival of Sol, Yuletide, Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Growth. It is celebrated between December 20th and 22nd. The reason it varies from year to year is that it depends on when the Sun reaches the southern most point in its yearly cycle
Theme:
This Sabbat celebrates rebirth and renewal, and the return of longer days as the Lord of the Sun is reborn from the womb of the Goddess.
Yule Lore:
One traditional Yuletide practice is the creation of a Yule tree. This can be a living, potted tree which can later be planter in the ground, or a cut one. The choice is yours.
Appropriate Pagan decorations are fun to make, from strings of dried rosebuds, cinnamon sticks, popcorn and cranberries for garlands, to bags of fragrant spices which are hung from boughs.
Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and suspended from sturdy branches to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges and lemons hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and were customary in ancient times.
Many enjoy the custom of lighting the Yule log. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log, traditionally of oak or pine. Carve or chalk a figure of the Sun such as a rayed disc or the God a horned circle or a figure of a man upon it, with the Boline, and set it alight in the fireplace at dusk
on Yule. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days.
As to food, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cakes of caraways soaked in cider, and for non-vegetarians, pork are traditional fare. Wassail, lambswool, hibiscus or ginger tea and fine drinks for the Simple Feast or Yule Meals.
Foods of Yule:
roasted turkey, mulled wine, dried fruit, eggnog, pork, beans, gingerbread people, Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits such as apples and pears, nuts, pork dishes, hibiscus or ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples) Look at our Yule recipes section for recipes for this sabbat
Herbs for Yule:
Ash, Bay, Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Evergreen, Frankincense, Holly, Ivy, Juniper, Mistletoe, Moss, Oak, Pine, Pine Cones, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Yew, Laurel, Yellow Cedar.
Look at our Yule Incense and Oil section for this sabbat
Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstone, garnet, emeralds, cat's eye, diamonds.
Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.
Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.
Activities for Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule storytelling, making wreaths, throwing holiday parties, sending greetings, Convey love to family, friends, and associates, Light a fire, Make your own Yule log, Consider those who are and or have been important in your life and share appreciation, donate food and clothing to poor in your area, volunteer time at a social service agency. Put up bird feeders and keep them filled throughout the winter to supplement the diets of wild birds, meditate for world peace, work magic for a healthier
planet, make a pledge to do some form of good works in the new solar year.
Altar Decorations: mistletoe, holly, small Yule long, strings of colored lights, Yule-Christmas cards, a candle in the shape of Kris Kringle, homemade wreath, presents wrapped in colorful paper.
Decorations for Yule:
Apples, and clove studded oranges and lemons hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and were customary in ancient times. Adorn the home with sacred herbs and colors. Place holly, ivy, evergreen boughs, and pine cones around your home, especially in areas where socializing takes place. Hang a sprig of mistletoe above a major threshold and leave it there until next Yule as a charm for good luck throughout the year. Have family/household members join together to make or purchase an evergreen wreath. Include holiday herbs in it and then place it on your front door to symbolize the continuity of life and the wheel of the year. If you choose to have a living or a harvested evergreen tree as part of your holiday decorations decorate it with Pagan symbols.
Yule Goddesses:
All Spinning Goddesses. Some Yule Goddesses are: the Dagda, Brighid,
Angeronam, Eve, Pandora, Zvezda, Metzli, Yachimato-Hime, Tiamat ,
NuKua, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother.
Yule Gods:
All Re-Born Sun Gods. Some Yule Gods are: Apollo, Balder, Oak/Holly
King, Ra , Saturn , Helios , Ukko Odin, Lugh, The Horned One, The
Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon,Frey

Animals and Beasts associated with Yule are:
Stags, wolf, hawk, squirrels, wren, robin, phoenix, trolls, memecolion.
Yule Time Christmas Scent Potpourri
3 sticks cinnamon
3 bay leaves
¼ cup whole cloves
½ lemon
½ orange
1 quart water
Combine ingredients and simmer in a teakettle or saucepan throughout the
holidays!
Yule Potpourri: (Gerena Dunwich)
1 cup oakmoss
2 cups dried mistletoe
1 cup dried pointsetta flowers
1 cup dried bayberries
1/2 cup rosemary
1/2 cup holly leaves and berries
3 crushed pinecones
20 drops musk oil
25 drops pine oil
Combine Dry ingreedients first then add oils and toss gently until well blended
Winter Solstice Potpourri
1 qt. fir needles
1 C dried, mixed fruit, thinly shredded
1 C rosemary
1/2 C basil
2 to 4 bay leaves, coarsely crumbled
2 C coarse salt ,not iodized
Mix and pour into little calico bags. Makes 5 cups.
Twelve Herb Yule Sachet
7 parts Juniper
4 parts Cinnamon
4 parts Allspice
4 parts Ginger
4 parts Caraway
2 parts Nutmeg
2 parts Rosemary
2 parts Lemon
2 parts Orange
1 part Clove
1 part Bay
2 pinches Orris
Tie up in a green cloth and give as gifts at Yule or Samhain.
Sweet Smells of Yule

2 T. whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
a handful of pine needles
1 -2 pieces of orange or lemon rind
2 cups water
Put all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer all day if you wish. Add water as needed. Refrigerate to reuse. You can also added cranberries to the mix!
Spellworking for Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, divination, a healthier planet, and increased happiness.

Authors unknown for information above unless noted
Yule Ritual from Dorothy Morrison's book "The Craft, A Witches Book of Shadows"

Yule Circle Notes
Use a white altar cloth, and decorate with evergreens, poinsettias, rosemary, holly, mistletoe, and ivy. Use red, white, and green candles to symbolize the bloodshed of birth, the innocence of new life, and the growth process, respectively. Burn Yule Incense - a mixture of chamomile, ginger, pine, and sage. Mark the Circle perimeter with evergreen boughs, and use tiny, living, decorated trees at the Quarters. Decorations should relate to the appropriate Element. Cast the Circle using the athame. Release it using the wand.
Yule Celebration Ideas
Start your celebration well before dawn, so you can be a part of the Sun's birthing process. Kick off the ritual with an apple juice toast to the Holly King, saying something like:
Winter Day of longest night
Step aside now for the light
Thank you for the things you've brought
That only darkness could have wrought
Then name all the gifts of darkness you can think of-regeneration, peace, dreams, organization, quietude, and so on-before drinking the juice.

To ensure good luck and prosperity in the coming year, anoint a bayberry candle with vegetable oil and roll it in dried chamomile. Light the candle and allow it to burn down completely.
Make a Yule log from a piece of oak and decorate it with evergreens. Light it, saying something like:
Old King, we thank You for all You've done
For lessons learned, and victories won
We must, however, bid You adieu
For Your reign is finished-'tis over and through
Come forth, Young King of newest light
Be born with ease; grow strong and bright
Gain strength and stature in the sky
Shed Your warmth on us now from on high
Be sure to save an unburned piece to start next year's log. Save some of the ashes, too. They make terrific boosters for every type of magic. End the ritual with an orange juice toast to the Sun, saying something like:
O Newborn Sun of love and light
Rise quickly now, rise high and bright
Gain power in the sky above
We grant you our support and love
After ritual, collect all the evergreen decorations you used there and put them away. You'll need them at Imbolc.
Yule Mistletoe Spell

This spell will help you gather strength for the rest of the winter and is best used during Yule.

You Will Need:

One Bunch hung and dried Mistletoe
Mortar and Pestle
three 3" square pieces of white paper
One Pen with Green Ink
One fireproof dish (cauldron)
6 white candles 6-8" in length

Cast a Circle

1. Place the Candles in a circle and light every other one saying:
    Here in the season of sun return, May Life return and strength return
2. Using the mortar and pestile, grind hte dried mistletoe to dust.
3. Choose up to three areas, in your life where you need strength and write them as a single
    word on each square of paper. For example: Health, Energy, emotions, Love, and so on.
4. Sprinkle mistletoe dust on each one of them, then fold them & set them alight using lit candles.
5. Place them in the fireproof dish (cauldron) to burn, and light the remaining candles.
6. Bury the ash under an evergreen.
close your circle and thank the God/Goddess
Winter Solstice Spell - Perform on the night of Winter Solstice
Gather your supplies:
Small Amount of Hollyberry Oil
Small Amount of Mistletoe Herb
Clean, small piece of white paper (parchment if you have it)
Red Candle
Ritual:
Write a single word in red ink that represents what quality in yourself you would like to enhance with the dawning of the Yule Sun. Sprinkle the Mistletoe Herb into the center of the paper. Add three drops of the Hollyberry Oil on top of the Mistletoe. Twist the paper closed with the Mistletoe and Hollyberry Oil inside. Light the red candle. From the flame of the candle, light the paper package on fire. As it burns envision your wish fulfilled. The spell is done.
Yule Log Charge
It is best that every owner charge his or her own Yule Log. It is through your own energies that the results you desire will be achieved. Do you truly believe in the power of your log? If the answer is yes, then the answers and gifts you request from it will be honored. Here is a simple Charging Ritual to help you get the most from your log.
Gather your supplies:
Chalice (or glass) of water
A white candle in a holder
A small amount of salt
A table
A white cloth
Incense of any kind in a holder
A quiet place to perform the ritual
Ritual :
Lay white cloth over the table. Place candle, water and incense in the center of the cloth. Light the candle and the incense.
Darken the room. Close your eyes and meditate on the log and what you want it to achieve until you have fully cleared your mind of all other influences and are focused on the desired result. Take a pinch of salt between your thumb and forefinger and sprinkle it into the water while saying:
"Earth and Water bond this log to me,
May it protect me/us throughout the year
And channel my desires,
Blessed Be"
Sprinkle this "empowered" water onto your log. Pass the incense and candle over the log to purify it while again saying:
"Fire bond this log to me,
May it protect me/us throughout the year
And channel my desires,
Blessed Be"
Place your hand on the log. Close your eyes. Meditate to feel the powerful, protective internal energy of your body flowing down your arm and into your hand. Envision yourself burning the log and its strength protecting you as you go about your life. Invoke the god or goddess you feel most personally attuned with by saying:
"(God/Goddess Name) bond this log to me,
May it protect me/us from harm
And channel my desires,
Blessed Be"
Feel the log begin to surge with your power and envision a white or yellow light glowing about you. Sit like this until you feel the energy winding down, you will know when the charging it complete. Place the log in your fireplace or pit. If it was charged with certain people in mind, make sure they are there as you burn the log and meditate and enjoy their company!
Winter Ritual Bath
During the Winter Solstice/Christmas Season we often place too much emphasis on celebrating and sharing this joyous holiday. It is often helpful amongst all the stress to atune to a quiet, internal spirituality. To begin to do so, prepare a ritual bath with oils of rosemary, pine and orange. Add a touch of patchouli for grounding. Light gold and green candles and immerse yourself in the watery solitude to refresh your weary holiday spirit. Meditate on the Winter Goddess and her lesson of stillness. Find the cool and clean space she offers, free of clutter and activity. It is the season for centering and grounding and for defining who we really are. After the bath, take your journal and write down your goals by candlelight. Contemplate the coming re-birth and identify which direction you wish to channel your energies and focus your intentions. -This bath was adapted by one written by Karri Allrich
Holiday Relaxation Spell
Take some time today to de-stress:
Fill a bowl with water and a floating candle. Light the candle and gaze into the flame. Gaze for awhile into the candle flame and let your mind go blank. Feel your stress pouring into the water and feel your body relax as the stress leaves it. Imagine the bowl is a deep well and is drinking in whatever it is in your life that is causing unease, discomfort or stress. Breathe deeply. Sprinkle dried basil over the water, and then chant softly before the candle flame:
I am calm.
I am at peace with my surroundings.
I am whole and well.
By the powers of earth, air, fire, and water, I am free.
Sit before the bowl for several more moments. Let the candle burn till it burns out. Pour the water onto the ground and feel your stress and anxiety going with it. Tell yourself that the earth has taken your stress away. Give thanks.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Yule Incense and Oil Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:11:37 -0500

INCENCE AND OIL:
For Yule incense and oil you can use any of the following scents,
either blended together or alone: rosemary, frankinsence, myrrh,
nutmeg, saffron, cedar or pine, wintergreen, ginger, bayberry, cinnamon.
YULE INCENSE: (Magical Herbalism by Cunningham)
Burn during all Winter rites and also to purify the home from November 1 to March 21: Pine, Juniper, Cedar

YULE INCENSE: (Making Magickal Incenses by Keith Morgan)
Yule is the Sabbat that is celebrated on or around the 21st of December, with dates differing from year to year, as being when the sun enters the sign of Capricorn, to mark the Winter Solstice.
5 parts pine resin, 4 parts mistletoe, 3 parts spruce resin, 5 ml musk oil per 8 oz. of dry mixture
YULE INCENCE: loose only (Wylundt's Book of Incense)
1 1/2 part sandalwood, 1/2 part benzoin, 1/2 part frankincense, 1/4 part myrrh, bayberry oil
YULE INCENSE:(Incense, Oils and Brews by Cunningham)
2 parts frankincense, 2 parts pine needles or resin, 1 part cedar, 1 part juniper berries
YULE INCENSE:
3 parts frankincense, 1/2 part mistletoe, 1 part juniper berries, few drops juniper oil, few drops orange oil

YULE INCENSE:
1 part cypress, 1 part oak bark, 1 part juniper berries
YULE INCENSE:
1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. cloves, 1 tsp. allspice, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp.pine, 1 tsp. cedar, 1 tsp. frankincense, 1 tsp. myrrh, few drops mulberry oil

YULE OIL:
2 drops cinnamon oil, 2 drops clove oil, 2 drops frankincense oil, 2 drops myrrh oil, 1 drop mandarin oil, 1 drop pine oil
YULE OIL:
1 dram pine oil, 1 dram balsam fir oil, 5 drams almond oil, 1 cinnamon stick, handful of cloves, 1 drop musk oil, apple wood pieces; Warm over low heat
YULE OIL:
One 6-8" branch fresh-cut spruce, One 6-8" branch fresh-cut short needle pine, One 6-8" branch fresh-cut cedar, 2 tb. frankincense resin, ground, 1 tb. bayberry oil; Cut branches into 1 inch pieces, put into a jar. Add remaining ingredients and cover with base oil and steep.
YULE OIL:
1 dram pine oil, 1 dram cinnamon oil, 1 dram olive oil, 1 tsp. ginger root, broken into small pieces, 3 tsp. sea salt
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!
where not noted source unknown

Yule Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:26:29 -0500

Yuletide Slaw

4 cups Red Cabbage, shredded
1/4 cup Lemon Juice
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, coarse ground
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Green Onions, chopped
2 teaspoons Sugar
1/4 cup Salad Oil
2 tablespoons Parsley
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped

Combine and toss the vegetables together. Mix salt, pepper, salad oil, lemon juice, sugar and parsley and pour over the vegetable mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour, Toss briskly before serving. Makes 8 servings.
Cucumber Raspberry Salad
Dressing:
1/2 C. light, fruity olive oil
3 T. raspberry vinegar
3 T. creme fraiche
salt and pepper
Whisk the oil into vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in the creme fraiche. Taste for balance of flavors.
4 cucumbers peeled and thinly sliced
3 T. fresh chopped chives
1/2 pint fresh raspberries
Arrange the cucumber slices on individual plates in a slightly overlapping pattern. Drizzle with the dressing and sprinkle with the chives. Top with a few of the berries.
CREAM CHEESE BALL
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
9 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
Seasoned salt
2 tbsp. onion, chopped
2 tbsp. green pepper
1 c. nuts, crushed
Mix and refrigerate overnight. Form into ball. Roll in crushed nuts.
Bite-Size Crustless Quiches
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onion (white and green parts)
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 ounces Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Makes 18 bite-size quiches.
Preparation time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 20 minutes.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease one tray of 24 mini muffin-pan cups (1 3/4- x 1-inch).
In a small saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat. Add bell pepper and onion; saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
Step 2: In a medium-size bowl, combine eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir in the bell pepper and onions. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into each muffin cup. (The mixture will fill 18 to 22 cups.)
Step 3: Bake until the centers are set, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the quiches cool for 1 minute. Using a knife, loosen the quiches around the edges and remove from the cups. Arrange them on a platter and serve.
Surprise Cocktail Meatballs
Ingredients
12 ounces lean ground beef
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (1 slice)
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup shredded carrot
2 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons low-fat (1% milkfat) milk
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground sage
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg white (lightly beaten)
18 water chestnut halves, pecan halves, pineapple tidbits, and/or small sweet green pepper squares
For the Sauce
1/2 cup apple juice
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Makes 18 meatballs.
Preparation time: 20 minutes.
Cooking time: 23 minutes.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°. To prepare the meatballs, in a large bowl, mix the beef, bread crumbs, onion, carrot, parsley, milk, marjoram, salt, sage, pepper, and egg white. Divide into 18 pieces (tip, below). Wrap each piece around a water chestnut half. Place the meatballs in a 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meatballs are no longer pink. Transfer to paper towels and drain well.
Step 2: Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce, in a medium-size saucepan, whisk together the apple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Stir the meatballs into the apple juice mixture and simmer for 3 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through. Place in a small chafing dish or shallow serving dish. Use cocktail forks or toothpicks to serve.
Stuffing Meatballs:
Pat the meat mixture into a 6- x 3-inch rectangle. Then, with a knife, cut the meat into 18 1-inch squares. Separate the squares and flatten each square slightly.Wrap each square around a water chestnut half or one of the other fillings. Be sure the meat is completely sealed around the filling so it doesn't poke out during baking.
Chinese Egg Rolls
INGREDIENTS
    * 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
    * 3 eggs, beaten
    * 1 medium head cabbage, finely shredded
    * 1/2 carrot, julienned
    * 1 (8 ounce) can shredded bamboo shoots
    * 1 cup dried, shredded wood ear mushroom, rehydrated
    * 1 pound Chinese barbequed or roasted pork, cut into matchsticks
    * 2 green onions, thinly sliced
    * 2 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
    * 1 teaspoon salt
    * 1 teaspoon sugar
    * 1/2 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    * 1 (14 ounce) package egg roll wrappers
    * 1 egg white, beaten
    * 4 cups oil for frying, or as needed
DIRECTIONS
   1. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Pour in beaten eggs and cook, without stirring, until firmed. Flip the eggs over and cook for an additional 20 seconds to firm the other side. Set egg pancake aside to cool, then slice into thin strips.
   2. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in cabbage and carrot; cook for 2 minutes to wilt. Add bamboo, mushroom, pork, green onions, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and MSG; continue cooking until the vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Stir in sliced egg, then spread mixture out onto a pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
   3. To assemble the egg rolls, place a wrapper onto your work surface with one corner pointing towards you. Place about 3 tablespoons of cooled filling in a heap onto the bottom third of the wrapper. Brush a little beaten egg white onto the top two edges of the wrapper, then fold the bottom corner over the filling and roll firmly to the halfway point. Fold the left and right sides snugly over the egg roll, then continue rolling until the top corners seal the egg roll with the egg white. Repeat with remaining egg roll wrappers, covering finished egg rolls with plastic wrap to keep from drying out.
   4. Heat about 6-inches of oil in a wok or deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
   5. Fry egg rolls 3 or 4 at a time until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Italian Butter
serve with warm french bread
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
   1. Using a spice or coffee grinder, grind together red and black peppers, dried herbs, garlic powder, minced garlic, and salt.
   2. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of herb mixture onto a small plate. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top, and serve. Store remaining mixture in an air-tight container.
ACORN SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP
1 large Onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed (5 cups)
1 small Acorn Squash, seeded and cubed
13 3/4 ounces Chicken Broth
4 Tablespoons Milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
1/4 cup Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Sliced Almonds; toasted
Ground Nutmeg
Saute onion in oil in large saucepan over med. heat until onion is golden, about 8 minutes. Add potatoes, squash and broth. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 min. Cool slightly. Working in small batches, place the vegetables with the liquid in a blender or food processor. Whirl until pureed. Return the puree to the saucepan. Stir in the milk to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Heat over low heat. Remove to heated bowls. Top each serving with dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of almonds and nutmeg.

Scalloped Apples

6 Granny Smith Apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup granulated Sugar
1/4 cup light Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground Cloves
1/8 tsp. ground Ginger
1 tsp. vanilla

Place apples in a nonstick saucepan with butter. Cook for several minutes. Add sugars, spices and vanilla and continue cooking until apples are tender, about 15 - 20 minutes over low-medium heat.
Chicken Breast Amaretto
1/4 cup sweet butter
1/3 cup chopped onions
1/3 cup chopped celery
4 cups of Italian flavor stuffing mix
1 can water chestnuts
2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 can chicken broth
1/2 cup Amaretto liquor
4 chicken breasts, boneless
Glaze:
1-1/2 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup amaretto liquor
Mix all of stuffing ingredients together and pour into greased baking dish. Lay chicken breasts on top of mixture, heat oven at 350º. Baste from time to time with glaze sauce. Bake for one hour or until chicken breasts are tender Glaze sauce: combine and heat ingredients slowly in small saucepan.

Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust
1/8 C fresh parsley
1/8 C fresh oregano
1/8 C fresh rosemary
1/8 C fresh thyme
1/2 C fresh breadcrumbs
1 1/2 T garlic, minced
1/4 C + 2 T olive oil
1 T Dijon mustard
salt & pepper to taste
1 rack of lamb (about 2-2 ½ lbs.)
Serves 2
Pre-heat oven to 450° F.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine all ingredients, except mustard and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and process until well mixed, but still slightly crumbly. In other words, don't turn it to mush! Set aside. In a large skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until just below smoking. Season lamb rack with salt and pepper and quickly brown by cooking for about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove lamb from skillet and place in an oiled roasting pan. Carefully brush mustard over the section just over the top, underside and sides of chops, leaving bones exposed. Gently pat the herb/breadcrumb mixture over the mustard. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of about 130° F. Allow to rest 10 minutes before carving. To serve lamb chops, slice between bones.
Irish Coffee Muffins
ingredients:
1 egg, beaten.
2 cups of flour.
½ cup of sugar.
½ cup of melted butter.
½ cup of heavy cream, unwhipped.
¼ cup of coffee liqueur.
¼ cup of Irish whiskey.
1 tablespoon of baking powder.
½ teaspoon of salt.
Instructions for Irish Coffee Muffins:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in the remaining ingredients, until moistened. Fill paper-lined muffin tins full. Bake in your oven for 20 minutes.

Cinnamon Muffins
ingredients:
2 medium eggs.
3 cups of flour.
1 cup of milk.
1 cup of sugar.
5 tablespoons of butter.
5 tablespoons of shortening.
3 teaspoons of baking powder.
1 teaspoon of salt.
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.
Topping:
1 cup of melted butter.
1 cup of sugar blended with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
Instructions for Cinnamon Muffins:
Grease 12 three-inch muffin pan cups.
Cream together the butter, the shortening and the sugar. Beat in the eggs, salt, nutmeg and bakingpowder. Stir in the flour and milk alternately until mixture is just combined. Fill muffin cups to the top. Bake at 350F oven for about twenty minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes. With each muffin, dip in the melted butter. Roll each muffin in the cinnamon sugar blend.
Brandied Fruit Cake
3 cups of sifted flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
3/4 cup of shortening
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1/2 cup of brandy
1 pound of candied fruit, diced
1 cup of whole glace cherries
1 cup of light raisins
1 cup of broken walnuts
Sift flour with salt, soda, nutmeg and cinnamon. Cream shortening, honey and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in brandy, fruits and nuts. Gradually add dry ingredients. Beat well with a spoon until well blended. Spoon into a greased and floured 9 inch tubepan. Bake in a 300ºF. oven for 2 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove to rack to finish cooling. wrap in foil and store to ripen. Once a week, open foil and sprinkle thoroughly with more brandy, Just before serving, brush with glaze and decorate with candied fruits.
Fruit Cake Glaze
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
2 tablespoons of water
Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Cool before using.
Fried Honeycakes

1/2 cup sweet White Wine
2 tablespoons Sugar
1 Egg
1 cup Honey
2/3 cup Flour
1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
Oil for frying
1/8 teaspoon Salt

Beat the wine & egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour cinnamon, salt & sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey & nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2-inch of oil in a frying pan until hot, but not smoking. Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time frying until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into the honey and serve. (makes 1 1/2 doz.)

Chocolate-Almond Bites
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted almonds, finely chopped
sifted confectioners sugar
Makes 48 to 60 bites.
Preparation time: 20 minutes.
Cooking time: between 20 and 25 minutes.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet.
Step 2: Onto a sheet of wax paper, sift the flour with the cocoa. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on high, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until pale and creamy. Beat in the flour mixture, then the almonds.
Step 3: Shape heaped teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and arrange on baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm. Cool briefly on the sheet before removing to a rack.
Step 4: While still slightly warm, dredge the biscuits with confectioners sugar. Store in an airtight container. They will keep for 5 days.
Egg Nog Cookies
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cups salted butter, softened
½ cup eggnog
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks
1 tbsp. ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ½ tsp. nutmeg. Mix with wire whisk and set aside. Cream sugar and butter with electric mixer. Add eggnog, vanilla, and egg yolks; beat at medium speed until smooth. Add flour mixture and bat at low speed until combined; do not over mix. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto un-greased baking sheet 1 inch apart. Sprinkle lightly with 1 tbsp. nutmeg. Bake for 23/25 minutes or until bottoms turn light
brown. Transfer cookies to a cool, flat surface. Makes about 3 dozen
Yule Amaretti (Almond Cookies)

3/4 C blanched almonds, finely ground in a food processor
3/4 C sugar
2 large egg whites
1/2 tsp almond extract
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix to form a thick sticky dough. Drop about 1/2 teaspoon per cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before lifting with a knife or spatula. Makes about 3 dozen.
Christmas Stars
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tip vanilla
1 tsp. almond flavoring
2 3/4 cup flour
Frosting:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tip vanilla
food coloring
Cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat in the eggs,
salt and flavorings. Stir in the flour until smoothly blended.
Chill in the fridge for about an hour.
Roll out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
Cut with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake on an ungreased
cookie sheets until lightly browned around the edges, about
8-10 minutes. Let it cool down.

Frosting: Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together thoroughly.
Divide and color each portion. Frost the cookies.
SPICED CHOCOLATE PRETZELS
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped candied orange or lemon peel
confectioners' sugar
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Process almonds and chocolate in a blender or food processor on until finely chopped. Combine with1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar with electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Mix orange peel and the two tablespoons of flour; work into dough with hands. Divided into 30 equal pieces. On lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 9 inch rope. Bend into a pretzel shape. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Cool on wire rack. Sprinkle tops with sifted confectioners' sugar. Makes 30.
White Chocolate Gorp
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds white chocolate
6 cups crispy rice cereal squares, e.g., Rice Chex ^TM
3 cups toasted oat cereal
2 cups thin pretzel sticks
2 cups cashews
1 (12 ounce) package mini candy-coated chocolate pieces
DIRECTIONS
   1. Melt chocolate in a large saucepan over low heat or in microwave until just until soft. Stir until melted. Combine all the other ingredients in big roaster pan or bowl. Stir chocolate into mixture. Turn out on waxed paper. Of course anything you like can be added or substituted-but this recipe is a great combination!
   2. Combine the crispy rice cereal squares, toasted oat cereal, pretzels, cashews and candy in big roaster pan or bowl. Stir chocolate into mixture. Turn out on waxed paper and let cool.
Rum Balls
2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup finely chopped candied red or green cherries (I omit these)
½ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
¼ cup rum
3 tablespoons corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ cup powdered sugar
Combine crushed vanilla wafers, 1 cup powdered sugar, cherries and pecans. Add rum, corn syrup and butter; blend well.* Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; roll in ¼ cup powdered sugar. Cover tightly and let stand at least 24 hours to allow flavors to blend.

YULE LOG COOKIES
1/2 cup Brown sugar, firmly packed
3 Tablespoons Butter or margarine, softened
1 Egg
1 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon Ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
Red and green decorator icing
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a medium bowl, beat the brown sugar and margarine until blended. Add the egg; beat until well blended. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices; mix well. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough with your hands to make two 10 1/2-inch logs; flatten slightly to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. With a spatula, place the logs 2 to 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Dip a non-serrated knife in water; score each log diagonally at 3/4-inch intervals. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until set and no longer moist. Cool for 1 minute. Remove from the cookie sheet; place on a wire rack. Cool for 5 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut the logs at the scored lines.
Cool completely. Decorate each cookie with decorator icing to resemble a holly leaf and berries.
Apple Dumplings

2 cups Flour
4 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Shortening
1 cup Milk
6 Apples
Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Pare and core apples. Sift flour, baking powder and salt; cut in shortening, add milk and mix to smooth dough. Turn onto floured board and divide into six portions. Roll each portion large enough to cover one apple. Place an apple on each piece of dough; fill with cinnamon and sugar; wet edges of dough and fold over apple. Place on greased baking sheet, and bake at 350-F until apples are tender (about 40 minutes).
Eggnog Bread Pudding By Annora Kirin
step one
8 cups Hawaiian bread cubed with crusts on
step two
8 extra-large eggs
1 cup sugar
step three
2 cups whipping cream
3 cups dairy eggnog
2 oz brandy
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup butter -- melted
step four
3/4 cup raisins soaked in brandy until soft.
Place cubed bread in a large flat baking pan and toast in a preheated 350 degree F oven turning until golden brown on all sides. Do not let it get too brown or burn. Remove from oven and set aside. In a small bowl combine the raisins and brandy and set aside. In a large bowl, using an egg beater, cream the eggs and sugar together. Add the cream, eggnog, nutmeg and butter and beat until well mixed. Add the bread cubes, raisin and brandy mixture and mix with a spoon until all
the bread is well coated with the egg mixture. Let stand for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
Pour into a 9 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 2 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with a non stick substance. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes to an hour or until the custard is set, being careful not to brown the top too much. Remove from the oven and let cool. Top with sweetened whipped cream or a brandy sauce if desired.
Yield: 10 servings.
NOTES: Hawaiian bread is a soft sweetened bread that can be found
inmost larger markets. If not available use an egg bread. Use a
commercial brand of eggnog found in most markets during the holidays.
This can be served hot but the flavors come out best when cooled.
Bread and Butter Pudding
Ingredients
1oz butter, plus extra for greasing
8 thin slices bread
2oz raisens
2 tsp cinnamon powder
12fl oz whole milk
2fl oz heavy cream
2 eggs
1oz granulated sugar
nutmeg, grated, to taste
Method
1. Grease a 2 pint pie dish with butter.
2. Cut the crusts off the bread. Spread each slice with on one side with butter, then cut into triangles.
3. Arrange a layer of bread, buttered-side up, in the bottom of the dish, then add a layer of raisens. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon, then repeat the layers of bread and raisens, sprinkling with cinnamon, until you have used up all of the bread. Finish with a layer of bread, then set aside.
4. Gently warm the milk in a pan over a low heat to scalding point. Don't let it boil.
5. Crack the eggs into a bowl, add three quarters of the sugar and lightly whisk until pale.
6. Add the warm milk and cream mixture and stir well, then strain the custard into a bowl.
7. Pour the custard over the prepared bread layers and sprinkle with nutmeg and the remaining sugar and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 355F.
9. Place the dish into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the custard has set and the top is golden-brown.
Preparation time less than 30 mins, Cooking time 30 mins to 1 hour
Walnut Maple Pie
Ingredients
1 store-bought or homemade pie crust
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 cup maple-flavored syrup or pure maple syrup
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter or margarine (melted)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Makes 8 servings.
Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 55 minutes.
Cooling time: 1 hour.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°. Line a 9-inch pie plate with pie crust. Trim crust to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra crust and crimp edge. Line crust with foil and fill with dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes or until light brown. Cool crust on a wire rack for 5 minutes; discard foil. (Save beans for future pastry baking.) Lower oven temperature to 350°.
Step 2: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using a rotary beater or fork, beat the egg whites and egg just until mixed. Whisk in the maple-flavored syrup, brown sugar, flour, butter, and vanilla just until smooth. Stir in the walnuts.
Step 3: Pour the syrup mixture into baked crust. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. (If the edge of the crust seems to be browning too quickly, cover with foil.) Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Serve with frozen vanilla yogurt or cover and store in the refrigerator.
Eggnog French Toast
2c eggnog
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2tsp cinnamon
6 Croissants
3 tbsps butter
In a shallow bowl, mix the eggnog, egg and cinnamon, stirring well. Slice the croissants lengthwise. Melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet or on a griddle. Dip 1 croissant half in the batter and place
in the griddle. Repeat with the remaining halves. Cook on each side for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown. Use remaining butter as needed. Remove to a serving platter. Serve at once with warm maple syrup. 6 servings.
Christmas Krupnik
1 cup honey
1 cup water
6 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2-inch vanilla bean
dash of freshly grated nutmeg
3 inch piece of lemon peel, zest (yellow part) only
1 inch piece of orange peel, zest (orange part) only
2 cups vodka
Heat the honey, water and spices in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Watch pot carefully so it does not boil over. Cover, turn off the heat and allow to steep for at least 20 minutes to half an hour. Add the vodka and serve hot. This recipe may be made in advance and reheated. It keeps very well if strained and decanted. from: about.com/sabbats/yule
Cranberry Punch
Ingredients
2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup triple sec (optional)
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced (freeze these and use instead of ice cubes)
1 lime, thinly sliced
4 cups ginger ale, or Champagne, chilled
Lime sherbet - added at the very end to float
Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Total time: 20 minutes, plus chilling time.
Step 1: In a large glass container, combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.
Step 2: Just before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale or the substitutions. Pour into a punch bowland add the frozen strawberries or the ice cubes.
Step 3: If you decided to add the lime sherbet - add this now - and as it melts the punch will take on even more of a rich flavor.

Spiced Holiday Tea

Ingredients:
2 cups water
3 tea bags (unflavored black tea)
4 star anise
1 3-inch-long cinnamon stick
1 cup passion fruit nectar
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan bring water to boiling. Add tea bags, anise, and cinnamon stick. Reduce heat. simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and cinnamon stick. Stir in nectar, honey, and lemon juice. Heat through.
2. Pour tea mixture into four heat-proof cups, floating a star anise on top of each. Makes 4 servings.
Spiced Cider
INGREDIENTS
6 cups apple cider
1/4 cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips
DIRECTIONS
1. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. 2. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. 3. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.
4. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

EGGNOGG
INGREDIENTS
4 cups milk
5 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups light rum
4 cups light cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
Winter Punch

2 3/4 cups apple juice
1 1/4 cups orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a saucepan, combine apple juice and orange juice. Heat over medium
heat until steaming hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and sir in
lemon juice, honey and cinnamon. Serve hot.
Cranberry Punch
Ingredients
2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup triple sec (optional)
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
4 cups ginger ale, chilled
Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Total time: 20 minutes, plus chilling time.
Step 1: In a large glass container, combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.
Step 2: Just before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale. Pour into a punch bowl or large jug and add ice cubes.
Wassail

3 Cinnamon sticks
6 Cloves
4 Cardamon pods
2 Oranges, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced
1/3 cup Raisins
1 quart Wine (or white Grape juice)
2 Apples, peeled & sliced
1/2 gallon Apple juice
2 pieces crystalized Ginger

Tie cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamon into a piece of cheesecloth. Place spice bag, oranges, apples, lemon, and raisins in a large pan with the wine. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Remove spice bag and fruit, add cider. Stir and heat mixture. Serve hot.
Soft Mead

1 quart Water, preferably Spring Water
1 cup Honey
1 sliced Lemon
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

Boil together all ingredients in a non-metallic pot. While boiling, scrape off the rising "scum" with a wooden spoon. When no more rises add the following: pinch Salt juice of 1/2 Lemon Strain and cool.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Samhain-Halloween Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:13:25 -0400

Beer-Basted Rib Eye Roast
6 to 8 servings
1 (3-pound) boneless rib eye roast
4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced into thin slivers
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 (12-ounce) bottle dark beer
1/2 cup beef broth
Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut slits 1-inch deep into top of roast at regular intervals and insert garlic into slits. Rub soy sauce over all sides of roast then sprinkle with pepper. Place roast into pan and scatter onions around it. Cook roast for 30 minutes then reduce heat to 350°F. Pour 1/4 cup
beer over roast then continue cooking for 75 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, basting with beer every 30 minutes. Remove roast to cutting board and let sit 10 minutes. Meanwhile, add any remaining beer and the beef broth to pan. Cook over medium-high heat and deglaze by stirring to dislodge brown bits on bottom of pan. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes then season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice roast and serve with pan juices.
Samhain Meat Pie
1 bay leaf
10 bacon slices
1 pound sliced thickly mushrooms
2 leeks or onionschopped into 1 inch pieces
3 carrots chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 chicken, cut into serving portions
3 TBS chopped parsley
3 sliced potatoes, peeled or not
1 TBS red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, optional
Place the bay leaf into the bottom of a Dutch oven or cauldron. (You will need a lid.) Place half the bacon over the leaf and cover with half of the mushrooms, leeks and carrots. Place the meat pieces atop the vegetables and then cover with the rest of the mushrooms, leeks and carrots. Season to taste, adding half of the chopped parsley, and one of the crushed garlic cloves. (Extra water or broth can be added if thought necessary, just not too much.) Place the potatoes on top of everything else. Add a bit more salt and pepper, the rest of the garlic and parsley. Place the rest of the bacon over this and pour the red wine vinegar over them. Place a tight lid on the pot and cook in the oven at 325 degrees for two hours. Do not check inside too often, as it will dry out the meat. Be sure to discard the bay leaf.
Dinosaur Ribs
4 to 6 servings

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
6 to 7 pounds beef back ribs, trimmed and cut into individual ribs
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil then place a roasting rack in the pan. Coat the rack with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, oregano, thyme, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt; mix well. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the ribs. Place the ribs on the roasting rack, overlapping them if necessary. Roast uncovered for 1 hour.Brush the ribs with the barbecue sauce and roast, uncovered, for 25 to 30 more minutes, or until the ribs are tender and cooked through. Serve immediately. NOTE: Serve with additional barbecue sauce on the side.
Irish Holiday Potatoes
12 medium potatoes; peeled, cooked & mashed
2 eggs; well beaten
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter
pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup milk
Mix potatoes with remaining ingredients. Mix well, but lightly; do
not whip! Place in a greased 9" round casserole dish and bake in a
preheated 350° oven for 45 minutes.
Sweet Potato and Apple Bake
1 large (1/4 lb) sweet potato
3 medium Golden Delicious apples
1 teaspoons lemon juice
1 large leek
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 cups apple juice
2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and thinly slice sweet potato. Peel, core, and cut apples into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place apples in bowl and add water to cover; add lemon Juice. Trim off top of leek 1 inch above white; discard top and root end. Cut leek lengthwise in half and clean well under running cold water. Thlnly slice leek crosswise. Drain apples well; pat dry. Grease 1 1/2-quart casserole with 1 table-spoon butter. Place one third of apples in bottom of casserole; top with one third of leek slices and one third of sweet potato. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Dot top of casserole with 2 tablespoons butter; pour apple juice over all. Cover
tightly with lid or aluminum foil and bake 45 minutes. Meanwhile, to make topping, in small sauce-pan, melt remaining 1 ta- blespoon butter; stir in bread crumbs and brown sugar until well combined. Uncover casserole and sprinkle with topping. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes longer or until potato slices are tender. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 Servings
Samhain Sweet Potatoes in a Pumpkin Shell
2 quart sized pumpkin
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup brown sugar
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (or canned yams)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup melted butter
2 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
Combine potatoes, sugar, vanilla, coconut, spices, flour and pecans. Mix well. Cut the top of the pumpkin open and scoop out the seeds and fibre. Fill the hollowed pumpkin with the potato mixture. Mix the butter, milk, and eggs together. Sprinkle over the top of the potato mixture. Place the filled pumpkin in a large baking dish. Replace the pumpkin top. Bake at 375 degrees (F) for forty-five minutes. (45 min) Remove the lid and place the mini marshmallows on top (if used). Bake until the marshmallows are melted and turning golden. Allow pumpkin to cool for 10 minutes before serving directly from the shell. www.knowledgehound.com/topics/pagan
Colcannon by Edain McCoy
Potatoes, harvested from August to October, were a part of the feast in Ireland where they were made into a Samhain dish known as colcannon.
4 cups Mashed Potatoes
2-1/2 cups Cabbage, cooked and chopped fine
1/2 cup Butter (avoid corn oil margarines as they will not add the needed body and flavor)
1/2 cup Evaporated Milk or Cream
3/4 cup Onion, chopped very fine and sauteed
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon White Pepper
Saute onions (traditionalists saute in lard or grease, but butter is acceptable). Boil the potatoes and mash them (do not use artificial potato flakes). In a large pan place all of the ingredients except the cabbage and cook over low heat while blending them together. Turn the heat to medium and add the chopped cabbage. The mixture will take on a pale green cast. Keep stirring occasionally until the mixture is warm enough to eat. Serves 8. (The above "Colcannon" recipe is quoted directly from Edain McCoy's book "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways", page 38, Llewellyn Publications, 1994.)
Festival Tortellini
4 to 6 servings
1 (26-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
2 (9-ounce) packages Italian sausage-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen and thawed)
1-1/2 cups water
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
1 (4-ounce) can mushrooms, drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a 9" x 13" baking dish, combine all the ingredients except the cheese; mix well. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir, cover, and bake for 20 more minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cheese, and bake, uncovered, for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Taffy Apple Salad

1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped red apple
1 1/2 cups raw Spanish peanuts
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Drain Pineapple juice into medium saucepan. Combine pineapple chunks and marshmallows into bowl and refrigerate. Add vinegar, sugar, egg and flour to pineapple juice; mix well. Cook over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat and refrigerate until chilled. Combine juice mixture with pineapple and marshmallows. Add apples, peanuts and whipped topping. Mix well and chill before serving
Stuffed Monster Heads

Quick and easy to make they are savory and look great! Use a variety of different colored peppers and a barbecued beef and couscous filling that is super quick to prepare. Any color peppers can be used, and the filling can be made from leftover rice, barley, or other small pasta could be used in place of the couscous if desired. You could also use your family's favorite stuffed pepper filling if you think they would like it better than the "monster brain" filling. You can also used uncooked peppers decorated in the same way to hold dips for vegetables and chips.

6 small bell peppers, any color
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 minced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 1/2 pounds ground beef or turkey
3 cups cooked couscous
1/4 cup water
2 cups barbecue sauce
Blue food coloring
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 asparagus spears
12 pimento stuffed green olives

Cut the tops off of each pepper and reserve the tops. Remove the veins and seeds from each pepper. Place the peppers cut side up in a shallow microwave safe dish and cover with plastic wrap. Pierce the plastic wrap with a fork. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. While the peppers are cooking, Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and saute for a minute and then add the ground beef. Brown the beef well, and then add the couscous and water. Bring to a boil and break up the couscous and beef into small pieces. Cook until the water has evaporated and add the barbecue sauce and enough blue food coloring to make a brown sauce that looks "monster brainy-ish" to you. (Our sauce was a rich purple that did not photograph well, but that our testers loved!) Heat the mixture through thoroughly. Stuff the peppers loosely with the filling and return to the shallow dish. Sprinkle the cheese over top the "brains" and add two asparagus spears to each head. Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes on high, or until the cheese melts and the pepper is piping hot. Make 2 small X's on the side of the pepper for the eyes and carefully add the green olives. Make a slit for the mouth, and cut tongues from the reserved pepper tops. Insert the tongues and serve hot. Makes 6 Servings
Moldy Maggot Casserole

You might be more familiar with this great vegetarian dish by its normal name, Spinach and Rice Casserole. This low fat version is a great make ahead dish that just needs to be made ahead of time and reheated before eating for a great dinner or side dish.

1 cup minced onion
2 tablespoons vegetable stock
1 pound washed and chopped spinach
3 cups cooked rice
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup egg substitute
3 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 2 quart casserole with no fat cooking spray. In a large skillet saute the onions and stock until soft. Add the spinach and cook over low heat until the spinach is wilted and all of the liquid has evaporated, stirring constantly. In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Fold in the spinach mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole and bake for 25 minutes
PUMPKIN GINGER SOUP
Ingredients:
1 small cooking pumpkin
1/2 cup cashews
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or to taste)
salt to taste
Directions:
Soak cashews in water to cover for several hours. This step is optional, but helps them blend better. Cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds, and bake cut side down at 350 degrees F until very tender (45 minutes to one hour). Scrape pumpkin from the peel and puree in a blender, with any juices, in batches. Put pureed pumpkin into your soup pot. Blend cashews in blender until smooth and add to the pumpkin puree. Rinse the blender with a little water and add to the pot. Add a little more water if it's too thick. Add ginger and salt to taste and heat gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
Stone Soup
4 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
4 medium red potatoes, cut into eighths
1 yellow summer squash, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1/2 cup quick-cooking barley
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups salad croutons
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine the first eight ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the chicken, beans and barley. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender. Add tomatoes; heat through. Serve with croutons and Parmesan cheese. Yield: 12 servings.
Jack-O-Lantern Cheese Ball
This is a festive Halloween appetizer that everyone will love. It looks like a pumpkin but has delicious pumpkin and cheese flavor.
Ingredients
2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 C. solid pack pumpkin
1/2 C. pineapple preserves
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 pretzel rod, broken in half
Decorations: Dark rye bread, red pepper, black olive slices, parsley sprigs
Assorted crackers
Beat cheeses, pumpkin, preserves and spices in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover; refrigerate 2-3 hours or until cheese is firm enough to shape. Shape mixture into a round pumpkin; place on serving plate. Using knife, score vertical lines down pumpkin. Place pretzel rod in top for stem. Cut 2 small triangles for the eyes. Small triangle of red pepper for nose. Slice olives slices in half for the mouth. Cover loosely; refrigerate until serving time. Serve with crackers.
Devilish Dip

4-ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped cooked ham
2 to 3 tablespoons prepared Horseradish
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup sour cream
Mix ingredients together until well combined. Warm in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, stir and serve with crackers or cubes of toasted sourdough or slices of party rye.
Strained Eyeballs
6 Eggs
6 oz Whipped cream cheese
12 Olives with pimento
Red food coloring or catsup
Hard boil the eggs, peel and cool. Halve lengthwise and remove yolks. Fill hole with the creamed cheese and smooth surface as much as possible. Press an olive into each cream cheese eyeball with the pimento up for an eerie green iris and red pupil. Dip a toothpick in catsup and draw broken blood vessels in cream cheese.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source or author. Some of the information in our articles comes from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you recognize an article on our site and know the source or author, please contact us and we will add that information to the article.   If you are the author of an article published on our site, and prefer that we do not feature it here, please let us know and we will promptly remove it upon request. We want to thank everyone for sharing so much wonderful information!

Herb Substitutes - Cross Reference

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:18:46 -0400

Please read the disclosure at the bottom of this page before using this information
*Rosemary can be substituted for any other herb
*Rose can be substituted for any other flower
*Frankincense can be substituted for any gum resin
*Copal can be substituted for any gum resin
*Tobacco can be substituted for any poisonous herb
ACACIA-Gum Arabic
ACACIA, GUM-Gum Arabic
ACONITE-Tobacco
ARABIC, GUM-Frankincense; Gum Mastic
AMMONIAC GUM-Asafetida
ASAFOETIDA-Tobacco; Valerian
BALM OF GILEAD-Rose Buds; Gum Mastic
BELLADONNA-Tobacco
BENZOIN-Gum Arabic; Gum Mastic
CAMPHOR OIL-Eucalyptus Oil; Lavender Oil
CARNATION-Rose petals anointed with a few drops of Cinnamon Oil
CASSIA-Cinnamon
CASTOR BEANS-A few drops Castor Oil
CEDAR-Sandalwood
CINQUEFOIL-Clover; Trefoil
CITRON-Equal parts Orange Peel and Lemon Peel
CLOVE-Mace; Nutmeg
CLOVER-Cinquefoil
COPAL-Frankincense; Cedar
COWBANE-Tobacco
CYPRESS-Juniper; Pine Needles
DEERS TONGUE-Tonka Bean; Woodruff; Vanilla
DITTANY OF CRETE-Gum Mastic
DRAGON'S BLOOD-Equal parts Frankincense and Red Sandalwood
EUCALYPTUS OIL-Camphor Oil; Lavender Oil
EUPHORBIUM-Tobacco
FRANKINCENSE-Copal; Pine Resin
GALANGAL-Ginger Root
GRAINS OF PARADISE-Black Pepper
GUM AMMONIAC-Asafetida
GUM BDELLIUM-Copal; Pine Resin; Dragon's Blood
HELLEBORE-Tobacco; Nettle
HEMLOCK-Tobacco
HEMP-Nutmeg; Damiana; Star Anise; Bay
HENBANE-Tobacco
HYSSOP-Lavender
IVY-Cinquefoil
JASMINE-Rose
JUNIPER-Pine
LAVENDER-Rose
LEMON GRASS-Lemon Peel
LEMON PEEL-Lemon Peel
LEMON VERBENA-Lemon Grass; Lemon Peel
MACE-Nutmeg
MANDRAKE-Tobacco
MASTIC, GUM-Gum Arabic; Frankincense
MINT-Sage
MISTLETOE-Mint; Sage
MUGWORT-Wormwood
NEROLI OIL-Orange Oil
NIGHTSHADE-Tobacco
NUTMEG-Mace; Cinnamon
OAKMOSS-Patchouli
ORANGE-Tangerine Peel
ORANGE FLOWERS-Orange Peel
PATCHOULI-Oakmoss
PEPPERMINT-Spearmint
PEPPERWORT-Rue; Grains of Paradise; Black Pepper
PINE-Juniper
PINE RESIN-Frankincense; Copal
RED SANDALWOOD-Sandalwood mixed with a pinch of Dragon's Blood
ROSE-Yarrow
ROSE GERANIUM-Rose
RUE-Rosemary mixed with a pinch of Black Pepper
SAFFRON-Orange Peel
SANDALWOOD-Cedar
SARSPARILLA-Sassafras
SASSAFRASS-Sarsaparilla
SPEARMINT-Peppermint
SULFER-Tobacco; Club Moss; Asafetida
THYME-Rosemary
TOBACCO-Bay
TONKA BEAN-Deerstongue; Woodruff; Vanilla Bean
TREFOIL-Cinquefoil
VALERIAN-Asafetida
VANILLA-Woodruff; Deerstongue; Tonka Bean
VETIVERT-Calamus
WOLFSBANE-Tobacco
WOOD ALOE-Sandalwood sprinkled with Ambergris Oil
WOODRUFF-Deerstongue; Vanilla
WORMWOOD-Mugwort
YARROW-Rose
YEW-Tobacco
Raven and Crone, LLC may not be held responsible for any damage or injury to person or property resulting from the use of any item sold by Raven And Crone, LLC The buyer understands that he or she is responsible for the safe handling of any item purchased from Raven And Crone, LLC. Metaphysical and herbal information is for educational, inspirational, and entertainment purposes only. Mystical information on herbal and spiritual healing information is not to be construed as prescription or healthcare information. See your physician or other healthcare practitioner for all ailments, disease and injury. Raven and Crone, LLC assumes no liability for any use or misuse of this information.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Herb and Flora Properties

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:56:49 -0400

Magickal Properties of herbs, flowers, plants, trees, fruit, and nuts
Please check your own facts before using any herb and read the disclosure at the bottom of this page
Acacia - exorcism, banishing, money, love, to be burned for alter offering, aiding in psychic powers, meditation, protection
Acorn- Strength, money and wealth, protection
Adam and Eve Roots - (TOXIC), attract love, happiness
Adders Tongue - healing, divination
African Violet - protection, promote spirituality
Agaric - (TOXIC) encourage fertility
Agrimony - protection, banish negative energy-entities, reverse spells, break hexes, promotes sleep, psychic protection, returns spells to their senders
Ague Root - protection, break hexes
Alder- whistles entice the Elemental earth, water magic, strength
Alfalfa - abundance, prosperity, money, anti-hunger, frugality, providence, place in the kitchen
Alkanet - repel negativity, attract prosperity, purification
All Heal- Mental powers
Allspice - money, luck, healing, prosperity when burned, courage, magickal power, love, lust
Almond - prosperity, success in business ventures, money, wisdom, love, anger management
Aloe - protection, luck, money, repel evil, healing, beauty, success, peace
Aloes, Wood- Love, spirituality, money, protection
Althea - protection, psychic power, attract good spirits
Alyssum - protection, calm anger
Amaranth - healing, protection, healing heartbreak, invisibility
Amber- healing
Ambergris- Lust, sex
Anemone - health, protection, healing
Angelica - protection, exorcism, remove curses and hexes, healing, visions, wards off negativity when sprinkled around the house, increases life energy bringing warmth of Fire element, wards off negativity when sprinkled around the house
Anise - sleep, protection, repel evil, purification, call in good spirits, youth, divination, psychic awareness, joy, dreams, luck, love, enthusiasm, Winter Solstice, entices the spirits to aid in spells
Apple - love, healing, garden blessing, buried in the garden on Samhain as food for the departing spirits, to be shared with one you love, immortality, happiness, luck, broken heart, spirit food, the goddess
Apricot - love
Arabic Gum - purification, spirituality, protection
Arbutus - exorcism, protection
Arrowroot: Protection
Asafoetida - purification, protection, exorcism
Ash - prosperity, protection, healing, love, wands, leaves for prophetic dreams, sea rituals, longevity, peace, luck, purification, study, enhances magic, besom
Aspen - protection, eloquence, anti-theft
Aster - love
Astragalus- Fortification, Strength
Avens - exorcism, love, purification, Exorcism, purification, love
Avocado - beauty, love, lust
Bachelors Buttons - love
Balm of Gilead - (TOXIC) love, manifestations, ease a broken heart, protection, healing, love
Bamboo - protection, luck, break hexes, wishes
Banana - prosperity, fertility, potency
Banyan - luck, happiness
Barley - healing, protection, love
Basil - exorcism, love, protection, prosperity, wealth, repels negative energy, sympathy, wealth, flying, courage, business, fertility, healing relationships, ensure faithfulness on masses
Bay - psychic powers, protection, healing, purification, strength, wish magick, wisdom, good luck, fertility, banish negativity, energy, insight, divination, victory, prosperity, employment, mental power, burn for psychic powers
Bayberry- Employment
Bean - love, protection, exorcism, wart charming, reconciliation, potency
Bedstraw, fragrant- Love
Beech - creativity, wishes, fertility, balance mental health
Beet - love
Belladonna - (TOXIC) visions, astral protection, divination
Benzoin - purification, prosperity, astral projection, confidence, protection
Bergamot- success, money, confidence, protection, prosperity, employment, unwanted advances
Be-Still - (TOXIC) luck
Betony- love, healing, burn at Litha for purification, protection; place under pillow to be rid of nightmares; sprinkle around doors to ward off despair, psychic awareness
Birch - purification, protection, exorcism, cleansing, beauty, catalyst, blessing, health, besom, beginnings
Bistort - fertility, psychic powers
Bittersweet - (TOXIC) protection, healing, broken heart
Black Cohosh - courage, love, protection, potency
Black Hellebore - (TOXIC) invisibility, exorcism, astral projection
Black pepper- Courage, protection
Black Snakeroot - love, lust, money
Blackberry - healing, protection, prosperity, money, pies for Lughnassadh
Blackthorn- returns evil to it's sender
Bladderwrack - psychic powers, protection, money, water or sea spells, wind spells, travel, psychic Clarity
Bleeding Heart - love
Blessed Thistle - protection, animal healing, abundance
Bloodroot - (TOXIC) love, purification, protection
Bluebell - luck, truth
Blueberry - protection
Blue Cohosh Root- courage, balance, protection
Blue Flag - (TOXIC) money, wealth, success in business
Bodhi - wisdom, fertility, protection, meditation
Boneset - protection, exorcism
Borage - courage, psychic powers, carry leaves for protection
Bracken - protection, healing, fertility, prophetic dreams, rune magick
Brazil Nut - love
Briar- add to tea for clairvoyant dreams, protection
Briony - (TOXIC) mage magick, protection, money
Bromeliad - protection, money
Broom - (TOXIC) divination, wind spells, purification of the circle, hung indoors for protection
Bryony- (TOXIC) pleasure, reveal secrets
Buchu - prophetic dreams, psychic powers
Buckeye - luck, divination, money, wealth, prosperity, gambling
Buckthorn - protection, exorcism, wishes, legal matters
Buckwheat - protection, money
Burdock - protection, healing, wards off negativity, purifies, protects (washing floors or dried root on red string around the neck), happy home, clears space & holds the space safe, spirit of north
Cabbage - luck
Cactus - protection, chastity
Calamus - (TOXIC) luck, protection, healing, money, purification
Calendula- Stress management,Opening to the 3rd Chakra, helps energy move outward from center of body extending in all directions
Camellia - prosperity, wealth, luxury
Camphor - (TOXIC) healing, divination, chastity, past lives, prophetic dreams, purification, psychic awareness, unwanted advances
Caper - lust, love, potency
Caraway - protection, lust, healing, mental powers, repel negativity, psychic healing, vitality, energy, magickal power, anti-theft
Cardamon - lust, love, burned in love spells and in love sachets
Carnation - protection, strength, healing, altar offering to the goddess, strength
Carob - protection, health
Carrot - fertility, lust, vision, the God aspect
Cascara Sagrada - protection, money, legal matters
Cashew - prosperity, money, communication
Cassia- Psychic awareness, spirituality
Castor - (TOXIC) protection, repel negativity
Catnip - love, beauty, happiness, power, courage, positive cat magik, friendship, joy, anger management, depression management, familiars
Cat Tail - lust
Cayenne- Exorcism, healing
Cedar - healing, purification, money, protection, cleansing, courage, stopping sexual harassment, prosperity, aura field and space
Celandine - joy, protection, happiness, escape, legal matters, depression management
Celery - lust, psychic powers, mental clarity, concentration, peace
Centaury- Snake removing
Chamomile - purification, tranquility, money, sleep-rest (tea), love, luck, meditation, prosperity,
incense for the God, gambling, hex breaking, legal matters, peace, dreams, dexterity, protection
Chapparal- Fire element rituals, Protection, Spirit of South
Cherry - love, divination, burn chips at sabbats, creativity , victory
Chestnut - love
Chickweed - love, fidelity
Chicory - favors, frugality, remove obstacles, invisibility, frigidity, liberation
Chili Pepper - fidelity, love, break hexes
China Berry - (TOXIC) luck, change
Chrysanthemum - (TOXIC) protection
Cilantro- Health
Cinchona - protection, luck
Cinnamon - prosperity, success, spirituality, healing, lust, protection, love, psychic powers, passion, power, dreams, strength, astral projection, courage, money, purification, personal empowerment
Cinquefoil - money, protection, sleep, prophetic dreams, purification, lust, prosperity, divination dreams
Citron - healing, eaten to increase psychic powers
Civet- love, lust, sex
Cloth-of-Gold - animal communication
Clove - protection, exorcism, purification, love, money, mental clarity, burn for wealth, wards off negativity, counter spells, cleansing, divination, luck, depression management, psychic awareness, prophetic dreams, happiness, gossip
Clover - success, protection, money, exorcism, love, fidelity, consecration, beauty, luck, youth, healing, faeries, prosperity
Club Moss - protection, power
Coconut - purification, protection, chastity, Water
Cohosh, Black- courage, protection, potency, menopause
Coltsfoot - love, psychic visions, healing, wealth, prosperity
Columbine - courage, love
Comfrey - (TOXIC) money, root or leaves for healing, carry for safe travel, protection, stress management, safe Journeys (Worldly or through Meditation) , Winter Solstice
Copal - love, purification, exorcism, protection, spirituality, earth element, sets sacred space, allows guides and guidance to come in
Coriander - love, health, healing, protection, longevity
Corn - divination, protection, luck, money
Cornflower- psychism
Cornsilk- water element, stimulates flow
Cotton - luck, healing, protection
Cowslip - youth, healing, treasure finding, luck, love, psychic dreams
Crocus - love, visions, wisdom
Cubeb - love
Cuckoo-Flower - love, fertility
Cucumber - healing, fertility, chastity
Cumin - exorcism, protection, prevents theft, fidelity, love
Curry - protection, exorcism
Cyclamen - fertility, protection, happiness, lust, broken heart
Cypress - healing, protection, comfort, longevity, peace, sleep, liberation
Daffodil - love, luck, fertility
Daisy - love, lust, Luck, depression management, faeries and elves, happiness
Damiana - divination, love, lust, sex magick, dreams, visions, psychic powers, opens door between worlds
Dandelion Leaf and Root - purification, divination, wishes, calling spirits
Date Palm - potency, fertility
Datura - (TOXIC) protection, sleep, break hexes
Deerstongue - (TOXIC) lust, psychic powers, gossip management
Devil's Bit - love, protection, luck, exorcism
Devil's Shoestring - protection, luck, gambling, power, employment
Dill - love, lust, seeds draw money, leaves for protection, flowers for love
Dittany of Crete - manifestations, astral projection
Dock - money, healing, fertility
Dodder - love divination, knot magic
Dogbane - love
Dogwood - protection, wishes
Dong Quai, Slices- health, vitality, fire element rituals
Dragons Blood - power, protection, exorcism, potency, love, courage, fortune, catalyst, magick power, strength, purification, stimulates action of other herbs in incense blend, stimulates movement of energy
Dulse - harmony, lust
Dutchman's Breeches - love
Ebony - protection, power
Echinacea - strengthening spells, health, strength, wards off negativity or undesirable energies
Edelweiss- Invisibility, bullet-proofing
Elder - (CAUTION: SEEDS ARE POISONOUS, TOXIC) money, wishes, theft protection, exorcism, healing, prosperity, sleep, wards negative thoughts when used as wind chimes, blessings, do not burn the wood of elder for it is sacred to Hecate, see fairies in the trees at Litha, flowers used as an alter offering, berries for esbat wine, flowers added to candle spells directed at hecate during the new moon, cleansing, offering
Elderberries- prosperity, protection, sleep, joy, visions, banishing, energy, ancient wisdom, contactwith elementals, invoke magic
Elderflower- purifying, healing
Elecampane - love, protection, psychic powers, anger management
Elm - protection, love, attracts elves
Endive - love, lust
Eryngo - peace, love, lust, traveler's luck
Eucalyptus - TOXIC, healing, protection, joy, purification, air element rituals
Euphorbia - (TOXIC) protection, purification
Eyebright - joy, psychic powers, mental clarity, mental ability and clarity, visions
False Unicorn Root- connection to magical realm, contains energy and intention
Fennel - protection, exorcism, healing, purification, virility, sacred to the God, hung over doors at Litha, strength, courage, money
Fennel Seed- stimulates movement
Fenugreek - prosperity, wealth, money, mental powers, clearing
Fern - (TOXIC) money, wealth, eternal youth, protection, outside for rain, luck, riches, health, exorcism
Feverfew - protection, wards sickness, wards accidents in traffic
Fig - divination, fertility, love
Figwort - protection, health
Fir- health, prosperity, birth and rebirth
Flax - luck, money, protection, purification, beauty, psychic powers, healing, health, initiates flow
Fleabane - exorcism, protection, chastity
Forget-Me-Not- mental powers
Foxglove - (CAUTION: POISONOUS, TOXIC) faeries and elves, lust, grow in garden for protection of the house and yard
Fragrant Bedstraw - love
Frankincense - exorcism, purification, protection, spirituality, power, meditation, blessing, concentration, banishing, courage, divination, healing, love, purification, consecration, sets sacred space, sets safe space for guides to come in, spirit of east or north
Fumitory - money, exorcism
Furz/egorse- burn at Ostara for protection and as a preparation for any conflict
Fuzzy Weed - love, hunting
Galangal - protection, legal matters, lust, health, money, psychic powers, break hexes, energy, strength, courage
Gardenia - love, peace, healing, spirituality, psychic awareness
Garlic - protection, healing, health, exorcism, lust sacred to Hecate, flowers for altar offerings, cloves for protection, anti-theft, wishes, relief from nightmares
Gentian - power, love, break hexes, wishes, theft
Geranium - (TOXIC) courage, abundance, health, love, protection, fertility
Giant Vetch - fidelity
Ginger - love, money, success, power, aphrodisiac, psychic ability, apathy, lust, good health, magickal power, fire element rituals, brings into existence, bringer of the manifestation, 3rd chakra vitality, inner strength, stimulates flow of energy, spirit of south
Ginseng - longevity, sexual potency, protection, healing, love, lust, wishes, beauty, vitality, fertility, desire, encourages a long lasting affect, strength
Goat's Rue - healing, health
Goldenrod - prosperity, money, divination, luck
Goldenseal - money, healing
Gorse - protection, money
Gotu Kola - meditation
Gourd - protection
Grain - protection
Grains of Paradise - love, lust, luck, money, wishes
Grape - mental clarity, money, fertility, garden magick, happiness
Grass - psychic powers, protection
Ground Ivy - divination
Groundsel - health, healing
Gum Mastic- magickal power
Hawthorn - happiness, fertility, powerful wands, protection, chastity, fishing magick, faeries and elves, purification, business, depression management,purity, cleansing
Hawthorne Berries- 4th chakra strength and vitality, love, contentment
Hazel - luck, fertility, protection, wishes, nuts strung on cord in house or ritual room to invite the help of plant fairies, used for wands, healing, anti-lightning, love, aphrodisiac, wisdom, divination, mental powers, intelligence, inspiration
Heather - luck, protection, red to start or end an affair, white for protection, purple for spiritual development, use at samhain to invite spirits to visit, rain making, spirituality
Heliotrope - (TOXIC) exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, wealth, invisibility, money, spirituality, prosperity, psychic awareness
Hellebore, Black- (TOXIC) protection
Hemlock - TOXIC, astral projection, diminish libido, power, purification, charging, alignment
Hemp - healing, love, visions, meditation
Henbane - (TOXIC) love, luck, divination, invisibility
Henna - healing, health, love, change, dying material
Hibiscus - love, lust, divination, 5th Chakra
Hickory - legal matters
High John the Conqueror - TOXIC, strength, confidence, health, love, money, success, happiness, break hexes, increase strength, legal matters, anointing, victory
Holly Thistle - purification, break hexes
Holly - protection, luck, dream magic, anti-lightning, balance, dreams, enhances magic, holiness, consecration, beauty
Honesty - money, protection
Honeysuckle - protection, money, psychic powers, confidence, broken heart, luck, happiness, healing, depression management
Hops - healing, sleep, stress management, opens the channel in and out of the body in relationship with the universe
Horehound - exorcism, healing, purification, protection, mental clarity, balance, banishing, opens air element within body & in the world, opens channel for clear communication
Horse Chestnut - (TOXIC) healing, money
Horseradish - exorcism, purification
Horsetail - fertility
Houseleek - love, luck, protection
Huckleberry - protection, luck, dream magic, break hexes
Hyacinth - (TOXIC) business, court cases, sleep, depression management, love, protection, happiness
Hydrangea - break hexes
Hyssop - healing, protection, purification, wards negativity, prosperity, money, banishing, dragon energy
Indian Paint Brush - love
Iris - purification, wisdom, courage, reincarnation, spirituality, happiness
Irish Moss - luck, money, protection, opens throat, opens channel for clear communication
Ivy - (TOXIC) divination, protection, healing, fertility, love, fidelity
Jasmine - divination, love, money, prophetic dreams, sleep, prosperity, spirituality, visions, confidence, broken heart, astral projection, business, court cases
Jimson Weed- protect against evil spirits
Job's Tears - luck, wishes, healing
Joe-Pye Weed - love, respect
Juniper - protection, love, exorcism, health, anti-theft, banishing, peace, wishes, aphrodisiacs, sets sacred space, spirit of north
Kava Kava - lust, protection while traveling, astral projection, visions, luck, visions, protection, love, opens one to receiving guidance and guides
Kelp: wind spells, psychic powers, protection, connection to divine source through the physical and spiritual, unity, life-force strengthening, spirit of center
Knotweed - health, binding spells, protection
Lady's Mantle - love, self control
Lady's Slipper - protection
Larch - protection, anti-theft
Larkspur - protection, health
Lavender - protection, call in good spirits, love, sleep, longevity, happiness, peace, healing, burn for purification, peace, use in bath for purification, burn at Litha as an offering, psychic awareness, chastity, liberation, menopause, childbirth, grief or loss, youthful vigor, stress management, travel, anger management, attracts elves
Leek - exorcism, love, protection
Lemon - purification, love, friendship, longevity, cleansing, healing, peace, success, broken heart, anger management, devotion
Lemon Balm - love, success, healing, depression management, aphrodisiac, soothe emotional pain after relationship ends
Lemon Verbena - protection, purification, love, power, beauty, youth, happiness, peace, mental and emotional balance, summer solstice
Lemongrass - psychic powers, mental clarity, lust, repel snakes
Lettuce - love divination, sleep, protection, chastity, luck
Licorice - love, lust, fidelity, aphrodisiac, meditation, harmony
Life-Everlasting - health, healing, longevity
Lilac - exorcism, protection, purification, beauty, love, peace, psychic awareness
Lily - protection, exorcism, repel negativity, truth, break love spells, strength, purification, breaking hexes
Lily of the Valley - (TOXIC) mental clarity, happiness, insight, depression management, peace
Lime - healing, love, protection, cleansing, happiness, purification
Linden - healing, protection, luck, love, sleep, bark for protection, leaves and flowers for immortality, good fortune, youth, attraction, longevity
Liquid Amber - protection
Liverwort - love, protection
Lobelia - (TOXIC) healing, love
Loosestrife - peace, protection, harmony, purple restores harmony and brings peace
Lotus - protection, spirituality, love, lock opening, liberation, mental powers
Lovage - love, attraction, cleansing, purification
Love Seed - love, friendship
Lucky Hand - protection, luck, money, travel, employment
Mace - psychic powers, mental clarity, divination
Maguey - lust
Magnolia - fidelity, past lives, peace, sex, broken heart, beauty, wisdom
Mahogany, Mountain- anti-lightning
Maidenhair - beauty, love
Male Fern - luck, love
Mallow - love, protection, exorcism
Mandrake - (TOXIC) potency, exorcism, protection, fertility, money, love, health, protection, catalyst, prosperity, divination, increase psychic powers, aphrodisiacs, cursing enemies, building, banishing, protection in the subconscious, unconscious and underworld,
Maple - money, longevity, love
Marigold - prophetic dreams, protection, legal matters, marriage spells, enhanced psychic powers, pick in full sun, business and legal matters, clairvoyant dreams, mixed with water and rubbed on the eyelids to see fairies
Marjoram - protection, love, happiness, health, money, depression management, prosperity
Marshmallow- healing, friendship, boundaries, love, protection, strength, emotional balance
Masterwort - protection, strength, courage
Mastic - psychic powers, lust, manifestations, love, magick power
May Apple - (TOXIC) money, prosperity
Meadow Rue - love, divination
Meadowsweet - love, divination, peace, happiness, harmony, 3rd chakra
Mesquite - healing
Milk Thistle- creativity, protection, dispel, transformation
Mimosa - love, protection, prophetic dreams, purification, past lives, visions
Mint - exorcism, protection, money, lust, healing, travel, alter offering for helpful spirits , love, luck, anger management, dreams, abundance, prosperity, rejuvenation
Mistletoe - (TOXIC) healing, protection, love, fertility, health, exorcism, hunting, success, catalyst, lust, liberation, sexual potency
Molukka - protection
Moonflower- liberation
Moonwort - love, money, divination
Morning Glory - (TOXIC) peace, happiness, depression management
Moss - luck, money
Motherwort- balances within, self empowerment, 2nd chakra
Mugwort - astral projection, strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, divination, rub fresh herb on crystal balls and magik mirrors to increase their strength, pick on full moon night, clairvoyance, purification, sex, renewal, fertility, clearing, sleep, visions, opens one to the teachings of the subconscious and unconscious self, 6th and 7th chakras
Mulberry - protection, strength
Mullein - exorcism, health, protection, courage, love divination, calling spirits, dreams, opens life energy flow through the body
Musk- purification, sex
Mustard - fertility, protection, mental clarity, health, money
Myrrh - spirituality, purification, protection, healing, exorcism, wards negativity, burn for purification and consecrations, banishing, sets sacred space, ancient wisdom
Myrtle - peace, money, love, youth, fertility, sleep, healing, prosperity
Narcissus- peace
Nasturtium- healing
Neroli- love
Nettle - exorcism, protection, healing, lust, abundance, 3rd and 6th chakra, banishing, stress management, gossip management
Niaouli- protection
Norfolk Island Pine- protection, anti-hunger
Nutmeg - protection, money, health, luck, fidelity, break hexes, burn for prosperity, love, psychic awareness, relief from nightmares
Nuts - fertility, prosperity, love, luck, use for tips on wands, gifts, communication
Oak - protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck, the God, wands, burn leaves to purify the atmosphere, acorns draw money, burn wood for good health, acorns draw money, power, balance, prosperity
Oak Moss- court cases, money, protection
Oats - money, offering to the god, stress management
Oleander - (TOXIC) love
Olive - healing, peace, fertility, potency, protection, lust, victory, spirituality
Onion - exorcism, healing, protection, purification, money, prophetic dreams, lust
Orange - love, divination, luck, money
Orange Bergamot - prosperity, success, energy, joy, friendship, success, prosperity, psychic awareness, peels for love, incense for good fortune
Orchid - love, psychic powers
Oregon Grape - money, prosperity
Orris - divination, protection, love, prosperity, money, clairvoyance, sex, psychic awareness
Palmarosa- healing, love
Palm Date- fertility, potency
Pansy - love, divination, rain magick, mental powers, strength
Papaya - protection, love, wishes
Papyrus - protection, wisdom, self-insight
Parosela- Hunting
Parsley - purification, protection, lust, love, fertility, prosperity
Passion Flower - peace, sleep, friendships prosperity, increase libido, popularity, anger management,stress management
Patchouli - money, fertility, lust, break hexes, incense for drawing money, earth, underworld, business, confidence, court cases, love, desire, prosperity, protection, success, sex, enemies
PAU D'ARCO- fertility, wards off negativity, clears
Pea - money, love
Peach - exorcism, love, fertility, wishes, longevity, broken heart, youth
Pear - love, lust
Pecan - money, employment, prosperity, dreams, discipline
Pennyroyal - exorcism, consecration, strength, protection, peace, healing
Peony - exorcism, protection, purification
Pepper - exorcism, protection, use in amulets or grow for protection, wards negativity
Peppermint - purification, sleep, love, healing, psychic powers, divination, money, apathy, exorcism,insight, lust, menopause, clears energy and space
Pepper Tree - protection, purification, healing
Periwinkle - (TOXIC) protection, money, love, lust, mental clarity
Persimmon - healing, luck, changing sex, insight into others
Petitgrain- protection
Pilot Weed - protection
Pimento - love
Pimpernel - protection, health
Pine - (TOXIC) protection, exorcism, money, healing, fertility, brush outdoor ritual area with a branch to purify and sanctify, burn for cleansing, needles in money spells, spirituality, gambling, dreams, cleansing, banishing, purification, prosperity, employment, birth, rebirth, strength, life and immortality
Pineapple - luck, money, chastity, hospitality, protection
Pipsissewa - money, calling in good spirits
Pistachio - breaking love spells
Plantain - protection, healing, strength, snake repelling
Plum - protection, love, healing, self-confidence
Plumeria - (TOXIC) love
Poke - (TOXIC) courage, break hexes
Pomegranate - divination, luck, wealth, wishes, fertility
Poplar - money, astral projection, success
Poppy - fertility, love, sleep, money, luck, healing, invisibility
Potato - healing, image magick, astral projection, separation, foundations, earth energy
Prickly Ash - love
Primrose - protection, love
Purslane - protection, love, happiness, luck, sleep
Quassia - love
Queen of the Meadow: power, protection
Quince - protection, love, happiness
Radish - protection, lust
Ragweed - courage, faeries and elves
Ragwort - protection
Raspberry - healing, visions, protection, love, alleviates labor pains, spirit of center, spring equinox
Rattlesnake Root - protection, money
Red Clover Blossoms- abundance, love, money, protection, success, summer solstice
Red Root- clears energy, dispels
Rhubarb - health, protection, fidelity
Rice - protection, money, fertility, rain, blessings, weather magick
Roots - protection, divination, power
Rose - beauty, protection, purification, love, psychic powers, healing, divination, peace, luck, courage, catalyst, sex, sleep, prophetic dreams, anger management, love divination, abundance, attraction, prosperity
Rose Geranium- protection
Rose Hips - healing, luck, call in good spirits, abundance, strength, fall equinox ceremony
Rosemary - exorcism, protection, healing, love, lust, mental clarity, sleep, youth, burn for purification, wards negativity, love, blessing, consecration, cleansing, strength, wishes, dreams, beauty, theft, healing, psychic ability, spirit of south, grow to attract elves, blessing
Rowan - protection, success, psychic powers, healing, power, wands and amulets for knowledge, incense of leaves and berries for divination, fires to call upon spirits for help, grow for protection of the home, inspiration, wisdom, enhances magic, attracts faeries
Rue - exorcism, protection, purification, break hexes, health, mental clarity, healing, blessing, consecration, use in altar oil, love, money and wealth, gossip management
Rye - love, fidelity
Saffron - love, lust, healing, strength, happiness, psychic powers, wind raising, depression management
Sage - purification, protection, wisdom, longevity, wishes, health, immortality, intuition, divination, luck, prosperity, money, spirituality, menopause, psychic ability, clears, inner guide, longevity, vision
Sagebrush - exorcism, protection, purification, joy, peace
St. John's Wort -(TOXIC) exorcism, protection, courage, strength, happiness, health, love divination, burn at Litha to send away negativity, wear for invincibility, willpower, gathered at Litha, power, stress management
Saltpeter- unwanted advances
Sandalwood - protection, exorcism, purification, wishes, healing, spirituality, full moon esbats, wards negativity, spirit offering, luck, sex, banishing, astral projection, business, success, mental powers
Sarsaparilla - love, money, inner strength, grounding, purification
Sassafras - money, health, healing
Senna - love
Serpentaria Root- love, aphrodisiacs
Sesame - money, success in business, lust, happiness, gambling
Shallot - purification
Shamrocks- faeries and elves
Shepherds Purse- sleep, depression management, healing
Skullcap - peace, love, fidelity, stress management, anxiety management
Skunk Cabbage - good fortune, legal matters, legal matters
Slippery Elm- halts gossip, aids verbal communication and development, enemies, friendship, ends disputes
Sloe - exorcism, protection, banish negative energy/entities
Snakeroot - money, luck, break hexes, love, lust
Snapdragon - protection, break hexes, exorcism, prophetic dreams, prosperity, gossip management, money and wealth
Solomon's Seal - love, exorcism, protection, an offering to the elementals for their aid
Sorrel, Wood- healing, health
Southernwood - love, lust, protection, faeries and elves
Spanish Moss - protection
Spearmint - healing, love, mental clarity
Spiderwort - love
Spikenard - health, fidelity, love, luck, strength, wisdom, mental powers
Squill - protection, money, break hexes, business
Star Anise - psychic powers, luck, good fortune, spiritual powers
Stephanotis- lust
Stillengia - psychic powers
Straw - luck, attracts fairies, do not burn magik infused straw, it will bring ill-fortune, used as an image to protect an area, image magick, fertility
Strawberry - love, luck, joy, broken heart
Sugar Cane - love, lust, prosperity, sympathy
Sumbul - psychic powers, love, luck, health
Summer Savory - mental clarity and strength, mental powers
Sunflower - wisdom, health, wishes, fertility, happiness, friendship, prosperity
Sweetgrass - calling in good spirits, bringer of positive energy, clears, seals In, burned after white sage which clears, spirit of east
Sweetpea - strength, courage, friendship, chastity, truth, love
Tamarind - love
Tamarisk - exorcism, protection
Tangerine- magickal power
Tansy - healing, health, longevity
Tea - strength, courage, prosperity, riches, health
Thistle, Holly- purification, hex breaking
Thistle, Milk - exorcism, protection, healing, strength, break hexes, snake enraging
Thyme - purification, courage, psychic powers, sleep, wards negativity, burn for purification, and healing spells, love, renewal, youth, divination, prophetic dreams, faery folk, romance
Ti - protection, healing
Toadflax - protection, break hexes
Toadstool- (TOXIC) rain making
Tobacco - (TOXIC) healing, purification, offerings
Tomato - protection, prosperity, love
Tonka - (TOXIC) courage, love, money, wishes, luck, friendship, prosperity
Tormentil - protection, love
Trefoil- decorate alter, protection, luck, when taking one, leave a bit of ginger or milk poured into the ground as payment to the fairies
Trillium - love, luck, money
Tuberose- love, lust, peace, psychic awareness
Tulip - protection, prosperity, love
Turmeric - purification (used with sea salt), fortification, strength, clears aggression
Turnip - protection, endings, banish negativity
Uva Ursa - (TOXIC) psychic powers
Valerian - protection, purification, love, sleep, prophetic dreams, peace, sex, friendship, anxiety management, self esteem
Vanilla - love, lust, mental clarity, money, confidence, attracting people, magickal power, prosperity, success, wishes
Venus Flytrap - protection, love
Vervain - sleep, protection, purification, love, money, peace, healing, gather/burn at Litha, altar offering, brings riches, creativity, wards psychic attack, youth, chastity, astral projection, unwanted advances, anger management, prosperity
Vetch, Giant- fidelity
Vetivert - love, luck, money, break hexes, wards negativity, anti-theft, exorcism, wishes, peace, protection, prosperity, divination
Violet - protection, healing, love, lust, luck, wishes, peace, sleep, insight, visions
Wahoo - (TOXIC) courage, success, break hexes
Walnut - health, mental clarity, wishes, infertility, spirituality, travel
Watercress- healing
Wax Plant - protection, power
Wheat - money, fertility, prosperity
White Willow Bark - healing, blessings, binding, sacred earth connection between human and earth and spirit, protection, spirit of east
Wild Lettuce- love divination, protection, sleep, opens to the deeper consciousness, attunes to deeper meanings
Wild Plum - healing
Wild Yam- fortification, grounding, release, 1st chakra
Willow - protection, healing, love, burn bark with sandalwood for divination, vitality, energy, ending pain, moon magic, wishing, spirits, death passage, besom, inspiration, pyschic energy
Wintergreen - protection, healing, break hexes, strength, good fortune, opens channels
Winter's Bark - success
Wisteria- spirituality
Witch Grass - exorcism, happiness, love, lust
Witch Hazel - protection, chastity, healing, beauty, unwanted advances
Wolf's Bane - (TOXIC) protection, invisibility
Wood Betony - love, purification, protection
Wood Rose - luck
Wood Sorrel - healing, health
Woodruff - protection, money, victory, add to Beltane wine to clear away barriers, success, changes, psychic awareness, prosperity
Wormwood - (CAUTION: POISONOUS, BURN IN WELL VENTILATED AREA, PREFERABLY OUTDOORS TOXIC) exorcism, protection, love, psychic powers, calling spirits, protection while traveling, evocation, divination, scrying (stronger when combined with Mugwort) at Samhain, sacred to the moon, good luck, clairvoyance, divination, safety in cars
Yarrow - healing, divination, exorcism, protection, courage, love, psychic powers, happy marriage (wedding bouquet), wards negativity, defense, protection, gather at Litha, happiness, fidelity, broken heart, prophetic dreams, spirit of south, clears, stimulates movement
Yellowdock Root- clears stuck energy, fortification
Yellow Evening Primrose- hunting
Yerba Mate - love, lust, fidelity
Yerba Santa - protection, healing, psychic powers, beauty, clears channel to divine life force
Yew - (CAUTION: POISONOUS, TOXIC) yule symbol for death and rebirth, used for dagger handles, raising the dead, psychic awareness, spirits
Ylang Ylang: insight, love, past lives, peace, sex, visions
Yohimbe - (TOXIC) love, lust
Yucca - protection, purification, transmutation
Raven and Crone, LLC may not be held responsible for any damage or injury to person or property resulting from the use of any item sold by Raven And Crone, LLC The buyer understands that he or she is responsible for the safe handling of any item purchased from Raven And Crone, LLC. Metaphysical and herbal information is for educational, inspirational, and entertainment purposes only. Mystical information on herbal and spiritual healing information is not to be construed as prescription or healthcare information. See your physician or other healthcare practitioner for all ailments, disease and injury. Raven and Crone, LLC assumes no liability for any use or misuse of this information.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes we don't know the source. Some information is from our own research and some is sent to us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Mabon Fall Equinox Incense and Oil Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:28:43 -0400

Mabon Incense By Scott Cunningham Incense, Oils & Brews
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1/2 part Oakmoss
(or a few drops of Oakmoss Bouquet which is Vetivert Oil & Cinnamon Oil)
1 pinch pulverized Oak Leaf
Burn during Wiccan ceremonies on Mabon
Mabon Incense
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1 drop Bergamont Oil
1/2 part Oakmoss(or a few drops Oakmoss Oil)
1 pinch pulverized Oak Leaf
Burn during Wiccan ceremonies on Mabon
Sabbat Oil from Ancient Wisdom
1 drop Benzoin
1 drop Bergamont
Equeal parts: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Orris, Rose, Fennel, Thyme, Rue, Chamomile, Pennyroyal, Vervain
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Mabon Fall Equinox Rituals, Spells, Activities

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:00:42 -0400

Solo Ritual for Mabon.
Spend some part of the day in meditation on the meaning of the seasons and the ritual. Before the ritual have a bath in salt water to purify the body and as the water drains out of the bath, imagine all your negativity leaving with it. Dress in clean clothes or your robes.
You should have a candle placed in your cauldron.
Cast your circle.
Call the God and Goddess.
Call the Quarters.
Light the candle in the cauldron and then meditate on the season.
Next say:
The season turns and light and darkness stand once more in balance, but now the dark is gaining.
The time of light and growth is over. The leaves whither on the trees and the birds prepare to fly away for the winter. The grass stands brown in the meadows and the flowers are faded. The bountiful Harvest Mother becomes the Crone who cuts down the Corn King in his prime. He is laid in his tomb, but will return to us when the wheel of the year spins around. His dark tomb shall become the womb from which he is reborn; an eternal riddle. So it is with us all. We are and grow with the light, but there comes a time when the Goddess calls us home.
Hold up your glass of wine and say;
Let the wine be blessed which is the blood of the Earth pressed smooth (drink).
Take up the cakes and say;
Let the cakes be blessed in the name of the God, our Lord. Without his sacrifice we would not eat (eat).
Thank and release the God and Goddess.
Thank and release the Quarters.
Release the circle.
Mabon Herbal Prosperity Spell
Cast a magic Circle or get into a magic space. Bring with you the following:
MABON OIL
1 GOLD OR YELLOW CANDLE
1 BLACK CANDLE
2 TBS. EACH: YARROW , ROSEMARY, MARIGOLD
1 CLEAR QUARTZ CRYSTAL
1 CITRINE
1 THURIBLE
MABON INCENSE
1 INSTANT LIGHT CHARCOAL`
1 FOUR - INCH SQUARE OF PAPER
1 FOUR - INCH SQUARE OF YELLLOW FABRIC, OR MAGIC BAG
GOLD OR YELLOW CORD
In a circle, anoit the candles with the Mabon oil. Hold the gold candle and charge it with words to bring prosperity. So mote it be. Charge the black candle to draw you all that is safe, correct, and
granted by the Gods and Goddesses.
Place the candles in the holers and as you light them say: This flame is the light of the God Mabon and the Mother Goddess Modron. Light the charcoal. Put a pinch of Prosperity Incense on it.
Take the paper and write your spell, what ever it may be, what ever you may want. Repeat this outloud, speaking to Mabon and Modron. Thank them for the bounty they have given you in the past. Think of the Wheel of the Year that has come before, and be truly thankful for all you have been granted.
Smudge the spell in the smoke of the incense by passing the paper through the rising smoke. Roll the spell and tie with some yellow thread or cord and set it aside. Place the fabric square or magic bag in front of you with some gold cord to tie it. Pick up your dried herbs and stone one by one. Hold them in your hands. Lift your hands and show them to the God and Goddess. Visualize htlight of the God and Goddess striking the object. Place the herbs and stone in the bag, tie and set aside.
Snuff out your candles or let them burn. You may want to relight them at a time when you want to again cast the spell. Carry the spell and magick bag with you.
Autumn Stone Protection Spell
Every home can benefit from protection. This spell employs one of nature's sturdiest objects, a stone. Choose a plain rock at least as big as your fist. Set it on your altar between a bowl of salt and a bowl of water. Behind these, light a black candle. Sprinkle the stone with salt, saying: "I consecrate this stone with the purifying power of salt." Sprinkle it with water, saying: "I consecrate this stone with the cleansing power of water." Pass it over the flame, saying: "I consecrate this stone with the attraction of flame to moth." Finally, trace a pentagram on the stone with your finger, and say:
To watch and guard around my home, I invoke the strength of stone.
All evil thoughts be drawn within: Strike here and leave me alone!
Blow out the candle; empty the salt and water outside. Keep the rock near your door.
By: Elizabeth Barrette
Worship the Sun Spell from: Jonathan Keyes , Llewellyn
As the Sun begins to fade, now is a good time to bask in the Sun's rays and soak up some of the energy of summer. This energy can help nourish us and provides a storehouse of energy to help ward away depression in the coming fall and winter. On this Sagittarius Moon, go outside and take in the heat of the Sun for a short while. Lift your arms up to the Sun, and say:
Healing Sun, strengthen me.
Let your currents of warmth nourish my soul.
Let your rays bring me inner joy and peace.
I give thanks for your heat and light.
Activities of Mabon:
Select the best of each vegetable, herb, fruit, nut, and other food you have harvested or purchased and give it back
to Mother Earth with prayers of thanksgiving. Hang dried ears of corn around your home in appreciation of the harvest season.
Do meditations and chanting as you store away food for the Winter.
Do a thanksgiving circle, offering thanks as you face each direction -for home, finances, and physical health (North); for gifts of knowledge (East); for accomplishments in career and hobbies (South); for relationships (West); and for spiritual insights and messages (Center).
Decorate the table with colorful autumn leaves in a basket. Display the fruits of the harvest - corn, gourds, nuts, grapes, apples - preferably in a cornucopia. Or decorate with wildflowers, acorns, nuts, berries, cocoons, anything that represents the harvest to you.
Like its sister equinox, halfway across the Wheel of the Year, the Autumn Equinox is a good occasion for a ritual feast. Plan a meal that uses seasonal and symbolic fruits and vegetables. You can serve bread, squash, corn, apples, cider and wine. Make some homemade wine or cordial gather and dry herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods.
Make grapevine wreaths using dried bitter-sweet herb for protection. Use ribbons of gold and yellow to bring in the energy of the Sun, and decorate with sprigs of dried yarrowor cinnamon sticks.
Make a protection charm of hazelnuts (filberts) strung on red thread.
Make a witch's broom. Tie dried corn husks or herbs (broom, cedar, fennel, lavender, peppermint, rosemary) around a strong, relatively straight branch of your choice.
Make magic Apple Dolls Gifts of the Harvest can be used to make tools and emblems that will remind us of their bounty all year round.
Look for colored leaves. Collect fallen leaves and make a centerpiece or bouquet for your home. Save the leaves to burn in your Yule fire.
Visit an apple orchard and, if possible, pick your own apples. Hang apples on a tree near your home. Watch the birds and other small animals who will enjoy your gift.
This is also the time for replacing your old broom with a new one. As the broom corn is ripe now, besom making is traditional and magickal this time of year.

Begin the festival with a vineyard or orchard harvest. You might check the farm lands in your area to see if there's an orchard or pumpkin patch that allows customers to harvest produce for themselves.
Traditionally Sabbat festivals begin at sun set on the eve of the Holiday. You can use the daytime hours of this holiday eve to prepare baskets for harvesting the next day. Baking a pumpkin pie (from scratch if possible) is a wonderful way to bring in the fragrance of the holiday season.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Mabon, Fall Equinox Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:48:11 -0400

Turkey Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup instant rice or instant brown rice
1/4 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 (16ounce)can whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup water
Mix all ingredients except cranberry sauce and water. Form into 45 meatballs. Spray large skillet with non-stick cooking spray.Cook meatballs, covered, for 8 - 10 minutes turning occasionally until meatballs are done and no longer pink in the middle. Add cranberry sauce and water to skillet.Cover and cook on medium-low for 3 to 4 minutes.
Roast Fillet Of Beef
1 Fillet of beef (5-6 lb) trimmed
5 Garlic cloves, slivered
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
Tabasco sauce
1 cup Soy sauce
1/2 cup Olive oil
1 cup Port wine
2 teaspoons Thyme
1 bunch Watercress
To prepare the fillet, make slits in it and put slivers of garlic in the slits. Rub well with salt, pepper and Tabasco. Combine the soy sauce, olive oil, port and herbs and place the fillet in this marinade in a baking dish for at least 1/2 hour unrefrigerated, or an hour or more in the refrigerator. Turn several times while it is marinating. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place the fillet on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 30-35 minutes, basting occasionally with the marinade. A meat thermometer should register 120~ for very rare, 125~ for rare, 130~ for medium-rare. After it is removed from the oven, the internal temperature will rise as much as another 10~. Allow the fillet to rest, covered with foil, up to 30 minutes. If it needs to sit longer, you might try a catering trick: Wrap the fillet, just out of the oven, in plastic wrap. Unwrap just before slicing. Cut into slices and place on a warm platter; garnish with sprigs of watercress.
Broccoli Casserole
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 package (16 ounces) frozen broccoli cuts, thawed
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; fold in broccoli. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Cover and bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 8 servings.
Harvest Ratatouille
8 - 10 tablespoons olive oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
3 large or 4 small zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
1 large eggplant, sliced into chunks the same size as the zucchini slices
5 large tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Tomato paste, to taste (optional)
1. Heat 5 or 6 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, add the onions, and saute about 1 minute, until fragrant and softened. Add zucchini and eggplant and saute about 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Add more olive oil as needed if the pan looks dry. Add tomatoes, peppers, and garlic, stirring to combine. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer about 20 minutes, until veggies are cooked through.
2. Take off the lid, add other add-ins, if you like, increase heat to high, and cook for 2 or 3 minutes to evaporate excess liquid, stirring constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper, add a little tomato paste if using, and stir well.
3. Serve hot, or allow to cool and add a little olive oil before serving. Serves 6.
Garlic Roasted Potatoes & Greens
2 pounds Red-Skinned Potatoes, sliced
6 large Cloves Garlic, sliced lengthwise
1/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons Wine Vinegar
Salt
Pepper
4 cups Watercress Sprigs, rinsed
2 Tablespoons Chives, chopped
Mix potatoes, garlic and oil in a 10 x 15" rimmed pan. Bake at 450 degrees until well browned, about 1 1/4 hours. Turn vegetables with a wide spatula every 10-15 minutes. Pour vinegar into pan, scraping with spatula to release browned bits and to mix with potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour potatoes into a wide, shallow bowl. Chop half the watercress and mix with potatoes. Tuck remaining watercress around potatoes and sprinkle with chives.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
2 acorn squash, washed and cut in halves
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup of crushed Ritz crackers
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
Wash and cut acorn squash in half from stem to bottom Scoup out the seeds and rub the inside and cut parts with butter Put the acorn squash on a cookie sheet Melt the butter, and mix in the walnuts, brown sugar, and crackers Place in the holes of the squash and bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until done
Acorn Squash and Apple Soup - Makes 5 servings.
1 medium acorn squash
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 leek (white part only) rinsed well and chopped
1 tart apple (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored and chopped
3 cups fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 Tbsp. minced fresh mint leaves, as garnish
Milk or additional broth to thin soup (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut acorn squash in half length-wise, remove seeds and pulp. Set on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the flesh is tender when pierced, roughly 45 to 90 minutes (depending on size). Remove squash from oven and allow to cool.
While the squash is cooling, in a large, heavy pan heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and leek and saute for about 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the apple and cook over medium heat for 1 minute.
Scrape out the squash pulp and combine with the apple mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the broth to the pan, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and set the soup aside to cool slightly.
In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth. Return soup to pan and heat just before serving. Add milk or additional broth to thin soup, as desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish each serving with mint and serve.
Crockpot Cream of Tomato Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large chopped onion
3 crushed garlic cloves
2 minced carrots
2 pounds peeled and diced tomatoes (reserve and add all juices)
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock or broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt
Pepper
2-4 tablespoons freshly chopped herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, savory, chervil, Italian parsley, mint, lavender) or 1-2 teaspoons dried herbs or spices (Italian spices, basil, oregano,
marjoram, thyme, cumin, curry powder, nutmeg)
1 cup heavy cream
Combine the oil, onion, garlic, and carrot in the crockpot. Cook on high, stirring frequently, until the onion softens. (This can also be done in a skillet.) Add the remaining ingredients except for the herbs and spices and cream. Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours. Add the herbs and adjust seasoning. Cool slightly and puree in small batches. Return to the crockpot and add the cream. Reheat until piping hot, or else cool and chill before serving.
Chicken & Leek Soup
3 1/2 pounds Frying Chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 pound Beef Shanks, cut into 1" pieces
6 cups Chicken broth
3 slices Thick cut Bacon
1 Tablespoon Dried leaf Thyme
1 Bay leaf
3/4 cup Pearl Barley
1 1/2 cups Chopped Leek, white only
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons Chopped parsley
Put the chicken, beef, stock, bacon, thyme, and bay leaf in a large, heavy pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Meanwhile boil barley in 1 1/2 cups water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Remove chicken for pot. When cool enough to handle, debone and set aside. Add leeks and barley to the pot, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove beef shanks and debone. Chop meat coarsely, and return to the pot, along with the chicken. Simmer covered, for 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with parsley.
Autumn Equinox Stew

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large eggplant, cubed
1 small acorn squash, peeled, cubed
1 large zucchini, peeled and cubed
1 tsp. salt
black pepper to taste
1 sprig fresh thyme
3 large tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 cups of water
1 cup dried lentils

Give thanks for the earth's bounty with this luscious stew made from fresh seasonal vegetables. This stew cooks quickly and can be easily prepared over a festive fire or on the stove.

Put olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until highly aromatic. Add
eggplant and squash and zucchini. Saute until edges show signs of cooking. Add remaining ingredients and simmer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with fresh-baked bread.

Beef & Barley Vegetable Soup
3 pounds Soup Meat
2 Tablespoons Fat
2 quarts Water
1 1/2 Tablespoons Salt
1/4 Tablespoon Pepper
2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley
1/2 cup Barley
1 cup Carrots, cubed
1/4 cup Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Celery, chopped
2 cups Canned Tomatoes, drained
1 cup Peas
Brown meat with bones in hot fat. Place meat, soup bone, water, seasonings and parsley in a soup kettle. Cover tightly and simmer 1 hour. Add barley and simmer another hour. Cool and skim off excess fat. Remove soup bone. Add carrots, onion, celery and tomatoes. Simmer 45 minutes. Add fresh peas and continue cooking 15 minutes. If leftover soup becomes to thick, dilute with beef broth. Can be doubled or tripled and freezes well.
Rosemary Grilled Chicken
2 broiler chickens (3 lbs ea. split) -- backbones removed
1/4 cup vegetable oil
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dry white wine or 1/3 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 clove garlic, optional
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper - to taste
Prepare the grill by placing an oiled rack 4-6 inches over medium-hot coals. Combine the oil, butter, wine or lemon juice, rosemary garlic (if desired) and salt. Brush the chicken halves inside and out with 1/4 cup of the seasoned butter Place the chickens bone side down on the grill. Baste them frequently with the remaining seasoned butter and turn the pieces every 10 minutes for a total of 30 to 40 minutes in all. Sprinkle well with pepper.
Rosemary Potatoes
8 small red potatoes, scrubbed & quartered
8 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup minced fresh rosemary or 2 tbsp dried
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Place potatoes and garlic in a single layer in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and toss potatoes to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and rosemary and toss again. Roast for 30 minutes or until potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender inside. Sprinkle with green onion and serve. Serves 8
Rosemary Herb Butter
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, removed from the stem
1/2 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
1 tablespoon orange or lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chile pepper
1 stick butter, softened
Combine all of the ingredients. Make a log by spreading the mixture across a length of waxed paper. Roll the log back and forth to make a smooth tube about 1 1/2 inches thick. Twist the ends and store in the refrigerator or wrap airtight and store in the freezer.
Rosemary Herb Bread
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 1/2 tablespoons margarine
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Place ingredients in the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacture. Select Basic or White Bread setting. Start.
Wild Rice with Apples and Walnuts
1 cup wild rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Cook rice and oil in water for 50 minutes.
1 cup walnuts
1 rib of celery, chopped
4 chopped scallions
1 cup raisins
1 red apple, peeled and chopped, set aside in lemon water
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
Combine nuts, celery, onions, raisins, drained apple and lemon rind and set aside.
3 T. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. salt
1/3 cup olive oil
pepper, to taste
Whisk together juice, salt and pepper, garlic and oil and add to cooked rice. Add fruit mixture to the rice (to which has been added oil, spices and juice) and mix well. May be served cold or heated.
Harvest Spread

This recipe calls for lots of chopping and grating.

1C. tart apples, diced fine
1 C. celery chopped fine
1 C. mild cheddar, grated fine
2 Pkg (8 oz each) cream cheese
1 Tbsp. mayonaise
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie seasoning
1 C. chopped walnuts or pecans

Prepare all ingredients as listed. Place all ingredients in a medium size bowl. Mix to with a wooden spoon. Refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve with crackers.

Witches Apple Pudding
Dough:
2 cups flour
4 Tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1/2 Tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 egg
Combine the above ingredients as you would for biscuits and set aside for later.
Fillings:
6 apples sliced
1 Tsp. cinnamon
3 Tsp. sugar or honey
1 Tsp. nutmeg
Combine in baking dish.
Syrup:
1 cup water
1 Tsp. butter
1 cup sugar or 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup honey.
Bring syrup to a boil. Drop the biscuit mixture on top of the fruit. Pour hot syrup over all and bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes. Serve warm. Vanilla ice cream makes a lovely addition.
Carrot Ginger Muffins
2 cups flour
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups grated carrots (about 2 large)
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup coarsly chopped walnuts
2 tbls grated fresh ginger.
Bake 425 degrees.
Fresh ginger has a sharp refreshing taste while dried ground ginger is sweeter. This recipe call for both fresh and dried ginger.
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger and salt. In a
small bowl combine eggs, sour cream, oil and mix until blended. Pour into dry ingredients and stir till just blended. Add the carrots, raisins, walnuts, and fresh ginger, and stir just until combined. Do not overmix. Divide the batter evenly among prepared muffin tin cups and bake between 15 to 20 minutes. The tops of the muffins are golden brown and when a tooth pick is inserted in the center of muffins comes out clean and dry.
Harvest Morning Muffins
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup grated apples
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbs. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 12-muffin tin or line it with paper liners. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend the eggs, sugar and oil until well combined. Stir in the
grated apples and carrots. In a separate bowl, sift the flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Blend the dry ingredients with the apple mixture until just combined. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Share the Wealth Applesauce
24 tart apples
Juice of a lemon
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup raisins (optional)
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks. Place the apples in a large nonreactive saucepan, and add the lemon juice and water. Stir in the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cinnamon and raisins, if desired. Stir light for a chunky sauce and rigorously for a smooth sauce. For a pink applesauce, use red apples and leave the skins on. Once the apples are soft, you can strain out the skins or lift them from the sauce with a fork. Makes 2 1/2 cups. (Pour into resealable jars, decorate to give as Harvest gifts.)
Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Pie
1 recipe Pastry for Single-Crust Pie
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1/4 cup half-and-half, light cream, or milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Prepare and roll out pastry. Line a 9-inch pie plate with pastry. Trim; crimp edge as desired. In a large bowl stir together eggs, pumpkin, and half-and-half or milk. Stir in the granulated sugar, flour, lemon peel, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Pour pumpkin mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Cover the edge of the pie with foil to prevent overbrowning. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together the brown sugar, pecans, and butter until combined. Remove foil. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over top of pie.
Bake for 20 minutes more or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and topping is golden and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate within 2 hours. Makes 8 servings.
Fresh Apple Pound Cake
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 cups firm apples, diced
3 cups plain flour
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix together sugar and oil. Add eggs and beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to oil mixture. Stir in vanilla, apples, nuts, and mix well. Pour batter into a greased 9 inch tube pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cake is done.
Icing:
1 stick margarine
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Heat margarine and sugar together over low heat. Add milk and let come to a full boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Drizzle over the cake.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
5 dozen cookies
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup raisins or chopped nuts
1/2 cup teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 400°. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking Soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add shortening and mix. Stir until Mixture is crumbly. Stir in egg, pumpkin, oats and raisins or nuts. Drop Teaspoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes or Until done.

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 chopped peeled apple
In large bowl combine flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combine eggs, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased muffin cups almost full. For a streusel topping combine 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoon flour and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle 1 heaping teaspoon over each muffin. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Make 12 muffins.
Pumpkin Bread
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a bread pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on high speed until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg and combine. Add the pumpkin, yogurt, honey and vanilla and combine until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger and allspice. Fold this mixture into the pumpkin mixture and combine until smooth.
4. Pour into the prepared pan and place in the center of the oven. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Apple Ginger Quick Bread
Source: Old Farmer's Almanac

Yield: 1 loaf or 6 mini bundt cakes

A pleasant change of pace, especially attractive if baked in mini
bundt pans. This bread freezes well, too.

2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour or all-purpose white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 medium-size tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup raisins and/or 1/2 cup unsalted mixed nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pan or 6 mini bundt pans.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt; set aside. Combine the remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine just until blended thoroughly (do not beat). Spread into the prepared pan(s). Bake the loaf pan for 80 minutes, the mini bundt pans for 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the loaves comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before removing from the pans.

Applesauce Cake
1 1/2 C. Applesauce (chunky is especially good)
1 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Shortening
1 C. Raisins
2 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 C. chopped Nuts.
Combine applesauce, sugar, raisins and shortening in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a boil. Allow to cool. Combine dry ingredients and nuts. Stir everything together until well blended. (Mixture will be very thick.) Pour into a greased and
floured 9" x 12" pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until a pick inserted in the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap.
Honey Whole Wheat Bread for Mabon
9 cups whole-wheat flour
4 teaspoons salt
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups water
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey
Sift together 3 cups flour, salt, and yeast. Combine milk, water, butter, and honey in a saucepan and heat over low heat until liquids are warm (butter need not melt completely). Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes. Add remaining flour a cup full at a time until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and allow to rest 10 minutes. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in large greased bowl and turn to grease all sides of dough. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about one hour. Punch dough down and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half and shape each half into a loaf. Place into greased
loaf pans. Cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk, about one hour. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks.
Honey Corn Muffins
½ Cup unsifted, unbleached all-purpose flour
½ Cup fine whole wheat pastry flour
1 Cup stoneground yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt or buttermilk
1/3 cup honey
¼ cup corn oil
makes 12
Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease a 12 hole muffin tin with vegetable spray. Combine flours, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well blended. In another bowl, mix egg, yogurt(or buttermilk), honey and corn oil until well blended. Add in the dry ingredients and beat until the
mixture is moist.(Dont over beat or your muffins will be tough ) Pour in the muffin tin and bake for 15-20 minutes.(Just until they are firm). Serve with Honey Butter.
CARROT HONEY CAKE

4 eggs
1 1/2 cups honey
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup walnuts (optional)
powdered sugar
Beat eggs. Add honey and oil and mix well. Add dry ingredients. Stir in carrots and nuts if used. Grease and flour a 9 inch by 13 inch pan. Pour batter into pan and smooth it out. Bake at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes. (This recipe can be made into cupcakes using the paper cupcake liners.) Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Cool. Just before serving, sprinkle liberally with sifted powdered sugar. YIELD: 3 1/2 dozen cupcakes

Cool Apple Nog
1 can (12 oz.) frozen apple juice concentrate (undiluted)
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
dash of ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
10 ice cubes (crushed)
In a blender, whirl all ingredients until smooth. Garnish each serving with fresh mint sprigs. Makes 4 servings.
Mabon Wine Moon Cider
4 cups apple cider 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
4 cups grape juice additional cinnamon sticks
2 cinnamon sticks for cups, 6 inches long
1 tsp allspice
In a 4-quart saucepan, heat cider and grape  juice. Add cinnamon, allspice and cloves.  Bring just to boiling. Lower heat and simmer  for 5 minutes.
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Lammas, Lughnasadh Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

IRISH STEW
1 1/2 pounds Mutton, cut into pieces
Parsley sprigs
6 Carrots, sliced
2 pounds Potatoes
Salt and pepper
1 pound Onions
Place meat and vegetables in saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt and pepper as required and flavor with a few parsley sprigs and add carrot slices. Slowly bring to a boil and skim off the top. Simmer over a very low heat for approximately 2 hours or until the meat is tender. Note: You can probably substitute lamb for the mutton and not need to cook as long.
Taken from www.unc.edu/~reddeer/recipe
GAME HENS WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC
3 Cornish Game Hens, halved
3/4 cup Olive oil
4 Garlic cloves, crushed
3 Tablespoons Dry sherry
1 Tablespoon Fine chopped fresh rosemary
juice of 1 lemon
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Split each bird in half . Set aside. Using a very large bowl mix the remaining ingredients together. Marinate the bird halves in this mixture for 1 hour, turning often. Broil in oven 7 or 8 minutes on a side, or on a charcoal barbecue. I prefer the charcoal, but be sure the coals are not too hot. Cook to your liking.
Chicken with Brandied Fruit and Almonds
4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound total)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
3 medium nectarines, pitted and cut into thin wedges*
3 tablespoons brandy
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
Fresh oregano sprigs (optional)
Rinse chicken; pat dry. Place each chicken piece between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove plastic wrap. Combine flour, salt, and ground red pepper. Coat chicken pieces with flour mixture. In a large skillet heat olive oil and butter or margarine over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or till chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once. Remove skillet from heat. Transfer chicken to a serving platter; cover and keep warm. Add nectarines, brandy, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water to the skillet. Return to heat and cook for 1 minute, stirring gently. Serve the fruit mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with almonds. Garnish with oregano, if desired. *Note: Fresh plums, peaches, or pears can be substituted for the nectarines.    From Hearth & Home Witchery

GARDEN VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
1 cup couscous
1/2 small orange bell pepper, stem and seeds removed
4 small scallions, white and light-green parts only
12 small yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus grated lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Place couscous in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over the couscous, cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Cut bell pepper into 1-inch-long matchsticks, and add to the warm couscous. Thinly slice the scallions crosswise, and add to the bowl. Add cherry tomatoes. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice together. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over couscous, vegetables, and toss. Garnish with lemon zest, if desired, and serve.   From Hearth & Home Witchery

Baked Polenta with Sausage and Mushrooms
Corn is abundant during this time of year and to celebrate the harvest I like to make polenta. Polenta is a traditional Italian dish made with cornmeal. It can be a bit tricky sometimes but after playing with the cornmeal a bit, you will get the hang of it.
1 tb olive oil
1 sm Yellow onion; chopped
2 lg Garlic cloves; minced
1 md Red sweet pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
1/2 lb Mild Italian sausage, loose
1/2 lb Fresh mushrooms, (white or brown), trimmed and thinly sliced
2 1/2 c Milk, broth or water
3/4 c Yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
1 tb Chopped fresh sage
1 tb Chopped Italian parsley
1/4 ts Ground cayenne pepper
1 c Ricotta cheese
1/2 c gruyere or swiss cheese
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 tb Butter or margarine; melted
4 tb Grated parmesan cheese
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Saute onion, garlic, and sweet pepper until hot through. Add crumbled sausage and continue cooking just until meat changes color. Stir in mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid. Drain excess fat and set mixture aside.
Place milk or other liquid in a large, heavy saucepan over moderately high heat. Slowly add cornmeal, stirring briskly with a wire whisk to prevent lumping. Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes or until mixture is very thick and smooth while stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove pan from heat and stir in herbs, cayenne pepper and ricotta and gruyere cheeses. Add sausage and sweet pepper mixture. Combine all parts well and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into two 9-inch pie plates lined with plastic wrap. Cool on a wire rack, then cover and refrigerate at least an hour, or as long as three days.
When ready to serve, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut polenta in wedges and place on an oiled shallow baking pan large enough to hold polenta in one layer without crowding. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until polenta is lightly browned and very hot when tested with a small knife in center of wedge. Serve with a topping of Tomato Sauce and sprinked with more parmesan cheese.
Summer Veggie Goulash for Lammas
1 lb of hamburger
3-5 lbs of potatoes, diced
3-4 ears of corn for fresh kernels
2-3 green bell peppers, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 lbs of green beans, diced
1-2 cans of tomato sauce
1/2 c. Heinz Ketchup
Garlic Salt
Water
Fresh or dried herbs: I like rosemary, thyme, dill and/or basil
How to cut fresh kernels:
Stand ear of corn on it's end. While holding the ear at a diagonal, use a sharp, unserrated knife to cut down the edge of the corn, freeing the corn from the ear. The kernels will fall to the bottom
(so do this on a cutting board). Turn the corn a bit and repeat. Free all the kernels from the corn before starting this recipe.
In a large pot, brown the hamburger. As it browns, sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. You can add other spices at this stage. Once the meat is cooked, drain it and remove the hamburger. In the same pot, saute the onion in a bit of oil. After the onion has cooked for a bit, add the green peppers and saute both until they are about 3/4 cooked. Add the hamburger back as well as the potatoes, corn, and green beans. Give this all a nice good stir and add the cans of tomato sauce and ketchup. Add water until the veggies and meat are just submerged. Add the rest of the herbs and boil on medium-high, stirring occasionally. Once the potatoes are soft, it is done.
CORN PUDDING
2 cups young, fresh corn
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Melt butter into 12 X 12 glass baking dish. Beat eggs and other ingredients. Mix thoroughly and pour into dish. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Bake for 1 hour, or until firm. A small pan of water in the bottom of the oven prevent drying. Serves 4 - 6
Corn Fritters
1 C. sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 C. milk
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 cups cooked corn
Vegetable oil in heavy saucepan or deep-fryer
Heat 3-4 inches of oil to 375. Mix remaining ingredients except for corn with rotary beater or mixer until smooth. Stir in corn. Drop by rounded spoonfuls into hot oil. Cook until light golden brown (do not overcook or allow the oil to become too hot.) Drain on paper towels. Serves 6-8 adults From Hearth & Home Witchery
Calendula Cornbread
For less dense bread, use all unbleached flour. If you use sorghum rather than honey, the bread will be a little darker and heavier in flavor.
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh calendula petals OR 2 to 3 tablespoons
chopped dried calendula petals
2 cups buttermilk
11/2 cups cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup unbleached flour
11/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 extra-large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
1/4 cup honey or sorghum
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Soak calendula in buttermilk while assembling remaining ingredients. Oil a 10-inch skillet or baking pan. Sift cornmeal, flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs, then add calendula-buttermilk, oil and honey and whisk together for 1 minute. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and blend well. Pour batter into prepared skillet or pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cornbread cool for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Serves 8. From Hearth & Home Witchery

Corn Bread Sticks
You can find a cast-iron mold shaped like little ears of corn in kitchen supply shops.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup corn meal
1/4 cup of sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup shortening
Sift dry ingredients together, add eggs, milk, and shortening, and beat until smooth. Pour into molds and bake 425 for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Graham Bread
2 cups graham flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup molasses
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tblsp sugar
3 tblsp melted butter
1 egg, beaten
Mix all dry ingredients together in bowl, and all liguid ones in another. Stir the liguid into the dry, mixing quickly and well. Bake at 350 degrees until edges pull away from sides of pan and it is golden brown, aprox 30 minutes. From Patricia Telesco
Herb Flat Bread
This flatbread doesn't contain yeast, so it's quick and simple to make.
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspooon finely chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt , for sprinkling
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, bakingpowder, salt, sage, chives, and parsley; process for 5 seconds to combine. Add vegetable shortening and process until well combined, about 15 seconds. Add milk and 2 tablespoons water, and process until the dough comes together, about 7 seconds. Transfer dough to a lightly-flowered surface and knead for about 1 minute, forming it into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 30 minutes. Heat the over to 200° with a baking sheet set on the rack. Heat a medium cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Meanwhile, cut the dough into 3 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll one of the pieces of dough out into a very thin circle (it should be less than 1/16 inch thick and about 6 1/2 inches in diameter). Using a fork, prick the dough 7 or 8 times. Lightly brush one side of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle it lightly with salt. Transfer round of dough, with the oiled side down, to the hot skillet and reduce heat to medium; cook until surface is covered with golden to dark-brown speckles, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. If the flatbread begins to burn, lower the heat and continue to cook. Remove bread from skillet and transfer to the baking sheet in the oven. Repeat the rolling and cooking process with the remaining 2 pieces of dough. Cut the bread into wedges with a pizza wheel or sharp knife, and serve warm. Makes 3

Lughnasadh Sabbat Cakes
Gerena Dunwich
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups flour
4 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons butter, chilled & cut into 1/2 inch bits
2 tablespoon vanilla extract
4-6 tablespoons cold water
Combine oats, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a deep mixing bowl and stir until well mixed. Drop in butter bits and stir the oat and flour mixture together with the butter until it looks like flakes of coarse meal. Pour the vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of cold water over the
mixture. Toss together lightly, then gather the dough into a ball. (Add up to 2 more tablespoons of cold water drop by drop if the dough begins to crumble.) Wrap the dough in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out into a rough rectangle about 1/8 of an inch thick. With a stick and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 2 inch triangles. Arrange the sabbat cakes about an inch apart on a large buttered baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes until they are golden brown and firm. Cool on wire racks before serving. This recipe makes 40 cakes 2 inch in size.
PITCAITHLY BANNOCK (Scottish)
8 ounces Flour
4 ounces Butter
2 ounces Caster Sugar
1 ounce Chopped Almonds
1 ounce Mixed Candied Peel
Set Oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet . Sift the flour into a bowl. Add the sugar and butter and rub in to form a dough. Add the almonds and mix in the peel, making sure they are evenly distributed. Form into a thick round on a lightly floured surface and prick all over with a fork. Place on the sheet and bake for about 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool and serve sliced thinly and buttered. Serves 8 From the booklet Scottish Teatime Recipes

BLACKBERRY COBBLER
4 cups fresh Blackberries
3/4 cups Sugar
3 Tablespoons Flour
1 1/2 cups Water
1 Tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons melted Butter
Pastry:
1 3/4 cups All-purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Shortening
6 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping cream
6 Tablespoons Buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place fresh berries in a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Combine sugar and flour; add water and lemon juice, mixing well. Pour this mixture over berries; bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes while preparing the pastry. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees
Pastry: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; stir in whipping cream and buttermilk. Knead dough 4 or 5 times; roll to about 1/4" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough to fit baking dish. Place the pastry over hot berries; then brush with melted butter. Cut a few vents in the top of pastry with knife. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown. Serve cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream Servings: 8
Brigid's Blackberry Pie
Makes one nine-inch pie
4 cups fresh blackberries (thawed frozen is okay)
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
Unbaked pie crust
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a deep pie dish with the pie crust, or purchase a commercially-made one. Set aside. Mix all other ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. If it appears too "wet", mix in a little more flour (about 2 tablespoons). Turn the fruit into the pie shell and dot with butter or margarine. You can bake the pie as is, or cover it with another pie crust. If you do this, pinch down the ends to hold it to the other crust. Then score the top several times with a sharp knife. Bake for 1 hour, or until the top crust is a golden brown. (Note: A sugar-free version can be made by substituting appropriate amounts of artificial sweetener.)
(The above recipe for "Brigid's Blackberry Pie" is quoted directly from Edain McCoy's book "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways", page 179, Llewellyn Publications, 1994)
Sunday Pudding
In the 19th century The Sunday before Lughnasadh once was known as Bilberry Sunday in many parts of Ireland. This traditional recipe combines the Bread, which is traditional at Lughnasadh with the berries traditionally picked then.
6 cups of some kind of berry. Traditionally it would have been bilberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, red or black currants.
1 cup sugar
loaf of good white bread that is a day or two old.
1. Wash the berries and place them in a bowl. Cover them with the sugar and leave them in the refrigerator overnight
2. The next day, pour the berries and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 minutes or so. It should produce quite a bit of juice. Set aside to cool a bit.
3. Cut the bread into 1/4 inch slices and remove the crust. Line the bottom and sides of a 2-quart bowl with the crustless bread making sure there are no gaps.
4. Pour in half of the fruit and juice
5. Cover the entire top with crustless bread, cut to fit.
6. Pour in the rest of the fruit and juice
7. Cover the top with crustless bread.
8. Place a plate on top of the pudding and weight it down with a couple cans of food.
9. Place it in the refrigerator for at least one night, preferably two.
10. Run a thin, flexible knife around the pudding, Place a plate over the top of the bowl and flip it over onto the plate. Remove the bowl.
11. Serve with lots of fresh cream (preferably not whipped cream, but if you must use it, do).
12. This is a very rich dessert with intense flavor and should serve about 8 people. By Anna Franklin in Lammas
Marigold Custard for Lammas
2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup fresh marigold petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbs.. sugar
1 to 2-inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water (available in gourmet food stores)
Heavy whipped cream
Use a spoon or fork to crush the marigold petals in a cup. Mix together the salt, sugar and spices. In a large sauce pan, scald milk with the crushed petals and the vanilla bean. Then remove the vanilla bean and add yolks and dry ingredients. Cook over low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool. Top with freshly whipped cream and for a really pretty festive look, garnish with small marigold blossoms or petals.
Calendula Cornmeal Crisps
Best to use a little whole-wheat flour for nutrition and body, but you could use all unbleached flour for a more delicate cookie. Also try almonds or pistachios in place of pecans, or cherries or chopped dried apricots in place of the cranberries.
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh or dried calendula petals
1 cup pecans
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup unbleached white flour
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon stone-ground yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Scant 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
12 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter cut into 12 pieces
1 extra-large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
In a food processor, combine sugar and calendula; pulse until calendula starts to break down into smaller pieces. Transfer calendula sugar to a shallow bowl. Pulse (or chop with a knife) pecans and cranberries until coarsely chopped; transfer to a large bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine flours, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Toss to mix.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Measure 3/4 cup of the calendula sugar and put it in food processor with butter. Process until creamy and blended, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape sides if necessary. Add egg and pulse for about 1 minute; add vanilla and pulse to blend. Add dry ingredients and process until just blended; do not over mix.
Transfer dough to bowl with nuts and fruit; stir to distribute nuts and fruit evenly. Using a spoon or your fingers, scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball about 1 inch in diameter or slightly bigger. Roll balls in remaining calendula sugar and place on baking sheets, spacing balls about 2 inches apart. Using a flat-bottomed glass, gently press balls to about 1/4-inch thickness. (Dip bottom of glass into sugar occasionally to prevent ticking.)
Bake cookies about 14 minutes, until their edges are lightly browned. If baking two sheets at once, switch places halfway through baking time. Remove cookies from sheets immediately and cool on racks. (If the cookies cool on the pans, they will harden and break when removed.) Store in a tightly covered tin. Makes 4 dozen cookies. From Hearth & Home Witchery
SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix butter and sugar until well blended. Work in the flour and salt. If the dough is too dry, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons (30 ml). more butter. Roll 1/2 inch thick on a slightly floured board. Cut into rectangles approx. 3/4 inch by 2 inch. Prick each rectangle twice with the tines of a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Makes 30 cookies.
Honey Mead
1 gallon water
2 tsp cinnamon
a sprig of saffron
2 1/2 pounds of honey
1/2 cake yeast
2 tsp ginger
5 whole cloves
2 capfuls rosewater
12 ounces fruit or juice
Bring water to a boil with all the herbs so that a tea is formed. Add honey until dissolved, then add fruit or juice. cover tightly and boil about 15 minutes. Cool to lukewarm and add yeast dissolved in warm water. Cover with towel for two days before straining and bottling. You may have to air this periodically to prevent pressure build-up.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Lammas, Lughnasadh Incense-Oil Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Lughnasadh Incense Recipe by Scott Cunningham
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Heather
1 part Apple blossoms
1 pinch Blackberry leaves
a few drops Ambergris oil
Burn Lughnasadh Incense during Wiccan rituals on August 1st or 2nd, or at that time to attune with the coming harvest.
(The above recipe for "Lughnasadh Incense" is quoted directly from Scott Cunningham's book "The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews", page 76, Llewellyn Publications, 1989/1992)
Lughnassadh Oil
Put in soap or annoint candles
5 drops frankincense
5 drops rose
5 drops yarrow
Add a piece of wheat and a blackberry leaf with a cat's-eye, citrine, and moss agate crystals. Very soothing
Lammas Ritual Potpourri Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
20 drops clove bud oil
25 drops sandalwood oil
1 cup oak moss
2 cups dried pink rosebuds
2 cups dried red peony petals
1 cup dried amaranth flowers
1 cup dried heather flowers or 1/2 cup dried cornflowers
Mix the clove bud and sandalwood oils with the oak moss and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.
(The above recipe for "Lammas Ritual Potpourri" is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich's book "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes", page 163, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)
Lugh Oil
1 small piece of gold leaf (found in craft stores)
1 dram heliotrope oil
1 dram sunflower oil
1 small citrine stone
Combine all ingredients, except for the gold leaf, in a small enamel saucepot and warm gently over low heat. Place the gold leaf in a pretty magic bottle and add the oils. Let it cool before capping the bottle. This oil can be used in Lughnasadh rituals or anytime you wish to invoke Lugh or the Element of Fire.

Cerridwen Oil
1 dram hazelnut oil
1 dram fir oil
1 dram elder oil
Combine all ingredients in a small enamel saucepot and warm gently over low heat. Cool and place in a magic bottle, capping tightly. This oil can be used anytime you wish to summon Cerridwen's strength and knowledges.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Assorted FREE SPELLS

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:46:21 -0400

We will post Free Spells for prosperity, love, luck, protection and any other positive spells we find. Use them in a loving and positve manner. the magick is with in you
A NOTE ABOUT SPELLS: If you are looking for spells to bend the will of other people, for example make someone love you, harm someone, attain personal gain at someone elses expense, PLEASE DON"T. Spells are a way of directing energy to bring about change in YOUR life, not someone elses. Change can happen in our lives and may or may not be the way you expect. Pagans and Wiccans never perform spells or rituals to harm or bend the will of others, only to change their own lives in positive ways by using their own energies. Do not ask us for spells to control the will of others; we will not help you. There is no bad energy here. It takes many years of study and practice to channel your energy and it shouldn't be taken lightly.

Making Amends Spell

There are times when we know we've hurt another person and need to make it right, but for some reason, we cannot do it in person. Before doing this spell, make sure that there is no possible way to heal the hurt directly with an in-person conversation. Find a yard of colored ribbon appropriate to the person or the issue, and a bowl in which you can burn something safely. In a meditative state, focus your energy and thoughts on the issue and the person. Say what you would if you could be together with that person. When you are finished, place the ribbon on your altar along with the burning bowl. Cast a circle and call in the deities and spirits as you are accustomed. Hold the ribbon in your projective hand and say, "I acknowledge that harm has been done" and, starting with air, cleanse the ribbon with each element.

By the power of air,
Clear hurt away,
By the power of fire,
Burn hurt away,
By the power of water,
Wash hurt away,
By the power of earth, Cleanse hurt away.

Place the ribbon in the bowl and burn it until it is ashes. Close your circle, thanking the spirits present. Put the ashes in running water so that the energy is dispersed. By Gail Wood
Anger Release Spell
Tools Needed:
Purple Balloon
Black Pen
Pin
Instructions:
Go and stand at the top of a hill, preferably on a windy day. Blow up the balloon and write on it the name of the person who has angered you.
Then repeat:
"I release my anger correctly,
So mote it be"
Pop the balloon, using the pin, and scream at the top of your voice. Imagine all your destructive energies leaving your system and you feeling totally satisfied.

New Beginnings
Author: Unknown
Tools:
A White Candle
Scissors
2-4 Inch String
6 Inch Square of Green Fabric
A Key
Iris or Orris Root
Dried Chamomile Or Daisy
A White Ribbon
Instructions:
Write your name on the candle while saying:
"Fresh and clean, with flame so pure,
My old life is now obscure"
Visualise in vivid detail what you expect from your new life and see new opportunities unfolding. Cut the string in half, letting the pieces fall to the ground. Place them on the cloth while saying:
"Remove your boundaries, Terminus.
Liberate me, Libertus"
Place the key on the cloth while saying:
"Carna, come unlock your doors,
A new beginning, I implore"
Place the Iris or Orris in the cloth and say:
"Iris (or Orris), help me cross the bridge.
Janus, give me what I wish"
Place the daisy or chamomile in the cloth and say:
"Freya, make all fresh and new.
Do now what I ask of you"
Gather the edges of the cloth together and tie them with the ribbon to form a pouch. As you knot the ribbon say:
"A brand new life, I start today.
I seal my old life out - away.
I now embrace what come to me.
In growth and opportunity"
Let the candle burn down, then carry the pouch on your person or in your purse of pocket for as long as you feel you need it.
Binding Bottle Spell
Author Unknown
Used to neutralize the power of those who intend to do you physical harm, or hurt your reputation, or in any way pose a threat to your security. You will need:
4 tbsps Frankincense or Myrrh
4 tbsps Black powdered Iron
4 tbsps Sea Salt
4 tbsps Orris-root Powder (or oak moss)
1 white candle
1 glass bottle with a cork or lid
Mortar and pestle
Parchment Paper
Black Ink or black pen
Black thread
Mix the sea salt, orris-root powder, and the iron in a bowl. Then cut a piece of parchment to fit inside your bottle and write on it with black ink:
I neutralize the power of (name of adversary) to do me any harm.
I ask that this be correct and for the good of all.
So mote it be!
Lapis Lazuli Courage Spell
You will need a Lapis Lazuli loose or one that is set in a piece of jewelry. Hold the stone in your hand and repeat these words in a clear steady voice:
"Lapis Lazuli,
You calm my fears,
The power of mind is yours.
Let my courage appear,
Let my courage soar.
So Mote it be"
Keep the crystal with you during the task you are preforming. If you feel your courage waning, touch the crystal and renew it.By Pagan Magic
Court Charm
author unknown
Need:
High John
Galangal
5 " square red cloth
purple ribbon

Burn a small amount of high john for 14 consecutive nights, mix the ashes with 1 tsp. of galangal. Place mixture in center of cloth and tie w/ ribbon to make a sack. Carry charm with you to court to gain the favor of the judge/jury.

Fairy Attraction Spell
In June the garden is an oasis of color and fragrance-I hope yours is too. Now is a good time to attract the fairy folk to your garden. First, mark off the area with a mixture of water and olive oil, sprinkling it here and there with your fingers, and say:
"Water, olive oil, bind and protect the soil I call mine."
Beneath ferns and foxgloves, and near rocks and the base of trees, sprinkle a few grains of clear glitter. Then say:
"I welcome you spirits of tree and vine."
Ground your energy when done. Perform this spell during a waxing Moon outdoors, at that breathless moment just before sunset. By James Kambos
Faerie Garden Blessing
Author: Unknown
Springtime is the perfect time to start your new garden. When you arrange your plants be sure to leave a small empty place in your arrangement. According to lore, the fae will come build their homes there and make your garden quite magical! As you plant, say these words to invite your faerie friends:
"Oh, my magic Faerie friends,
I leave this spot for you to tend,
May you live and laugh and play,
And bring some magic to my garden everyday!"
Egg Spell for Fertility
Author: Terri Paajanen
What You'll Need:
An egg
8 vanilla beans
A place to bury the egg
Instructions:
Using a natural food colouring, draw the letters "RIPE" on your egg. Bury the egg along with the vanilla beans in the yard. If you don't have access to any place for this, use a large flower pot. Every night, water the ground where you planted the egg, until you are pregnant. This spell is best performed during the waxing moon phase (when the moon is getting bigger in the sky), and preferably on a Monday.
Feud Spell
Here is a spell to help end the feud between two people. It helps to banish troubles and hurt feelings and will soothe any hard words that may have been spoken. Light an orange candle for Mercury and for extra energy to help in our task. Then repeat the charm:
By the speed of Mercury, all troubles will pass,
Now let the squabbling end and our friendship last.
I send my apologies to you with my sincerity,
Lets put this all behind us, with the power of three times three.
Now give your friend a call, and start a positive dialogue. Clear the air and apologize. Also be sure to accept their apology with compassion and grace. By: Ellen Dugan
Forgiveness Spell
Forgiving someone who has hurt you is not something you do for the person who did you wrong. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself, and for yourself alone. This is why forgiving someone who wronged you is so difficult. A spell that will help this process is to take a daisy on a windy day, and to pluck each petal while saying:
While what you've done
Is not forgot,
I've let you go,
I hate you not.
Should your shadow
Cross my door,
Your presence won't
Touch me anymore.
I am free from all my anger,
And I treat you as a stranger.
In this time and in this hour,
I forgive you, and now
You have no power.
Watch the petals float away, taking your pain along with them. By Diana Rajchel

Moving On Spell

Gather together things that represented you in the past. These could be old photos, favorite outdated clothes, etc. In an old trunk, place the items in one by one. Thank them for being part of you when needed, thank the person in the photo for being strong for the time. But now it is time for new beginnings. Close the trunk and say:

For the past is behind me
And the new way
In front of me.

Time to evolve,
Time to move on.
I thank the person I was
And I welcome the person
I am yet to be.

Store the trunk, but do not open it for at least one year. Then open it and have a remembrance evening, going through your old things. At this point you may wish to discard some, or add other things to the trunk. Remember that this trunk represents you, and respect it as you respect yourself. By Nancy Bennett
Spell to Own the Home You Want
From Dorothy Morrisons Everyday Magic
white candle
salt
red candle
a taglock each from the inside and outside property of the house
vegetable oil
personal taglock, such as a bit of your hair or a fingernail
Wishing incense (wishing incense: bay leave cinnamon, ginger, grind all 3 together in a mortar & pestle. The more time and intention you put into this the better the spell)
1 penny
pen
rosemary (if you are female)   St. John's wort (if you are male)
small white box
water
First, find the home you want to own. Obtain a taglock from the inside perimeter. Nearly anything will work-a bit of carpet fiber, a paint chip, a shred of wallpaper, dust from the floor-as long as it comes from inside the house. Obtain a taglock from the outside property, too. A blade of grass, a small stone, or a twig is fine.Take the items home and gather the materials. Light the white candle and summon good spirits and positive influences by chanting something like:
Good spirits arise! Be present, please; Lend this spell your expertise.
Anoint the red candle with vegetable oil, then roll it in a bit of Wishing incense. This candle represents the heart of the home you want. Light it and chant:
Heart of home, I bond with you.
We are one-no longer two.
I am yours and you are mine.
Come to me and waste no time.
Light the incense. Write your name on all four sides of the box; then open it, and hold it in your hands. Swish it through the incense smoke, and pass it over the flame of the white candle. Place a few drops of water and a pinch of salt inside. Say the following:
By fin and feather, scale and fur,
Dwelling changes now occur.
Bring me the home I want to own,
Let no related problems roam.
Place the house taglocks inside the box and say:
I offer you this bit of home And property to make my own.
Place your personal taglock inside and say:
I offer, too, a bit of me So that a bond between us be.
Place the penny inside and say:
Money problems shall not come Between us now. So be it done!
Sprinkle the inside of the box with the herb appropriate to your gender. Close the box and seal all seams and edges with wax dripped from the red candle. When completely sealed, set the box between the candles and say:
Bring this home into my possession Quickly, now, and without question.
It is mine, so bring it soon. I claim this space by Sun and Moon.
Let the candles burn completely.
When the house becomes yours, bury the box as near to the front door as possible.

Power Oil:
Equal parts of Patchouli oil, Cinnamon oil, and Vanilla oil. Touch to pulse points (especially at wrists and temples) prior to going into a situation you need to have power over.
Leadership Spell
To enhance your leadership ability, gather together three or more of the following herbs in powder form: basil, garlic, orris root, poppy, and sunflower. Mix them together as you envision others following your effective lead. Visualize your leadership in the most positive terms. Place the powder on your altar and light patchouli incense and a red candle. Wave the powder through the incense and the candle, envisioning your responsibilities and rewards growing in strength. When you are done, sprinkle the powder in the shoes you will wear as you step into leadership and say, "Let others see in every deed, I have the power to lead." Extinguish the candle, thank the spirit, and go out and do a fabulous job! By Gail Wood

Feeling Overwhelmed Spell
If you are feeling overwhelmed right about now, here are some tips to help you fell better:

1. Turn off the telephone, TV, radio, and any other distraction.

2. Sit in a comfortable chair, with your eyes closed.

3. Breathe in as slowly as you can and then exhale quickly. Do this four times to get centered.

4. Say the following mantra at least thirteen times:
So much time, so few things to do. It doesn't matter that you know there's too much to do right now, just repeat the mantra and breathe in as slowly as you can.

5. If you can, sit for a few minutes more and let your thoughts drift past your mind. Do not actively attempt to do any problem solving. Many times, solutions will appear. By Therese Francis
Self Esteem Spell
(Author Unknown)
Tools Needed:
A Bath
7 Green Oak Leaves (Or Bay leaves if these are out of season)
Lavender Oil
A Purple Candle
A Yellow Candle
Jasmine Oil
Purple Thread
Instructions : Run the bath to a depth and temperature of your liking. Put the lavender oil and oak leaves into it, swish it around, then light the candles and climb into the bath. Close your eyes (but don't fall asleep). Begin to breathe, breathe in a warming Orange light of confidence, and breathe out murky coloured self-doubts. Imagine a yellow light above your head, which slides down your body, touching every bit of you from top to the tips of your toes. Continue to breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth.
Say outloud:
"I am gorgeous,
I am beautiful,
I am Goddess"
Repeat this six times in total. When you leave the bath, snuff out the candles and thread the oak leaves on the purplethread. Then, whenever your self-esteem fails you, heat jasmine oil in an oil burner, light the candles, hold up the oakleaves and repeat the chant. When the leaves eventually run out, begin again with new oak leaves and new candles. The oak leaves may be carried with you (in a small box or envelope) in your handbag / bag on (all sorts) of important dates. When touching up your make - up, or getting ready just get out the oak leaves and repeat the mantra to spur you to greater things.

No More Jail Time
author unknown

Need:
Imbolc incense
White candle
Amber oil or basil oil
Lock of persons hair or piece of his clothing

Carve word protection on one side of candle and name on the other side of person your protecting. Dress candle with oil. Tie around candle persons hair or if short sprinkle some onto the oiled candle or a piece of his clothing they have worn. Burn candle for 10 minutes each day until burned completely. Burn 1st day within circle that you cast then it's ok after that to burn out of circle for the following days.

Dream of Blue Almonds Spell
For this success and divination spell, carry an almond with you for one full day before proceeding. Light a dark blue candle and sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over the flame, visualizing the success you seek. See yourself waking up each day with new ideas and spirit guidance. Feel creativity flowing through you. Holding the almond with tweezers or
tongs, warm it in the flame, chanting three times:

As I lay me down to sleep,
Spirit guidance I do seek.
Success and vision, come to me-
Bless me with creativity.

Place the almond under your side of the bed. Each night as you lie down to sleep, hold the intent to remember dreams that will show you the answers you need for success. By Kristin Madden
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Litha, Summer Solstice Herbal Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Midsummer Herbal Lore
by Sarolta G. DeFaltay
Cedar: Consecration, longevity (Fire)
Chamomile: Determination, loyalty; use in ritual bath, cup, or
incense.(Fire)
Chickweed: Love herb, worn or imbibed to attract or enhance love
Elder: (Flowers) Clairvoyance, magic, divination. To contact devas
and faeries, use in ritual cup. (Venus, Air)
Fennel: Confidence, courage, fertility. Use in cooking to protect
all who imbibe.
Frankincense: All purpose solar incense, for consecration,
spirituality and success.
Heather: Brings one in touch with inner beauty and divinity; dip a
sprig in consecrated water and sprinklearound temple space to purify.
Holly: Represents the Waning half of the year, which begins at
Midsummer.
Larkspur: (Delphinium) Flowers on altar symbolize generous,
altruistic leadership.
Lavender: Love, harmony, domestic tranquility, and mental clarity.
Meadowsweet: Good luck, domestic tranquility, harmony. (Jupiter, Fire)
Mugwort: Magic, longevity, clairvoyance, psychic empowerment.
Oak: Represents the Waxing half of the year, which ends at Midsummer.
Rose: Love, compassion, beauty; an aphrodisiac attributed to Venus.
St. Johns Wort: Courage, confidence, magic, success (Sun, Fire)
Vervain: love, magic, aphrodisiac, consecration (Earth, Venus)
These herbs can be utilized in ritual by making an incense, or anointing candles with essential oil. They can be sewn into a charm bag and consecrated (dedicated to a single purpose), and worn or carried when needed.

Midsummer Potpourri
1 cup oakmoss
2 cups dried lavender
2 cups wisteria
2 cups verbena
25 drops lavender oil
(or lemon oil)

Midsummer Mixing (c) 2007 Patti Wigington
From Hearth & Home Witchery
Use a mortar and pestle to blend and powder your herbs when making incense or other magical concoctions.
Midsummer is a great time for herb gardens, because there are buds and blooms everywhere. This is a powerful time to gather herbs, and also to prepare and use them. Any fresh herb can be dried simply by picking it and tying it up in small bundles in a well-ventilated area or you can buy dried herbs. Once they are completely dry store them in airtight jars in a dark place. To make your own magical summer incense, first determine what form you'd like to make. You can make incense with sticks and in cones, but the easiest kind uses loose ingredients, which are then burned on top of a charcoal disc or tossed into a fire. This recipe is for loose incense, but you can always adapt it for stick or cone recipes. As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the intent of your work. In this particular recipe, we're creating an incense to use during a Litha rite -- and since Litha is all about the sun and its strength, we're going to make this a fiery and powerful incense. You'll need:
* 3 parts myrrh
* 1 part apple blossoms
* ½ part bay leaves
* ½ part cinnamon bark
* 1 part chamomile flowers
* 1 part lavender flowers
* 2 parts mugwort
* ½ part rosemary
Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time. Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent. You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation, such as:
Balance of the heavens and earth below,
The power of the sun in this incense grows.
Cinnamon, mugwort, apple and bay,
Fire and water, on this longest day.
Herbs of power, blended by me,
As I will, so it shall be.
Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar. Make sure you label it with its intent and name, as well as the date you created it. Use within three months, so that it remains charged and fresh.
We try to credit all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Some information is our own research and some is sent into us by friends and customers. If you see something here that is yours and your not getting credit for it please contact us and we will add you as the author or remove it if requested. We want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful information!

Litha, Summer Solstice Incense and Oil Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Here are some Incense Recipes to compliment your Mid Summer rituals:
Midsummer Incense #1
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Mugwort
1 part Chamomile
1 part Gardenia Petals
a few drops Rose Oil
a few drops Lavender Oil
a few drops Yarrow Oil
Burn at Wiccan rituals at the Summer Solstice (circa June 21st) or at that time to attune with the seasons and the Sun.
Midsummer Incense #2
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Benzoin
1 part Dragon's Blood
1 part Thyme
1 part Rosemary
1 pinch Vervain
a few drops Red Wine
(Both of the above recipes for "Midsummer Incense #1 and #2" are quoted directly from Scott Cunningham's book "The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews", page 80, Llewellyn Publications, 1989/1992.)

Litha Incense
4 parts myrrh
3 parts frankincense
3 parts oak bark
2 parts witch hazel
Litha Incense
1/2 part mugwort
1/2 part vervain
1 part St. Johnswort
1/2 part frankincense
1/4 part mistletoe
1/4 part bay
Litha Incense
This incense is at its strongest when used for Midsummers spell work and rituals.
With your Mortar and Pestle grind these dried herbs together: wormwood, mugwort, St. Johns wort, yarrow until all are of a powdered consistency then add to charcoal disk for burning when ready to use.

Litha Oil

4 drops lavender
3 drops rosemary
1 drop pine
Use sunflower oil as base
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Litha, Summer Solstice Rituals, Activities and Lore

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

As the wheel turns again we find ourselves at Summer Solstice. Litha - Midsummer is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats. The sun is at the height of it power before begining its slide into darkness and we experience the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is important to note that the separation of the light and dark halves of the year have nothing to do with good and evil. Light signifies growth and expansion; dark means withdrawal and rest. Both are necessary. While steamy Midsummer marks the beginning of the Sun's dying strength the season itself is very lush, erotic and sexy. The Sun, flowers and Earth are in full bloom. Hot Midsummer creates a fiery, mature, breathless passion. The God is at the very height of his power as we hit midsummer, at this point of the year the crops are coming along nicely. We have done all of the planting associated with spring and life gets a little easier as we sit back and tend what weve created. Its a time of great celebration before we meet the work ahead as the harvest comes in. We honor the God and Goddess whose union has blessed us with the fertility to create the projects we began way back at Imbolc. On Midsummer the veil between the worlds is said to be very thin making this a great time for divination, historically many maidens would divine a husband at this time. Midsummers Eve is said to be a time when fairies abound in great numbers this is a great time to commune with them and leave gifts of sweets outdoors. Litha celebrates abundance, fertility, virility, the beauty and bounty of Nature. Harnessing the Suns great power makes all types of magick appropriate now. We can also harvest the first of our magickal herbs at this time since they are drenched with the great power of the sun on this longest day of the year. It is a good time for empowerment, for strong magick and male ritua! ls, for handfastings and communing with Nature Spirits, for workings of culmination.The journey into the harvest season has begun.
Midsummer Manifestation Ritual
Make a list of everything you wish to manifest during the next six months.
Be complete -- include things related to career, personal issues, and other factors like clarity, confidence, and fun. After sunset, light a candle of your choice. Place a vase of flowers you like next to the candle.
Say aloud:
"I gather in the power of this day of greatest light and call in the guardians of fire, earth, air, and water to bring the last grace of power in light to manifest my desires in the coming harvest. I ask that this be
Read aloud your list
"I affirm that I am able and willing to allow these wishes to manifest and I participate in the miracle of
creation and with faith. So mote it be."
Allow the candle to burn until you go to sleep. Celebrate the energy of the evening in some way --play music, raise a glass, allow yourself some indulgence.   From Hearth and Home Witchery

Midsummer Ritual
author unknown
Begin by casting a circle. Now stand before your altar and say the following or similar: "Great God of the sun, I have come here this day to honor you in your strength, for I know that now is the time of your greatest power."
Raise your Wand or Athame towards the sun and say the following or similar: "Great father God, Great mother Goddess, come into my heart, and purify me. Smite the evil in my soul, just as your magickal love purges the evil from all things."
Visualize the energy of the sun flowing into your athame, and into you. See it clean any impurities that exist in you. Feel it as it cleans you. Once you have finished reflecting on the God and Goddess' purification of you, move to the south side of you circle (the direction of fire) and light a (small) ritual fire. Now say the following or similar: "Great horned father, may this fire burn in representation of your greatness."
Meditate for a while (while staring into the flames) on the sun, and all it does for us. Once you have meditated, you should allow yourself some time to commune with the gods. Just open your mind to them and let them speak to you. If you like you can thank them and tell them what midsummer means to you. Or you can just lay there in silence and know that they are watching. Once you are done, thank the gods for watching over you.The ritual part of this rite is over, however, midsummer & midsummer's night are probably the best times to perform magick. Any spells cast during this time are likely to be vastly more powerful than when cast at other times. If you do not have any particular thing to cast a spell for, then perhaps now would be the best time to cast a spell that ensures happiness for you over the coming winter months. Think hard about it, because this opportunity comes but once a year.
Midsummer Ritual
Tools:
A Golden Yellow Altar Cloth, Small Cloth Pouch of Summertime Herbs, Cauldron, 1c Fresh Spring Water, Red Sun God Candle, Green Earth Goddess Candle, Summer Blend Incense (Jasmine, Rose, Lotus, Wysteria, or combination).
Preparation: Sweep area moving in deosil manor. Set up Quarter Candles and any accessories symbolizing the Elements of the Quarters. Decorate the alter with seasonal flowers, especially Sunflowers. Prepare your Pouch of Summertime Herbs, and as you make it, pour your troubles, pains, sorrows, illness, and regrets into it. Place the Cauldron in the center of your alter, the Red Sun candle to the right of it , the Green Goddess Candle to the left of it. Place the cup of Fresh Spring Water in front of the Goddess Candle. Take a shower or bath for purification. Sit quietly and meditate for a while, then ground and center. When ready, play some peaceful music for the ritual.
Cast the circle....Pick up your Wand, and with arms upraised, face South and say:
I celebrate the Mid-of-Summer, held in honor of the Blazing Sun God.
All of Nature vibrates with the fertileness of the Goddess and of the God.
The Earth basks in the light and life of the Sun.
The ever turning Wheel of the Year has made the light ever stronger
And the light has kept growing longer, until today
The middle of the time of light, Litha, MidSummer's Day, Summer Solstice.
From here, the light begins to fade, again,
Until once more the Wheel turns to the time of darkness, Yule, Winter Solstice.
Yet, for today, the Sun is high, the light is bright, the Earth is warm.
As the Sun God blazes above, may the fires of my rite flame below.
Face the alter, put down your wand, and light the Green Goddess Candle to the left of your cauldron, saying:
Oh, Mother of Nature, She that brings the meadow to bloom,
Green Forest Mother, from lakes and streams your children spring forth.
Blessed Lady of the stars and the Moon,
Fruitful Womb of which I honor, and ask of Thee, Thy Blessings.
Light the Red Sun God Candle to the right of your cauldron, saying:
Oh, Father of all things, He that plants the seed and nurtures Life.
God of Fertility and Fruitfulness, from hill and forest your children emerge.
Blessed Lord of the blazing Sun,
Potent Consort of which I honor, and of Thee, Thy Blessings.

Take the Herb Pouch and hold above your head, saying:
By thy power, oh sacred herbs, may the Lord of the Sun
Burn away the hurtful, the troublesome, and the painful,
Leaving me purified through His warmth and Light.
Hold the pouch over your main Alter Candle to take flame. While it is burning, drop it in the cauldron, saying:
Great Goddess and Great God, from Thee all powers flow forth.
The Two that are One, Great Spirit of All-That-Is,
By Thy powers, and the powers of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth,
By Thy powers, and the powers of the Sun, Moon, and Stars,
I banish these negatives from my life.
Visualize the negatives burning away to nothingness. When all that is left is ashes, douse the ashes with the cup of Fresh Spring Water, feel as if the water were being poured over you and your negatives washed away. Air dry by dancing and running your hands up and down your arms, body, and legs. Don't forget your head, lay it back and shake running your fingers through your hair. When done, face alter, wave hand over the cauldron and say:
As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so let this water be pure and new.
Mother Goddess, bless this water so that it may bless and renew me.
Father God, may your rays of the MidSummer Sun bless and nourish me.
Two that are One, may your blessings sustain me as I journey, anew.
Pass your cupped hands over the cauldron, pausing briefly each time to pour in wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune to be part of your life. Dip the forefinger of your right hand into the cauldron water, and trace a pentagram on your forehead, saying:
Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings. MidSummer spellworkings include: prosperity, fertility, and plentiful harvests. Finish by having the Cakes and Ale Ceremony and releasing the circle. Clean up. You are done.
Let my mind be open to the truth.
Anoint your lips saying:
Let my lips always speak the truth.
Anoint your heart area, saying:
Let my heart seek the ways of the Goddess, now and always.
Anoint the centers of your palms, saying:
Let my hands be gifted to work in magickal ways.
Anoint the soles of your feet, saying:
Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred paths!
Litha Ritual
For this ritual you will need to have holly and mistletoe, and salted water. The mistletoe should be placed on the altar, and the holly near it but just out of sight. you can use artificial if neccesary. If you have a pet or familiar, you can give them a special blessing in this ritual.
Cast your circle as usual.
Face your altar and say:
Blessed be this season of Midsummer. The sun rides at s peak in the skies above. The Goddess is heavay with pregnancy. Today I celebrate the light, for tomoorow that light will wane. Today I acknowledge the end of the waxing year, and the beginning of the waning time.
Take your athame and raise it in front of you pointing up. Say:
Farewell to the waning year
Season of fertility and growth
and the time of planting
Make the sign of the banishing pentagram. Say:
Welcome the waning year
Season of harvest and wisdom
Welcome to the bounty of autumn.
Make the sign of the invoking pentagram. Set the athame back in its place on the altar, then switch the mistletoe with the holly. The holly is the symbol of the Holly King who now reigns over the rest of the ear. Midsmmer is a good time to renew your self-dedication. Take your salted water from the altar and hold it upward with both hands. Say:
O blessed Lady, whose belly quikens with the harvest bounty, fill this vessel of your womb with your holy presence that I might redeicate myself to your service. great mother of heaven and Earth from whom I and life was born. Womb to whom we all return to be born again, as did my ancestors so long ago, I stand before you today to acknowledge you as the Great Mother, giver of all life.
Hold the container in your left hand and with your right hand, reach into the container and wet your fingertips. Bend down and anoint your feet. Say:
Bless my feet as I seek to walk your ancient pathway. Steer them in the direction of right and light.
Anoint your heart area. Say:
Bless my heart which humbly turns to you in love and is given to you freely. Help me love unconditionally all my fellow living things.
Anoint your eyelids. Be careful not to get any in your eyes. Say:
Bless my eyes that they may be open to the wonders of your world; that I may see you in all your guises; that I may see the unseen and know all truths through them.
Anoint the crown of your head. Say:
Great Mother, bless my mind that it will always be open to you, and guard it that it not concieve to do harm to any fellow living creatures. May I always remember and follow the Wiccan Rede. I know taht if along your path I bring harm to any living creature that I will experience the same three times over. As all living things are one, as I harm others, I also harm myself. May I always seek a spiritual path in this earthly incarnation, and vome joyfully when my earthly time is done.
Hold the container upward again. Say:
Blessed Lady of mant faces, you who are warrioress, protectress, instructress, inspirer, innocent Virgin, wise old Crone, and Great Mother. I present myself to you as your child, (state craft name if you have one), and ask that you accept my dedication to you. So mote it be, Blessed Be!
Spend a few moments in quiet meditation on the meaning of the ritual you just performed. Close the circle whenever ready.
Litha Ritual 2
Before the rite, make up a small cloth pouch filled with herbs such as lavender, chamomile, St. John's Wort, vervain, or any of the Midsummer herbs listed in "An Herbal Grimoire." Mentally pour all your troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses, if any, into this petition as you construct it. Tie it shut with a red string. Place this on the altar for use during the rite. The cauldron should also be there or nearby. Even if you use candles to mark the quarters, the red candle in a holder should also be on the altar. For outdoor rituals, light a fire - however small - and drop the pouch into this.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle. Recite the Blessing Chant. Invoke the Goddess and God. Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised:
I celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites.
O great Goddess and God,
all nature vibrates with Your energies
and Terra is bathed with warmth and life.
Now is the time of forgetting past cares and banes;
O firey Sun,
burn away the unuseful, the hurtful, the bane,
in Your omnipotent power.
Purify me!
Purify me!
Purify me!
Lay the wand on the altar. Take up the herbal petition and light it in the red candle on the altar (or, if outdoors, the ritual fire). When it is burning drop it into the cauldron (or some other heat-proof container) and say:
I banish you by the powers of the Goddess and God!
I banish you by the powers of the Sun,
Moon and Stars!
I banish you by the powers of Earth,
Air, Fire and Water!
O Gracious Goddess,
O Gracious God,
on this night of Midsummer magick
I pray that You charge my life with wonder and joy.
Help me in attuning with the energies adrift on the
enchanted night air.
I give thanks.
Reflect upon the purification you have undergone. Feel the powers of nature flowing through you, washing you clean with divine energy. Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.
Part take in the Cakes and Wine ceremony.
The circle is released.
Ring of Fire Spell
This spell is based on a little-known solar ritual from the Aegean islands. Long ago on the night before the Summer Solstice, hoops were set ablaze, and the villagers would guide the Sun's return by jumping though rings of fire. You can create your own ring of fire with this spell. At dusk, outdoors if possible, light four candles of appropriate color, one for each season, in a circle. In the center place a gold or yellow candle for the Sun. Light the seasonal candles and say:
"Seasons must turn,
Let the Sun return."
Light the Sun candle and say:
"Shining One,
Charge me with passion,
Turn my words into action.
It must be!"
Jump over your lit candles if you dare. Meditate on each Season and Thank the Sun for it's return as you put out the candles.
Fire Purification Spell
1 Red or White Candle
1 Black Ink Pen
1 Small Square of White, Unlined Paper
1 Pair of tweezers or tongs
Timing: Noon on a day when the moon is in the waxing phase. Preferably as close to the Summer Solstice as possible. Procedure: Think of one bad habit you have that you would truly like to rid yourself of. Write it down in the center of the of paper. Now fold the paper top to bottom, then left to right, so that it is folded into fourths with the writing inside. As you fold the paper, visualize that habit being trapped inside the paper. Now light the candle and meditate on it's flame for a moment. When you are prepared to continue, hold the paper in a diamond shape, with thewriting down at the bottom. Now take the tweezers and hold the bottom tip of the diamond into the flame. Visualize the habit burning away with the flames. As the paper burns, chant the following or similar:
"Great spirits of fire, grow and consume this habit of evil so goodness may bloom."
This spell should be cast outside, so that the ashes of the paper can fall to the earth. As they do so, visualize the earth as taking your habit and absorbing it. Be sure to leave a gift for the earth in exchange for taking your habit.
Note: This spell also works extremely well with balefires or the fire at your Litha ritual. Simply toss the paper into the flames and chant. Do not attempt to hold it over the flames as you would with a candle.
Litha Curse Breaking Spell
This spell will break a curse leveled at you. Place some salt or ashes in a Small glass jar until it is about half-full. In another bowl mix the Following two parts myrrh gum, one part orris root powder, three parts Cloves, and one piece of broken glass or mirror. Set the mixture out in the Midday Sun to absorb the cleansing power of its peak rays. Place the Sun-soaked mixture in the glass of ashes or salt, and dose with lime juice. Fill the rest of the jar with salt and dispose of it away from your home. Edain McCoy
Endurance ritual (From Hearth & Home Witchery)
1. Write your birth-sign on a small stone in permanent pen
2. In a large flower pot, place the stone at the bottom.
3. Plant a marigold on top, placing seven stones around the plant.
As you work, chant:
"Sing me the song of seasons
Show me the sun's delight
Open my heart for you radiance
Lead me towards the light"
The marigold is the flower of endurance that always
turns its face toward the sun, following its path
through the sky. This ritual will give you endurance.
Summer Solstice Rite
By Gerina Dunwich
The following ritual should be performed in a forest clearing, a
large secluded garden, on a hilltop or any other nature place.
Arrange stones on the ground to form a large circle about nine feet
in diameter. With a consecrated ceremonial sword or long wooden
stick, draw the powerful symbol of a pentacle (five-pointed star)
inside the stone circle. Light five green candles to symbolize nature
and fertility and place one at each point of the pentagram, starting
at the east point and continuing in a clockwise manner. Lay a large,
flat stone in the center of the pentagram facing north as an altar
and place on it a statue representing the Goddess. At each side of
the statue, light a white altar candle. To the right (east), place a
brass bell and a censor of frankincense and myrrh incense. To the
left (west), place a chalice of wine, a consecrated brass bell, a
small dish of salt, and a small bowl of water. Bless the wine by
holding your palms down over the chalice as you say:
I CONSECRATE AND BLESS THIS WINE IN THE DIVINE NAME OF THE GODDESS
Sprinkle a bit of salt and a few drops of water over the brass bell to consecrate it and say:
WITH SALT AND WATER I CONSECRATE AND BLESS THIS BELL IN THE DIVINE NAME OF THE GODDESS. BLESSED BE.
Light the frankincense and myrrh. Raise your arms to the sky, close your eyes and fill your mind with pleasant thoughts and visions of the Mother Goddess as you say:
O BLESSED EARTH MOTHER WOMB-GODDESS, CREATRESS OF ALL THIS SACRED CIRCLE IS CONSECRATED TO THEE
Ring the bell thrice and invoke:
SACRED LADYSPIRIT OF THE AIR FIRE MAIDEN, BEAUTIFUL AND FAIR EARTH MOTHER, GIVER OF LIVES CRONE OF WATER, AGELESS AND WISE I NOW CALL FORTH THY DIVINE IMAGE!
Return the bell to the stone altar and then with both hands, raise the chalice to your lips. Drink some of the wine and then pour the rest over the center of the pentagram as a libation to the Goddess and say:
THIS BLESSED WINE I DO POUR AS AN OFFERING TO THEE O GRACIOUS GODDESS.
Return the chalice to the altar. Again ring the bell thrice and say:
THIS SOLSTICE RITUAL I DO PERFORM IN HONOR OF THEE, O GREAT GODDESS AND IN THY SACRED NAME DO I NOW GIVE PRAISE.
Kneel before the altar. Offer up more incense, ring the bell in praise of the Goddess and then say in a loud and joyous tone of voice
BLESSED BE THE GODDESS! BLESSED BE THE GODDESS! The GODDESS IS LIFE THE GODDESS IS LOVE SHE TURNS THE WHEEL THAT CHANGES THE SEASONS AND BRINGS NEW LIFE INTO THE WORLD. BLESSED BE THE GODDESS! BLESSED BE
THE GODDESS! THE GODDESS IS THE MOON AND STARS THE GODDESS IS THE SEA AND EARTH THE GODDESS IS THE CYCLE OF SEASONS SHE IS BIRTH, SHE IS DEATH SHE IS RE-BIRTH SHE IS DAY, SHE IS NIGHT SHE IS DARKNESS, SHE
IS LIGHT SHE IS AL THINGS WILD AND FREE SO MOTE IT BE.
The Rite of Summer Solstice should be followed by feasting, merriment and the joyous singing of magickal Pagan folk songs.
A Litha Prayer for the Earth
author unknown
"Great God, Father of the Earth,
Shine down on this, your strongest day.
Blessed Goddess who gave us Birth,
Bless us who honor your ancient way.
As Summer's light falls to the ground,
lending crops and trees it's power,
the Summer winds blow warm and round,
touching the corn silk and the flowers.
We give you thanks, our Mother Earth,
We praise you, fire of the Sun.
We dance this Solstice day with Mirth,
from dawns' first light 'till the day is done."
Midsummer Potpourri From Hearth and Home Witchery
1 cup oakmoss
2 cups dried lavender
2 cups wisteria
2 cups verbena
25 drops lavender oil or lemon oil
Litha Activities From Hearth and Home Witchery
Put a ring of flowers around your cauldron or around a bowl of mugwort
Hang a bundle of fresh herbs out to dry. Use them to cook summer veggies.
Go bird watching. Take a guide book, so you will know what you are looking at. The birds may bless you with a feather.
This is a good time for clearing away non useful energies, and establishing a stable base. Cleansing may include leaping a fire, or putting herbs symbolizing or charged with the non-useful energies into a fire. You may leap a fire not only for purification, but to re-energize yourself.
Litha is a time for healing of all kinds, and protection rituals. Some work can and should be done alone, but there is room for more social gatherings.
Get all your friends together with some drums and rattles, and dance the whole night through. A Spiral Dance would be nice, too.
Have children make their own Green Man mask. Cut eye holes in a paper plate. Let them glue on real or construction paper leaves.
Go berry picking. Have the children chose their best berry and throw it back into the berry bushes as they thank the Goddess and the bushes for the fruit.
Make a Wicker Man and burn him in your Litha bon fire.
Burn a Wreath in the bon fire or try using Wreaths of Vervain and Mugwort which were burned in ancient times at the end of the festivals to burn away bad luck.
Many families placed roses on the altar, as this is the Goddess flower for this time of the year. Try this yourself for a beautiful and fragrant decoration.
Leave out milk and honey as an offering to the Fae folk
Have a mock battle between the Oak and Holly King. Remember that this is part of the cycle and as the wheel turns the Holly King will rise again at Winter Solstice.
Light a white candle and place it in front of a mirror. Say your own Litha prayer over it, and then let it burn out
Make a charm to hang around your neck with a seashell
Have an outdoor breakfast picnic to welcome the Solstice
Stay up and watch the sun come up on the longest day of the year!
Draw a picture of the sun at sunrise and sunset
Try a fire divination, stare into the coals of your bonfire as it settles or look for forms in the leaping flames.
Create a ritual to bring healing and love to Mother Earth
Make protection amulets for friends and family dispose of last years in the Litha bonfire
Couples who handfasted the year before at Beltane, tend to marry in a more formal handfasting at Midsummer or Lughnasadh.
Things to make with found bird feathers From Hearth and Home Witchery
Witchs Ladders
1. Use feathers in colors that correspond with your need
2. Braid a yard each of white, black, and red cord for Goddess
3. Chant while braiding:
"Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone
Your powers to these cords please loan"
4. Add feathers to chain as it grows
Make a quill pen to use in your Book of Shadows
1. Remove the barbs from the quill until it is
comfortable to hold
2. Scoop out the back of the quill and remove the core
3. Cut a tiny notch on the front of the quill
4. Cut a slit on the front of the quill from the notch
down
5. Cut the tip of the quill to form a point
Midsummer Symbolism From Hearth and Home Witchery
Symbolism : Nurturing and love are key actions related to Midsummer. If you haven't yet done so, Litha is a good time to perform your Self-Dedication Ceremony... or - if you have been practicing Wicca for a while - you may choose to perform a simple Re - dedication, affirmation as a part of your Sabbat celebration.The powers of nature are at their highest point. Great time for herb gathering. Longest day of the year, marks the time when days begin to get shorter again.
Symbols: fire to celebrate the power of the sun, sun wheels, god eyes, mother godess, ripening fruits, sun dials, feathers, and swords, blades.
Deities: Father Gods and Mother Goddesses, Pregnant Goddesses and Sun Deities. Particular emphasis might be placed on the Goddesses Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus and other Goddesses who preside over love, passion and beauty. Other Litha deities include Athena, Artemis, Dana, Kali, Isis, Juno, Apollo, Dagda, Gwydion, Helios, Llew, Oak Holly King, Lugh, Ra, Sol, Zeus, Prometheus, Ares, Mother Earth, Father Sun, the fey, fairy folkand Thor.
Magick: Healings, growth spells, empowerment spells, and love magick are all incredibly potent at this time
Tools: drums, rattles, bonfire, mirrors for reflecting the sun or bonfire, Earth circles of stone energy
Colors: white, red, maize yellow or golden yellow, green, blue and tan.
Stones: all green gemstones, especially emerald and jade. Other appropriate gemstones are tigers eye, lapis lazuli, ruby, diamonds, amethyst, malachite, golden topaz, opal, quartz crystal, azurite-malachite, lapis lazuli.
Animals: include robins, wrens, all Summer birds, horses and cattle. Mythical creatures include satyrs, faeries, firebirds, dragons, thunderbirds and manticores.
Herbs: chamomile, cinquefoil, elder, fennel, hemp, larkspur, lavender, male fern, mugwort, pine, roses, Saint Johns wort, honesty, wild thyme, wisteria, oak, mistletoe, frankincense, lemon, sandalwood, heliotrope, copal, saffron, galangal, laurel, ylang-ylang, Basil, Betony, Dogwood, Oak, Rue, vervain, trefoil and verbena. Traditionally, herbs gathered on this day are extremely powerful.
Incense: a combination of any of the following or simply one of them by itself... frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, lemon, pine, jasmine, rose, lotus, or wysteria.
Foods: for Litha include fresh vegetables of all kinds and fresh fruits such as lemons and oranges, pumpernickel bread as well as Summer squash and any yellow or orange colored foods. Flaming foods are also ppropriate,barbecued anything, (barbecues represent the bonfires....) but especially chicken or pork. Midsummer is also the time for making mead, since honey is now plentiful. Traditional drinks are ale, mead, sweet wines, fresh fruit juice of any kind and herb teas.
Element: fire
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Litha, Summer Solstice Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Below are some Summer Solstice, Litha, Mid Summer or St. John's Day recipes for you to enjoy on your Pagan holiday. These are great Wiccan recipes to add to your summer sabbatt!
Foods: Fresh vegetables of all kinds and fresh fruits such as lemons and oranges, summer squash and any yellow or orange colored foods. Flaming foods are also appropriate (barbecues represent the bonfires....) but especially chicken or pork.. Traditional drinks are ale, mead (since honey is now plentiful), and fresh fruit juice of any kind and herb teas. Pumpernickel bread is also appropriate.

Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

6 small boneless chicken breast halves

6 stalks asparagus

3 ounces Colby or Colby Jack cheese

1 cup plain bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup pignoli nuts -- finely chopped

3 eggs

salt and pepper -- to taste

6 ounces pesto sauce

1 Cup heavy cream

Directions:

Pound chicken breasts to a 1/4 inch thickness and set aside. Snap off tough bottoms of asparagus. Place in boiling water and cover for 1 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water; then pat dry. Cut asparagus from tip down stalk into 3 inch Iengths. Cut cheese into sticks 1/2 inch high x 1/2 inch wide by 3 inches long. Set aside. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan and pine nuts in a bowl. In another bowl beat eggs.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place a stick of cheese and an asparagus spear next to one long edge of each breast.

Roll breast around ingredients tucking in ends to form a neat package. Secure with a toothpick. Dip each piece in egg and then in breadcrumb mixture. Make a double coating by dipping again into egg then crumbs. Place packages in a baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 400F degrees. While the chicken is baking combine pesto and cream in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce 2 minutes until Iightly thickened. Serve pesto cream sauce over chicken.

If you want you can make these ahead of time and freeze. These freeze very well.

HERBAL LEMON COOKIES
(Author Unknown)

1 cup Butter or margarine
2 cups Sugar, divided
2 large Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/3 cup Lemon Grass / Lemon Balm / Lemon Basil - chopped

Cream the butter and 1-3/4 cups sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs. Add to the creamed mixture and mix. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls, 3 inches apart, on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork or cup bottom. Sprinkle lightly with the remaining sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until barely browned. Cool slightly, then remove to a rack.
Lavender Cheesecake
Ingredient
1½ cup Total graham cracker and or gingersnap crumbs
½ cup Melted butter
24 ounces Cream cheese; softened
1½ cup Sugar
6 Eggs
2 cups Sour cream
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
8 ounces Sour cream
1½ tablespoon Sugar
¼ cup Sugar
½ cup Chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon Lemon juice
1 tablespoon Crushed dried lavender flowers
1½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Whole dried lavender flowers
¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract
CRUST FILLING TOPPING Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine crust ingredients and press firmly into the bottom and up 2" of the sides of a 9" springform pan; chill. With mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. With mixer on low, add eggs, sour cream, cornstarch, lemon juice, lavender flowers and vanilla. Blend all ingredients on medium speed for 3 minutes. Pour mixture into the chilled crust and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the cake in for 30 minutes longer. Remove and let cool in pan. Chill. Mix sour cream with the remaining three ingredients and spread over the top of the cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate. To serve, remove the rim of the pan, loosen the cheesecake from the bottom, and slide it onto a plate. From Tom Bergey of Newalla, OK in Kitchen Table: Where Herbs and Spices Make a Difference column in the August/September 1994 Herb Companion. Vol. 6, No. 6. Pg. 22. Posted by Cathy Harned. Submitted By CATHY HARNED On 10-02-94

Honey-Lavender Biscotti
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust oven rack to the middle position. Lightly grease three baking sheets (lining the baking sheet with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier). In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and eggs to a light lemon color; stir in honey, vanilla extract, orange zest, and lavender blossoms. Sprinkle dry ingredients over the egg mixture; fold in until the dough is just combines. To shape the dough into a log, lightly sprinkle flour on the work surface, on top of the dough, and on your hands. Use just enough flour to form the logs and to prevent sticking; you don't want the logs to be covered with flour. Divide dough into six equal pieces. With your hands, pat and shape each piece into a loaf approximately 3 inches wide, 7 inches long, and 3/4-inch high. Place two rolls onto each prepared baking sheet with 3 to 4 inches of space between them. Bake 25 minutes or until dough pops back up when lightly pressed with a finger. (After dough has baked 10 minutes, reverse cookie sheets from front to back and move from the top rack to the bottom one. Repeat this again after another 10 minutes). You can't judge the cooking by the color. The biscotti shouldn't change color during the second baking, so poke them to tell if they're done. They should feel dry and offer some resistance. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven to 275 degrees F. Using a long serrated knife, cut logs diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. Turn the slices over, onto their sides; return slices, on baking sheets, to oven. Bake another 15 minutes. NOTE: Do not crowd the biscotti slices on the baking sheet for their second baking as they need the hot air to circulate to enable them to crisp up evenly. Remember biscotti will continue to crisp up, as they cool, so do not be tempted to over bake. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks. Store biscotti in an airtight container. They will keep well for a few weeks. Yields about 54 biscotti.
Summer Pudding
Recipe by Jan Brodie
1 lb. Mixed Red Soft Fruits
4 oz. Sugar
Enough White Bread to line a Pudding Basin
Whipped Cream for serving
Trim the crusts off the bread and line the pudding basin with it, cutting a circle for the base. Ensure that the basin is lined without any gaps. Cook the fruits and sugar, without adding extra water, for a few minutes until the juices run. Drain the fruits and retain the juices. Fill the lined bowl with fruit and place a circle of bread on top, enclosing the fruit. Then put a plate on top held down with a weight on top. Place in fridge overnight. When ready to serve, turn out onto a plate and pour the reserved juices over the top. Serve with whipped cream.
(The above recipe for "Summer Pudding" is from Jan Brodie's book "Earth Dance: A Year of Pagan Rituals", page 98-99, Capall Bann Publishing, 1995)
Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup Mango
1/2 cup Pine Nuts (optional)
1 cup Pineapple, to be cut into bite-size chunks
1 cup Apple, to be cut into bite-size chunks
1 cup Peaches, to be cut into bite-size chunks
2 or 3 Bananas, to be sliced (depending on personal preference)
1 small jar Red Cherries
1/2 cup Coconut (if desired)
Take a 1/2 cup of Orange Juice and mix in 3 tbls. of pure maple syrup. Pour this over the fruit. This will keep the fruit from turning brown.
Midsummer Cookies
by Akasha Ap Emrys
3/4c softened butter
2c brown sugar
2 eggs
1T lemon juice
2T grated lemon rind
2c sifted flour
1c finely chopped pecans.
Cream butter in a large non-metallic mixing bowl. Gradually add the brown sugar, mixing well. Add eggs, lemon juice, and rind, then mix well until mixture is well blended. Cover the bowl with a white or yellow towel or cloth napkin, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, shape dough into 1" balls and place approx 3" apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for abut 20 minutes. Cool on racks. Yields 36.
Faery Honeycakes
Recipe from Hearth and Home Witchery
1/2 cup sweet white wine
1 egg
2/3 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup of honey
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
Oil for frying
Beat the wine and egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey and nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2 inch of the oil in a frying pan until hot but dont let it get so hot it smokes!! Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time and fry untill golder brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into honey. Makes 1 1/2 dozen
Green Garden Goddess Dip Recipe from Hearth and Home Witchery
1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
1 T. garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
8 oz. spinach, triple washed, patted dry, and destemmed
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
1 cup loose parsley, washed well
1/4 cup chives, sliced
1 T. freshly chopped dill
1 T. lime juice
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. hot sauce, of choice
1 - 8 oz. container plain vegan soy yogurt
In a non-stick skillet, saute the green onion and garlic in the olive oil for 2 minutes to soften. Add the spinach and continue to saute until the spinach just wilts. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside to cool completely. Transfer the spinach mixture to a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, except the vegan yogurt, and process for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Add the vegan yogurt and process well to combine. Taste and add additional salt, hot sauce, or lime juice, to taste. Transfer the mixture to a glass bowl, cover, and chill for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve as an appetizer with raw vegetables, bread slices, crackers, or chips, or use as a condiment on sandwiches, cooked vegetables, or grains. Yield: 2 Cups
Sun's Up Cobbler from Hearth & Home witchery
1-lb 14oz can (3 1/2 cups) halved peaches
3 slices slightly dry bread (toast on light)
1 tbs. cornstarch
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Drain peaches, reserving 1 cup syrup. In a pan, combine cornstarch and salt and slowly blend in reserved syrup. Over med-high heat, cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and cook and stir for 2minutes. Add lemon juice, butter or margarine and peaches. Heat JUST to bubbling. Pour into 10x6x11/2 inch baking dish.
Cut bread lengthwise into 1 inch strips. Dip into 1/4 cup melted butter, then into mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Arrange over peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until toasty. Serve with cream (optional) Makes 6 servings.
Lunchtime Cranberry Sun Mold
from Hearth & Home Witchery
2 -3oz packages orange flavored gelatin
2 7oz bottles ginger ale
1 1lb can whole cranberry sauce
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned
1 83/4 oz crushed pineapple, undrained
1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
In saucepan, combine gelatin and cranberry sauce. Heat and stir until almost boiling. Stir in undrained crushed pineapple and ginger ale. Remove from heat and stir until fizzing has stopped. Pour into round mold. Chill until set. Unmold onto a serving dish with a layer of lettuce leaf bedding. Garnish with orange and grapefruit sections. Top with alternating orange and grapefruit sections in a "pinwheel" array. Serve as salad or dessert.

Midsummer Passion Punch from Hearth & Home Witchery
Leaves from 4 sprigs of mint
1/4 cup sugar
4 cups seltzer water
6 cups passion fruit juice
1 lime
ice cubes
6 passionflowers
Bruise the mint leaves with the sugar in a mortar and pestle. Transfer the mix to your punch bowl. Pour seltzer water and fruit juice over the leaves. Squeeze in the juice of the lime. Add ice cubes and garnish with passionflowers.
Substitute club soda or sparkling water for seltzer water if desired.
One note for serving: You should NEVER get passionflowers that have been grown non-organically, because they will almost definitely have chemicals on them that you do NOT want near your food! If you have no way to acquire passionflowers (or even if you do and you just like this idea), I might suggest investing in some rose-shaped cake pans--they're usually in a set of four or six and make cupcake-size cakes--and filling them with water and freezing to make big pretty flowery ice cubes. You can even sprinkle some mint leaves in there to freeze into the cubes. It looks beautiful, but believe me, it won't last long under the hot sun!
Fairy Nectar
2 cups milk per serving
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
cinnamon
Warm milk, be careful not to boil it. In each mug add your honey and vanilla. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Buttermilk Scones for Litha from Hearth & Home Witchery
3 cups Flour
1/3 cup Sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
3/4 teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 cup Buttermilk
3/4 cup Currants
1 teaspoon Grated Orange Rind
1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Sugar
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use an ungreased baking sheet. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir well with a fork to mix and fold air into batter. Add the butter and cut into the flour mixture, using a pastry blender or two knives, or work in, using your fingertips, until the mixture looks like fresh bread crumbs. Add the buttermilk, currants and orange rind. Mix only until the dry ingredients are moistened. Gather the
dough into a ball and press so it holds together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 12 times. Pat the dough into a circle 1/2-inch thick.
Glaze: In a small bowl combine the cream, cinnamon and sugar; stir to blend. Brush the dough with the glaze. Cut the dough into 18 pie-shaped pieces. Place the scones 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the tops are browned. Serve hot with Orange Honey Butter (recipe follows).
Orange Honey Butter for the Buttermilk Scones!
2 Tablespoons Grated Orange Rind
3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon honey
Combine the orange rind, powdered sugar, butter and honey in a small bowl and blend until well mixed. Chill slightly and serve with scones or biscuits.
Solstice Herb Bread
3 C. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. dry active yeast
2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp. fresh thyme
1 1/4 C. hot water
2 tbsp. Crisco
Mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add herbs, water, and Crisco. Beat slowly, stirring in remaining cup of flour until smooth. Scrape batter from sides of bowl and let rise in a warm place for 35 minutes or until it doubles in bulk. Punch down and beat with a spoon for about 15 seconds. Place dough in a greased loaf pan, patting down and forming a loaf shape with your hands. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes or until it again
doubles in bulk. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes. Brush top with butter or margarine and remove from pan to cool.

Bright Memories Litha Parfait
from Hearth & Home Witchery
1 (2 3/4 ounce) package vanilla custard powder (no bake)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups milk
1 (21 ounce) can pineapple pie filling
2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
In sauce pan prepare custard according to the package directions using the milk. Remove from heat. Gradually stir cheese into hot mixture, mixing well. Stir in vanilla. Chill custard mixture and pie filling separately until ready to serve. When ready to serve, spoon alternate layers of mixture and pie filling into parfait or juice glasses. Top with some type of berries if desired.

Honey-Lavender Biscotti from Hearth & Home Witchery

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust oven rack to the middle position. Lightly grease three baking sheets (lining the baking sheet with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier). In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and eggs to a light lemon color; stir in honey, vanilla extract, orange zest, and lavender blossoms. Sprinkle dry ingredients over the egg mixture; fold in until the dough is just combines. To shape the dough into a log, lightly sprinkle flour on the work surface, on top of the dough, and on your hands. Use just enough flour to form the logs and to prevent sticking; you don't want the logs to be covered with flour. Divide dough into six equal pieces. With your hands, pat and shape each piece into a loaf approximately 3 inches wide, 7 inches long, and 3/4-inch high. Place two rolls onto each prepared baking sheet with 3 to 4 inches of space between them. Bake 25 minutes or until dough pops back up when lightly pressed with a finger. (After dough has baked 10 minutes, reverse cookie sheets from front to back and move from the top rack to the bottom one. Repeat this again after another 10 minutes). You can't judge the cooking by the color. The biscotti shouldn't change color during the second baking, so poke them to tell if they're done. They should feel dry and offer some resistance. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven to 275 degrees F. Using a long serrated knife, cut logs diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. Turn the slices over, onto their sides; return slices, on baking sheets, to oven. Bake another 15 minutes. NOTE: Do not crowd the biscotti slices on the baking sheet for their second baking as they need the hot air to circulate to enable them to crisp up evenly. Remember biscotti will continue to crisp up, as they cool, so do not be tempted to over bake. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks. Store biscotti in an airtight container. They will keep well for a few weeks. Yields about 54 biscotti.
This is one of my favorite pies. Since blueberries and rhubarb are not is season at the same time one or the other fruit will have to be frozen. It's awesome with vanilla ice cream.
BlueBarb Pie
9 inch double pie crust
¼ tsp. salt
1 c sugar
¼ c flour
2 c fresh rhubarb or frozen
2 c blueberries
1 TB butter
Mix salt, sugar and flour. Add fruit and stir well. Heat over to 450. Pour filling into bottom crust and dot with butter. Add top crust and seal, cut vent holes. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower temp to 400 and bake until crust is brown and filling bubbly; about 30 minutes.
Lemon Chess Pie Edain McCoy
Pie shell, but don't bake it yet
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cornmeal
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup grated lemon peel
Optional:
Second pie shell for covering
Orange slices for garnish at serving time
Preheat the oven to 375º F. Put the pie shell in a deep-dish pan. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the eggs, milk, butter, juice, and lemon peel. Beat until smooth. (You might need an electric mixer, but possibly not.) Pour into the pie shell and bake about 40 minutes until golden brown. Make sure that if you decide to use a
second pie shell over the top, you seal it well around the edges (crimping the sides if desired!) and that you cut steam holes in the top layer so it doesn't explode! Top with orange slices for an added solar touch.
Sunny Soltice Peach Pie
You will need:
1 pie crust (unbaked)
4 cups slice peaches fresh
2 tsp. unbleached flour
1/4 cup peach preserves, with no added sugar in them.
1 tsp. freshly sqeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
freshly grated nutmeg
dash of sea salt
Preheat oven to 400. In the unbaked crust of your choice arrange the peach slices in overlapping circles. Sprinkle the peaches with the flour Combine the peace preserves, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and dash of sea salt in saucepan and heat until hot while stirring. Pour this glaze over the peaches and bake for 10 minutes then turn the heat down to 375 and continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes. May be served warm, at room temp or cold the decision is yours.
Summer Solstice Cobbler
1-1lb 14oz can (3 1/2 cups) halved peaches
3 slices slightly dry bread (toast on light)
1 tbs. cornstarch
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Drain peaches, reserving 1 cup syrup. In a pan, combine cornstarch and salt and slowly blend in reserved syrup. Over med-high heat, cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and cook and stir for 2minutes. Add lemon juice, butter or margarine and peaches. Heat JUST to bubbling. Pour into 10x6x11/2 inch baking dish.Cut bread lengthwise into 1 inch strips. Dip into 1/4 cup melted butter, then into mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Arrange over peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until toasty. Serve with cream (optional) Makes 6 servings.
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Beltane, May Day, Food Recipes

ljr@ravenandcrone.com(ravenandcrone.com) — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

ASPARAGUS WITH CHIVES AND BLOSSOMS

1 pound Asparagus, washed
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, snipped
16 Chive Blossoms
1/2 teaspoon Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
Blanch the asparagus in lightly salted boiling water for about 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; do not overcook. Refresh under very cold water and drain well. Remove the chive stalks to separate the flowers. In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the sesame seed. Stir for 1 minute, add the snipped chives, and stir for 1 minute more. Add the asparagus and soy sauce to the skillet with a few pinches of salt and generous grindings of pepper; stir well, cover, and cook for a minute or so. Remove the lid, sprinkle the chive blooms over the asparagus, and cover for 1 to 2 minutes so that the chive blooms steam briefly. Stir lightly and taste for seasoning. Serve hot. Comments: Bright lavender chive blossoms begin to bloom in the garden about the time the asparagus bed is at its peak. Hence, this is a natural combination and a simply tasty dish. Since chive blossoms are so strong in flavor, add them at the last minute in this recipe. Source: FLOWERS IN THE KITCHEN by Susan Belsinger
CHICKEN BARLEY STEW WITH HERBS

2-3 LB chicken breasts on the bone
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 LB leeks (3-4 large ones, 4-5 little ones) thickly cut. May substitute onions
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
6 oz barley
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 3/4 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 Tablespoon dried sage
Comment: This is originally an Anglo-Saxon recipe. The original calls for rabbit, but chicken is just as good.
In a large Dutch Oven, melt the butter, then fry the leeks and garlic in the butter. Add the chicken and brown. Add remaining ingredients, reserving the sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from pot and let cool. Remove meat from bones and add back to the pot. Add sage. Stir well and serve. Serves 8
MEDALLIONS OF PORK WITH RIESLING SAUCE

12 ounces Pork tenderloin, cut into 1" rounds
Flour
4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
1 Onion, thinly sliced
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Dry Riesling wine
1/2 cup Raisins
3 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Green peppercorns, ground
1/2 teaspoon thyme, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano, minced
1/4 cup butter, chilled & cut into pieces
1/4 cup Pine nuts, toasted
Season pork with salt and pepper. Coat in flour; shake off excess. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl. Melt remaining 2 Tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and saute about 4 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Add onion mixture, wine, green peppercorns and herbs to same skillet and boil until sauce thickens, about 4 minutes. Add pork to skillet and heat through. Divide pork among plates. Add 1/4 cup chilled butter to sauce in skillet and whisk just until melted. Mix in pine nuts. Spoon sauce over pork and serve.
Dandelion Salad
1 Dishpan full of young dandelion leaves
4 Strips of bacon
1/2 c Sugar
2 T Flour
1 ea Egg beaten
1 t Salt
1/2 c Vinegar
1 1/2 c Water
3 ea Eggs, hard boiled, diced
Wash, drain, and cut up tender dandelion leaves. Brown bacon; remove drippings and crumble Combine sugar and flour. Add egg, salt, vinegar, and water and mix until smooth. Pour into bacon drippings and heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Pour warm dressing over dandelion. add crumbled bacon and hard boild eggs. Toss lightly and serve immediatly.

Beltane Bread
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and combine:
4 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 cups sugar
1 tube almond paste
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 eggs
When dough is worked to medium soft, shape into flattened balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool, ice with white Solar Cross. You could try this as a single loaf. I also like to make an almond biscuit with biscuit mix, almond extract, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs, but in smaller proportions. Source: Ann Moura Aoumiel's book Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft, Llewellyn Publications, 1996
Elder Flower Fritters- Medieval England
From Wisteria's Faery Recipes
The French use elder flowers to pack apples. They claim that this enhances the flavor.1 egg
1 cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon Rose Water
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
2 cups elder flowers, freshly picked & cleaned
2 tablespoons brandy
Mix the egg, rose water, honey, & brandy in a medium sized bowl. Stir in the flour & cinnamon; the batter should resemble slightly thick pancake batter. If the batter is too thin, add a little more flour; if too thick, add more brandy. Fold in the elder flowers. Fry like pancakes or drop by the teaspoon into a deep-fat-fryer until golden brown. Serve with a sprinkling of orange water & fresh lemon, or dip into fresh sweet cream. Yield: About 2 dozen
Note: If you are not using self-rising flour, add 1 teaspoon baking powder & 1/2 teaspoon salt. Variation: If you can't find elder flowers, substitute 1 cup finely diced apples & a hint of fresh mint for similar magical effects. Magical Attributes: Protection from Faery folk, trust, beauty, energy for attraction, & magical ambience. Can also be eaten on Lammas, St. Valentines Day, or Hallow's Eve.
Fried Honey Cakes
These cakes are not unlike those made on the night before Beltane by women around the turn of the century. These cakes were left in the garden to please Faery visitors.
1/2 cup sweet white wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
2/3 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Oil for frying
1/8 teaspoon salt
Beat the wine & egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt & sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey & nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2-inch of the oil in a frying pan until hot, but not smoking. Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time; fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into the honey.
Yield: 1 1/2 Dozen.
Wildflower Pound Cake
1 C Butter
1-1/2 C Flour
1 Tsp Vanilla or Lemon Extract
5 Eggs separated
1-1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 C Assorted Edible Flower Petals- small pieces
Cream the Butter. Sift flour and add gradually to the butter. Beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon colored, add sugar gradually. Combine mixtures. Beat egg whites until stiff to add to mixture. Sift baking powder over mixture beat thoroughly. Fold in fresh flower pieces. Turn into a buttered deep cake pan, bake one hour at 350 degrees. Note: Garnish with fresh flowers.
Beltane Lemon Curd Mousse Cake
To make the shortbread cookie crumbs for the crust, seal the cookies in a heavy plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.
Servings: Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Ingredients:
Curd:
2 1/3 cups sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Crust:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs- about 7 1/2 ounces
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
Mousse:
5 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
Lemon slices, cut into quarters for garnish
Preparation:
For curd:
Mix sugar and cornstarch in heavy large saucepan. Gradually add lemon juice, whisking until all cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in eggs and yolks. Add butter. Stir over medium heat until curd thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Transfer
to medium bowl. Chill until cold, at least 6 hours - Can be made 1 week ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of curd and keep chilled.
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 8-inch-diameter springform pan with nonstick spray. Blend cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom of pan. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool.
For mousse:
Pour 5 tablespoons water into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place 1 3/4 cups lemon curd in large bowl. Stir 3/4 cup curd in another small saucepan over medium-low heat until very warm.
Stir gelatin mixture over medium-low heat until dissolved and liquid is clear-do not boil. Whisk warm gelatin mixture into 3/4 cup warm curd. Gradually whisk gelatin-curd mixture into curd in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until whites are thick and glossy. Fold whites into curd mixture in 3 additions. Using same beaters, beat cream in another medium bowl until peaks form. Fold into egg white-curd mixture in 3 additions. Pour enough mousse over cooled crust to fill pan completely. Pour remaining mousse into small bowl and reserve. Cover and chill mousse cake, reserved mousse, and remaining curd overnight.
Using long thin knife, cut around cake to loosen. Remove pan sides. Gently spread 3/4 cup of remaining curd over cake. Transfer reserved mousse to pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe rosettes of mousse around top edge of cake. Chill cake until ready to serve- Can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Arrange lemon slices between rosettes. Cut cake into wedges. From Bon Appetit
Strawberry Crisp
1 c Uncooked Oatmeal
1 c All purpose Flour
1 c Brown Sugar
1/4 c Chopped Walnuts
1/2 c Butter or margarine
1/2 c Sugar
3 c Sliced fresh or frozen Strawberry
Mix together oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. Add nuts. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. In another bowl, mix strawberries and white sugar together. Grease an 8" square pan. Spread half the crumb mixture on bottom. Cover with strawberries. Spread remaining crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 deg F oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or topping.
Jam Filled Lemon Tarts
from Auramooth's Wiccan Page
1-3oz package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Add sugar and lemon.
1 cup flour
Mix in flour. Gather dough into two balls, chill one hour. Roll out dough, cutting 2" disks out with cutter. Spoon 1/4" of jam into center of disc. Gather edges into three equally spaced corners-like a tricorn hat-and roll pointsover slightly, pinching shut. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Tasty jam: rhubarb ginger, apricot, cherry, etc. geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCD.html
Beltane Marigold Custard
from Wicca:A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham
2 cups milk
1 cup unsprayed marigold petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 to 2 inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water
Whipped cream
Using a clean mortar and pestal reserved for cooking purposes, pound marigold petals. Or, crush with a spoon. Mix the salt sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the egg yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with fresh marigold petals.
MEADE

1 gallon Water
4 pounds Honey
6 Cloves
2 Sticks cinnamon
Juice & peel from one lemon
1 teaspoon Activated dry yeast

In a large nonreactive pot, add the next four ingredients to the gallon of water. Boil all together for 30 minutes, then strain into a crock that will hold it with a little room to spare. When cooled, add the yeast, dissolved in some of the liquid. Allow to ferment in a cool place - 55 degrees is ideal - until it ceases bubbling and the liquor clears, then bottle, cap tightly and store in a cool, dark cellar. It should not be used for at least a month, and longer is better. This meade, unlike many other drinks, does not improve with really long aging, so it should be consumed within a year of the time it was made.
Beltane Dandelion Delight
This lovely spring tonic makes good use of pesky weeds to rejuvenate the body with the earth's reawakening. Dandelions are high in vitamins and legends claim that Hecate once entertained Theses with dandelion water. Magickal Attributes: divination, wind magick, wishes and goals, communicating with the Spirit World.
Ingredients:
3 C Dandelion Petals
1 Gallon Orange Juice
Juice of One Lemon
1/4 C Sugar
Ginger Ale (optional)
Clean off the dandelion petals with cool water. In the meantime, warm the orange juice and lemon together, then add dandelions. Make certain you only have petals (no green parts). Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved: strain juices and chill. Add ginger ale for a light bubbly drink.
VARIATIONS: Prepare this recipe with lemonade instead of orange juice and juice of one orange instead of a lemon. This is refreshing, purifying quality and poured over crushed ice, is wonderful on a hot summer day.
May Wine
INGREDIENTS:
1 bottle of white wine- German is ideal
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
12 sprigs of Woodruff, fresh
PREPARATION:
Pour wine into a wide mouth jar or carafe. Add the sliced strawberries and woodruff, and let sit for an hour or more. Strain and serve chilled
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