Aisha's Book of Shadows

In Progress

2011-01-20T00:21:00.000+04:00

Dear Believers,

I come in this post to inform that I will be renovating the blog to new contents, more information, more pictures, more everything!!!

I have been away for a long time but now I will make the blog a better space!!!

The link will be changed to: http://www.eilinsgrimoire.blogspot.com/
This site will no longer exist, so please transfer yourself to the link above!!!

I want you to feel included in the changes, so please let me know if the background, layout, information and etc is good or if you would like to change it. If you have ideas for subjects, or any other please let me know.

This new blog will have 2 languages, english and portuguese, the content will be exactly the same from one to another, it's just made to reach more believers.
I hope this change will be to everyone's satisfaction!!!

Blessed be!!!
Witch Eilin

Basic Gaelic

2010-01-29T02:22:00.001+04:00

Gaelic Phrases People and Things
Daoine 's rudai
loach = warrior
/lay-ock/

tigh = house
/thig/

feirm = farm
/ferm/

pratai = potatoes
/praw-tee/

mac tire - wolf
/mock teerah/

miol mor = whale
/meel moor/

deilf = dolphin
/delf/

capall = horse
/cop-ull

lolar = eagle
/ull-ur/

Numbers
Uimhreacha

a h-aon = one
/ah hane/

a do = two
/ah dow/

a tri = three
/ah tree/

a ceathair = four
/ah ka-hir/

a cuig = five
/ah coo-ig/

a se = six
/ah shay/

a seacht = seven
/ah shocked/

a h-ocht = eight
/ah hooked/

a naoi = nine
/ah nay/

a deich = ten
/ah jey

cead = hundred
/cade/

mile = thousand
/meelah/

milliun = million
/mill-yoon/

Family
Clann

an chiann = the family
/on klown/

mathair = mother
/maw-hir/

athair = father
/ah-hir/

mac = son
/mock/

inion = daughter
/in-een/

sean-mhathair = grandmother
/shan-vaw-hir/

sean-athair = grandfather
/shan-ah-hir/

deirfluir = sister
/drih-foor/

dearthair = brother
/drih-har/

col-ceathrar = cousin
/cull-KAH-rur/

aintin = aunt
/anteen/

uncail = uncle
/unkill/

Colors
Dathanna

cen dath ata air? = what color is on that?
/kane dah a-thaw air?/

dubh = black
/dove/

ban = white
/bawn/

dearg = red
/jarg/

gorm = blue
/gurm/

corcra = purple
/cur-crah/

ban-dearg = pink
/bawn - jarg/

donn = brown
/down/

oraiste = orange
/ur-awesh-tah/

bui = yellow
/bwee/

Days and Seasons
Laethanta s' seisiuir

de luain = monday
/jay loo - on/

de mairt = tuesday
/jay morte/

de cheadaoin = wednesday
/jay cay-deen/

deardaoin = thursday
/jeer-deen/

de haoine = friday
/jay hee-na/

de sathairn = saturday
/jay sa-hirn/

de domhnaigh = sunday
/jay dow-nig/

inne = yesterday
/in-yay/

inniu = today
/in-you/

amarach = tomorrow
/am-ore-ock/

an tearrach = spring
/on tar-ock/

an samhradh = summer
/on sow-ra/

an fhomhair= autumn
/on oh-wir/

an gheimhreadh = winter
/on gee-rah (hard "g")/

Gaelic Phrases General
Ginearlalta

radharc = sight
/rie-irc/

briongloid = dream
/bring-lode/

Ca as duit? = Where do you come from?
/caw oss dith?/

Is as Meiricea / an tastrail /sasana/ eire dom = I'm from America/ Australia/England/Ireland
/iss oss (mer-ick-aw) / (on toss-troyle) / (sos-in-ah)/ (air-ah) dum/

mise,le meas = sincerely
/misha, leh mass/

tuigim = I understand
/tig-im/

cad e sin? = What's that?
/cod ay shin?/

pionta guinness le do thoil = A pint of Guinness please
/pyunta guinness leh duh hull/

go raibh maith agat = Thank you
/guh rev mah a-gut/

slainte = Cheers
/sloynta/

go donna = badly
/guh dunna/

agus = and
/ogg-us/

glan as a mheabhair = crazy
/glon oss ah vyow-ir/

oscall an doras = Open the door
/us-kill on dur-us/

ta mo bhriste tri thine = My trousers are on fire
/thaw muh vreesh-tah tree hin-ah/

baisteach = Rain
/bash-tock/

bradan = Drizzle
/brod-awn/

aontaigh = unite
/ayn-tig/

siochan = Peace
/shee-ock-awn/

ceol 's craic = music and fun
/kyole iss crack/

sin e = that's it
/shin ay/

sasta = happy
/saws-tah/

ta bron orm = I'm sorry
/thaw brone urm/

go hifreamm leat!!! = To hell with you
/guh hif-rin lyat/

pog mo thoin!!! = Kiss my ass
/pogue muh ho-in/

dun do bheal = Shut your mouth
/doon duh vale/

cairdeas = Friendship
/core-diss/

Sean is aimn dom = My name is Shawn
/Shawn iss an=im dum/

Gaelic Phrases of Greetings and Farewells

Cead Mile failte romhait! = A hundred thousand welcomes!
/cade meelah foyle-ta row-ott/

Ta failte romhat = You're welcome
/thaw foyle-teh row-ott/

Failte ar ais = Welcome back
/folye - teh air ash/

Nach brea an la e? = Isn't it a lovely day?
/nock brah on law ay/

Dia dhuit = Hello
/jee-ah gwit/

Conas ata tu? = How are you?
/cun-oss ah-thaw thoo/

Ta me ceart go leor = I'm ok
/thaw may kyart guh lyore/

Bain taithneamh as an deireadh seachtaine = Enjoy the weekend
/bwin tah-niv oss on jer-ah shock-tin-ah/

Oiche mhaith, codladh samh - Good night, sleep well
/ee-ha wah, cu-la sawv/

Go n-eiri an bothar leat! = Have a good journey
/guh niy-ree on bow-hir lyat/

Slan = Goodbye
/slawn/

Slan go foill - Bye for now
/Slawn guh fo-ill/

Siochan leat = Peace be with you
/shee-uck-awn lyat/

La le padraig = Saint Patrick's day
/law leg paw-rig/

Breithia shona duit = Happy birthday
/breh-law hunna dith/

Go maire tu an la! = Congratulations
/guh morra thoo on law/

Gaelic Phrases of Love

Cronaim thÃ¹ = I miss you
/crun - eem hoo/

Mo chroi = My heart
/muh kree/

Cairde = Friends
/Core - deh/

Ta tu go h- aileann = You're beautiful
/thaw thoo guh haw-lin/

Le gra go deo = With love forever
/leh graw guh joe/

Pog = Kiss
/pogue/

Anam chara = Soul mate
/on-um kor-ah/

Gra mo chroi = Love of my heart
/graw muh kree/

Taim i ngra leat = I'm in love with you
/thaw-im ih ngraw leat/

Graim thu = I love you
/graw-im hoo/

Go sioral = Forever
/guh sheeree/

A phosfaidh tu me? = Will you marry me?
/ah fose-hig too may/

Gaelic Phrases of Virtues - Bua

brÃ²d = Pride
/brode/

misneach = courage
/mish-nock/

laidir = strong
/law-jir/

lag = weak
/log/

beannaithe = blessed
/ban-ih-ha/

uasal = noble
/oo-uss-ull/

dilseacht = loyalty, faith
/deel-shocked/

crionnacht = wisdom
/cree-nocked/

Totem Animals

2009-12-02T21:30:00.000+04:00

Totem animals represents great spirit or that which they need to survive. We all have power animals which can be accessed by meditation. Below are a list of animals and their symbology.

Ant: group mind, patience, action
Antelope: action, agility and sacrifice
Armadillo: safety, boundaries, medicine shield
Bat: rebirth, secrets and initiation
Bear: power, healing
Bears hibernate in the winter, which may explain their association with "dreaming the Great Spirit" or retrospection. The symbolism of the Bear's cave reflects returning to the womb of Mother Earth. [A Cave is an archetype for the mind - sleep - returning to higher consciousness.] This also suggests a strong feminine aspect, one of nurturing and protection. Bear cubs, born in the early spring, can spend as many as seven years with their mother before reaching maturity. People with Bear Medicine are considered by many as self-sufficient, and would rather stand on their own two feet than rely on others. They are often considered dreamers. Many have developed the skill of visualizing new things, but as a result can get caught up in the dreaming, making little progress in waking reality. Bear's medicine includes introspection, healing, solitude, wisdom, change, communication with Spirit, death and rebirth, transformation, astral travel, creature of dreams, shamans and mystics. Bear Symbology and More [scroll down]
Bearpaw: power and direction
Beaver: builder, protector

Boar: is one of the most important totem animals of the Gaelic Celts: the South and the element of Fire: The life giving power of the sun

Buffalo: sacredness, life, abundance
Buffalo is considered by many tribes as a symbol of abundance: its meat fed the people, skins were used for clothing and covering, bones and sinew were crafted as survival tools, hooves were converted into glue. According to Lakota tradition, White Buffalo Calf Woman gave them the Sacred Pipe, promising abundance as long as they prayed to the Great Spirit and honored All Their Relations, that is, all other creations of nature. Buffalo's Medicine symbolizes an honor, reverence or special love for all the things that Mother Earth offers her children. It is also knowing that abundance is present when all relations are honored as sacred, and when gratitude is expressed to every living part of Creation. Buffalo signals a moment to reconnect with the meaning of life and the value of peace, to praise the gifts you already have, and to recognize and honor the sacredness in all paths, though they may be different than yours.

Butterfly: metamorphosis and transformation
Scientific research has shown that the butterfly is the only living being capable of changing entirely its genetic structure during the process of transformation: the caterpillar's DNA is totally different from the butterfly's. Thus, it is the symbol of total transformation. Butterfly represents a need for change and greater freedom, and at the same time it represents courage: one requires courage to carry out the changes necessary in the process of growth. Its Medicine is related to the air and the mental powers. It teaches us to find clarity in the mental processes, to organize projects or to figure out the next step in our internal growth. If Butterfly is your Power Animal or if you feel in any way attracted to it, this means you are ready to undergo some kind of transformation. Examine which stage calls your attention the most: the egg is the beginning, the birth of some project or idea. The larva is de decision to manifest something in the physical world. The cocoon has to do with "going inside", either through insight or the development of the project or idea. The breaking of the cocoon deals with sharing the splendor of your creation with the whole world. Once you understand the stage you are on, you can discover which is the next step.

Cat: Independence
In Egypt cats were always given special privileges and were treated like royalty. In Scandinavia the cat stood for fertility, and in India it is a symbol of childbirth. In ancient times it was believed that witches took the form of their cats at night. Cats are fiercely independent. You can never own one: it allows you to take care of it and love it, but only on its terms. They come and go as they please, when they please. Cat's medicine is independence, curiosity, many lives, cleverness, unpredictability, healing, the ability to fight when cornered, seeing the unseen, and protection. He also represents love and can assist us in meditation. If Cat is your Power Animal, then you have magic and mystery in your life. You are independent and a free thinker. You probably feel energized at night. You will stay with a person or situation until it bores you, and then you're gone. You have a great talent for organizing things.

Coyote: the trickster, devilment

Crane: solitude and independence

Crow: law, shape shifting, change

Deer: gentleness, caring and kindness
Deer blend very well with their environment but are very sensitive to every sound or movement. Often twins, even triplets, are born in the spring. Does and bucks live in separate groups until the mating season. The white-tailed deer are moderately gregarious, and family members forage food together along with other family groups, giving the appearance of a large herd. People with Deer Medicine are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to have well developed, even extrasensory perceptions. Sometimes their thoughts seem to race ahead, and they appear not to be listening. Deer's medicine includes gentleness in word, thought and touch, ability to listen, grace and appreciation for the beauty of balance, understanding of what's necessary for survival, power of gratitude and giving, ability to sacrifice for the higher good, connection to the woodland spirits, alternative paths to a goal. The gentleness of Deer is the heart-space of the Great Spirit which embodies His love for us all. Deer teaches us to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds, to stop pushing to get others to change and to love and accept them as they are. The only true balance to power is love and compassion.

Dog: noble, loyal, teaching
Dog was the servant/soldier that guarded the tribe's dwellings and protected them from surprise attacks. Dog helped during the hunting¹s and provided warmth in winter. It is a symbol of loyalty, unconditional love, protection and service. Its Medicine incorporates the loving kindness of the best friend and the protective energy of the guardian. If your Power Animal is Dog, your devotion towards your family and friends is infinite. You get great satisfaction from rendering service to others, offering your hand to a friend in need. A kind word, a caress, an act of kindness mean much more to you than material things. However, there is a risk of coming too close to the other side: allowing people to take advantage of you because of your gentle nature. Dog reminds you that your loyalty should always be to yourself, to your own truth. He reminds you that by respecting and valuing yourself you can truly render a service to those who honor what you can give them.

Dolphin: kindness and play energy
The beautiful, graceful, sleek dolphin carries many messages for the two-legged. Even though it is a mammal, its home is the sea and has mastered the art of breath control. Since water is the symbol of all life - of creation, passion and even sexuality - dolphin brings us teachings from the waters of life. Playful creatures, dolphins have long entertained man with their joyful antics. Studying dolphin communication has proved to be an awesome task for man. As in all animals, dolphins have developed sophisticated auditory signals that warn others of impending danger. Some believe that these animals are now warning man of impending danger as he ignores the balance of the natural world. Swimming with the dolphins has become a powerful experience for many people, and as they interact with these playful creatures, they cannot help but feel their communication.
Dolphin reminds us that time to play is a crucial element to walk in balance. It moves through the water quickly and with great grace. Dolphin tells us to move with the ebb and flow of life, and not to search for brick walls to smash into, for to spend our energy fighting the current gets us nowhere. Dolphin medicine includes change, wisdom, balance, harmony, communication skills, freedom, trust, understanding the power of rhythm in your life, use of breath to release intense emotions, water power.

Dragon: longevity, infinity, wisdom, movement through space

Dragonfly: Illusion - Transcendence

Eagle: divine Spirit and connection to creator
Eagle feathers are used all over the world as ceremonial instruments and are considered to be the most sacred healing tools. They are a symbol of power, healing and wisdom. Eagle represents a state of grace that is reached through inner work, understanding and passing the initiation tests that result from reclaiming our personal power. Eagle Medicine is the Power of the Great Spirit. It is the spirit of tenacity. It is the gift of clear vision with which one can truly see the things one sees. It is the patience to wait for the appropriate moment. It is to live in balance with heaven and Earth. Eagle reminds you of your connection with the Great Spirit. It tells you that the universe is giving you the opportunity to fly above your life's worldly levels, or above the shadow of past realities. Eagle teaches you to look above in order to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the Shadow as much as the Light. Eagle asks you to grant yourself permission to be free in order to reach the joy that your heart desires.

Elk: strength and agility

Fox: cunning, agility, quick-witted

Frog: water energy

Hawk: messenger, intuition, discernment

Horse: stamina, mobility
The horse shows up in almost every mythological writing, folklore, and reality. There is the mighty winged Pegasus, the eight-legged horse of the Norse god Odin, the stallions of the Hindu sun god, the stallions of Apollo, and so on. Many legends speak of the horse as being clairvoyant and able to perceive humans with magical powers. No single animal has given man the physical freedom of movement as the horse. If you are drawn to Horse, you feel a power in your spirit that is sometimes difficult to control. Horse is a symbol of loyalty and devotion, of unquestioning love and faith in his master. He says that you love to travel, and have more than a touch of gypsy in your soul. Horse is also your warrior spirit - the brave fighter who brings you safety in your journeys, both physical and metaphysical. Horse's medicine includes power, stamina, endurance, faithfulness, freedom to run free, control of the environment, awareness of power achieved with true cooperation, interspecies communication, expanding one's own potential abilities, friendship and cooperation, travel, astral travel, guardian of travelers, warns of possible danger, guide to overcoming obstacles.

Hummingbird: messenger, timelessness
Hummingbird - the tiniest of all birds - brings special messages for us. It is the only creature that can stop dead while traveling at full speed. It can hover, or can go forward, backward, up or down. It lives on nectar and searches for the sweetness of life. Its long tongue lets it bypass the often tough and bitter outer layer to find the hidden treasures underneath. Hummingbird is loved by the flowers and plants, for as it sucks the nectar from the flower, the plant reproduces and more of its kind are created. In many traditions, Hummingbird feathers have been prized for their almost magical qualities. It is said that Hummingbird brings love as no other medicine can, and its presence brings joy to the observer.
If you have Hummingbird medicine, you adapt easily to whatever situation you may find yourself in, and make the most of your new circumstances. You don't waste time looking back and wishing for "what was" for you are concerned with making the most of "what is". Also, you could never become addicted to any artificial stimulants, for you find joy in your own heart. You take great pleasure in spreading joy and love and beauty to all around you, and have the gift of taking that inner joy into new and different surroundings. You have a talent for finding the good in people, and are not put off by a gruff or abrupt exterior, for you know that, if you can only get beyond that tough outside layer, you'll find goodness and beauty inside. You may have a gift for working with flowers, maybe growing them to share with others, or using flower essences for healing. Aroma therapy may be your calling. You have high energy and a spirit that must be free. To restrict that wonderful, free, loving energy is to suffer great depressions and feelings of uselessness. Hummingbird must fly free in search of beauty, spreading joy and love to all it touches.

Kokopelli: fertility, music and joy

Lion: Power of feminine energy
The female hunts and kills prey, feeds the group and takes care of the young. She is the nurturing force in all senses. The male roars to frighten prey and force them toward the lioness, who waits patiently for the right moment to attack. Although the male is the group's protector, he doesn't look for confrontation nor attacks needlessly. He only acts when challenged and will fight to death in order to protect, but in reality he prefers the easy, peaceful life. Lion's Medicine teaches us the magic of group interaction, of group energy. It also teaches us the secrets of silence and patience. Patience is to pay attention to detail. Lion suggests that we examine ourselves closely in order to understand our strengths and weaknesses, and to wait for the proper moment to act and take full advantage of a given situation. Learn from Lion the proper way to use power and strength. Stay calm and still, sure of your power. But if necessary, don't hesitate to fight for the things you are interested in.

Lizard: conservation

Lynx: keeper of secrets, guardian and guide

Moose: headstrong, longevity, steadfastness

Mountain lion: courage, leadership and foresight

Mouse: scrutiny, order, organizer

Opossum: diversion, strategist, deceiver

Otter: playful, prognostication, woman medicine

Owl: deception, clairvoyance, insight (the night eagle)
Owls come in all sizes, from a tiny miniature that actually lives inside the cactus in the desert, to the great horned owl, which is the only bird that can out fly the golden eagle. A fully grown great horned is an awe inspiring creature. Its talons are furry, and closely resemble the paws of a baby mountain lion with claws extended. It is a meat eater, which means it can be a fierce warrior if challenged, or if something dear to it is threatened. It is often referred to as Night Eagle. Owl is at home in the night. It has great awareness of all that is around it at all times. It has predator vision, which means it sees clearly what it looks at. It has great intuition: it is the totem of psychics and clairvoyants. It has the courage to follow its instincts. Owl's medicine includes seeing behind masks, silent and swift movement, keen sight, messenger of secrets and omens, shape-shifting, link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light, comfort with shadow self, moon power, freedom.

Porcupine: innocence, companionship, trust

Rabbit: fear, timidity, nervousness, humility
Rabbit's medicine includes moving through fear, living by one's own wits, receiving hidden teachings and intuitive messages, quick thinking, strengthening intuition, and paradox. Rabbit also represents humility, because he is quiet and soft and not self-asserting. Rabbit reminds us not to be afraid. Fearful thoughts reproduce (like rabbits) and bring the very thing we fear. Rabbit people are so afraid of tragedy, illness, and disaster, that they call those very fears to them to teach them lessons. If you see Rabbit or in any way feel attracted to him, it may be telling you to wait for the forces of the universe to start moving again, to stop worrying and to get rid of your fears. It always indicates a need to re-evaluate the process you are undergoing, to rid yourself of any negative feelings or barriers, and to be more humble.

Raven: introspection, courage, self-knowledge

Seahorse: confidence and grace

Shark: hunter, survival, adaptability

Skunk: reputation, presence, strength

Snake: shrewdness, rebirth

Spider: Creatrix, web spinner

Squirrel: planner, gatherer

Swan: grace, balance and innocence

Turkey: generosity, life-giver, sharer

Turtle: nurturer, protector, mother energy
Many Natives refer to North America as Turtle Island, because their legends say that when the earth was covered with water, Turtle dove to the bottom of the oceans bringing up earth on its back so that the people could have a safe and dry home. Turtle is at home anywhere because it carries its home on its back. It does not become attached to places, for it is free to search for new opportunities wherever they may be found. When they sense danger, or are in uncomfortable and insecure settings, they withdraw into their shell, and are protected. If you have Turtle medicine, you value both the power of the earth, the waters of the earth, and the magic of the heavens, for Turtle symbolizes both the grounding quality of earth energy, and the magic of the mystical. Using Turtle energy can help you achieve real balance in your life and your spirit so that you don't get "stuck in the mud". Turtle's medicine includes a connection with the center, navigation skills, patience, self-boundaries, associated with the feminine, power to heal female diseases, respecting the boundaries of others, developing new ideas, psychically protecting oneself, self-reliance, tenacity, non-violent defense.

Whale: wisdom, provider

Weasel: (ferret) strength, energy, ingenuity and stealth

Wolf: loyalty, perseverance, success
Wolves have been long regarded by Native Americans as teachers or pathfinders. Wolves are fiercely loyal to their mates, and have a strong sense of family while maintaining individualism. In the stars, Wolf is represented by the Dog, Sirius, thought by many aboriginal tribes to be the home of the Ancients. Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of wild animals. Tales of cold-bloodedness abound, in spite of their friendly, social and intelligent traits. They are truly free spirits, even though their packs are highly organized. They seem to go out of their way to avoid a fight. One is rarely necessary when a shift in posture, a growl, or a glance gets the point across quite readily.
Traditionally, someone with Wolf Medicine has a strong sense of self, and communicates well through subtle changes in voice inflection and body movements. They often find new solutions to problems while providing stability and support that one normally associates with a family structure.
Wolf's medicine includes facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage, death and rebirth, Spirit teaching, guidance in dreams and meditations, instinct linked with intelligence, social and family values, outwitting enemies, ability to pass unseen, steadfastness, skill in protection of self and family, taking advantage of change.

How to find your Totem Animal

2009-12-02T21:16:00.000+04:00

An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward.
You can have several animal guides through out your life. Sometimes an animal guide will come into your life for a short period of time, and then be replaced by another depending on the journey or direction you are headed toward. Your guide will instruct and protect you as you learn how to navigate through your spiritual and physical life. When you find an animal that speaks strongly to you or feel you must draw more deeply into your life, you might fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it's welcome in your space. Animal guides can help you get back to your Earthly roots, and reconnect with nature by reminding you that we are all interconnected. To first do this you need to know what your Animal Totem is.

If You Don't Know

If you don't know what your Animal Totem is there are several questions you can ask yourself. All of the questions below are designed to get you thinking about a prominent animal in your life. There are no right or wrong answers. Only you can truly know which Animal Totem(s) are right for your journey.

α.Since we are drawn to that which resonates with us, what animal, bird, or insect are you drawn to?

β.When you go to the park, forest, or zoo what animal are you most interested in seeing?

γ.What animal do you most frequently see when you're out in nature or in the city?

δ.What animals are you currently interested in learning about?

ε.Which animal do you find most frightening or intriguing?

ζ.Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?

η.Is there a recurring animal in your dreams or do you have one you have never forgotten?

Still Uncertain?

If you are still uncertain which animal is your totem, here a few exercises you can do to come closer to the answer. You must not try to force the animal to come, it can pick up on that energy and be put off. Being patient and doing the following exercises will draw your animal totem to you.

α.Ask yourself what animal has played a meaningful part in your world? If you're unsure, make a list of animals that have drawn your interest or have left a deep impression on you from paintings, photographs, stories, movies, carvings, etc.

β.Which animal shows up in your life most frequently? Keep a journal of the animals present in your dreams or that you encounter through the day for the next month. How did the animal behave? Did you interact with the animal?

γ.Find a place where you can be alone to meditate. Sit quietly and ask your animal to make it's nature known to you. Feel free to use tools such as incense, smudge, and candles to help you.

δ.Don't give up, sometimes your animal totem is nearby watching to see if you're serious about connecting with it. Keep doing the above exercises until your animal totem makes itself known to you.

Ascendant

2009-11-20T20:01:00.001+04:00

To find out what your ascendant is, just follow in the chart with your zodiac sign and the time you were born.

Blessed be!!!

Lunations 2011

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January

4 – new moon at 6h04 on Capricorn (Solar Eclipse)
12 – crescent moon at 8h33 on Aries
19 – full moon at 18h22 on Cancer
26 – winning moon at 9h58 on Scorpio

February

2 – new moon at 23h32 on Aquarius
11 – crescent moon at 4h19 on Taurus
18 – full moon at 5h37 on Leo
24 – winning moon at 20h27 on Sagitarius

March

4 – new moon at 17h47 on Pisces
12 – new moon at 20h46 on Gemini
19 – full moon at 15h11 on Virgo
26 – winning moon at 9h08 on Capricorn

April

3 – new moon at 11h33 on Aries
11 – crescent moon at 9h06 on Cancer
17 – full moon at 23h45 on Libra
24 – winning moon at 23h48 on Aquarius

May

6 – new moon at 3h52 on Taurus
13 – crescent moon at 17h34 on Leo
20 – full moon at 8h10 on Scorpio
27 – winning moon at 15h53 on Pisces

June

1 – new moon at 18h04 on Gemini (Solar Eclipse)
8 – crescent moon at 23h12 on Virgo
15 – full moon at 17h15 on Sagitarius (Lunar Eclipse)
23 – winning moon at 23h48 on Aries

July

1 – new moon at 5h55 on Cancer (Solar Eclipse)
8 – crescent moon at 3h31 on Libra
15 – full moon at 3h41 on Capricorn
23 – winning moon at 2h03 on Taurus
30 - new moon at 15h41 on Leo

August

6 – crescent moon at 8h09 on Scorpio
13 – full moon at 15h59 on Aquarius
21 – winning moon at 18h56 on Taurus
29 – new moon at 0h05 on Virgo

September

4 – crescent moon at 14h40 on Sagitarius
12 – full moon at 6h28 on Pisces
20 – winning moon at 10h40 on Gemini
27 – new moon at 8h10 on Libra

October

4 – crescent moon at 0h16 on Capricorn
11 – full moon at 23h03 on Aries
20 – winning moon at 0h31 on Cancer
26 – new moon at 16h57 on Scorpio

November

2 - crescent moon at 13h39 on Aquarius
10 – full moon at 17h17 on Taurus
18 – winning moon at 12h10 on Leo
25 – new moon at 3h11 on Sagitarius (Solar Eclipse)

December

2 - crescent moon at 6h53 on Pisces
10 – full moon at 11h37 on Gemini (Lunar Eclipse)
17 – winning moon at 21h49 on Virgo
24 – new moon at 15h08 on Capricorn

Blessed be!!!

Runes

2009-08-31T21:47:00.008+04:00

Isa:

(I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Gebo:

(G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.

Blank Rune:

There is no historical support for a "Blank Rune" in runic divination. It was invented in the 1980's. It should not be used in a rune casting. If you bought a rune set with a blank piece, save it in case you lose another rune piece, but don't use it in rune casting.

Othala:

(O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Dagaz:

(D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Ingwaz:

(NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Mannaz:

(M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Ehwaz:

(E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Berkano:

(B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Tiwaz:

(T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one's true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One's energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.

Sowilo:

(S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Algiz:

(Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Perthro:

(P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Eihwaz:

(EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

Jera:

(J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Laguz:

(L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, suicide.

Hagalaz:

(H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Wunjo:

(W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going "over the top". If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker.

Nauthiz:

(N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

Kenaz:

(K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope.

Raidho:

(R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

Ansuz:

(A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

Thurisaz:

(TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman.

Uruz:

(U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness, violence.

Fehu

(F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha

Basic Astrological Personality

2009-07-23T09:31:00.015+04:00

Capricorn:

December 22—January 19 (earth sign)

Positive: Practical and prudent, ambitious and disciplined, patient and careful, humorous and reserved.

Negative: Pessimistic and fatalistic, miserly and grudging, over conventional and rigid.

Aquarius:

January 20—February 18 (air sign)

Positive: Friendly and humanitarian, honest and loyal, original and inventive, independent and intellectual.

Negative: Intractable and contrary, perverse and unpredictable, unemotional and detached.

Pisces:
February 19—March 20 (water sign)

Positive: Imaginative and sensitive, compassionate and kind, selfless and unworldly, intuitive and sympathetic.

Negative: Escapist and idealistic, secretive and vague, weak-willed and easily led.

Aries:
March 21 - April 20 (fire sign)

Positive: Adventurous and energetic, pioneering and courageous, enthusiastic and confident, dynamic and quick-witted.

Negative: Selfish and quick-tempered, impulsive and impatient, foolhardy and daredevil.

Taurus:
April 21 - May 21 (earth sign)

Positive: Patient and reliable, warmhearted and loving, persistent and determined, placid and security loving.

Negative: Jealous and possessive, resentful and inflexible, self-indulgent and greedy.

Gemini:
May 22—June 21 (air sign)

Positive: Adaptable and versatile, communicative and witty, intellectual and eloquent, youthful and lively.

Negative: Nervous and tense, superficial and inconsistent, cunning and inquisitive.
Cancer:
June 22—July 22 (water sign)

Positive: Emotional and loving, intuitive and imaginative, shrewd and cautious, protective and sympathetic.

Negative: Changeable and moody, overemotional and touchy, clinging and unable to let go.

Leo:
July 23—August 22 (fire sign)

Positive: Generous and warmhearted, creative and enthusiastic, broad-minded and expansive, faithful and loving.

Negative: Pompous and patronizing, bossy and interfering, dogmatic and intolerant.

Virgo:
August 23—September 22 (earth sign)

Positive: Modest and shy, meticulous and reliable, practical and diligent, intelligent and analytical.

Negative: Fussy and a worrier, overcritical and harsh, perfectionist and conservative.

Libra:
September 23-October 23 (air signs)

Positive: Diplomaitic and urbane, romantic and charming, easygoing and sociable, idealistic and peaceable.

Negative: Indecisive and changeable, gullible and easily infuenced, flirtatious and self-indulgent.

Scorpio:
October 24 - November 22 (water sign)

Positive: Determined and forceful, emotional and intuitive, powerful and passionate, exciting and magnetic.

Negative: Jealous and resentful, compulsive and obsessive, secretive and obstinate.

Sagitarius:
November 23 - December 21 (fire sign)

Positive: Optimistic and freedom-loving, jovial and good-humored, honest and straightforward, intellectual and philosophical.

Negative: Blindly optimistic and careless, irresponsible and superficial, tactless and restless.

*Pictures taken from: www.josephinewall.co.uk - author of pictures: Josephine Wall.*

Celtic Gods Letter O to End

2009-07-23T07:37:00.010+04:00

Ogmios - God of leading, or conveying. His name meaning "The Imprinting One, The Impressive One."

Robur - (Robor) God of oak trees. (no picture found)

Rudianos - God of war. His name means "red". (no picture found)

Segomo - God of war. His name means "victor, mighty one". (no picture found)

Smertrios - (Smertrius, Smertulitanus) God of war. His name may mean "The Purveyor" or "The Provider".

Sucellos - (Sucellus) God of love and time aswell as the god of agriculture, forests and alcoholic drinks.

Taranis - (Taranucno-, Taranuo-, Taraino-) God of thunder. His name meaning "to thunder". Human sacrifices may have been perfomed to this god.

Toutatis - (Caturix, Teutates) Tribal God. Acts as a god of protection and healing. His name means "father of the tribe".

Veteris - (Vitiris, Vheteris, Huetiris, Hueteris)May be a god of hunting, war, healing or death. His name means "food".(no picture found)

Virotutis - Sun God. His name means "Benefactor of humanity". (no picture found)

Visucius - (Visuclus) May be the God of wisdom. His name means "of the ravens" or "knowledgeable".

Vindonnus - Sun God. Very looked for healing. His name means "clear light". (no picture found)

Vosegus - (Vosagus, Vosacius) God of hunting and the forests, later on becoming God of the Vosges.

That's it.

Hope you enjoyed.

Blessed be!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Gods - Letter I to N

2009-07-19T23:57:00.011+04:00

Icaunus - God of a river. (no picture found)

Intarabus - He may be the tutelary deity of one of the three pagi (subdivisions) of the Treveri.

Iovantucarus - A protector of youth. (no picture found)

Lenus - A healing God. He is an important god of the Treveri tribe. A god of people.

Leucetios - (Leucetius) God of thunder. His name means "white light". Usually accompained by Nemetona.

Lugus - God of creation and learning. His name could mean "light", "pale yellow", "to burn", "with shinning eyes", "oath, pledging, assurance", "deceive", "to mourn" or "to break".

Luxovius - (Luxovios) God of waters. Consort of Bricta. His name emplies light symbolism. (no picture found)

Maponos - (Maponos, Maponus) God of youth. His name means "divine son". Son of Dea Matrona.

Mogons - (Moguns, Mogetios, Mogounos, Mogti, Mounti, Mogont, Mogunt) A god of war for the soldiers. His name means "greatness" or "the great one". (no picture found)

Moritasgus - A sun God. His consort is Damona.

Mullo - A healer of afflictions of the eye. His name is associated with horses or mules.(no picture found)

Nemausus - He is the Celtic patron god of Nemausus (Nîmes). (no picture found)

Nodens - (Nudens, Nodons) A god of healing, the sea, hunting and dogs. His name means "acquire, have the use of", "to catch, entrap (as a hunter)".

More coming soon!

Blessed Be!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Gods - Letter C to G

2009-07-11T23:49:00.009+04:00

Camulos - (Camulus or Camulos) God of War.

Cernunnos - (Cernenus, Cern) Horned God. Associated with horned male animals, especially stags and the ram-horned snake; this and other attributes associate him with produce and fertility. Also associated mainly as the God of the Underworld. His name means Horn of Land.

Cicolluis - (Cicoluis, Cicollus, Cicolus, Cicollui, and Cichol) His name means “All-Breast” or “Great-Breasted” and is probably used to signify strength. Leader of the Fomorians. May be identified with the warrior aspect of Roman Mars and may have been a protective deity. (no picture found)

Cissonius - (Cisonius, Cesonius) His name meaning "courageous", "remote" or else "carriage-driver". He was probably a god of trade and protector of travellers.

Cocidius - God of war and hunting, of forests, groves and wild fields. His name means god of the woods.

Condatis - God of confluences of rivers. (no picture found)

Contrebis - (Ialonus Contrebis, Ialonus, Gontrebis) God of city. (no picture found)

Dis Pater - (Dispater) God of the underworld. Originally a chthonic god of riches, fertile agricultural land, and underground mineral wealth, later became god of underworld.

Esus - (Hesus) God of strenght.

Fagus - God of the beech trees. (no picture found)

Genii Cuculatti - Hooded spirits. May be fertility spirits, or life and rebirth, or warrior spirits.

Grannos - (Grannus, Granus Mogounus Amarcolitanus) God of healing and mineral springs. Uses therapeutic heat. (no picture found)

More coming soon!

Blessed Be!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Gods Letter A - B

2009-07-01T19:05:00.003+04:00

Abandinus - Possibly associated with either a natural spring or a stream in the neighbourhood. His name may mean "the god who sings to something/someone" or "the god who binds something/someone to something/someone", could also mean "Andinus of the River".

Abellio - (Abelio, Abelionni) May be a God of apple trees. Could be the same as Apollo. (no picture found)

Alaunus - God of the sun, healing and prophecy.

Alisanos - (Alisanos or Alisaunus) Mountain God. (no picture found)

Ambisagrus - God of thunder and lightning. (no picture found)

Anextiomarus - (Anextlomarus, Anextlomara) Sun God. His name meaning "Great Protector". Possibly seen as a female deity aswell. (no picture found)

Atepomarus - Healing God or Sun God. His name meaning "Great Horseman" or "possessing a great horse". (no picture found)

Arvernus - Tribal God. (no pictures found)

Arausio - God of water. (no pictures found)

Barinthus - Sea and weather God. (no picture found)

Belatu-Cadros - (Balatocadrus, Balatucadrus, Balaticaurus, Balatucairus, Baliticaurus, Belatucairus, Belatugagus, Belleticaurus, Blatucadrus, Blatucairus) His name meaning "Fair shinning one" or "Fair slayer" or "the death-decorated one". God of war. Worshipped by the lower class.

Belenus - (Belinus, Belenos, Belinos, Belinu, Belanu, Bellinus, Belus, Bel) His name means "Shinning one". He is a Sun God associated with heat and healing. Belisama is hi consort.

Borvo - (Bormo, Bormanus, Bormanicus, Borbanus, Boruoboendua, Vabusoa, Labbonus or Borus) He is a healing God associated with bubbling spring water, God of mineral and hot springs. (no picture found)

Buxenus - God of box trees. (no picture found)

It continues soon.

Blessed be!!!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Goddesses - Letter E to end

2009-06-28T23:05:00.015+04:00

Epona - Goddess of fertility. Protector of horses, donkeys and mules. It is believed that her and her horses are leaders of the soul in the after-life ride. Worshipped in Rome.

Erecura - (Herecura, Aerecura, Eracura) She may originally have been an earth goddess, associated with such attributes of fertility.

Icovellauna - May be a water Goddess who presided a thermal spring-site. "Ico" may be a birds name, and "uellauno" has been interpretedas "chief, commander". (no picture found)

Litavis - (Litauis, Litaui, Litauia and Llydaw) “She Who Feeds,” so she may represent a mother deity, or Earth Mother. (no picture found)

Nantosuelta - Goddess of nature, the earth, fire, and fertility. Her symbol, the raven, symbolized her connection as a goddess of the dead.

Nemetona - Goddess of temples and sacred groves, protecting ancient Celtic ceremonial sites held outdoors in sacred groves of trees. She is believed to continuously watch over sacred sites, and is invoked today by some neo-pagan practitioners to help establish sacred spaces.

Ritona - also known as Pritona. Goddess of fords. (no picture found)

Rosmerta - Goddess of fertility and abundance. Partnered with Mercury but is sometimes found alone.

Sabrina - Goddess of the River Severn.

Senuna - (Sena, and Senua). Found with 20 offerings, but not sure what type of goddess she is yet. (no decent picture found)

Sirona - She is a healing deity, she is associated with healing springs; her attributes were wolves and children.

Suleviae - Her name meaning either "those who govern well" or "native domestic divinities honoured at all social levels". (no picture found)

Sulis - She is conceived of both as a nourishing, life-giving mother goddess and as an effective agent of curses wished by her votaries. Her name means "sun" or "gap". Worshipped as Sulis Minerva.

Tamesis - She could be the River Thames Goddess. (no picture found)

Verbeia - Considered to be deification of the River Wharfe. Her name means "Blistered one" or "bend, turn".

Now is finished.

Blessed Be!!!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Goddesses - Letter B-D

2009-06-25T06:34:00.012+04:00

Belisama - She is connected with lakes, rivers, fire, craft and light. Worshipped in Gaul and Britain. Identified with Minerva/Athena and compared with Brigid. She is the consort of Belenus. Her name means "Summer Bright".

Brigantia - Her name means "High Goddess". She is equated with Victoria.

Britannia - Land Goddess, primarily a goddess and later became a figure of national personification of the UK.

Camma - Galatian Princess and Priestess of Artemis, admired for her beuty and virtue. Avenged the death of her husband by poisoning herself.

Clota - Patron Goddess of River Clyde. Worshipped by the Welsh. (no picture found)

Coventia - Goddess of wells and springs.

Damara - Is a Fertility Goddess, she is associated with the month of May/Beltaine. She rules over youth, innocence and imagination. She helps bring peace and harmony to families. She is deemed to be the protector of young children. She rules over maintaining their purity along with keeping their sense of wonder and faith toward the world around them. Her name means "Gentle Girl".

Damona - Her name means "Divine Cow". She is linked with the Goddess Boand. Patron of the hot springs at Bourbonne-les-Bains and Saint-Vulbas. Consort of Apollo Borvo and Apollo Moritasgus. (no picture found)

Dea Matrona - Her name means "Divine Mother Goddess". Goddess of the River Marne. She is worshipped as a tripple goddess.

Dea Sequana - Goddess of the River Seine.

It continues Soon.

Blessed Be!!!

Lady Aisha

Celtic Goddesses - Letter A

2009-06-24T03:03:00.013+04:00

There are so many that I will divide Gods and Goddesses and in what region of the pantheon they come from. And they will be divided by Alphabetical order.

These Goddesses are the Gaulish and Brithonic deites. Inhabiting the equivalent of France, the low countries, western Germany and most of the island of Great Britain.

Abnoba - She is the forest and river Goddess. She is identified as the Roman Goddess of the hunt Diana. She was worshipped in the Black Forest and surrounding areas.

Adsullata - She is a river Goddess associated with the River Sava (Savus).

Aericura - (Erecura/Herecura/Aerecura/Eracura) She may have been an earth Goddess associated with fertility.

Agrona - Hypothetically she is a river Goddess associated with strife or war. (no pictures found)

Ancamna - Is a water Goddess worshipped in the valley of the Moselle River and might have been associated with a spring. (no pictures found)

Andarta - Is a warrior Goddess worshipped in the Southern Gaul. She may be related to the Goddess Andate which is identified with victory. She is also associated with the bear.

Andraste - is a war Goddess from Iceland, may be the same as Andate associated with victory and may be related to Andarta.

Arduinna - (Arduina/Arduinnae/Arduinne) is a huntress Goddess worshipped at Ardenne Forest and surroundings. Assimilated with the Goddess Diana.

Aufaniae - is one name for mother Goddesses throughout Celtic Europe. (no specific picture)

Arnemetia - "she who dwells over against the sacred grove". She is a water Goddess. (no pictures found)

Artio - (Dea Artio) Is a Bear Goddess, feminine form of Artaios. Worshipped in Switzerland.

Aveta - (Dea Aveta) Is a Mother Goddess associated with fresh-water spring at Trier in Germany. Her figurines show the goddess with infants at the breast, small lap-dogs, or baskets of fruit.

Second Part coming soon.

Blessed Be!!!

Lady Aisha

New Moon Esbat Ritual

2009-05-12T22:14:00.004+04:00

SUPPLIES

- Altar with Elemental representations of Earth (Salt), Air (Incense), Fire (Red Candle) and Water (Water).
- Ritual cakes (any natural bread or cake, no junk food)
- Wine or Ale (anything from the fruit of the vine/grain, fermented or not)
- Black Crone Goddess CandleQuarter Candles - Green (North), Yellow (East), Red (South) and Blue (West)
- Matches or lighter
- Wand or Athamé for casting circle
- Broom or Besom for cleansing the circle
- Chalice or Cup for Libation for God and Goddess
- Separate Wine Glass or Cup for yourself or coveners
- Cauldron for burning negativity

PREPARATION

Light the altar candle and the altar incense.
Take up the besom and walk widdershins around the circle sweeping from the center outward to cleanse the circle of negative energy.
Recite this chant as you sweep from the center of the circle outwards:

"Sweep out evil, sweep out ill,

Where I do the Lady's will.

Besom, besom, Lady's Broom,

Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom.

Witch's broom swift in flight,

Cast out darkness, bring in light.

Earth be hallow, air be pure, fire burn bright, as water cures.

A sacred bridge this site shall be,

As I will, so mote it be."

BLESS THE ALTAR AND TOOLS

Pick up the athame and draw an invoking pentagram in the air above the altar.
Replace the athame and say this invocation:

"Blessed Be, Instruments of Light,

Tools now of magick with power and might."

BLESS THE ELEMENTS AND SPACE

Hold your hand over each of the four Altar Elements and say for each one:

"Element of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water),

I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.

I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Pass your hand over the element 3 times to banish, and then hold your hand steady to bless.
Visualize a sparkling light surrounding and infusing the element.
Take up that element and go once deosil around the circle.
While walking, disperse the element while reciting the corresponding blessing below:

"Powers of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), this circle grace.

Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."

CAST THE CIRCLE

Face north.
Hold your athamé or wand out at waist level.
Walk deosil thrice around the circle perimeter charging it with this chant.
Recite one verse for each of the three circles:

"Round and Round the Circle's Cast,

Joining Present, Future and Past

A Sacred Place, A World Apart,

Where Powers Merge and Magick Starts.

Round and Round the Circle's Cast,

Joining Present, Future and Past

This Sacred Space shall now be Bound,

As I cast this Circle Round.

Round and Round the Circle's Cast,

Joining Present, Future and Past

Thrice is the Circle cast this Night/Day

and now begins my Magick Rite/Way."

Once the circle has been cast, salute in the following way:
Take up athame and point it to the sky, while saying,

"As above..."

Then lower athame to point it at the ground, while saying,

"So below."

CALLING THE QUARTERS:

Starting in the North and moving deosil around to the West, light the corresponding elemental candle, and then invoke the quarter:

[North]

Hoofed One, Spirit of Earth, your child invites you here.

Come from the mountains of midnight, with new strength and vigor appear.

You are the field of my pleasure, you are the source of my might.

Hoofed One, Spirit of Earth, keep me strong through my rite.

[East]

Winged One, Spirit of Air, your child invites you here.

Come on the winds of the sunrise, give me your vision so clear.

You are the gentle spring breezes, you are the glory of flight.

Winged One, Spirit of Air, keep me wise through my rite.

[South]

Fierce One, Spirit of Fire, your child invites you here.

Come with your blazing noon passion, banish all sorrow and fear.

You are the flickering candle, you are the bonfire bright.

Fierce One, Spirit of Fire, keep me brave through my rite.

[West]

Swift One, Spirit of Water, your child invites you here.

Come on the waves of the sunset, bring to me joy and good cheer.

You are the well of deep comfort, you are the crashing waves height.

Swift One, Spirit of Water, keep me sure through my rite.

INVOKING THE CRONE GODDESS

Light the Black Crone candle:

"Oh Dark Mother hear my call. Hecate, Goddess of the Moon,

your daughter (son) is in need your wisdom and strength on this night.

Your child walks with shadows when they wish to walk with the light.

Fears and negativity haunt me, sapping me of my energy and my strength.

I call upon you this night of the dark moon to aid in the banishment of these shadows."

LIBATION AND OPENING TOAST

Pour some wine into the libation dish and say,

"To the Lord and Lady!"

Fill the altar goblet with wine.
Hold up the altar goblet and say,

"I drink to the God and Goddess."

Take a sip from the goblet, and say,

"Blessed Be."

RITUAL OR SPELL WORK

Write down on a piece of paper those negative traits or problems you wish to be rid of.
Then as you burn your paper concentrate on the things to be banished from your life.
Feel the fear or negativity and then let it go as you cast it into the fire reciting:

"Hecate, Honored Crone of Night,

I call upon you to put things right.

Transform these negative thoughts

and pain and help my life be whole again."

Since you have created a void by banishing the negativity in your lives, you will need to fill that void.
Close your eyes and visualize a blue light washing over you, filling you.
You will now need to envoke laughter because that is the strongest banishment of all and the best protection.
As you circle deosil, visualize the happiest moments in your life.
Let the uninhibited child in you come out to play.
Laugh.
Even if it is forced in the beginning, it will come if you open the door.
Let the laughter fill you.

CAKES AND ALE

Take up the plate with the cakes and say

"May I never hunger."

Take a bite, and then say,

"Blessed Be."

Take up the wine and say

"May I never thirst."

Take a sip of the wine and and then say,

"Blessed Be."

Give thanks for one thing that you are thankful for, and request assistance for one thing that you are in need of.

RELEASING THE QUARTERS

Starting in the North, and moving widdershins around the circle to the East, go to each element candle and say the following release:

[North]

Strong One, I bid you now hail and farewell.

Go by the powers that brought you, Go by the unweaving spell.

As thy bright pentagrams fade, Depart, 'ere the circle is gone.

(Blow out the Northern element candle before proceeding to the next quarter)

[West]

Sure One, I bid you now hail and farewell.

Go by the powers that brought you, Go by the unweaving spell.

As thy bright pentagrams fade, Depart, 'ere the circle is gone.

(Blow out the Western element candle before proceeding to the next quarter)

[South]

Brave One, I bid you now hail and farewell.

Go by the powers that brought you, Go by the unweaving spell.

As thy bright pentagrams fade, Depart, 'ere the circle is gone.

(Blow out the Southern element candle before proceeding to the next quarter)

[East]

Wise One, I bid you now hail and farewell.

Go by the powers that brought you, Go by the unweaving spell.

As thy bright pentagrams fade, Depart, 'ere the circle is gone.

(Blow out the Eastern element candle before proceeding to the next quarter)

THANKING THE GODDESS

Say:

"I give thanks to the Goddess for guarding my circle and joining my rite.

Hail and farewell."

Extinguish the black candle.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE/SALUTE:

Take the Athamé or Wand and retract the energy of the circle back into yourself moving widdershins beginning in the north around to the east using the following chant:

"Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

I now Dissolve this Sacred Space and send all Powers back to place.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

Stay if you can, Go if you must, with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

My Work is finished for the Night/Day and now I End my Magick Rite/Way."

Once the circle is closed, say the following salute:

"The circle is open, but unbroken."

Blessed Be!!!

Lady Aisha

Full Moon Esbat Ritual

2009-05-12T21:29:00.004+04:00

Supplies

- Altar with Elemental representations of Earth (Salt), Air (Incense), Fire (Red working candle) and Water (Water).
- Ritual cakes (any natural bread or cake, no junk food)
- Wine or Ale (anything from the fruit of the vine/grain, fermented or not)
- Gold and Silver God/Goddess Candles
- Quarter Candles - Green (North), Yellow (East), Red (South) and Blue (West)
- Matches or lighter
- Wand or Athamé for casting circle
- Broom or Besom for cleansing the circle
- Chalice or Cup for Libation for God and Goddess
- Separate Wine Glass or Cup for yourself or coveners
- Any other items needed for specific spell work

Preparation

Take up the besom and walk widdershins around the circle sweeping from the center outward to cleanse the circle of negative energy.
Recite this chant as you sweep from the center of the circle outwards:

"Sweep out evil, sweep out ill, Where I do the Lady's will. Besom, besom, Lady's Broom, Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom. Witch's broom swift in flight, Cast out darkness, bring in light. Earth be hallow, air be pure, fire burn bright, as water cures.A sacred bridge this site shall be, As I will, so mote it be."

BLESS THE ALTAR AND TOOLS

Pick up the athame and draw an invoking pentagram in the air above the altar.
Replace the athame and say this invocation:

"Blessed Be, Instruments of Light, Tools now of magick with power and might."

BLESS THE ELEMENTS AND SPACE

Hold your hand over the water and salt and pass your hand over the element 3 times to banish, and then hold your hand steady to bless.
Visualize a sparkling light surrounding and infusing the element while reciting:

"Element of (Earth, Water), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.
I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Pour the consecrated salt into the consecrated water.
Light the red working candle, cleanse and consecrate the candle (fire) as done above while reciting:

"Element of (Fire), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.
I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Use the consecrated fire it to light the incense.
Then cleanse and consecrate the smoke from the incense (air) as done above while reciting:

"Element of (Air), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.
I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Take the water/salt and go once deosil (clockwise) around the circle.
While walking the circle disperse the elements using an asperger or sprigs of herbs.
Recite:

"Powers of Water and Earth this circle grace.
Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."

Take up the incense and go once deosil (clockwise) around the circle.
While walking the circle disperse the elements using a fan or feathers.
Recite:

"Powers of Fire and Air this circle grace.
Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."

CAST THE CIRCLE

Face east.
Hold your athamé out at waist level.
Walk deosil (clockwise) thrice around the circle perimeter charging it with this chant as you visualize the energy coming from your athame to create the circle.
Recite one verse for each of the three circles:

"Maiden, cast your circle white,

Weave a web of healing light.

Round and Round the Circle's Cast,

Joining Present, Future and Past

Mother, cast your circle red,

Weave the strands of family threads.

This Sacred Space shall now be Bound,

As I cast this Circle Round.

Old Crone, cast your circle black,

Weave the wisdom that we lack.

Thrice is the Circle cast this Night/Day

and now begins my Magick Rite/Way."

Once the circle has been cast, salute in the following way:

Take up athame and point it to the sky, while saying,

"As above..."

Then lower athame to point it at the ground, while saying,

"So below."

CALLING THE QUARTERS:

Starting in the East and moving deosil around to the North, light the corresponding elemental candle, and then invoke the quarter:

"Hail Mighty Ones of the Eastern Tower.

Guard this circle with your power.

Powers of Air weave the round,

Between the worlds the power bound.

Till I send it at the last,

Guardians keep it strong and fast."

"Hail Mighty Ones of the Southern Tower.

Guard this circle with your power.

Powers of Fire weave the round,

Between the worlds the power bound.

Till I send it at the last,

Guardians keep it strong and fast."

"Hail Mighty Ones of the Western Tower.

Guard this circle with your power.

Powers of Water weave the round,

Between the worlds the power bound.

Till I send it at the last,

Guardians keep it strong and fast."

"Hail Mighty Ones of the Northern Tower.

Guard this circle with your power.

Powers of Earth weave the round,

Between the worlds the power bound.

Till I send it at the last,

Guardians keep it strong and fast."

INVOKING THE GOD AND GODDESS

Light the gold God candle:

"I call to the God. Spark of the Spirit Eternal,

Lord of the Wild Hunt, Judge of Gods and Men.

Shining God of the Sun's rays, Who walks with me through all my days,

Into my circle, I invoke you, To bless and guide all that I do.

Hail and welcome."

Light the silver Goddess candle:

"I call to the Goddess. Beauty of the Green Earth,

White Moon among the Stars, mysteries of the Waters.

Shimmering Goddess of the Moon's light, Who guides me through the dark of night,

Into my circle, I invoke you. To bless and guide all that I do.

Hail and welcome."

LIBATION AND OPENING TOAST

Pour some wine into the libation dish and say,

"To the Lord and Lady!"

Fill the altar goblet with wine.
Hold up the altar goblet and say,

"I drink to the God and Goddess."

Take a sip from the goblet, and say,

"Blessed Be."

RITUAL OR SPELL WORK

Insert optional ritual for sabbat or intended spell work here.

CAKES AND ALE

Take up the plate with the cakes and say

"May I never hunger."

Take a bite, and then say,

"Blessed Be."

Take up the wine and say

"May I never thirst."

Take a sip of the wine and and then say,

"Blessed Be."

"To all those in the Northern sphere,

I release you now, depart from here.

I give thanks to all of thee.

Depart in peace, and blessed be."

"To all those in the Western sphere,

I release you now, depart from here.

I give thanks to all of thee.

Depart in peace, and blessed be."

"To all those in the Southern sphere,

I release you now, depart from here.

I give thanks to all of thee.

Depart in peace, and blessed be."

"To all those in the Eastern sphere,

I release you now, depart from here.

I give thanks to all of thee.

Depart in peace, and blessed be."

THANKING THE GOD AND GODDESS

Say:

"I give thanks to the God for guarding my circle and joining my rite.

Hail and farewell."

Extinguish the gold candle.Say:

"I give thanks to the Goddess for guarding my circle and joining my rite.

Hail and farewell."

Extinguish the silver candle.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE/SALUTE:

Take the Athamé or Wand and retract the energy of the circle back into yourself moving widdershins beginning in the north around to the east using the following chant:

"Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

I now Dissolve this Sacred Space and send all Powers back to place.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

Stay if you can, Go if you must, with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.

My Work is finished for the Night/Day and now I End my Magick Rite/Way."

Once the circle is closed, say the following salute:

"The circle is open, but unbroken."

Blessed Be!!!

Lady Aisha

The Witch Alone

2009-03-16T15:24:00.002+04:00

Beyond the town, beneath the moon
Beside the standing stone
There lives a woman, fair of faith
We call the witch alone.

She sings to sun and moon and stars
And gathers herbs and weeds
With which she fashions ancient charms
And other magic deeds.

She worships not at altars built
By hands of mortal men
But in the misty glade
Beyond the farthest glen.

What need has she of flashing swords
Of crystals glowing bright
Of censors and of colored cords
That grace the wiccan rite?
Her tools are fashioned from the earth
And wind and fire and rain
Her rites are dances wild and free
That call the gods amain

When spring and summer pass to fall
And twilight fills her eyes
She'll lie upon the browning grassA
nd smile as she dies

For though she leaves her mortal shell
Of flesh and blood and bone
She knows she does not die but lives
On, as the witch alone....

Blessed be!!!

The 13 Goals of a Witch

2009-03-16T15:20:00.001+04:00

1. Know yourself

2. Know your Craft

3. Learn

4. Apply knowledge and 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. Breath and eat correctly

11. Exercise the body

12. Meditate

13. Honor the Goddess and God

Blessed be!!!

The Witches' Rune

2009-03-16T15:17:00.002+04:00

Darksome night and shining moon,
Hearken to the witches' rune.
East, then south, west then north,
Here come I to call thee forth.
Earth and water, air and fire,
Work ye unto my desire.
Wand and Pentacle and Sword
Hearken ye unto my word.
Cords and Censer, Scourge and Knife,
Waken all ye into life.
Power of the Witches Blade,
Come ye as the charm is made.
Queen of Heaven, Queen of Hell,
Lend your aid unto the spell.
Horned Hunter of the Night,
Work my will by magic rite.
By all the power of land and sea,
As I do will, so mote it be.
By all the might of moon and sun,
Chant the spell and be it done.

Blessed be!!!

Burrial of the Dead

2009-03-12T13:18:00.003+04:00

Someone passing from our lives be it human or animal is often a shock. It is perfectly natural to grieve and to question what happens after death. My personal beliefs are that anything with spirit has a choice at the point of death, whether to go to the Summerlands and rest or to reincarnate immediately. Of course eventually once they have learned all they are meant to learn they can spend the rest of eternity in the Summerlands. I also feel that souls of loved ones do watch over us even if they reincarnate. There is always the Dreamworld after all.

I also believe that it is better to celebrate someone's life once they pass than to grieve it. Not to say that we shouldn't grieve. Throw a party for your loved ones when they pass from this life. Death like birth is all a part of the cycle and if we celebrate one we should celebrate the other. Bring together the things that they loved and remember the part that they played in your life. Feel free to express your feeling of sadness and loss, but try to focus on the impact they made with their lives, not with their death. There can be no one set ritual for such a ceremony since all people are different. The ritual should be tailored to the one who passed and those who will be attending. As such it could be a full formal ritual or a simple ritual with no more than a quick invitation to the powers that be to attend.

Here is a basic sample of what I am describing above:

Gather together items that meant something to your loved one. You might also wish to include pictures of them or gifts that they gave you or things they made with their own hands. If they were a good cook or a food lover, feel free to make one of their favorite dishes to share as part of the ritual.

Invite the elements, spirit guides and deities that you wish to be present.
To open the ritual you may something like,

"We have come together to celebrate the passing over into a new life of _______. He/She has touched each of our lives in so many ways. Now is a time to celebrate their life and understand our sadness. Know that _________ is not lost to us, but rather will be a part of our lives in a different way now. Know that they are at peace and the spirits are watching over them."

You could then make a list of things that your loved one cared about, asking the guests to add to it. Then open up the floor for people to share, if they feel moved to, how the one who passed touched their lives or brought light into the world. Let people share for as long as they need to. This ritual is really much more for the living than for the departed. You could choose to end it with words along these lines,

"_______ Is still with us. She/He was here with us this evening (morning, whatever). He/she will remain with us in spirit."

You might want to follow that with future instances where the loved one will be present in spirit, like weddings, graduations, watching young ones grow, etc... For example, "He will be there for Tina's wedding, to walk her up the aisle in spirit form and will be there to watch her children, his grandchildren, grow." Then use any closing that you are comfortable with.

Earth brings us into life
and nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again
Birht and death are present in every moment

Thich Nhat Hanh, Earth Prayers pg 367

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.

Joyce Fossen, Earth Prayers pg 30

Blessed be!!!

Handparting

2008-12-08T13:32:00.002+04:00

The Ceremony:
The actual ceremony can vary greatly according to local community custom and the desire of the participants. The ritual the couple chooses is incorporated with the basic framework of a typical Wiccan service.
The service begins by welcoming participants through prayer or in another way (song, dance, or visual media may be used). The officiant "casts the circle" (creating sacred space enclosing the participants) and invokes the four compass directions. These may be given special symbolic meanings tied in with the theme of handparting (for example, "the East as Wisdom, the South as Decision, the West as Clarity of Emotion, the North as Firmness"). Finally, "watchers and deities"--gods, goddesses, nature and/or ancestors--are called upon to join the gathering.

The officiant now asks for confirmation from both parties of their intention: "You had been joined for as long as love should last. Has the time come that love is ended?" (Another ritual suggests, "Do you seek the parting of your hands that you may both live apart and yet remain as friends?")

There may be a few words after this from the officiant, or the spouses may speak about lessons they've learned from their marriage and take the opportunity to thank one another for these lessons. The goal here is that they part respectfully, in peace. The officiant then cuts the handfasting cords with his or her athame (ritual knife); the cords are usually burned at this point. The spouses walk to opposite sides of the circle, where they are both joined by their respective friends.

Before participants are dismissed, they may share a meal together, though some observe a handparting with a less rich feast than usual. Cold water and soda crackers might be appropriate, for example, rather than cakes and wine. Those gathered may be asked to socialize less than usual, as a sign of mourning. After this brief period, the circle is opened, symbolizing a return to ordinary time and space.

In another type of handparting ritual, the marriage is symbolically dissolved by scattering the pieces of their betrothal chalice into flowing water, washing away the bonds of commitment and freeing the couple to enter into new relationships with others.

Word to the Wise: The Wiccan ceremony is meant to reflect the modern attitude that love is the defining aspect of marriage. According to Tera, this mirrors the prevailing attitude towards divorce in popular culture: "In older cultures, divorce was a lot less prominent, and marriage was more a legal property rights contract rather than based on love of the participants." In the Wiccan concept, when love ceases, a marriage can be dissolved without guilt or regrets.

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Handfasting

2008-12-08T11:16:00.005+04:00

Priestess speaks:

Welcome, friends, as we gather to celebrate the marriage of Bride and Groom.
Divine One, I ask thee to bless this couple, their love, and their marriage as long as they shall live in love together.
May they each enjoy a healthy life filled with joy, love, stability and fertility.

Turns to the East:

Blessed be by the element of air.
May you be blessed with communication, intellectual growth, and wisdom.

Turns to the South:

Blessed be by the element of fire.
May you be blessed with harmony, vitality, creativity, and passion.

Turns to the West:

Blessed be by the element of water.
May you be blessed with friendship, intuition, caring, understanding, and love.

Turns to the North:

Blessed be by the element of earth.
May you be blessed with tenderness, happiness, compassion, and sensuality.

Faces all:

In all the eons, the long slow climb of evolution has no greater culmination than the union of people in love.
From the time the first amoeba fissioned into two, there has been the possibility of companionship -- and the possibility of loneliness.
From the time Nature invented sexual reproduction, love has been a quickening.
In humans as self-aware beings, sexuality provided a way that love can conjoin the bodies, hearts, minds, and souls of those who love.

Humans have sadly turned away from Nature's harmony for most of our lives.
There is war, loneliness, and desolation, and the soul of Nature mourns.
So when there are those of us who love enough to make a commitment such as this one tonight between Bride and Groom the very stars rejoice at the rediscovery of love, joy, and bounty.

Love has its seasons the same as does the Earth.
In the spring of love is the discovery of each other, the pulse of the senses, the getting to know the mind and heart of the other; a blooming like the buds and flowers of springtime.

In the summer of love comes the strength, the commitment to each other, the most active part of life, perhaps including the giving of life back to itself through children; the sharing of joys and sorrows, the learning to be humans who are each complete and whole but who can merge each with the other, as the trees grow green and tall in the heat of the sun.

In the fall of love is the contentment of love that knows the other completely. Passion remains, and ease of companionship.
The heart smoothes love into a steady light, glorious as the autumn leaves.

In the winter of love, there is parting, and sorrow. But love remains, as do the stark and bare tree trunks in the snow, ready for the renewal of love in the spring as life and love begin anew.

Now is the time of summer.
Bride and Groom have gathered before their friends to make a statement of their commitment to each other, to their love.

They face each other.

Do you now commit to each other to love, honor, respect each other, to communicate with each other, to look to your own emotional health so that you can relate in a healthy way, and provide a healthy home for children if you choose to have them; to be a support and comfort for your partner in times of sickness and health, as long as love shall last ?

Together they say: We do.

Then recite the vows you have written for each other.

The couple moves first to the East, then around the directions.
Couple and Priestess move to table where sits 3 candles.
Priestess asks them to each light a candle, they do.

These two candles are yourselves.
Each of you is a whole and complete human being.
Groom speak to us of who you are.

Groom describes himself.

Bride , speak to us of who you are

Bride describes herself.

Together, light the third candle, but extinguish not the first two.
For in marriage you do not lose yourself; you add something new, a relationship, the capacity to merge into one another without losing sight of your individual self.
Together, speak to us of who you are as a couple.

Bride and Groom alternate speaking of what they are as a couple.

Let us bless the rings.

Circles represent eternity, and though our lives are finite, love is everlasting, the creative force that binds us together, the force that gives new life.

The blessings of the wind upon these rings and your love, that you share communication and creativity.

The blessings of fire upon these rings and your love, that you share passion and the spirit.
The blessings of water upon these rings and your love, that you share love and compassion.
The blessings of the earth upon these rings and your love, that you share health and sexuality.

We humans are born of stardust and deepest oceans, of erupting volcanoes and the bones of the earth.
In celebrating love you celebrate a heritage of all these things, and of the love of all humans from the dawn of time.
In making a commitment to loving each other, you share that which is best in us and give a moment of light to the world.

Bride, place the ring on Groom's finger and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed.

Groom, place the ring on Bride's hand and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed.

I now pronounce you married.
May you each and together be blessed with health, happiness, harmony, and love.
So mote it be!

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Coming Of Age For Man

2008-12-08T10:42:00.003+04:00

The boy who is entering into Manhood will be abducted from the encampment
where he is staying. The women of his Mother Grove will try to fight the men
off from abducting the boy. When this skirmish is over and the boy is being
taken off by the men the women will mourn the loss of the child. The boy will
be stripped of his clothing and dressed in a deerhide loin cloth. He will then
be blindfolded and his journey will begin. Where this ritual is being held,
there is approximately 5 miles of paths which the boy will journey over. He
will be led by his Father who will carry a lamp to light his and his son's way.
At the first prescribed stop the boy will be addressed by Herne. Herne, will
speak to the boy of his wild nature, what it is like to be the hunter and the
hunted. He will charge the boy with the responsibilities of becoming a man
through Him. He will then tell the boy that He will meet him at the appointed
place in the appointed hour. Never revealing when and where that is. Herne
will withdraw into the woods as the Father and son being to journey again.

At the second stop the Father and boy will meet the Green Man. He
represents the boy's earthy nature. He is the boy sexual responsibility as a
carrier of sacred seed which is necessary to begin life. That he must act
intelligently when it comes to the act of procreation. The Green Man as well
will tell the boy that they will meet in the appointed placed at the appointed
hour. The Green Man will stand in silence as the Father and boy leave.

At the third stop the Father and boy will meet Loki\Rainbow Dancer.
When I visualized the archetype I saw a myriad number of colours and flashed
of refracted light. Loki will speak to the boy of his dreams, wishes and hope
He will inform the boy that these are necessary even as a man. That he should
not give them up but allow them to mature as he matures. Loki will also tell
the boy that they will meet at the appointed place in the appointed hour.

The Father and son will continue there journey until they reach the
last stop on their journey. Here they will meet the Magus who is robed in
black and you are unable to see his face. The Magus will speak to the boy of
his inner true self, his highest ideals, his magical self. He symbolizes
Divine Wisdom. When he is finished speaking he will also tell the boy of
meeting in the appointed place in the appointed hour.

All the archetype will be wearing masks that will be indicative of them.
Herne with horns, Green Man with a mask made of leaves, Loki with the face of
the fox, and the Magus with a black mask which entirely covers his face. All
the other masks will not cover the mouth area.

After the journey has been completed he will be brought to the gateway of
the ritual area. Prior to the ritual itself the boy will be asked to select
something that symbolizes his childhood and that he should bring it with him.
When the boy is abducted those who abduct him must be sure to acquire this
childhood symbol to be given to the father to take on the journey.

At the gateway the father will stop the boy and inform him that he must now
give up this childhood symbol in order to enter into the world of men. The boy
must surrender the symbol before the rite can continue. The symbol will be left
at the gateway. I didn't see a traditional circle being cast, rather a ring of
men hand in hand passing energy to form the circle. I keep hearing "a hand to
a hand, to feed a hand" or a "brother to a brother".

The circle will open to admit the father and boy. The boy is still
blindfold and will be place before the balefire facing the gateway through
which he just entered. I see four men at various stage of the lives serving as
Priests. One is just past puberty, the next has himself just become a father,
the next being around 40-50 years (the age of the God at the time of his
decline in power) and the last being the Grandfather. The four will each evoke
one of the four achetypes that spoke to the boy during his journey. The Priest
just past puberty will evoke Loki, the new father will evoke the Green Man, the
40-50 year old will evoke Herne, and Grandfather will evoke the Magus. Each
will be evoked separately and when each has been evoked will enter the circle
from where they have been waiting out of sight of the circle itself.

Each will speak further to the boy of his mystery and present the boy with a
"gift" which will enable the boy to commune with the archetype in times of
trial in his life as a man. The last to speak will be Herne. Just as he is
finishing what he has to say he will be interrupted by the final archetype.
This is the Great Mother. She will speak to the boy of his union with her and
to truly become a man he must understand her magics as well.

Herne and the Great Mother will argue (choice of words, maybe not the best)
over who this boy/man belong. The Great Mother informs Herne that the boy/man
belongs to Her. Herne informs Her that She was there at his conception and
birth and that She will have him in death but now the boy/man belongs to Him.

My Spirit Brother has a staff with a deer hoof end which I see being placed
on the boy's heart while Herne claims him as his. During the claiming the boy's
blindfold will be removed and the boy/man will see Herne for the first time
with his hoof on his chest over his heart. After the claiming is finished the
boy will be approached by the four Priests for the anointing.

I have a anointing already written for this part of the rite. While the
anointing is being done the four persons who are taking the roles of the
archetypes will leave and return dressed as they wish. The boy will be taken
to his father who will first greet the boy/man now as a fellow man and a
guardian of the male mystery. The father will then take the newly made man
to the North quarter where the Great Mother will speak to the newly made man
bestowing Her gift to him. When the Great Mother speaks She will be heard onl
and not seen as if Her voice were being carried on the wind.

The the newly made man will be taken to each man in turn in the circle
who will give the newly made man a gift. I see the gift being wisdom
something that they have learned of life and that they wish to
pass on to help the newly made man's journey through life. As each man has an
occupation which requires particular tools so does life require its tools.
When all have granted their gift the newly made man will be asked to bestow
his blessing upon a horn of ale which symbolized the cup of brotherhood of all
peoples. The cup will be shared with all in the circle and will symbolized th
universality of men.

This is where I see the ritual ending. I see a simple feast being held
where the ritual has been. More cups will be filled, stories share in the
spirit of brotherhood. As the night wears on towards dawn the newly made
made will be left to himself, the balefire and the night. He will return to
the campsite from which he was abducted no longer as a child but as a man
with all the responsibilities of a man.

From www.ladyoftheearth.com

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Coming Of Age For Woman

2008-12-08T10:10:00.002+04:00

by Arwen Nightstar

Astrological Aspects: A New Moon in Virgo would be lovely,
but any New Moon will do. New Moon calls up the Maiden
aspect and celebrates the power of growth. Just as planting
is best served under a New Moon, so is a maiden's awakening.
Perhaps a New Moon that reflects the maiden's own moon
sign would be appropriate since emotions are so prevalent
at this age.

Preparations: Two or three days before the ritual, ask
the maiden if she is prepared to step into womanhood.
Inform her that she must make a sacrifice to prove her
willingness to the Lady and the Lord. This sacrifice will
be five of her favorite toys. It is important that she
understand that these must be cherished items. Of course,
she should not have to relinquish family heirlooms! Ask the
maiden to designate each item for each point of the pentagram.
The item she decides to give to Spirit should be the hardest to
give up. When she has mad her decisions, tell her the day and
the time of the ritual. She will keep her items until that
day. On the day of the ceremony, the maiden will bring her
toys with her to her cleansing bath and give them to the HPS
(High Priestess)

Day of Circle: Ask the maiden if she will fast until circle.
(Fast time should be at least six hours, but no longer than
ten hours. It doesn't seem appropriate to encourage eating
disorder patterns.) Of course, she can have water and fruit
as she deems necessare. Two hours before the ritual, prepare
a a bath for her. (She should already have bathed with soap
and water. Into the water, place an infusion of Lady's Mantle,
HEather, Rose, Jasmine, and Gardenia. As the maiden enteres
the water, recite these words (or something similar)
"The bud of your youth is maturing into the bloom of womanhood"
Then leave her to relax and meditate on her journey. (If the
young woman is too shy to be seen naked, recite the words to
her just before she disrobes for her bath.) A designated helper
could be either the eldest female covener or any covener the
maiden chooses. When the young woman feels ready, the helper
will bring a simple gown of white, sleeveless, moderate lenght
and bind her waist with a red cord saying....
"Red of life, red of blood, I wrap you in the Lady's love"
Take the maiden to a darkened room (one or two candles) and
let her meditate in silence. The helper will remain outside
the room.

Circle Preparations: The altar should be an infusion of white,
pink and flowers. Have a maiden Goddess and a Pan Lord if
at all possible. A single rose bud could represent the Lady.
At each quarter place flowers as well as the maiden's toy for
each direction. The covenors who will be representing the quarters
should be masked with representations of their roles. Also, at
each quarter, but hidden, should be the gifts from the quarters.
These gifts will be nice (but not necessarily expensive) since
they will help carry the maiden into womanhood. In the east
will be a feather or a fan. In the south will be a thurible or
a candle. In the west will be a chalice or a cup. In the north
will be a large crystal or stone. To represent the Spirit a
cloth-covered mirror on the altar is needed. The coven should be
wearing red robes for the women and green for the men and all
those past fertility should wear black.

Set up the circle in the usual way. Ring a bell nine times. On
the ninth ring have the maiden brought in by the helper. Invoke
the Lady in as Mother, Maiden and Crone. Emphasize the Maiden,
but don't neglect the Mother or the Crone. Bring in the Lord
in a similar manner. At this point the HPS might wish to discuss
what it means to be a woman and what those responsibilities are.
Then the HP will tell the coven that one among them is ready to
step over the threshold into womanhood.

HP: Is there one among us who feels ready to begin the journey
into womanhood?

Maiden: I am ready.

HP: Have you been told about the journey? Are you ready to make
your sacrifice?

Maiden: I know my journey will be long and that this is just the
beginning. I am ready to make the sacrifice.

The HPS will take the maiden by the hand and walk the complete
circle once. when she gets back to the East, she will stop and
say to the East, "I present to you _________ a maiden on her way
to being a woman. She begins her journey here."

East: I am the East. I am the wind, the air, the very breath
you breathe. I will bring you intelligence. I will
bring you wit. What will you bring me?

Maiden: I acknowledge you Eastern Wind. Thank you for your gifts.
I bring you (symbol/toy) to prove my willingness to step
into womanhood.

East silently takes the gift and offers her own gift to the maiden.

(Progress to the next direction)

HPS: I present to you ________ a maiden on her way to being a
woman. This is her next step.

South: I am the South. I am the fire, the flame, the heat
that warms your very blood. I will bring you passion.
I will bring you love. What will you bring me?

Maiden: I acknowledge you, Southern Flame. Thank you for
your gifts. I bring you (symbol/toy) to prove my
willingness to step into womanhood.

South silently takes the gift and offers her own gift to the maiden.

(Progress to the next direction)

HPS: I present to you ________ a maiden on her way to being a
woman. This is her next step.

West: I am the West. I am the wave, the river, the water that
is your basic ingredient. I will bring you dreams.
I will bring you depth. What will you bring me?

Maiden: I acknowledge you, Western Wave. Thank you for your
gifts. I bring you (symbol/toy) to prove my willingness
to step into womanhood.

West silently takes the gift and offers her own gift to the maiden.

(Progress to the next direction)

HPS: I present to you _______ a maiden on her way to being a
woman. This is her next step.

North: I am the North. I am the mountain, the meadow, the bones
that you walk with. I will bring you courage. I will
bring you knowledge. What will you bring me?

Maiden: I acknowledge you, Northern Cave. Thank you for your
gifts. I bring you (symbol/toy) to prove my willingness
to step into womanhood.

North silently takes the gift and offers her own gift to the maiden.

At this point, the maiden's helper should take the gifts from the
maiden so that her hands are free. The HPS will lead the girl to
the altar where Spirit is waiting.

HPS: I present to you _________ who had journeyed the four
directions and is ready to meet Spirit and fully comit
to being a woman.

Spirit: Is this spoken truly?

Maiden: Yes, I am ready.

Spirit: I am Spirit--the center, the inner core, the kernel of
life that is unique within you. I will bring you your
psychic self. I will bring you the Goddess and the God.
Here is a gift freely given...a picture of the Great
Goddess...she of a thousand names...She who is. (hands
the maiden the mirror wrapped in cloth. After the girl
has looked into the mirror....Spirit says) "You are
the Goddess. The Goddess is you. Treat yourself with
love and respect and honor for the Lady deserves no less.

Maiden: I acknowledg you Spirit and I thank you for your gifts.
I would give you this gift in return. It symbolizes
my last link with childhood and my willingness to become
an adult. (If the maiden wishes, she may briefly tell
the coven what this (symbol/toy) represents to her.)

Spirit takes the gift with reverence and passes it around the
coven. As each covenor takes the gift, they may offer a wish
for the maiden. When it reaches Spirit again, Spirit will hold
it high and say:

"Your gift is to the Goddess and to her it must return.
Maiden no more,
but woman take this to remind yourself that always
Thou art Goddess. Never let childhood be so far behind
that you cannot turn easily to regain a laugh or play
a silly game.
(turns to coven) I present ________a woman.

Cakes and wine (Kool-aid would be a pleasant reminder of youth)
and tell stories about covenor's coming of age.

Take down circle in the usual way.

***End notes****

The young woman and her mother or chosen helper should take
the four gifts to the four quarters and donate them to a
chosen charity.

Pre-circle chat with her mother and or HPS should include
sexual awareness, sexual identity, safe sex, abuse issues,
body awareness......

It is also important to really emphasize that womanhood does
not mean leaving one's childhood in the dust! Be playful
so that the maiden will have visual notice that adults
can and DO play silly!

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Wiccaning Ritual

2008-12-08T09:34:00.003+04:00

ANCIENT EUROPEAN PEOPLES BELIEVED THAT YOU MUST HAVE TWO
NAMES, ONE PUBLIC AND ONE A SECRET NAME THAT ONLY THOSE
PRESENT AT THE BLESSING CEREMONY KNEW. THIS SECOND NAME
IS FOR USE AFTER PUBERTY, WHEN THE SOUL CHANGES INTO ITS
FIRST ADULT SELF, WHEN IT CAN BE UTTERED ONCE MORE, AND
MADE PUBLIC. THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC NAME WAS TO
DIVERT THE EVIL EYE, TO GAIN FAVOR WITH THE FATES, TO
KEEP AWAY SICKNESS, AND TO HELP THE CHILD REACH ADULTHOOD.

There are other ways to do the ceremony.

This is the Wiccaning Ceremony copied from www.ladyoftheearth.com

Ceremony 1:

* Set up the altar as usual, but avoid all sharp objects.
* Use milk and cookies rather than wine and cakes.
* Cast the Circle before the guests arrive, as usual.
* When the guests arrive, bring everyone into Circle and close the Door
(if there are those who might be "offended", you can easily have a
Maiden or friend close the Door surrepituously...).

"Guardians of the Four Quarters
Air, Fire, Water Earth
Join us here, celebrate
Confirmation of a child's birth!"

* Have four people call the Quarters (arrange this beforehand).

"Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone,
Join us here; watch o'er Your own.
Young Lord, Old Lord; Husband, Son,
Be with us to bless this one."

Bless the milk: "As the athame is to the male,
So the Chalice is to the female.
And conjoined they be one in truth.
For there is no greater magic in all the world
Than that of a man and a woman (alt: "two people")
Joined in the bonds of love."

Bless the cakes: "These cakes are the fruition of the union
of our Lord and Lady.
Let all but the blessings of that union
Be cast out, that we may all
Share in Their bounty!"

HPS: We are met in this Circle to ask the blessings of the Lord and
Lady on (child's mundane name), daughter of (mother's name) and
(father's name). May she grow in beauty and strength, joy and wisdom.

(Pause)

HPS: There are many Paths, and each must find her own. Therefore, we
do not seek to bind (baby) to any one Path while she is still too young
to choose. Instead, we ask the Lord and Lady, who know *all* Paths, to
bless, protect and prepare her through the years of her childhood.
Then, when she is at last fully grown, she shall know, without a doubt,
which Path is hers, and shall tread it gladly. (Father), please bring
(baby) forward that she may be blessed.

HPS: (Baby's) mother has chosen a Hidden name for her. (Mother), what
is that name?

Mother: (Hidden name)

HPS: Then in the silent senses of the Lord and Lady, she shall be known
as (Hidden name).

* Anoint forehead with oil (pentagram):
"I anoint thee, (mundane name), with oil,
and give thee the Hidden Name, (Hidden name)."

* Anoint forehead with wine/juice/milk:
"I anoint thee, (Hidden name), with wine,
In the name of the Lord."
(Whisper private name of the God into baby's ear).

* Anoint forehead with water:
"I anoint thee, (Hidden name), with water,
In the name of the Lady."
(Whisper private name of the Goddess into the baby's ear).

* Touch the baby's crown, and say:
"You are named (mundane name), also (Hidden name).
And I dedicate you to a life of peace and love.

* Touch baby's "third eye":
"...That you may see your way clearly."

* Touch baby's throat:
"...that you may speak the truth."

* Touch baby's heart:
"...that your heart always be open."

* Touch baby's solar plexus:
"...that your Will and Strength be strong."

* Touch baby's belly:
"...that your sexuality be joyful and loving."

* Touch baby's vagina (penis):
"...that you be a gateway (progenitor) of lives and creations to come."

* Touch baby's hands:
"...that you may always do the Lord and Lady's work,
no matter how you see or worship Them."

* Touch baby's feet:
"...that you always walk the Path you're called to."

* Touch baby's crown:
"Bless this child, who is a tiny Goddess...
Bless her, protect her, and give her a joyful life!"

HPS: In the story of Sleeping Beauty, the good fairies all blessed the
baby with a special gift. (Mother) asks now that you each bestow her
with a personal blessing. (Baby), I bestow upon you the gift of love.
(Kiss baby's head, then walk to Father, who says blessing, then to
Mother, etc. through all guests present.)

HPS: Are there any here who would stand as Godparents to (baby)?

* Godparents step forward: "We would."

HPS: Do you, (names of Godparents, one at a time), promise to be a
friend to (baby) through her childhood; to aid and guide as needed; and
in concord with her parents, to watch over her and love her as if she
were of your own blood; until, by the grace of the Lord and Lady, she is
ready to choose her own Path?

Godparents (one at a time): I, (name), do so promise.

HPS: The Lord and Lady have blessed her;
We, her friends and family have welcomed her;
Therefore, Oh Circle of STars,
Shine in peace on (baby),
Whose Hidden name is (Hidden name).
So mote it be!

* Thank guests, cut them a door, allow them to leave.
* Close Circle as usual.
* Party, and gift giving if the baby (or parents) are ready.

Ceremony 2:

--Consecrate the salt and water
(Priestess takes her athame, plunges the blade into the container of salt, "So
that you may be fit to dwell in this Sacred Space, I bless this salt, in the
names of our Lord and Lady, I bless this salt" then transferring three 'knife-
fuls' to the container of (in this case water taken from the beach where we held
the ritual) water "So that you may be fit to dwell in this Sacred Space, I
consecrate and bless this water" and stir the salt into the water.)

--Purify work space with [salt-] water
(Priestess walks the diameter of the Circle and casts the [salt-] water along
its perimeter)

--Purify work space with incense and candle...
(Priest traverses the perimeter of the Circle with frankincense & myrrh and then
a candle)

Priest hands athame to Priestess who casts the Sacred Circle:

"With earth and air draw forth all that is fair
by fire and sea of ill stay free
O Circle, be thou a meeting-place of love and joy and truth
a shield against all wickedness and evil
a rampart of protection that shall preserve
the powers that we may raise within Thee.
Wherefore do i bless and consecrate thee.

Priestess welcomes all gathered into the Circle space:
"May your mind be free, may your heart be free, may your body be free."
Invoking the Watchtowers:

The Priestess takes the bowl of water to the East and says:

O cool lakes and deep seas of the East
waters soft and giving of fresh life
join with us --
Cast your blessings upon these children
and become a friend to them!
Blessed Be.

All echo, "Blessed Be!"
(the water is placed at the east gate)

The Priestess takes a candle to the South and says:
O warm sun and warm skies of the South
bringing life anew, the growth of all things,
and promise of the future,
join us --
Cast your blessings upon these children
and become a friend to them!
Blessed Be!

All echo, "Blessed Be!"
(the candle is placed at the south gate)

The Priestess takes the censor/sage to the West and says:

O Winds of the East
who bring forth freshness, life, and joy...
join us --
Cast your blessings upon these children
and become a friend to them!
Blessed Be!

All echo, "Blessed Be!"
(the censor is placed at the west gate)

The Priestess takes the bowl of earth to the North and says:

O mighty mountains and endless steppes of the North
Meadows of green and the creatures that therein dwell
join us --
cast your blessings upon these children
and become a friend to them.

All echo, "Blessed Be!"
(the bowl is set at the north gate)

The Priestess holds the alter Wand aloft and asks:

"Repeat after me....
As above so below
as the Universe, so the soul
as without so within.
Blessed and Gracious Ones -- on this night
do we consecrate to you
our minds, our bodies, and our spirits. Blessed Be!"

INVOKING THE GODDESS AND GOD

goddess:

All-dewy Sky-sailing Pregnant Moon
who shines for all
who flows through all
light of the world which is yourself
maiden mother crone
the weaver the green one

O most gracious and magnificent Lady
We ask that some portion of your presence
be here among us now
Give protection and shelter to the small
and sacred ones
who are here to be dedicated in Your honor.

god;

Seed sower, grain reborn
Antered One come!
Bright sun, Dark death,
Lord of winds, lord of the dance
sun-child, winter born king
Hanged one
Untamed, untamed!
Stag and stallion, goat and bull,
sailor of the last sea, guardian of the gate
lord of the two lands
ever-dying, ever-living, radiance

O ancient lord of the universe
we ask some portion of your presence here
among us now.
Shield and strengthen the children who shall be
dedicated in your honor!
THE BLESSINGS and PURIFICATIONS

Maiden (in this case an unattached and close aunt of the children):
(as she sprinkles the children with barley)

"Dearest ones, may you never know hunger or poverty for
material or spiritual things. I bless you with the barley
of the Spirits, for nourishment and wealth."

Mother (the Priestess who is the mother of the children):
(as she sprinkles the children with water)

"I bless you in the name of the Spirits of all life and
healing, with the waters of the Earth, that you may be
healthy and strong in body, mind, and spirit. Let love
be your treasure, may you be happy in your heart."

Crone (the Priestess's mother and the grandmother of the children):
(as she sprinkles the children with salt)

"Dearest ones, may you have access to your own wisdom
and that of others. May you be protected from foolishness
and self-destruction. May you know the essence of things;
may you be bright and find it easy to learn and teach."

The Antlered One (the Priest, who is the father of the children):
(fire/sage incense)

"With the Fire of the Universe to spark your temper,
I would ask that you may find joy and a sense of merriment
in all that you accomplish - to see the lighter side
of life's journey and find happiness in your work."

THE DIVULGENCE OF THE NAMES (explained to the Witnesses):

ANCIENT EUROPEAN PEOPLES BELIEVED THAT YOU MUST HAVE TWO
NAMES, ONE PUBLIC AND ONE A SECRET NAME THAT ONLY THOSE
PRESENT AT THE BLESSING CEREMONY KNEW. THIS SECOND NAME
IS FOR USE AFTER PUBERTY, WHEN THE SOUL CHANGES INTO ITS
FIRST ADULT SELF, WHEN IT CAN BE UTTERED ONCE MORE, AND
MADE PUBLIC. THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC NAME WAS TO
DIVERT THE EVIL EYE, TO GAIN FAVOR WITH THE FATES, TO
KEEP AWAY SICKNESS, AND TO HELP THE CHILD REACH ADULTHOOD.

Priestess:
"Great Spirit of Nature, protect and guide these young souls
among us.
May the Blessings of the wise and joyous Father of the Gods
far-seeing and far-knowing be upon thee.
May the blessings of the Triple Goddess,
of Maiden, of Mother, of Crone, and all their power
be upon thee."

The following blessings/invocations were spoken and followed by the child being
immersed in the ocean water of the beach where the ritual was held:

ELIZABETH'S DUNKING:

Anna Perenna
Great Goddess, Mother of All
Envelope this daughter of yours
in the waters of Your womb
Grant her protection from wrong-doing
Wash away the memories of her pain
Shower her with Your blessings
in a life everlasting
Bless Elizabeth Mae Luzerne.
So Mote it Be!

PATRICK'S DUNKING:

Great Goddess, Nurturer and Bearer of all Men, great and small
Without whose womb they would not be
Mother of Gods, of Sacrificial Kings,
Presidents, Emperors, and beggars
Welcome this son of Yours into Your Light
and as you have taught us, let him find
"Beauty and strength, power and compassion,
mirth and reverence, honor and humility"
within his heart.
Wash his fears away with your caress!
Bless Patrick Howard Lloyd!
Blessed Be!

MORGAINNE'S DUNKING:

Hail, o gracious and most magnificent Lady
whose slender hand turns the vast wheel of the sky.
whose triple aspect does see
the beginning, the life, and the end of all things.
whose wells of mystery do give
inspiration and rebirth thoughout eternity,
receive here this small daughter of yours with blessings
and with love.
Bless Morgainne Ellayne!
So mote it be!

(explained to the Witnesses:)
THE SECOND NAMES CHOSEN WERE DECIDED UPON FOR BOTH WHIMSICAL AND SERIOUS REASONS
-- FOR PERSONALITY AND FOR CIRCUMSTANCE.

"For this newest arrival, a small girl-child who came as
an unplanned gift from the gods, whose arrival has
challenged us and helped us grow, as did her namesake,
bringing all of Mankind's challenges upon him, she is
called PANDORA."

"For a small boy-child who seems to live for good food and drink,
who enjoys this life he's been blessed with, and who reminds us
that merriment is part of our everyday challenge as well as
paying the bills and doing the housework, so we found inspiration
in the spirited and fun-loving god of wine, and give his name
to our son, who will be BACCHUS."
(our oldest, 4 year old daughter was severely burned when she was 16 months old,
thus the inspiration for her naming...)

"And at last, for our eldest daughter, as did the beautiful bird rise
miraculously from its burning, so did she -- and aptly she is named PHOENIX."

Priestess:
"O Lady of the Starry Heavens, Wise All-Father, behold these
lovely children, PANDORA, BACCHUS, and PHOENIX
conceived and brought forth in love.
Bless and protect them and grant the gifts of wisdom,
inspiration, and wonder, adorn them with your enduring
and eternal strength and steadfastness. May they ever
have spirits that seek the stars, and roots that hold
tight deep within thy loving breast."

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND WINE:

Priestess blesses the wine, dipping the athame into the chalice:
"As the cup is to the female so the athame is to the male, and conjoined they
bring blessed creation"

"Offering to the Mother:
Hail Earth, Mother of All!
May your fileds increase and flourish.
Your forests grow and spread,
And your waters run pure and free!
Accept my offering, O Earth Mother!
Bring forth that which is good, and sustaining,
For every living thing!"

--The Bread:
As the bread is passed around, the Priestess asks for its
glorification:

"Let us join hands and purify ourselves
breathing in the life force of the universe
and expelling all evil from us.
Take now of the bread
and know of the grain of which you partake
as the latest of countless generations
growing to fruitfulness
and in dying, giving of the seeds
from which new life shall spring
Know that every seed, every grain is
the record of times most ancient
and a promise of all that shall be.
Partake of the bread
and know of life eternal and of Immortality.
With this knowledge are our souls sustained."

--The Wine:
As the Chalice of wine is shared around the Circle, the Priestess asks for it's
glorification, also:

Drink now of the wine
And know of the tranformation
of simple fruits to sparkling elixir
as this wine has undergone change
so by life's cauldron shall we
As this wine gives the enchantment of the Divine
or abasement into the lower realms,
so do all humans rise or fall in each life
As their own will and strength determines.

--The Storytelling:
at this point the group of celebrants and the witnesses were asked to seat
themselves and the Priestess read a story called "The Burning of the Lady's
People" chosen from a collection of Goddess tales, THE STORYTELLER'S GODDESS by
Carolyn McVickar Edwards.

--OPENING THE CIRCLE:
All join hands, Priestess says:
"Lords of the Winds, the Fires, the Seas, and the Fields, before you depart to
your fair and lovely realms, we thank you for your presence this evening!
Blessed be! ...

May the Circle be open but not broken
may the Beauty of the Goddess and the Strength of the God
dwell in our hearts. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry
meet again. Blessed Be!"

END
The Priestess of EarthWorld Circle wishes to acknowledge the many sources from
which these invocations and blessings and ritual writings were chosen including
MAGICAL RITES FROM THE CRYSTAL WELL by Ed Fitch, and several of the various
books by Stewart and Janet Farrar, Doreen Valiente, Starhawke's THE SPIRAL
DANCE, A WICCAN BARDO by Paul Beyerl, and probably others that I've forgotten
their original sources over the years of use.

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Rites Of Passage

2008-12-08T09:22:00.003+04:00

RITES OF PASSAGE

In creating a religion, Wiccans have addressed the various Rites of Passage experienced by all people throughout their lives. This is an area where Wicca is still evolving, and practices vary widely from group to group and Tradition to Tradition.

WICCANINGS (NAMINGS)

"Wiccaning" or "Naming" is the term used to describe the celebration which accompanies the birth of a child. As Wicca is nominally a fertility religion, the birth of a child is seen as a gift from the Gods and a sacred rite in itself. Once the child is born, and the life of the family has settled down a bit, the parents and community celebrate the Wiccaning of the child, the act of introducing the child to the Gods and the Community, and asking the Goddess, God, and Community for their protection of the child as s/he grows. It is not a sealing of the child into Wicca. Wicca is a religion of choice, and where children may be placed under the protection of the Gods, the child is allowed to choose her or his religious path when old enough to make that decision. Wiccanings can take place immediately after birth or up to a year or more later. There is no set time frame.

COMING OF AGE

Celebrations of Puberty are also Wiccan rites of passage. Especially in the Feminist groups, when a girl has her first menstrual period, she is considered a woman. Many groups have the women gather for a party or celebration to honor the girl and also let her know the responsibilities of sexual maturity. Wiccans are very much choice-oriented. This includes the choice to not be sexually active, the choice not to have an abortion, to responsibly use contraceptives, and to understand the implications of being a sexual person. Just because Wicca is a fertility religion, it does not mean Wiccans engage in free sex. Quite the opposite. Personal responsibility and informed choice extends into the area of sexual activity just as much as any other area of life.

With boys, the timing of celebrating sexual maturity is less defined. It can be at the time of a boy's first wet dream, of the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics like beard and pubic hair, of his conscious assuming the responsibilities of a man. The tradition of celebrating a boy's sexual maturity id less universal and not as formalized. The Gay movement currently seems to be doing the most with writing and holding rituals and celebrations in this area. Generally in them, the boy will learn about sexual responsibility, as well as celebrate his new manhood. Wiccans view sexuality as a normal, natural part of human life. How that sexuality manifests, be it homosexual, heterosexual, bi-sexual or celibate is a private matter as long as an individual practices their sexuality within the ideals of the Wiccan Rede, An ye harm none, do as ye will. Pederasty and child pornography are not tolerated at all, anywhere within Wicca, To Wiccans the family is sacred, but Wiccans are inclusive about what they view as family. A family can be a nuclear family of parents and children, but a family might extend to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And it can include coven siblings, friends, High Priest and /or High Priestess, and co-religionists. 'We are a family' is a phrase which Wiccans have readily adopted. And many Wiccans behave as if all other Wiccans are family, you may not love them, you may not get along with them, but you will come to their aid and defense if necessary.

Rites of passage help define Wiccan families and the greater Wiccan Community, which are much bigger and more diverse than most non-Wiccans would ever imagine.

THE INITIATION

Initiation is also seen as an important rite of passage. Ideally, an Initiation not only marks a stage of learning and/or achievement, it also acknowledges, or triggers, a change within. There is a definite mystical element to a good Initiation, and a person's Initiation has taken when they show evidence in their life of some deep inner revelation and/or change.

Initiation rituals may differ little from Tradition to Tradition, but the words and ceremony are only the surface of an Initiation. The personal experience is what is important, and this cannot be understood through reading, but must be lived through and assimilated. As Wiccaning does not guarantee a person will become Wiccan, the choice to take training and get an Initiation is an important rite of passage. The first step is Dedication. This is the commitment a person makes to himself or herself, to the Wiccan Community, and to the Goddess and God, to learn about Wiccan and study the religion and Craft. Being a Dedicant shows a certain level of commitment, yet does not confirm the full membership that Initiation does. Each Tradition and group has its own rules, but a somewhat recognized standard in Wicca is that at least a year-and-a-day must pass to progress from Dedicant to Initiate. Since Wiccan training covers the religion and practice of Wicca, including possibly the practice of magick, ethics, and divination, a year and a day may sometimes seem short. But many Dedicants may have already studied on their own, and have a head start. An important part of Initiation is learning a groups technical language, the buzzwords, so the person can communicate effectively with others of the Tradition.

There is no specified age at which Initiation becomes an option, though many groups will not allow minors into their groups, for consideration of alcohol use and also legal protection. A fifteen-year-old may be fully informed and mature enough to make a choice of religious path, but the parents may not allow the person to actively pursue that interest. All these restrictions can result in cutting most young people off from the possibility of Wiccan training, but until society takes a more benign view of Wicca, the restrictions will probably continue to exist.

As a person learns and progresses wit Wicca, there are three Initiations or Degrees available. A somewhat common phrase states, A First Degree is responsible for themselves. a Second Degree is responsible for others of their immediate coven or group, and a third Degree is responsible for the community as a whole. Each group and Tradition has its own definitions and levels of learning and expertise for each level. The minimum time period for progression for First to Second, and Second to Third, is again the usual year-and-a-day.

Not all Wiccans will get all three Degrees, but ideally each Wiccan will train and study at least enough to get a First Degree. Wicca, as it is currently practiced, is a religion of 'Priests' that is, each Initiate is considered to be a Priestess or Priest in his or her own right and fully capable of communicating with their Gods directly. Some Wiccan Traditions reserve the title 'High Priestess' or 'High Priest' for people who have been initiated to the Third Degree. Some use that title for the leaders of a coven.

HANDFASTING (MARRIAGES)

Handfasting is the life passage which comes when a Wiccan wishes to be bonded to a partner in the eyes of the Gods. This may or may not also be a legal marriage. Wiccans are more broad in how they view committed partnerships. Same-sex partnerships may be celebrated just as heterosexual ones are. And a few Wiccans participate in multiple partnerships, though this is much less common. A handfasting can be 'until death do we part' It is up to the participants. Handfastings are celebrated much the same way as weddings, with all the variations and styles seen in modern weddings. Wiccans usually hold the rite in a Circle of some sort. The couple shares their vows, and then their hands may be bound together as a symbol of their partnership. They then may 'jump the broom' together, symbolizing the household they will share. Otherwise there are few set rules. Of course, some sort of party and feast follows.

HANDPARTING (DIVORCE)

Handparting is the ceremony Wiccans use to mark the life passage of divorce (or ending of a committed relationship). As handfasting is a magickal rite, so should be the ceremony of ending a relationship, which was solemnized before the Gods and Community. Oftentimes, it is not possible to get both partners together for a handparting ceremony. But when possible, the ceremony can bring closure, a concrete ending to a marriage or committed partnership. A handparting is done in a Circle, and the hands which were bound, are unbound. It can also serve to sever the emotional and magickal ties between partners, so each can go on with a life free of the other's influence. This does not mean the relationship is denied, ignored or forgotten. Just that each person is free to go his or her own way. Sometimes there is a party and feast, sometimes not. It is usually most desirable to have the person who officiated at the handfasting officiate at the handparting also.

ELDERINGS

Eldering is a relatively new tradition and rite of passage in Wicca. Modern western society has relegated older people to positions of obscurity. Wicca is openly and consciously honoring and valuing those who have lived and learned and are now valuable resources for the greater Wiccan Community. Perhaps because Wicca is for the most part a chosen religion, there are currently few Elders who have gone before and had the same experiences the younger Wiccans have. Those who do exist and who have been in the Craft for 20 years or more, are being valued. They become the wise counselors to the active leadership. They tell the stories of the times before and what it was like for them when they were young. They share their knowledge and insight. They are honored for the achievements and accomplishments.

A ceremony of Eldering is sometimes done for those who have been around for a long time and who have gravitated to the role of Elder. Sometimes the Eldering ceremony happens at menopause for women, and a similar age for men. Retirement used to be a good societal marker, but with the changing society, few can actually count on a full retirement at a set age anymore. An Eldering ceremony is similar to a Wiccaning, a party celebrating the individual and the individual's place in the family and community of Wicca. Eldering is also seen as an Initiation of sorts, though not a Degreed Initiation. Eldering can mark the time when a person gives up active leadership and gains a seat around the council fires.

PASSING OVER

Death is the last life passage each of us will experience. Wiccans view death as a natural part of life. Often some sort of reincarnation is a part of each individual's beliefs. Many Wiccans choose to start working on the death passage before actual death. If a person is known to be dying, Wiccans will often make an effort to visit the person, talk and make their peace with him or her, or at least visit one last time. Hopefully, the person who is dying will not be fearful or anxious about the coming final Initiation. Wiccans will be sad at the coming loss, but also hopeful of a rest in the Summerlands, a place where Wiccans go between lives. It is said to be a place of eternal summer, warm, green, and pleasant. The spirits of those who have gone before are there and will greet the person upon arrival. Those who have passed away are still among us in spirit, and they can manifest themselves to the living in various ways. Many Wiccans have had what they consider to be concrete proof that there is life after death. The dying person will try to make peace with the world, and prepare for the transition ahead. In any case, the Wiccan death passage hopefully starts before the actual death, so the person who is dying can take part and express his or her wishes.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD

The Wiccan memorial celebration is not as codified as the other life passages are. Death is a natural part of life. Wiccans celebrate the mystery of death each year at Samhain, so we already have a yearly mourning period set aside in one of our eight Sabbats. A Wiccan memorial can consist of a Circle and a group singing of the Lyke Wake Dirge which although a song, is a magickal Circle and rite in and of itself, and celebrates the cyclic nature of life and death. Some groups will have a Circle in which each person offers a short memorial about the deceased. There may be prayers for an easy passage or a pleasant sojourn in the Summerlands. In the case of a sudden death, there may have been psychic trauma for the soul of the deceased (which is one theory for the existence of ghosts). Then the person may need help to spiritually pass beyond. The group will try to aid in this with prayer and loving energy which can help the spirit on its journey to the Summerlands.

Modern Wicca has had relatively few older people, so natural death isn't a thing which has become routine. On the other hand, death through AIDS and other diseases, or by accident are very common. Because Wicca is a less mainstream religion, often the Wiccan "Crossing Over" or funeral ceremony is held without the deceased or the family or most friends present. It is rare that a Wiccan can be openly mourned and buried as Wiccan. Usually the Wiccan ceremony is held after the "mundane" services and burial, often in the Covenstead. For this reason, Wiccans seem ambivalent about memorial and burial rites. Often they have little or no say in these, the wishes of their surviving, often non-Wiccan, families being paramount. The secrecy of being Wiccan often extends even into one's birth family.

Wiccans have little preferences in regard to body disposal. Some prefer cremation (it's more ecologically sound), some want burial, and some express no preference, knowing their families will do what they will. The idea of special reverence for dead body is illogical to most Wiccans, as the true self is the soul or spirit, and body is merely the fleshly vehicle. Once dead, the essence lives on, and the body is no longer needed. No matter what time of year a Wiccan dies, s/he will be remembered at the next Samhain, for that is what Samhain is for, remembrance of those who have passed on before.

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Meanings

2008-11-17T22:16:00.003+04:00

Wicca: A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature. Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess and God; acceptance of reincarnation and magick; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles for ritual purposes.

Wicce: Synonymous with Wicca. In some circles, Wicce is used for women and Wicca is used for men.

Witch: A practitioner of folk magick, particularly that kind relating to herbs, stones, colors, wells, rivers, etc. It is used by some Wiccans to describe themselves.

Witchcraft: The craft of the witch - magick, especially magick utilizing personal power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs, colors, and other natural objects.

Pagan/Neo-Pagan/Paganism: General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal, shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and Spiritual belief systems.

The Witches Reed of Chivalry

2008-11-17T21:54:00.002+04:00

1# Chivalry is a high code of honour which is of most ancient Celtic Pagan origin, and must be lived by all who follow the Old ways.

2# It must be kenned that thoughts and intent put forth on this Middle-Earth will wax strong in other worlds beyond, and return... bringing into creation, on this world, that which had been sent forth. Thus one should exercise discipline, for "as ye sow, so shall ye reap."

3# It is only by preparing our minds to be as Gods that we can ultimately attain godhead.

4# "This above all...to thine own self be true...."

5# A Witch's word must have the validity of a signed and witnessed oath. Thus, give thy word sparingly, but adhere to it like iron.

6# Refrain from speaking ill of others, for not all truths of the matter may be known.

7# Pass not unverified words about another, for hearsay is, in large part, a thing of falsehoods.

8# Be thou honest with others, and have them known that honesty is likewise expected of them.

9# The fury of the moment plays folly with the truth; to keep one's head is a virtue.

10# Contemplate always the consequences of thine acts upon others. Strive not to harm another.

11# Though there may be differences between those of the Old Ways, diverse covens and circles may well have diverse views. These views, even if they are different than yours, should always be given respect. When a coven, circle, clan, or grove is visited or joined, one should discern quietly their practices, and abide thereby.

12# Dignity, a gracious manner, and a good humour are much to be admired.

13# As a Witch, thou hast power, and thy powers wax strongly as wisdom increases. Therefore exercise discretion in the use thereof.

14# Courage and honour endure forever. Their echoes remain when the mountains have crumbled to dust.

15# Pledge friendship and fealty to those who so warrant. Strengthen others of the Brethren and they shall strengthen thee.

16# Thou shalt not reveal the secrets of another Witch or another Coven. Others have laboured long and hard for them, and cherish them as treasures.

17# Those who follow the mysteries should be above reproach in the eyes of the world, and should always seek to make this so.

18# The laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible and within reason, for in the main they have been chosen with wisdom for the well-being of all.

19# Have pride in thyself, and seek perfection in body and in mind. For the Lady hath said, "How canst thou honour another unless thou give honour to thyself firstly?"

20# Those who seek the Mysteries should consider themselves as select of the Gods, for it is they who lead the race of humankind to the highest of thrones and beyond to the very stars.

Blessed Be!!!
Aisha Shamise

The God

2008-11-17T21:44:00.002+04:00

Charge of the God

I am the radiant King of the Heavens,
flooding the Earth with warmth and encouraging the hidden
seed of creation to burst forth into manifestation.

I lift my shining spear to light the lives of all beings
and daily pour forth my golden rays upon the Earth,
putting to flight the powers of darkness.

I am the spirit of all beasts wild and free.
I run with the stag and soar as a sacred falcon against
the shimmering sky.

The ancient woods and wild places emanate my powers,
the birds of the air sing of my sanctity.

I am the harvest, offering up grain and fruits beneath
the sickle of time so that all may be nourished.
For without planting there can be no harvest;
without winter there can be no spring.

I am the thousand named Son of creation.
Know that by all names I am the same.

The spirit of the horned stag in the wild, the endless harvest.
See in the yearly cycle of festivals my birth, death and
rebirth and know that such is the destiny of all creation..

I am the spark of life, the radiant Sun, the giver of peace and rest.
I send my rays of blessings to warm the hearts and strengthen the minds of all.

Before Time Was

Before time was, there was The One;
The One was all, and all was The One.

And the vast expanse known as the universe was The One,
all wise, all pervading, all powerful, eternally changing.

And space moved. The One molded energy into twin forms,
equal but opposite, fashioning the Goddess and God
from The One and of The One.

The Goddess and God stretched and gave thanks to The One,
but darkness surrounded them.
They were alone, solitary save for The One.

So they formed energy into gases and gases into suns
and planets and moons; They sprinkled the universe with whirling
globes and so all was given shape by the hands of the Goddess and God.

Light arose and the sky was illuminated by a billion suns.
The Goddess and God, satisfied by their works,
rejoiced and loved, and were one.

From their union sprang the seeds of all life,
and the human race so that we might achieve incarnation upon the Earth.

The Goddess chose the Moon as her symbol,
and the God the Sun as his to remind the inhabitants of Earth of their creators.

All are born, live, die and are reborn beneath the Moon and Sun;
All things come to pass thereunder, and all occurs
with the blessings of The One, the Goddess and God,
as has been the way of existence since before time was.

Blessed Be!!!
Aisha Shamise

The Goddess

2008-11-17T21:37:00.002+04:00

Charge of the Goddess

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess;
she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts
of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe

I who am the beauty of the green earth,
the white moon among the stars, and the mystery
of the waters call unto thy soul;
Arise, and come unto me.

I am the soul of nature who gives life to the universe.
From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return.
Before My face, beloved of gods and of men, let thine
innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.

Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices,
for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals.
Therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion,
honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

To thou who thinkest to seek Me, know that thy seeking and
yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the Mystery.
If that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee,
thou wilt never find it without.

For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and
I am that which is attained at the end of desire."

Song of the Goddess

I am the Great Mother, worshipped by all creation and existent prior to their consciousness.
I am the primal female force, boundless and eternal.

I am the chaste Goddess of the Moon, the Lady of all magic.
The winds and moving leaves sing my name.
I wear the crescent Moon upon my brow and my feet rest among the starry heavens.
I am mysteries yet unsolved, a path newly set upon.
I am a field untouched by the plow.
Rejoice in me and know the fullness of youth.

I am the blessed Mother, the gracious Lady of the harvest.
I am clothed in the deep, cool wonder of the Earth and the gold of the fields heavy with grain.
By me the tides of the Earth are ruled; all things come to fruition according to my season.
I am refuge and healing.
I am the life giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

I am the Crone, tender of the unbroken cycle of death and rebirth.
I am the wheel, the shadow of the Moon.
I rule the tides of the oceans and of women and men.
I give release and renewal to weary souls.

I am the Goddess of the Moon, the Earth, the Seas.
My names are many, yet know that by all names I am the same.
I pour forth insight, peace, wisdom and understanding.
I am the eternal Maiden, Mother of all, and Crone of reckoning,
and I send you blessings of limitless love.

Blessed Be!!!
Aisha Shamise

Corners and Relatives

2008-10-14T22:03:00.002+04:00

The picture is self explanatory but I will write it anyway.

NORTH:
Earth
Body
Winter
Midnight
To be silent
Strength
Stillness
Mystery
Rock
Pentagram
Black
Brown
Green

EAST:
Air
Mind
Spring
Dawn
To Know
Begginings
Logic
Decision
Wand
Incense
Yellow
Pink
Crimson

SOUTH:
Fire
Energy
Noon
Summer
To will
Success
Freedom
Enthusiasm
Athame
Candle
Red
Gold
Orange

WEST:
Water
Feeling
Autumn
Twilight
To Dare
Chaos
Pleasure
Intuition
Chalice
Water
Sea green
Purple
Blue

SPIRIT:
Nothing
Everything
Change
Her and Him

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Calling Corners

2008-10-14T21:34:00.002+04:00

Face North with hands to the air and say:

"I invoke thee, element of Earth,
to give me the energies I need
to perform this ritual"

Face East with hands to the air and say:

"I invoke thee, element of Air,
to give me the energies I need
to perform this ritual"

Face South with hands to the air and say:

"I invoke thee, element of Fire,
to give me the energies I need
to perform this ritual"

Face West with hands to the air and say:

"I invoke thee, element of Water,
to give me the energies I need
to perform this ritual"

Face North again put hands down and say to yourself:

"Let me be with clear mind
so my doings will harm none"

Sit silently concentrating until you feel it's right to continue on to the rest of the ritual.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

The Witch's Pyramid

2008-10-14T02:18:00.003+04:00

The Witches pyramid, also called “The Four laws of the Magus,” is very ancient. It's a great value to witches.

To Know
To know means to study and learn everything you can about Magick and the way it can be used. As a Witch, you must know what you are doing when it comes to Magick. It is represented by air.

To Dare
As a Witch you must dare to practice what you have learned. You must be willing to stand up and use all that knowledge you have gained to perform rites and spells. It is represented by water.

To Will
Once you have decided to practice Magick, you must be strong enough to will the manifestation (to make the spell come true). However, remember, Witches are humans too. Therefore, we are bound to commit mistakes sometimes, even though we do our best to avoid them. It is represented by fire.

To Keep Silent
Witches must keep quiet about the work they are doing or what they are doing it for. Every time Witches talk about their magickal work, part of the energy is given away. Also, the Witch may be telling someone who, for whatever reason, does not want the Witch to succeed. That person, knowing what is being done, can counteract the results. This is not a usual occurrence, but it can and does happen. In silence there is knowledge. You're the master of your thoughts, but a slave of what you say. It Is represented by earth.

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

The Witch's Creed

2008-10-14T01:52:00.002+04:00

Hear Now the words of the Witches,
The secrets we hid in the night.

When dark was our destiny's pathway,
That now we bring forth into light.

Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air.

By hidden quintessence we know them,
And will keep silent and dare.

The birth and rebirth of all nature,
The passing of Winter and Spring.

We share with the life universal
Rejoice in the magickal ring.

Four times in the year the Great Sabbat
Returns, and the witches are seen.

At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Halloween.

When day-time and night-time are equal,
When sun is at greatest and least.

The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
And Witches gather in feast.

Thirteen silver moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven's array.

Thirteen times at Esbats make merry,
For each golden year and day.

The power that was passed down the age,
Each time between woman and man.

Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.

When drawn is the magickal circle,
By sword or athame of power.

Its compass between two worlds lies,
In land of the shades for the hour.

This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught.

The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Greatest of Magick is wrought.

For the two are mystical pillars,
That stand at the gates of the shrine.

And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the force divine.

The dark and the night in succession,
The opposites each unto each.

Shown forth as a God and a Goddess,
Of this our ancestors teach.

By night he's the wild wind's rider,
The Horned One, the King of the Woodland.

The dweller in green forest glades,
She is youthful or old as she pleases.

She sails the torn clouds in her barque,
The bright silver lady of midnight.

The crone who weaves spells in the dark,
The master and mistress of Magick.

That dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing.

with power to free or to bind.
And Do What You Will be the challenge.

So be it love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By Magick of old, be it done!

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Wiccan Rede

2008-10-13T15:11:00.005+04:00

Bide within the Law you must, in
perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live,
fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about
to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time,
let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch,
speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon,
chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak
then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, l
ove will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West,
all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent
what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might,
in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power
causing life and Magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready
to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and
to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds
its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree
that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the
Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night
power is brought to Magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use
the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule
light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day
time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's
height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all
when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by
the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone,
the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need,
harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or
be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright
the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three
times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star
upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Death

2008-09-25T00:46:00.003+04:00

Summerland:
We believe in Reincarnation.

When a witch dies, they enter a place much like heaven. This “heaven” is called the Summerland. It was called Tir Nan Og by the ancient Celts, meaning “Land of the Young”. Witches believe that the Summerland is a sort of way station, if you will; a place to catch up and sum up what you have learned. The soul can stay here and recuperate or choose to go on with their journey. A soul can become a ghost, or a guardian for their loved ones as well.

Witches do not believe in hell. We believe that the only hell is made here on earth within our own souls. The evil that you do stays with you until you die. The only way out of this hell is to come to terms with what you did and forgive yourself or make what has been done wrong, right.

The soul is said to review the past life, perhaps through some mysterious way with the deities. This isn't a judgment, a weighing of one's soul, but an incarnational review. Lessons learned or ignored are brought to light.

After the proper time, when the conditions on Earth are correct, the soul is reincarnated and life begins again.
The soul is ageless, sexless, non-physical, possessed of the divine spark of the Goddess and God.

Wiccaning is the baptism of the child in wicca, which should happen not too long after the re-birth of a soul.

We believe that after rising upon the spiral of life and death and rebirth, those souls who have attained perfection break away from the cycle forever and dwell with the Goddess and God. Nothing is ever lost. The energies resident in our souls return to the divine source from which they originally emanated.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Theban Script

2008-09-14T02:25:00.004+04:00

The Theban (or Witches) script/alphabet is widely used by traditional Wiccans and witches both ritually and in their books of shadows. Basically the Theban alphabet is used as a substitution cipher thus hiding the original text in symbols. The script is a straightforward substitution of the standard alphabet with the exceptions that "i" and "j" are identical, as are "u" and "v". The purpose or reasons for using the script is usually to encrypt a message, spell, or text so that its meaning is not obvious to a casual onlooker, or to give a mystical quality to the text to enable more effective magickal workings or spells.

The script is reputed to have been invented by Honorius of Thebes. Thebes was a city in ancient Greece hence the often used "Runes of Honorius." However, there is no credible supporting evidence to this fact. The use of the Theban script by traditional Wiccans is based on its usage by the founder of modern Wicca, Gerald Gardner.

Written from the left to the right.

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Circle Casting

2008-09-14T01:42:00.003+04:00

1.Remove all animals & small children from the area & any furniture that you do not want to be inside your circle.

2.Set up your altar before you cast your circle.

3.Locate magnetic North with a compass & holding the wand out from your body, go into alpha & see the wand's aura extending out from it, especially at the tip.

4.Visualize the tip of the wand creating a circle of light & energy, like a laser, as you walk clockwise three times around the area. The circumference drawn by the wand's tip will be the edge of your circle. Project white light out from the wand to create the circle as geometrically perfect & say to yourself that it is.

5.Walk the circle the second time around & say out loud:
"I cast this circle to protect me/us from all negative & positive energies & forces on any level that may come to do me harm. I draw into this circle only the energies & forces that are right for me & the most correct for my work."

6.Walk the circle the third time & say:
"I create sacred space. So mote it be."

7.Invoke the four directions & energies of the elements, angels & powers that reside in them by using the athame, wand, sword or index finger to draw an invoking pentagram as you face each direction. Use a ritual spell of invocation or one you write for yourself.

8.To open a circle hold the wand out over the circumference of the circle & beginning at magnetic North, walk once around the circle counterclockwise as you say:
"I send this circle into the cosmos to do my bidding. the circle is undone but not broken."

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

A Poem

2008-09-14T01:05:00.002+04:00

Witch

I am a Witch
A Witch am I
A Child of the Gods
Now and forever

When the wind rustles
Through the branches
of a mighty oak
I am there

When the magick faries
Of a forgoten glade
Play in the morning dew
I am there

I am a Witch
A Witch am I
A child of the Gods
Now and forever

I am in every river
I am in every stream
I'm above every mountain
I am one with the Earth

I see nature in the city
I see beauty in life
I am part of a circle
That will never end

I am a Witch
A Witch am I
A child of the gods
Now and forever

Magick
Energy
Knoweledge
Power

The Sun
The Moon
The Stars
The Heavens

These things and more
are mine.
For I am a Witch

- Moonhaze
http://www.thegodsgrove.com/Wwlitha.htm

Mabon Food

2008-09-13T23:54:00.002+04:00

APPLE BUTTER (LOTWAERICK)

4 quarts Apple
2 quarts Water
1 1/2 quarts Cider
1 1/2 pounds Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Allspice
1 teaspoon Cloves

Wash and slice the apples into small bits. Cover with the water and boil until soft. Press through a sieve to remove skins and seeds. Bring cider to a boil and then add apple pulp and sugar and cook until it thickens, constantly stirring to prevent scorching. Add spices and cook until it is thick enough for spreading. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

BLACKBERRY WINE

3 pounds of blackberries
3 pounds of sugar
1 gallon of boiling water

Wash berries, put in large bowl and pour over them the boiling water. Stir well, then cover the bowl and leave for ten days. Strain liquid through muslin, add the three pounds of sugar and stir well. Cover the bowl and leave for three days, but stir daily. Put into bottles and cork, loosely at first. The wine will be ready to drink in six months.

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.

COCK-A-LEEKIE 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.

DANDELION WINE

2 quarts dandelion flowers
3 pounds sugar
1 ounce yeast
1 lemon
1 orange
1 gallon boiling water

Pick the dandelions on a sunny day. Pick just the heads until you have two quart jugs full. Wash flowers and put into a large bowl. Slice orange, lemon thinly and add to the flowerheads. Pour boiling water on top of them, stir well. Cover bowl, leave for ten days, no more. Strain liquid into another bowl, stir in the 3 pounds sugar. Spread the yeast on a piece of toast, and float on top. Cover the bowl and leave for another 3 days. Remove the toast, strain again, and bottle. Cork loosely at first. The wine will be ready to drink in 3 months.

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.

OLD-FASHIONED GINGER BEER

For The Starter:
1/2 Ounce Yeast
2 Teaspoons Sugar

To Feed The "Plant":
7 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
7 Teaspoons Sugar

To Flavour:
1 1/2 Pounds Sugar
Juice Of 2 Lemons

Mix starter ingredients with 3/4 pint of warm water in a glass jar. Stir, cover and leave in a warm place for 24 hours. This is your starter "plant". Feed the "plant" with 1 teaspoon each of ground ginger and sugar each day. After 7 days strain through a fine sieve. Dissolve the sugar in 2 pints of water. Add the lemon juice and the liquid from the "plant". Dilute with 5 pints of water, mix well and store in corked bottles for at least 7 days.
Use strong bottles as pressure may build up which will cause thin bottles to explode. For the same reason use corked bottles rather than those with a more secure closure that will not 'give' under pressure.
The amount of sugar in the final stage can be varied according to taste.

PECAN PIE

1-1/4 Cups Pecan Pieces
2 Eggs, Slightly Beaten
1 Cup Light Karo Syrup
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Spread pecans in an unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over pecans. Bake slowly at 375 degrees until done, approximately 1 hour. Hint: Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil about halfway through baking to prevent crust from getting too brown before the pie is done.

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.

IRISH HERB SCONES

1/2 pound Mealy potatoes
4 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Oil
2 Tablespoons Chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon Dried dill
1/4 teaspoon Savory
1/4 teaspoon Marjoram
1/4 teaspoon Powdered sage
Oil for frying

Boil or bake the potatoes, then pass through a foodmill. Mix the flour, salt, oil & herbs with the potatoes. On a floured board, roll this dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut into triangles 3 or 4 inches wide.
Fry in very hot oil on both sides until light golden.

Source: Vera Gewanter, "A Passion for Vegetables"

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

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.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Mabon Ritual

2008-09-13T20:47:00.004+04:00

Decorate the altar with acorns, oak sprigs, pine and cypress cones, ears of corn, wheat stalks and other fruits and nuts. Also place there a small rustic basket filled with dried leaves of various colors and kinds. Sweep area, moving in a deosil (clockwise) manner. Outline your Circle with a red cord, low vibration stones, or various Harvest items such as wheat, corn, beans, etc. Set up your altar and place the red altar cloth over it. At center top, place the basket of dried leaves. Place an apple and the boline on your Pentacle or a plate. Place the rest of your tools according to your personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly and meditate to ground and center. When you are ready, begin by playing some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

Cast the Circle and call Quarters... Pick up your Wand in your right hand, face your altar, and with arms stretched out above your head, say:

"I honor Thee, Autumn Queen, and Thy consort, the God of the Harvest.
The Wheel has once more turned, and the change of season begins.
What will be is. What was will be.
The Equinox is upon us, and the time to reflect, at hand.
All time comes together, here and now in this sacred space.
And I, but a moment in time, feel the change as I pass from one season to the next.
The Second Harvest has been reaped, and the time of rest is deserved.
Go now My Mother and slumber.
Go now My Father and dream of re-birth.
I shall be here to greet Thee on Your return."

Stand before the altar, holding aloft the basket of leaves, and slowly scatter them so that they cascade to the ground within the circle. Say such words as these:

"Leaves fall,
The days grow cold.
The Goddess pulls her mantle of Earth around Her
As You, O Great Sun God, sail toward the West
To the land of eternal enchantment,
Wrapped in the coolness of night.
Fruits ripen,
Seeds drip,
The hours of day and night are balanced.
Chill winds blow in from the North wailing laments.
In this seeming extinction of nature's power, O Blessed
Goddess, I know that life continues.
For spring is impossible without the second harvest,
As surely as life is impossible without death.
Blessings upon you, O Fallen God, as you journey into
The lands of winter and into the Goddess' loving arms."

Place the basket down and say:

"O Gracious Goddess of all fertility, I have sown and
Reaped the fruits of my actions, good and bane.
Grant me the courage to plant seeds of joy and love in
The coming year, banishing misery and hate. Teach me the secrets
Of wise existence upon the planet.
O luminous one of the night!"
With arms still out-stretched lower your head and close your eyes. Contemplate what you have just spoken. When ready, open your eyes and lower your arms. Pick up the apple and place it in the center of the Pentacle/plate. Cut it crosswise with the Boline, to reveal the natural pentagram at its core. Then lift half the apple, pentagram up, as if in offering, while saying:

"As the Wheel turns, the seasons pass, and the years give way to the next,
Guide me most Wise Ones,
Lest I forget
Every beginning has an ending
And every ending is a new beginning."

Take a bite of the apple. Put the rest aside to share later with the wildlife. Close your eyes and feel the seasons pass within the circle from summer to autumn. When ready, say:

"As the days grow colder, and the nights last longer,
May I remember the summer past.
With sunlight fading, and hearth inviting,
My memories will warm my soul.
From a season of hard work and hard play,
I hear Mother's voice calling me forward.
While I rest, shall She lull me, with songs of a dream,
As close to Her bosom I cling.

Between the worlds I stand in this sacred place.
All time is here and now.
As I leave this circle, the season shall have changed,
And I will have changed with it.
May I use the short time of Winter Finding
To draw the strength and power from within
As I quest for vision, understanding, and peace."

Pick up the Bell with your right hand, and ring thrice, to toll the passing of the first 3 seasons of the year. Now place it in your left hand and ring once to usher in the 4th and last season of the year. Place the bell on the altar.

"In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.
The Sacred Dance goes on and on
From whence we came, we shall return,
And come again.
Seasons pass, and pass again,
The circle stays unbroken
Heed the words of your child, here,
Through Your wisdom I have spoken."

It is now time for meditation and spell working. Associated spell workings would include those for protection, wealth, security, and self-confidence. If there is no spell working, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the Circle.

Mabon Incense #1
1 part Benzoin
1 part Myrrh
1 part Honeysuckle Bark
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Vanilla

Mabon Incense #2
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1/2 part Oakmoss or Oakmoss Oil
1 pinch Oak Leaf

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Lammas Food

2008-09-13T20:41:00.003+04:00

APRICOT WINE

1 pound Dried Apricots
4 quarts Warm Water
6 1/2 cups Sugar
2 1/4 cups Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups Raisins
1 Tablespoon Ginger, minced
2 each Lemons, thinly sliced
2 each Oranges, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Yeast

Wash the apricots in several batches of water and then dry them and cut in halves. Place in a large crock and pour on the warm water, reserving 1/2 cup of it in which to dissolve the yeast cake. Stir in the sugars, fruit, raisins and ginger. Then add the dissolved yeast and mix well. Cover with top of the crock and let stand for thirty days, stirring the mixture every other day. After thirty days strain the mixture and bottle.

IRISH BUTTERMILK BANNOCK

4 cups All purpose/bread flour
3 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt to taste
3/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1 cup Raisins
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Buttermilk

Stir flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and raisins together. Separately, fork-blend eggs and buttermilk, then add to dry ingredients. Stir until sticky batter is formed. Scrape batter onto well floured surface and knead lightly. Shape batter into ball, then place in round non-stick casserole that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Mark a cross in the center, using a sharp knife. Bake uncovered in preheated 350 degree oven for about 1 1/4 hours.

Wait 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove bread from casserole, then cool on wire rack. If desired, cut loaf into quarters and then slice thinly.

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

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

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.

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

From the booklet Scottish Teatime Recipes

POTATO, ARTICHOKE & LEEK SOUP

2 Tablespoons Butter Or Margarine
1/2 cup Chopped Onion
1 1/2 cups whole leeks, chopped (whites only)
1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
1 quart Chicken Broth
13 3/4 ounces Can Artichoke Hearts, rinsed & drained, cut into quarters
2 1/2 cups Peeled And Cubed Baking Potatoes
2 small Sprigs Thyme
1 1/2 cups Milk
3/4 teaspoon Tabasco Pepper Sauce
Salt To Taste
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Chopped Fresh Parsley

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the onion and leeks, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Uncover and cook until the leeks are very soft, about 5 minutes, adding the garlic for the last minute. Add the broth, artichokes, potatoes and thyme; simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add the milk and Tabasco sauce; simmer for 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat and discard the thyme. In a food processor or blender, puree the soup until very smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or cold, garnished with parsley.

BROWN RICE WITH PINE NUTS

1 1/2 cups Long-Grain Brown Rice
3 cups Water
1 medium Onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
Black Pepper, to taste
1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, minced
1/4 cup Pine Nuts

Soak brown rice in water at least 2 hours, or overnight. Heat oil in a heavy skillet with tight-fitting lid. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden brown and limp. Add rice and soaking water along with cumin and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Cook at a simmer for about 20 minutes. Rice should be tender and water should be absorbed. When rice is done, add chopped parsley and pine nuts.

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.

REAL 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.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Lammas Ritual

2008-09-13T20:36:00.002+04:00

Place upon the altar sheaves of wheat, barley or oats, fruit and breads, perhaps a loaf fashioned in the figure of the Sun or a man to represent the God. Corn dollies, symbolic of the Goddess, can be present there as well.

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, holding aloft the sheaves of grain, saying these or similar words:

Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when the bounties of nature give of themselves so that we may survive.
O God of the ripening fields,
Lord of the Grain,
grant me the understanding of sacrifice as You prepare to deliver Yourself under the sickle of the Goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
teach me the secrets of rebirth as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.

Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall onto the altar. Lift a piece of fruit and bite it, savoring its flavour, and say:

I partake of the first harvest,
mixing its energies with mine that I may continue my quest for the starry wisdom of perfection.
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be buried in the Mother's breast,
ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the coming Spring.

Consume the rest of the fruit.

Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.

Celebrate the Simple Feast.

The circle is released.

OR:

Needed:
Harvest vegetables (corn, squash, etc.)
Grains (oats, rice, wheat, rye, etc.)
Fruits (apples, berries, cherries, plums, etc.)
Cornbread & apple cider

Garnish the altar with harvest vegetables, grains, and fruits. Cast the circle.

With arms stretched out above head say:

"What will be is. What was will be.
The Wheel of the Year forever turns.
Dark to light, light to dark,
Each season passes with lessons learned.

"We plant with love, tend with respect,
And at Harvest time our fields reflect
The bounty of our Mother Earth,
Ripened by our Father Sun.

"Now upon my altar,
Gifts I offer the Two that are One.
As each day passes, shorter than the last,
May I be reminded of the seasons that have passed.
The marriage and the seeding of the Goddess in May;
Her womb swollen with life anew at Summer Solstice Day;
All this time the Father Sun has shone with so much pride.

"Rising early, setting late;
Now that he's supplied the warmth and light
For the good of the Earth
He knows that His death is drawing near.
But this secret He understands,
That with the turning of the wheel,
His rebirth has been planned."

With both hands gesture to the vegetables, grains, and fruits.

"Truly blessed are we that receive the bounty of the Harvest,
Blessed be the Mother Earth,
Blessed be the Father Sun,
As they teach me of life, death, and rebirth.
I honor You, The Two that are One."

Pick up one of the cornbread muffins, and offer up to the Gods, saying:

"Blessed be the Harvest, Blessed be the Corn Mother,
Blessed be the Grain God,
For together they nourish both body and soul.
Many blessings I have been given.
I count them now by this bread."
Name all the things that you are grateful for. With each item that you name, break off a piece of the cornbread and eat it. When finished, take a small handful of the grain and hold it in your open hand at face level, saying:

"Winds of the East, I ask for your indulgence.
Hear me now as I request your aid in the cycle of life.
As your winds blow through fields of ripened grain,
Carry loosened seeds upon your back
That they may fall amidst the soil
That is our Mother Earth.
She will cover them in times of storm,
Protecting and nourishing them
Until they sprout next Spring, beginning life anew."

Blow gently across your hand imitating the wind taking the seeds air-born. Continue:

"I give thanks to the Great Mother, Goddess of fertile land.
And to the Great Father, Consort and Provider.
For as their bounty sustains my life,
So does their bounty sustain my brethren;
All living creatures of wood and field,
Of lake and stream, and of air.
Of these blessings I partake and share.
Blessed be this Harvest Night, The Givers and the gift."

Assume the Goddess position, saying:

"All things have their season.
Again the wheel has turned and brought us
To the season of the first Harvest.
A time to think about sacrifices and reborn hope,
A time to reflect on what we have sown,
A time to gather our memories,
And from those lessons that we have learned,
We plan for the future.

"Blessed Be the Mother, whose womb contains and bears all life.
Blessed Be the Father, whose seed plants all life.
Blessed Be the Two that are One,
From Them life flows and flows back again."
Meditation.
Cakes and ale.
Close the circle.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Litha Food

2008-09-13T20:00:00.003+04:00

APFELPFANNKUCHEN (German Apple Pancake)

2 large Apples, any cooking variety
1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Flour
1 cup Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg,
Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 475. Peel, core and very thinly slice the apples: you should have approximately 1-1/2 cups.
Melt 3 Tablespoons of the butter over medium low heat in a small fry pan, and sauté the apples until they are just tender. Keep apples warm while preparing the batter.
Place a 9 or 10 inch cast-iron skillet in the oven to heat for at least 5 minutes--the pan has to be very hot for this to work. When it is well heated, add the remaining 2 T sp. of butter to melt and put the skillet back in the oven; the butter should be very hot buy not brown when you add the apples and the batter.
Place the flour, milk, vanilla, salt and nutmeg in a blender and whirl until smooth. Remove the skillet from the oven, quickly arrange the warm apple slices over the melted butter, and pour the batter evenly over all. Bake for 15 min., reduce heat to 375 and bake 10 minutes longer. The pancake will puff and climb up the sides of the pan. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, then cut in wedges and serve with maple syrup.

FRESH BROCCOLI SOUP IN BREAD BOWLS

Round sour dough bread loaves, halved
1/2 pound Broccoli, fresh
1/4 cup Onion, chopped
1/4 cup Margarine
1/2 cup Flour
3 cups Water
4 teaspoons Chicken Bouillon granules
2 cups Milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Steam broccoli in small amount of salted water for 10 minutes or until crisp-tender; coarsely chop. In large saucepan, sauté onion in margarine until tender but not brown. Blend in flour. Add water, chicken bouillon, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until mixture slightly thickens. Add chopped broccoli. Bring to boiling and stir in shredded cheese until melted. Serve soup in individual hollowed out bread loaf halves. Leftover soup freezes well.

HERBED ROAST CHICKEN

1/2 cup Dry white wine
1 Lemon (juice of)
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
4 pounds Chicken, quartered
1/2 cup Olive oil
1/2 cup Tomato sauce
1 Onion, minced
1 Green pepper, minced
1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Cumin

In a shallow dish combine wine, lemon juice, garlic, 1 /4 teaspoon oregano and pinch of salt. Add chicken, turning to coat well and marinate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan combine remaining ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon oregano and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Put chicken in a baking dish and top with sauce. Bake for 1-1/2 hours, or until done.

CUCUMBER SOUP WITH LEMONGRASS AND SPINACH

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
2 Ribs Celery, strings removed; chopped
1 small Onion, minced
2 stalks fresh Lemongrass, tender middle chopped
2 medium Cucumbers, peeled & seeded - chopped
2 cups Chicken stock or broth
1 1/2 cups Spinach leaves
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro leaves
3 Tablespoons Whipping cream
fresh ground Black Pepper to taste

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add celery, onion and lemongrass. Cook gently until onion is tender, 15 minutes. Add cucumbers and stock. Heat to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer until cucumber is tender, 10 minutes.
Strain solids from liquid, reserving both. Puree solids with spinach and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Add reserved liquid, cream, salt and pepper; mix until smooth. Serve warm or chilled.
Makes 4 ~ 1 1/2 cup servings

GOOSEBERRY FOOL

4 cups Gooseberries
1/4 cup Water
2 cups Sugar
Whipped cream

Cook gooseberries in water until done (or you may use the equivalent of canned gooseberries). Mash gooseberries in blender or food processor. Beat sugar into hot gooseberries. When cold, mix with stiffly whipped cream and pour into sherbet glasses for serving.

FRESH HERB SOUP

1 Tablespoon Butter or margarine, unsalted
2 Tablespoons Fresh chives, minced
2 Tablespoons Fresh chervil, minced
2 Tablespoons Lemon sorrel leaves, minced
2 teaspoons Fresh tarragon, minced
1 cup Celery ribs -- finely chopped
4 cups Vegetable broth
Salt and Pepper
1 pinch Sugar
4 slices Whole wheat bread , toasted
1 dash Freshly ground nutmeg
Grated cheddar cheese

Melt the butter over medium heat in a large heavy pot. Add the herbs and celery and cook, stirring, until wilted and soft, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, salt, pepper, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Place a slice of toast in each soup bowl and pour the soup over. Dust with nutmeg and sprinkle with grated cheese

ORANGE HONEY BUTTER

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.

HERBAL LEMON COOKIES

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.

METHEGLIN

5 pounds of honey
1 gallon of water
1 lemon
1 sprig of rosemary
1 sprig of balm
3/4 ounce of yeast

Simmer the herbs and thinly sliced lemon rind for twenty minutes in the gallon of water. Strain the liquid and pour onto the honey, stirring well. When lukewarm, add the juice of the lemon and the yeast. Cover and leave for twenty-four hours, then stir and leave in a warm place until fermentation ceases. Strain the meade into bottles and keep them in a cool, dark place for one year.

BUTTERMILK SCONES

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.

ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 medium, grated, unpeeled zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In mixing bowl, beat eggs till frothy. Beat in sugar, oil & vanilla until thick & lemon colored. Sift in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, & salt. Fold in zucchini & walnuts. Pour mixture in 2 greased & floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

ZUCCHINI WALNUT TOSS

3 medium zucchini
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Cut zucchini in half crosswise; cut each half into 6 spears. In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, spread walnuts into single layer. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 3-4 minutes, or until nuts are fragrant and start to brown. Immediately remove from pan; set aside. In same skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add zucchini and cook, stirring constantly, until crisp-tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and toasted walnuts; cook just until heated through. Top with parmesan cheese.

Blessed be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Litha Ritual

2008-09-13T00:49:00.005+04:00

Make up a small pouch filled with herbs such as lavender, chamomile, St. John's wort and vervain. Pour all your troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses, into this pouch as you construct it. Tie it shut with a red string. Place this on the altar. Cast the circle.

"With the Sun God at the height of His power and majesty,
The waxing of the year is accomplished,
And the reign of the Oak King is ended.
With the Sun God at the height of His splendor,
The waning of the year begins.
The Holly King must slay His brother the Oak King,
And rule over the Goddess' land until the depth of Winter,
When His brother shall be born again."

Litha Chant:
"The spirit of the Oak King is gone from us,
To rest in the Underworld;
Until, with the turning of the Wheel,
The season shall come when He shall return to rule again."

Ring the bell three times.

"Oh great Goddess and God,
All nature vibrates with Your energies
And the Earth is bathed with warmth and life.
Now is time of forgetting past cares and banes,
Now is the time for purification.
Oh fiery Sun,
Burn away the non-useful, the hurtful, the bane,
In Your glorious power.
Purify me! Purify me! Purify me!"

Pick up the pouch and light it. When it is burning, drop it into the cauldron. Say:

"I banish you by the powers of the Goddess and God
I banish you by the powers of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
I banish you by the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water!"

Visualize the negatives burning away to nothingness. Then say:

"Oh gracious Goddess, oh glorious God,
On this day of Midsummer magic
Charge my life with wonder and joy.
Help me to attune with Your divine energy."

Meditate on the purification you have undergone. Feel the power of nature flowing through you, washing you clean with divine energy. Ring the bell three times.

Plunge the athame into the chalice and hold it up, saying:

"The Spear to the Cauldron, the Lance to the Grail,
Spirit to Flesh, Man to Woman, Sun to Earth."

Cakes and ale.

Open the circle.

Midsummer Oil #1
3 parts Patchouli
2 parts Musk
2 parts Carnation

Midsummer Oil #2
2 parts Frankincense
2 part Myrrh
1 part Carnation
1 part Allspice
1 part Cinnamon

Sweet Summer Incense
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

A Love Bath
3 parts Orange flowers
2 parts Lavender
1 part Gardenia petals
1 part Cardamon
1 part Ginger
1 part Rosemary
1 part Rose Petals

Litha Incense #1
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

Litha Incense #2
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

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Beltane Food

2008-09-12T23:40:00.003+04:00

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 & 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.

GOAT CHEESE & SPINACH TURNOVERS

1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 cup Diced red onion
2 cloves Garlic, minced
2 bunches Fresh spinach, stemmed and chopped
2 ounces Soft fresh goat cheese
1/3 cup Toasted pine nuts
3 Tablespoons Grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Grated lemon peel
4 Frozen phyllo pastry sheets, thawed
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add spinach and sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain spinach mixture, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible. Transfer to bowl and cool completely. Add goat cheese, pine nuts, parmesan, rosemary and lemon peel. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface. Cut lengthwise into 3 strips. Brush with butter. Place 1 rounded Tablespoon filling at 1 end of dough strip. Starting at 1 corner, fold pastry over filling, forming triangle. Repeat, folding up length of pastry as for flag. Brush with butter. Repeat with remaining pastry, butter and filling. Transfer turnovers to baking sheet. Cover and chill. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake turnover until golden, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly and serve. Makes 12

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. Leftovers freeze well. Serves 8

MAY WINE

1 bottle of German White Wine
1/2 cup Fresh Strawberries, sliced
12 sprigs of fresh woodruff

Pour wine into carafe or wide mouth bottle. Add strawberries and woodruff and allow to blend for at least an hour. Strain and serve well chilled. Garnish with thin orange slice. The strawberries add a wonderful flavour and the woodruff adds sweetness.

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.

WILD IRISH NETTLE SOUP

12 oz nettle leaves and young, tender stems (use gloves to collect)
3-4 oz butter
6 oz (2 oz each) leek, onion and celery, roughly chopped
2.5 pints chicken stock
1.5 lbs potatoes, sliced
.75 pint cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Comment: from the Ashford Castle Hotel - County Mayo, Ireland
Wash the nettles. Melt 3 oz of the butter in a heavy based pan and sweat the leek, onion, celery and the nettles for 5 to 6 minutes without browning. Add the chicken stock and bring to the boil, then add the potatoes. Cook over a low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes.
Put soup in blender and puree, then return it to the pan, and add the cream. Salt and pepper to taste, reheat gently and check the consistency. Some extra butter may be whisked in for a richer, smoother finish. Garnish each serving with a blanched nettle leaf. Serves 8

OATCAKES - IRISH

6 ounces Oatmeal (preferably fine)
2 ounces Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
10 fluid ounces Warm water

Mix flour and salt together. Slowly add warm water. Roll out on a floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into triangles. Cook on a pan or griddle until golden on both sides. Dry out in a cool oven (300 degrees) until crisp. These cakes are eaten buttered, with a glass of milk, for supper, but are also terrific with wine and cheese.

OATCAKES - SCOTS

1/2 cup Shortening
1 cup Oats or quick-cooking oats
1 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 - 3 Tablespoons Cold Water

Cut shortening into next four ingredients until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until it forms a stiff dough. Roll until 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into 2 inch rounds or squares. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 until they just start to brown - 12 to 15 minutes. To griddle bake; bake on a hot griddle or frying-pan until the edges begin to curl. Turn over and cook the other side. Do not let the oatcakes brown; they should be a pale fawn colour. Put on a wire rack to cool. They are delicious served with cheese.

DONNEGAL OATMEAL CREAM

15 fluid ounces Milk
1/2 cup Medium oatmeal - cracked, not rolled
1 Large egg (beaten)
rind & juice of 1 orange
2 teaspoons Sugar (to taste)
1/2 ounce Gelatin
2 Tablespoons Water
8 ounces Heavy cream, whipped
Fruit sauce of choice

Soak the oatmeal in the milk for 30 minutes, turn all into a pan and stir until it boils. Then simmer 3-4 minutes. Pour mixture into a bowl and add the beaten egg, grated lemon rind, and sugar to taste. Dissolve gelatin in the orange juice and water, add to the mixture when it's cooled, and then fold in the cream. Pour the whole mixture into a glass bowl and leave to set. Serve with 3-4 T of chosen fruit sauce on top

Sauce: Take your favorite jam and thin with 3-4 Tablespoons of water.

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 sauté 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 sauté 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.

SAVORY CHEESE SCONES

2 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups Grated cheddar cheese
3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup Butter
1/3 cup Milk
2 Eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine all dry ingredients, stir in cheeses and toss well. Cut in butter. Combine eggs and milk, add to flour mixture and gently knead to form a stiff dough. Cut dough ball into halves and pat each half into an 8" diameter, 1/2" thick circle. Cut into wedges, place wedges on a baking sheet and bake 15 to 17 minutes, until lightly browned.

IRISH SODA BREAD

1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk

Set the baking rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if available) on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375.
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.

SAND TARTS (OLD GERMAN STYLE)

2 1/2 cups Sugar
2 cups Butter
2 each Egg, well beaten
1 each Egg white
4 cups Flour
Pecans
Cinnamon

Cream the butter and sugar together. Slowly add the flour, working it in well. Add the well-beaten eggs and mix thoroughly. Chill over night. Roll out thin on lightly floured board; brush cookies with the egg white which has been slightly beaten, sprinkle with sugar and a little cinnamon and press 1/2 pecan into center of cookie. Bake at 350-F about 10 minutes.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Beltane Ritual

2008-09-12T18:18:00.005+04:00

For this ritual one should dress brightly and strikingly, wearing flowers and greenery according to taste. A low altar should be built partially or entirely of stones at the middle of the ritual area.

What you will need:

Two candles should be placed on the altar, and the altar itself arranged as usual. (if the ritual is performed outdoors, the candles may be replaced be torches. These may be stuck in the ground on either side of the altar.)

Four candles or torches are placed before the altar to be lit later. A vertical pole about 3 feet in height is usualy erected on the far side of the altar: it should be decked with fruits, flowers, and bright ribbons. A half full cup of wine should be placed before the image of the Goddess.

Before dressing for the ceremony, take a ritual cleansing bath. When ready to go on with the rite, meditate for a while before going into the ritual area, thinking strongly on the old pagan ways and trying to imagine the rituals wich took place on this night in ages passed.

- Go alone to the ritual place. Kneeling before the altar, light the candles or torches on the altar, and the incense. Set alight the four candles before the altar and place them 3 or 5 feet from the altar at the North, then going deosil, saying:

"Here at this spot Do I create a place Sacred to the Gods of old. For a while, here and now Shall the ancient ways Live again"

- Take the wand and hold it out and salute toward the East, saying:

"Oh winds of the East Blow sweet and pure For the Lady reigns again!"

- Hold the wand out and salute toward the South, saying:

"Oh warmth of the South Bring forth life from the earth For the Lady reigns again!"

- Hold the wand out and salute toward the West, saying:

"Oh waters of the West Glisten clear and fresh For the Lady reigns again!"

- Hold the wand out and salute toward the North, saying:

"Oh lands of the North Grow rich and bounteous For the Lady reigns again!"

- Replace the wand and, holding the arms out over the altar, saying:

"Gracious and lovely Lady of the moon, Of joy and love, Protecteress of forests and wild things, This place is consecrated to Thee."

-Take up the wine cup, holding it out at arm's lenght, and pour out a few drops, saying:

" To the Great Ones of old And to the joyous times to come!"

-Drink some of the wine (or if you cannot drink alcohol, use an appropriate substitute).

- After a brief pause, rap three times on the altar with the wand saying:

"As woods and meadows flower forth I celebrate the ancient rite As the Ancients did before me. I cast the words into the mists Of time and space and otherwhere: Where one stays now, in years to come, May scores of others revel there. So may it be!"

- Rap once upon the altar. (More incense should be added now. Ad-lib additions are appropriate at this time...meditations, poetry ...and the like.) (If a source of proper music is available, a solitary Dance of the Winds may be improvised.)

- Draw the Fertility talisman on the parchment, suffumigate it thrice, then, recite the supplication written on the back, ...bow humbly and say:

"Friends of the nether worlds Now, come and assist us in our humble workings. Follow us to another sacred place of ours, And join your forces with ours, On this Fertilization Day."

- Bury the talisman into the ground under an oak tree (if available), saying an ad-lib statement on the meaning of the talisman and its correspondances.Go back to the circle.

- When all is done, close by rapping four time with the wand, saying:

"Friends of the nether worlds Who have been about me for a while You may, with thanks, Return from whence you came."

- Hold out arms and say:

"Blessed Lady of joy and laughter I thank Thee for Thy presence. May some of your love and power Remain with me. Blessed Be!"

- Put out the lights about the altar. As the two on the altar itself are darkened, say:

"This rite is ended..."

Alter this ritual as needed to fit your circumstance. Note that many Beltane celebrations extend roughly one week past the May 1'st date, so any time in early May is appropriate to celebrate, in case you miss celebrating it on the May 1'st date.

Beltane Incense
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Myrrh
1 part Benzoin
1 part Red Copal
1 part Lavender
1 part Jasmine
1 part Rose Petals
1 part Sandalwood

Beltane Incense
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Woodruff
1 part Rose petals
a few drops Jasmine oil
a few drops Neroli oil

Beltane Incense
4 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Heather
1/2 part Calendula
1/2 part Angelica
1/2 part Chamomile
1/2 part Mint
1/2 part Fennel
1/2 part St. Johns Wort

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Ostara Food

2008-09-12T17:47:00.003+04:00

EGG-LEMON SOUP (AVGOLEMONO SOUP)

12 cups Chicken broth
1 cup Long grain rice
Salt to taste
4 medium Eggs, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons Cold water
1 1/2 Lemons, juiced

Make your favorite chicken soup. Strain broth. Bring to boiling point, stir in rice . Cover and simmer over moderate heat until tender. Salt to taste. Cool soup slightly and blend with the sauce ingredients listed above. Separate the eggs. Beat egg whites till stiff. Blend in egg yolks which have been lightly beaten. Then add water and lemon juice, beating till thick. With ladle, add a small amount of hot broth to the egg mixture, blending quickly. Pour this into soup and stir well. Serve at once.

QUEEN'S BISCUITS (Biscotti Di Regina)

4 cups Flour, sifted
1 cup Sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Shortening
2 Eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 pound Sesame seeds

Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets. Sift together in a bowl the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in with pastry blender or two knives until pieces are size of small peas. Add shortening and stir in eggs and milk. Make a soft dough. Mix thoroughly together. Break dough into
small pieces and roll each piece between palms of hands to form rolls about 1-1/2-" in length. Flatten rolls slightly, and roll in sesame seeds. Place on cookie sheets about 3" apart. Bake at 375~ for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

PASKHA (Russian Easter Cake)

3 lbs. Cottage Cheese
1/2 lb. Unsalted Butter, softened
2 1/2 ounces chopped candied fruits and rinds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/8 pint Heavy Cream
4 Egg Yolks
7 ounces Caster Sugar
2 1/4 ounce Blanched Almonds, finely chopped
2 ounces Whole Almonds, toasted
2 ounces candied fruits and rinds

Drain the cottage cheese in a colander with a plate on top for 2 - 3 hours. Meanwhile, place the candied fruits and rinds in a small bowl with the vanilla extract. Mix together well and allow to rest for 1 hour. Put cottage cheese in blender to whip, then place in a large bowl. Beat softened butter into cheese. Heat cream in saucepan until small bubbles form around the edge of the pan (Do Not Boil). Set aside. Beat eggs and sugar together in another bowl with a whisk until they are thick and lemon coloured. Slowly add the hot cream to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then place mixture back in pan. Cook over very low heat, until mixture becomes the consistency of custard. Do Not Allow Mixture To Boil. Remove from heat. Stir in candied fruits and set the pan in a large bowl of ice covered with water. Stir the custard constantly with a metal spoon until completely cool, then mix gently into the cheese mixture. Stir in the chopped almonds.
Russians have a special mold for this cake, but you can use a bowl or a 3 pint clay flower pot. Line mold with a double thickness of cheesecloth, leaving 2 inches hanging on the outside. Pour the batter into the mold and fold the edges of the cheesecloth lightly over the top. Set a weight on top of the cheesecake, and chill in refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Unwrap the cheesecloth from the top and invert mold onto a plate. The Pashka will slide out easily. Gently peel off remaining cheesecloth and decorate cake with candied fruits and whole almonds.

EGG NOG

1 Tablespoon Sugar
Shaved ice (1/2 glass)
1 medium Egg
Whiskey (or Rum)
1/2 cup Milk
Nutmeg

Measure one wineglass of whiskey or rum, add other ingredients (use whole milk), shake thoroughly and strain. Grate a little nutmeg on top and serve.

HONEY FRY BREAD

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Mix the flours, salt, sugar and baking powder together. Add about 1/2 cup water and mix well, adding a bit more water if needed to make a stiff dough. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead until dough becomes elastic and smooth. Let rest for 10 minutes.
Roll out 1/2 inch thick. Cut into squares, strips, or circles. Deep fry in very hot oil until golden brown. Drain on brown paper bags or paper towels.
Drizzle honey in a very thin stream over bread and serve immediately. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon if desired.
NOTE: This is a variation of the southwestern U.S. fry bread recipe.

HOT CROSS BUNS WITH LEMON FROSTING

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
1 cup warm milk (about 110 degrees)
2 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 Tablespoon each salt and ground cinnamon
1/4 Tablespoon each ground cloves and nutmeg
2 eggs
3/4 cup currants
1/4 cup finely diced candied orange peel or citron
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour, unsifted
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in milk, butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Beat in eggs. Add currants, orange peel, and enough of the flour (about 4 cups) to make a soft ball. Turn dough out onto floured board; knead until smooth and satiny (10-20 minutes), adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. turn dough over in a greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).
Punch dough down and divide into 36 equal pieced; shape each into a smooth ball. Place balls about 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Brush each gently with egg yolk mixture. Cover lightly and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 35 minutes).
Bake in a 400 oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on racks for about 5 minutes; then, with a spoon or the tip of a knife, drizzle frosting over top of each bun to make a small "X".
Makes 3 dozen.

Lemon Frosting:
Combine:
1 cup sifted Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon water

Stir together until smooth. Use as directed above

HONEY AND ORANGE TEA LOAF (Scottish}

6 ounces Self Rising flour
6 ounces Honey
1 ounce Margarine
1 large Egg
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
6 Tablespoons Milk
1 large Orange, grated rind of

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a 2 lb. loaf tin. Cream the margarine and honey together in a bowl, mixing thoroughly. Add the egg and beat vigorously. Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder and add alternately with the milk, to the creamed mixture. Sprinkle in the orange rind and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the tin. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, glaze with honey and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack. Serve sliced and buttered.

ARDSHANE HOUSE IRISH STEW

4 pounds Middle neck of Lamb, cut into 1" cubes
4 pounds Potatoes, peeled and cubed
10 small Onions, quartered
2 ounces Pearl Barley
2 pints Stock
Salt and Pepper to taste

This is the basic recipe. You can add sliced carrots and leeks to make it go further and about 5-6 teaspoons. of Worcestershire sauce or you could add a half a pint of Guinness to your stock. I make my stock from the potato peelings, carrot tops, leek ends, and any other stuff I find lurking in the refrigerator. If you put in a few lamb bones and simmer these together for several hours, you'll have a rich stock, strain well before using. You'll need to start with about 5 pints of liquid. Put everything into a large kettle , bring to the boil, and then simmer for about two hours...Add more liquid if necessary. Salt and pepper to taste

ROAST LEG OF LAMB

5 pounds leg of lamb
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, coarse or Kosher
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon thyme

Trim lamb of fat. Cut slits about 1/2" deep all over lamb and insert slivers of garlic. Rub all over with olive oil. Combine salt, pepper, and herbs and rub herb mixture all over lamb. Allow to sit at room temperature 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roast lamb for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then turn oven down to 350. Continue to roast until desired degree of doneness is reached, about an hour for medium rare. Baste with pan juices once or twice. Remove from pan and allow to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Potatoes, carrots, and onions may be roasted in pan with lamb. Baste occasionally.

LEMONADE

2 Tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 Tablespoons Sugar syrup**
1 cup Water

Put the lemon juice, sugar syrup and water in a glass and stir. Add ice to chill. Garnish with lemon slices.

NOTE: To make sugar syrup, bring equal parts of sugar and water to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves, and remove from the heat. Cool before using. Store unused syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator.

ROSEMARY POTATOES

1 1/2 pounds Small new potatoes
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 Tablespoons Fresh rosemary, chopped

Cover new potatoes with water and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Drain and toss potatoes in pan over heat until outside of potatoes are dry. Add olive oil, salt, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Place potatoes in a pan, in one layer, and bake in a 350~ oven until crispy and browned, about 15-20 minutes. Serve with roasted and grilled meats or poultry.

MIXED GREENS WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE

3 Tablespoons Raspberry vinegar
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Garlic, minced
1/3 cup Olive oil
8 cups Mixed baby greens

Combine first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place mixed baby greens in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat and serve.

Blessed be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Ostara Ritual

2008-09-12T04:56:00.006+04:00

Place spring flowers on the altar and on the ground around and within the circle. Place the appropriate element at each of the four points: A potted plant at the North (earth), smoking incense at the East (air), a candle at the South (fire), and the cauldron or a bowl filled with water at the West (water). Also place a flower of the appropriate color at each point: North - Black, brown, green or white; East - White, bright yellow, crimson, blue-white or pastels; South - Red, gold, crimson, orange or white; West - Blue, blue-green, green, gray, indigo or black. Buds and blossoms may be worn, as well.

Arrange your tools upon the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle.

Recite a Blessing chant and invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the altar and gaze upon the plant as you say:
Hail Great Goddess, the chains of your wintry prison have fallen away.
Now is the greening, when the delicate scent of flowers drifts on the breeze.
The cycle begins anew and life rekindles itself by Your magic, Earth Goddess.
The God stretches and arises, fervent in His youth, and bursting with the promise of summer.

Touch the plant. Connect with its energies and, through it, all nature. Voyage inside its leaves and stems through your visualization - from the center of your consciousness out through your arm and fingers and into the plant itself. Explore its inner nature; sense the miraculous processes of life at work within it.

After a time, still touching the plant, say:
I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance.
Mother Goddess and Father God, instill within me
through this plant a warmth for all living things.
Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures.
May I never forget.

Meditate upon the changing of the seasons. Feel the rousing of energies around you in the Earth.

If necessary, perform any works of magic at this time.

Earth the power raised and release the circle.

Circle Incense
(from The Witch's Circle, page 378)

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
Blend the ingredients with mortar and pestle. Enchant them as you work by focusing on your intent to bless and charge the growth of the plants you will start in your Ostara ritual, and also your own growth in Spirit. Burn the incense on charcoal.

Spring Sabbat Incense
Burn during spring and summer Sabbat rituals.
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Benzoin
1 part Cinnamon
a few drops Patchouli oil

Ostara Incense
Burn during Ostara rituals.
2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Benzoin
1 Part Dragon's Blood
1/2 Part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violet flowers (or few drops violet oil)
1/2 Part Orange peel
1/2 Part Rose petals

Ostara Oil
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Benzoil
1 part Dragon's Blood
1/2 part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violet
1/2 part Orange
1/2 part Rose

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Imbolc Food

2008-09-11T15:13:00.003+04:00

BOILED CUSTARD

1 quart milk
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Scald milk in heavy pan - do not boil. Thoroughly beat eggs, adding salt and sugar. Beat a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour egg mixture into hot milk, stirring well. Slowly bring just to a boil until mixture coats a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and beat until cool. Add vanilla and chill well.

DUBLIN SUNDAY CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE

5 pounds Corned beef brisket
1 large Onion stuck with 6 whole cloves
6 Carrots, peeled and sliced
8 Potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 small Bunch Parsley
1 head Cabbage (about 2 lbs) cut in quarters

Horseradish Sauce:
1/2 pint Whipping Cream
2 - 3 Tablespoons prepared horseradish

Put beef in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add all other ingredients except cabbage and bring to a boil with the lid off the pot. Turn to simmer and cook for 3 hours. Skim fat from top as it rises. Remove the thyme, parsley and onion. Add cabbage. Simmer for 20 minutes until cabbage is cooked. Remove the meat and cut into pieces. Place on center of a large platter. Strain the cabbage and season it heavily with black pepper. Surround the beef with the cabbage, carrots and potatoes. Serve with horseradish sauce.
Horseradish Sauce: Whip cream until it stand in peaks. Fold in horseradish.

BAKED CUSTARD WITH GINGER

3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
3/4 teaspoon Finely Grated Fresh Ginger
3 large Eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups Milk
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

Mix brown sugar with ginger and divide evenly onto bottoms of 6 buttered individual custard cups or ramekins.
In medium mixing bowl, blend eggs with milk, sugar, vanilla and seasonings. Pour evenly into prepared custard cups. Place cups in a large pan, then fill with hot water to come halfway up sides of cups (a hot water bath or bain-marie).
Bake at 350 F. oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until knife inserted near edge comes out clean. Remove cups from bain-marie. Run knife around edges to loosen. Place serving plate over top of cup and carefully invert custard onto plate. Serve warm or cover, chill and serve cold.

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

LIEBKUCHEN (Honey Cakes)

1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
1 cup sour milk* (see below)
2 Tablespoons vinegar
6 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon mace
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Prepare sour milk and mix dry ingredients. Set both aside. Cream margarine and sugar, add egg, beat until light. Add honey, sour milk and vinegar. Mix thoroughly. Chill one hour. Roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into 2"x3" rectangles and place on buttered cookie sheets. Bake at 375° for 6 minutes. Frost with plain vanilla frosting.
* For sour milk, add 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk and let stand for 10 minutes.

NOODLE KUCHEN

7 eggs
1 cup sugar
16 ounces cottage cheese
2 cups sour cream
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup butter
1 pound broad egg noodles, cooked
Topping:

1/4 cup crushed cornflakes
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
sour cream to garnish

Mix eggs and sugar. Add cottage cheese, sour cream, milk, vanilla, and raisins. In separate bowl, add butter to warm noodles, stirring until melted. Combine noodles with cottage cheese mixture. Pour into 9 x 13 glass pan. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350. To make topping, combine cornflakes, cinnamon, and sugar. Sprinkle over top of kugel. Bake 1 hour. Let dish set for about 5 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and garnish with sour cream.

PANNEKOEKEN (German Pancake)

2 Tablespoons butter
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter in oven pancake pan. Heat for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Spread evenly in pan. In large bowl, beat eggs slightly. Stir in flour, sugar and salt. Gradually add milk, beating until smooth. Pour into pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Bake 40 - 45 minutes or until it reaches a deep golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately slide pancake onto a serving plate. Fill with fresh fruit and top with confectioners sugar. Serves 6.

This recipe is served at The Haddie Pierce House Bed & Breakfast.

GRANNY'S IRISH SCONES

16 ounces Self-Rising Flour
4 ounces Margarine
3 ounces Sugar
Milk
2 Eggs
5 ounces Raisins or currants
1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Mix flour and margarine together with your fingers until the mixture is fine; add sugar, raisins and baking powder. Beat eggs and add. Pour in enough milk to make mixture into a sticky dough (not too wet). Lift out onto a floured board and flatten out to 1-1/2" in thickness and cut out scones with a biscuit cutter. Place 6 on a greased baking sheet and brush tops with a little beaten egg (this helps them to brown). Bake 15 minutes in preheated 400~ oven.

Source: Granny's Kitchen, St. Patrick's Rock, Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland.

IRISH SODA BREAD

1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk

Set the baking rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if available) on the rack.
Preheat the oven to 375.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP

3 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 large Onion, chopped
2 Stalks celery, sliced thinly
3 Carrots, diced
1 1/2 Tablespoons Curry powder
2 Tablespoons All-purpose flour
5 cups Chicken stock
2 Tablespoons Long grain white rice
2 Tomatoes; peeled & chopped
8 ounces Chicken; cooked & diced
1 small Apple; cooked, peeled, cored & diced
Salt to taste
Fresh celery leaves

Heat butter and oil in a saucepan. Add onion, celery and carrots; cook gently 5 minutes. Stir in Curry Powder and flour and cook 1 minute. Stir in stock and bring to a boil; add rice and stir well. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, chicken, apple and salt. Cover again and simmer 15 minutes. Garnish with celery leaves and carrot strip, if desired, and serve hot.

BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM TRUFFLES

1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
1 Tablespoon Butter
12 oz semisweet chocolate pieces
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup Heavy Cream

Melt chocolate pieces, Bailey's and heavy cream together over very low heat. Whisk in yolks, one at a time, mixture will thicken. Whisk in butter. Refrigerate several hours, or overnight until firm. Make small balls with a teaspoon. Roll in powdered sugar or cocoa.

ROSE - HIP WINE

3 pounds of rose hips
3 pounds of sugar
1 gallon boiling water

Wash the rose hips and cut them in half. Put them in large bowl and pour boiling water on them. Stir well with wooden spoon. Cover bowl and leave for two weeks. Strain off liquid into another bowl and add three pounds of sugar. Stir until dissolved. Cover bowl and leave for 5 days, stirring daily. Bottle, remembering to cork loosely at first, and store in a cool, dark place. Push in corks when wine has finished fermenting. It will be ready to drink in 6 months.

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Imbolc Ritual

2008-09-11T14:17:00.005+04:00

Setup and Materials

Light Green Taper Goddess Candle
Light Yellow Taper God Candle
Brass cauldron filled with snow/crushed Ice
Small White Pillar Candle
Potpourri Holder
Tea Lite
Basil, Bay, Heather Flowers, Cinnamon and Vanilla Potpourri Blend

Sweep area, moving in deosil direction. Place the light green taper Goddess candle to the top left of altar and the light yellow taper God candle to the top right of altar. Place the tea lite in the bottom of potpourri holder, and put holder at front center of the altar. Place white pillar candle in the middle of the cauldron, fill cauldron about 1"-2" with snow or crushed ice, and position on floor in front of altar. Put the container with potpourri where it can be reached easily.

Casting the Circle

Cast the circle by holding out your athame in your projective hand and tracing over the area in a clockwise direction. As you trace over the area envision flames of pure white rising up along the perimeter. When the beginning and the end join the circle is complete. Step up to the cauldron and light the white pillar candle, saying:

"Amidst the darkness the Lady is stirring,
Gently awakening from frozen dreams,
All the world has awaited this moment The return of the Maiden,
And Her promise of oncoming Spring."

Invocation of the Elements

Call Quarters. As this is a time to honor Mother Earth as she wakes from her winter's recovery of giving rebirth to the Sun King at Yule, start with North, the element Earth. Pick up the container of potpourri, step up to the altar and pour some into the holder, saying:

"Earth with molten core of light,
With strength and purpose, inspire my rite.
Powers of Earth, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light.
Oh Spirit of Earth, be within me!"

Ring the bell three times.

"Oh great Goddess and God,
All nature vibrates with Your energies
And the Earth is bathed with warmth and life.
Now is time of forgetting past cares and banes,
Now is the time for purification.
Oh fiery Sun,
Burn away the non-useful, the hurtful, the bane,
In Your glorious power.
Purify me! Purify me! Purify me!"

Put the container back where it was. Light the candle at the North point of the circle. Continue, by waving your hand over the potpourri as if to create a breeze on which to carry the scent, saying:

"Winds of East, fan flames of light
To fire my thoughts, inspire my rite.
Powers of Air, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light.
Oh Spirit of Air, be within me!"

Light the candle at the East point of the circle. Light the tea candle in the bottom of the potpourri holder, saying:

"Fires of South, burn high, burn bright.
Charge my will, inspire my rite.
Powers of Fire, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light.
Oh Spirit of Fire, be within me!"

Light the candle at the South point of the circle. Pour some water into the holder with the potpourri, saying:

"Waves that reflect the fiery light
Flow with compassion, inspire my rite.
Powers of Water, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light.
Oh Spirit of Water, be within me!"

Light the candle at the West point of the circle. Take the white pillar candle from the cauldron and invoke the Goddess and the God by lighting the light green Goddess candle and the light yellow God candle with the white pillar candle, saying:

"Be with me now, oh Ancients, eternal,
Hear now my prayers, hopes and dreams.
The Goddess has wakened, once more as the Maiden
By loving caresses from the strengthened Sun King."

Place the white pillar candle back in the cauldron.

"The Earth now grows warmer, as the Wheel again turns
And as each passing day adds strength, To the Sun King's rays
The Maiden, of his gift of life, now silently does yearn.

Behold the God and Goddess,
Lord of the Forest and his Bride,
Once again the Earth is blessed
With life anew inside.
Seeds shall soon begin to sprout
And creatures shall young bear
For this is the Promise, the Cycle of Life
That is born of the love They share."

Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings. Spell workings associated with Imbolc include those for fertility, defining and focusing on goals for the future, organization, health, and protection.

Ceremony of the Cakes and Wine

"I bless these cakes in the name of the Lord,
the Horned God, the Sun King
Bless these cakes in your name.
As I say so mote it be.

I bless this wine in the name of the Lady,
the Triple Goddess, the Witch Queen
Bless this wine in your name
As I say so mote it be."

The Closing of the Circle

Thank the God and Goddess for Their presence and snuff their candles. Thank and release the Quarters, saying:

"Though you leave this circle, tonight,
Water, Fire, Air, and Earth
Your symbols shall linger on a while
Blessing my home and hearth.
The herbs that scent this room tonight,
Were chosen with loving care,
To bless me, my family and my friends,
And my sisters and brothers everywhere."

Step back from the altar and face the cauldron with the white pillar candle still burning brightly saying:

"I honor Thee, Maiden, most blessed Bride
As your candle burns through this night
And thank you for the renewed life you offer us all
As you emerge from the dark to the light."

Release the circle. Clean up, place the cauldron from the floor onto the middle of the altar. Let the candle burn out by itself. Place the potpourri in a spot where its scent and blessings fill the house.

Imbolc Incense #1
3 parts frankincense
2 parts dragon's blood
1/2 part red sandalwood
1 part cinnamon
a few drops red wine
To this mixture add a pinch of the first flower (dried) that is available in your area at the time of Imbolc.

Imbolc Incense #2
1 part willow wood
1 part rowan berries
2 parts benzoin
1/2 part lily of the valley
1/2 part periwinkle

Imbolc Oil #1
1/4 oz almond oil
10 drops orange oil
9 drops siberian fir oil
5 drops frankincense oil
5 drops carnation oil
5 drops primrose oil
5 drops ginger oil
5 drops lavender oil
4 drops nutmeg oil
To the bottle add: dried orange flowers, garnet

Imbolc Oil #2
2 drops jasmine oil
2 drops rose oil
2 drops chamomile oil
2 drops lemon oil
2 drops lavender oil
1/8 oz. base oil

Imbolc Potpourri
1 cup oakmoss, dried
2 cups dried heather
2 cups dried wisteria
1 cup dried yellow tulip petals
1/2 cup dried basil
1/2 cup chopped bayleaves
45 drops musk or myrrh oil

Blessed Be!
Lady Aisha Shamise

Yule Food

2008-09-10T23:44:00.002+04:00

APPLE DUMPLINGS
2 cups Flour
4 teaspoons
Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Shortening
1 cup Milk
6 each AppleSugar
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).

BUTTERNUT SQUASH

2 Butternut Squash, halved with seeds remove
Margarine or ButterSalt
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1/2 Cup Honey
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place squash cut-side down on greased shallow baking pan.
Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until fork tender.
Wipe cut surface with a little butter and sprinkle with salt.
Return to bake cut-side up about 10 minutes longer or until browned and soft.
Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
Scrape out the squash into a mixing bowl.
Add sugar, honey, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and butter.
Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
Put in buttered casserole. Return to oven, covered, for 30 minutes.

ORANGE-CRANBERRY CHICKEN WITH SWEET POTATOES

1 Orange
1 4lb.Roasting Chicken
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 pound Sweet Potatoes
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Whole berry Cranberry Sauce
2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

Preheat oven to 375%.
Grate rind from orange(don't include the bitter white part).
Rinse chicken & pat dry.
Sprinkle with salt,pepper & 1/2 the grated orange rind.
Place,breast side up,on a rack in large roasting pan.
Roast for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile pare & cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch slices,then toss with Olive oil.
Place in single layer in the bottom of roasting pan.
Continue roasting 1 hour & 45 minutes,turning potatoes occasionally & basting chicken & potatoes frequently,until the chicken juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with fork & leg moves freely.
During the last 1/2 hour of roasting,combine Chicken broth,cranberry sauce & vinegar in a small saucepan.
Bring to boiling over med.heat;boil 20 min. or until reduced to 1 1/2 cups.
Peel white pith from orange,seed flesh & chop.Stir remaining rind & chopped orange into saucepan;simmer 5 min.
Let Chicken rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Cut chicken in half lengthwise down the middle.
Spoon Cranberry Sauce mixture over chicken & serve with Sweet Potatoes.

SOFT GINGER BREAD

1 cup Sugar
1 cup Molasses
1/2 cup Butter or other shortening
3 cups Flour
1 cup Milk, sour
2 teaspoons Ginger
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon Soda - dissolved in
1/4 cup boiling Water

Cream the shortening and sugar, add the eggs and molasses, and mix well.
Sift the flour and spices, and add alternately with the milk to the first mixture.
Stir in the dissolved soda.
Pour into well-greased cake pan and bake at 350-F 30 minutes.

GINGER CAKES

1 cup Shortening
1 cup Brown sugar
2 each Egg, well beaten
1 cup Molasses
4 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Soda
1 Tablespoon boiling Water
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 pinch Salt

Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening.
Cream the shortening and sugar together.
Add eggs and beat thoroughly.
Add the molasses and baking soda which has been dissolved in the boiling water.
Sift the flour and ginger together and combine with other ingredients.
Mix well.
Pour into well-greased muffin pans and bake at 350-F about 20 minutes.

MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

2 cups Shortening
2 1/4 cups Brown sugar
1 quart Molasses
8 cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Cloves
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda *dissolved in
1 teaspoon Vinegar

Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening.
Sift the flour and spices together.
Add sugar and mix well.
Work in the shortening with the finger tips or with a pastry blender.
Add baking soda and molasses and mix thoroughly.
Chill.
Roll very thin on floured board and cut with fancy cookie cutters.
Bake at 350-F about 10 minutes.

MORAVIAN SCOTCH CAKES

1 1/2 cups Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
4 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Caraway seeds

Mix the flour, caraway seeds and sugar together.
Work in the butter with the finger tips until well blended.
Roll out about 1/3 inch thick on floured board.
Cut in small squares.
Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 325-F about 15 minutes.
When cold, cover with boiled icing and sprinkle with colored sugar.

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

Sauté 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.

STOLLEN

1 1/2 c Milk; scald/cool to lukewarm
3 1/2 Yeast; dry/envelopes
3/4 cup Water; lukewarm
3 cups Flour; sifted
1/2 cup Eggs; yolks/lightly beaten
3/4 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Salt
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Butter; softened Flour;
10-11 cups, as needed
5 cups currants
1 1/2 c Almonds; chopped or slivered
1 cup Citron;
/2 Lemon; rind only/grated
2 teaspoons Rum

Milk should be cooled to about 100 degrees.
Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of the cooled milk and 3 cups sifted flour.
Cover the sponge with a cloth and let it ripen until bubbles appear on the surface and it is about to drop in the center.
Pour the remaining milk over the sponge.
Add the egg yolks, sugar and salt and beat until the ingredients are well blended.
Add 1 cup flour and beat well.
Blend in the butter.
Add more flour gradually to make a smooth dough, or until 10 to 11 cups have been added.
Some flours absorb more liquid than others.
Knead in the currants, almonds, and citron, along with the lemon rind which should be mixed with the rum.
Knead the dough until the fruits and nuts are dispersed well through it and it is smooth.
Dust the top lightly with flour and let it rise in a warm place about 45 minutes.
Punch it down and let stand for 20 minutes.
Divide the dough in half and knead the pieces until smooth.
Let them stand for 10 minutes longer.
Place one ball of dough on a lightly floured board, and with a rolling pin, press down the center of the ball, and roll the pin to and fro 4 to 5 times, pressing all the time to make an elliptical shape 6 inches long and 3 1/2" wide.
The center rolled part should be 1/8" thick and 4 inches long.
Both ends should remain untouched, resembling rather thick lips.
Place this rolled out piece of dough on a buttered baking sheet and brush the center part with melted butter.
Fold one lip toward the other and on the top of it.
Press the fingertips down near and below the lips, pulling somewhat apart.
Give a pull away from each end, pointing them toward the lips.
The shape should resemble a waning moon.
Repeat the process with the second piece of dough.
Let the Stollen rise, covered in a warm place until they double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
Bake them in a moderately hot oven (375 degrees) for 35 to 40 minutes.
Do not overbake them.
Cool them on racks.
Brush them with butter and cover with vanilla sugar.

SWEET POTATOES AND CRANBERRIES

6 sweet potatoes
1 cup cranberry sauce
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon orange rind
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cranberries
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Boil sweet potatoes in their skins until barely tender.
Peel, slice thickly, and arrange in a buttered baking dish.
In saucepan mix remaining ingredients.
Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes.
Pour over sweet potatoes and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until glazed and hot.

ROAST LOIN OF VENISON WITH CRANBERRIES

2 thick slices of lemon
2 thick slices of orange
2 slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 small bay leaf
2 cups fresh cranberries
4 pounds boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped juniper berries
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup of cold water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
Reduce the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered, until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir in the cranberries, then remove from heat and cool.
Transfer the mixture to a glass container, coer and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat.
Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan juices, until medium-rare (about 135 degrees F on a meat thermometer), 25 to 30 minutes.
Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and ginger slices from the cranberries.
In a food processor or blender, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth.
In a medium nonreactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.
Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Strain the remaining whole cranberries and add them to the sauce with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries.
Swirl in the cold butter.
Slice the venison thinly (stir any juices into the sauce) and serve with the sauce, reheated if necessary.

WASSAIL PUNCH

1 Dozen apples; baked
1 cup Water
4 cups Sugar
1 Tablespoon Freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons Ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon Ground mace
6 Whole cloves
6 Allspice berries
1 Stick cinnamon
1 Dozen eggs, separated
4 Bottles sherry or Madeira wine
2 cups Brandy

Ancient England gave us the custom of "wassailing".
It is based on the tradition of friends gathering in a circle, whereupon the host drinks to the health of all present.
He sips from a glass of hot punch or spiced ale, then passes the glass.
A special bowl was used as the vessel.
As each friend raises the vessel, before sipping he or she proclaims the Saxon toast "Wass hael!" meaning "be whole" or "be well."
Although many versions exist, this one contains the symbolic ingredients: apples, representing fertility and health; spices, signifying riches and variety; eggs, a symbol of life and rebirth; as well as wine and brandy.
The beverage is served hot, so plan on a heatproof punchbowl.
This makes enough for a crowd.
Just how large a crowd depends on your group's taste for rich, spicy wine drinks.
Figure on at least 16-18 servings.

Cook's notes: This also can be made with a combination of beer and wine, preferably sherry, with roughly 4 parts beer to one part sherry.
The resulting flavor is authentic to the Colonial period, but far less familiar to contemporary palates.
Prepare the punch: Combine water, sugar, and spices in a large stainless steel, enamel or glass saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light in color.
In separate pans, bring the wine (and beer, if used) and the brandy almost to the boiling point.
Fold the whites into the yolks, using a large heatproof bowl.
Strain the sugar and spice mixture into the eggs, combining quickly.
Incorporate the hot wine with the spice and egg mixture, beginning slowly and stirring briskly with each addition.
Toward the end of this process, add the brandy.
Now, just before serving and while the mixture is still foaming, add the baked apples.

Presentation: Serve in heatproof cups or punch glasses.
Guests are welcome to take part or all of an apple.

WASSAIL

2 Quarts apple juice
2 1/4 cups Pineapple juice
2 cups Orange juice
1 cup Lemon juice
1/2 cup Sugar1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon Whole cloves

Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
Uncover and simmer an additional 20 minutes.
Strain and discard cinnamon and cloves.
Serve hot.
Yield: 3 quarts.

YULE MOON COOKIES

1 cup butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup. flour
1 1/2 cups grated almonds (blanched)
1 tsp. vanilla
Icing:
2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 T. water

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy and light.
Add grated lemon peel, salt, flour, grated almonds, and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix thoroughly.
Place dough in bowl.
Cover and chill thoroughly.
When dough is well chilled; or next day, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness and cut with moon/crescent cookie cutter.
Place 1/2" apart on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Icing:While cookies bake, combine confectioner's sugar, vanilla and water.
Spread over tops of cookies while still warm, but not too hot as icing will melt.
Thin with additional drops of water if glaze is too thick.
Allow cookies to cool.
Yield: 10 dozen cookies.

YULE LOG COOKIES

1/2 cup Brown sugar, firmly packed
3 Tablespoons Butter or margarine, softened
1 Egg1 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.

Blessed Be!!!
Aisha Shamise

Yule Ritual

2008-08-13T00:09:00.005+04:00

Supplies
A Green Altar Cloth
Altar Pentacle
A Cauldron w/Lid or Cover Plate
Mistletoe Sprig Wreath
1 Black Votive Candle with a Holly Sprig Wreath around it
1 Yellow Votive Candle
1 Red Votive Candle
1 Blue Votive Candle
1 Brown Votive Candle
1 Green Taper Candle and holder
1 White Taper Candle and holder
1 Gold Pillar Candle
Athame
Yule Incense
Bowl of Water with a Pine Sprig in it
Plate of Sand

Preparation

This ritual should be performed right after sunset. About an hour before, sweep the area moving in a deosil manner. Yule symbols, such as Poinsettias, Pine Cones, and even a decorated Yule Log nearby (if too big for the altar) add to the atmosphere. Place the proper candles and symbols at the four cardinal directions. Place the gold God pillar candle at right top of altar. Place the white Goddess taper candle at the top left. Place your Pentacle (or a plate with a Pentagram drawn on it) in the center of the altar. Place the black votive candle with the holly sprig wreath around it, inside the cauldron. Place your cauldron on the right side of the altar. Cover the cauldron with lid or cover plate. Place the green taper candle and mistletoe wreath where they will be behind you at the beginning of the ritual. Place the rest of your tools and props according to personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly for a period to ground and center. When ready put on some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

Opening

Step up to the altar and begin:

"From the darkness is born the light. From the void, fulfillment emerges. The darkest night of the year is at the threshold. Open now the door, and honor the darkness."

Take the lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside. Step back from the cauldron and give silent honor to the Holly King, the ruler of the dark half of the year.

Casting The Circle

Cast the circle, walking around the circle three times deosil:

"Here the circle I do cast
Call the elements to bind it fast
Beyond the boundaries of Time and Space
I create in here a Sacred Place
Where none but love has entered in
And with Love I now begin."

Invocation Of The Elements

Call the quarters, starting by lighting the yellow candle in the East:

"Guardians of the East, Powers of Air
I ask you convey your gift of thought
To enlighten me with the wisdom of common sense
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the essence of pine trees
Remind me of Springtime
As I face the Solstice Night
Guardians of the East, be welcome."

Light the Yule incense and place it on the pentacle.

Light the red candle in the South:

"Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire
I ask you convey your gift of a warm and loving heart
To spread love everywhere I go
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the first glint of tomorrow
Remind me of Summer
As I face the Solstice Night.
Guardians of the South, be welcome."

Pick up the Athame and brandish it in the flame of the candle to reflect the light. Place it on the pentacle.

Light the blue candle in the West:

"Guardians of the West, Powers of Water
I ask you convey your gift of strength
To wash over me that I may always
Offer a hand to those who need
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you bittersweet memories
Remind me of Autumn
As I face the Solstice Night.
Guardians of the West, be welcome."

Pick up the bowl of water, sprinkle water with pine sprig on the pentacle. Lay the pine sprig on the pentacle.

Light the brown candle in the North:

"Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth
I ask you convey your gift of the joy of life
So I can appreciate every day I have,
And share that joy with all I love
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the land that now slumbers
Remind me of Winter
And this cold Solstice Night.
Guardians of the North, be welcome."

Pick up the plate of sand and sprinkle it in a line around the other symbols on the pentacle.

Invocation Of The God And Goddess

"I welcome the God to my circle this Yule
The Ivy King, the Winter King, the Sage.
Bless my celebration and circle,
Grace me with your presence this night.

I welcome the Goddess to my circle this Yule
The Mother Goddess, the Winter Queen, the Crone
Bless my celebration and circle,
Grace me with your presence this night."

Step back from the altar for a moment and contemplate the seasons of the past year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you are today. When ready, begin again:

"Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night
But Thy labor, Blessed Mother Has reborn the Sacred Light
The Child Divine, The most honored Sun
Shall return with the sunrise
Again, Two will be One."

Remove the Holly wreath from around the black votive candle. Face the North and present the wreath, saying:

"Powers of Earth, bid farewell to the Holly King!"
Face the East and present the wreath, saying:

"Powers of Air, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

Face the South and present the wreath, saying:

"Powers of Fire, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

Face the West and present the wreath, saying:

"Powers of Water, bid farewell to the Holly King!"

Finally, in a clockwise motion, place the wreath behind you, to signify the passing of the Holly King. Bring forward the Mistletoe wreath and the green candle. Slide the wreath over the green candle and place the candle in its holder in the cauldron. Light the green candle with the black votive candle:

"Hark! Behold the Rebirth of the King of the Woodlands!
Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!"

Face the North, raise your arms and say:

"Rejoice, O Powers of Earth
Welcome the Divine Child!"

Face the East, raise your arms and say:

"Rejoice, O Powers of Air
Welcome the Divine Child!"

Face the South, raise your arms and say:

"Rejoice, O Powers of Fire
Welcome the Divine Child!"

Face the West, raise your arms and say:

"Rejoice, O Powers of Water
Welcome the Divine Child!"

Snuff the black votive candle and place it behind you. Turn back to the cauldron, close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King. Begin again:

"Awake now Thy Mother, Thy Lover, Thy Lady
Awake now Thy Goddess of Life, Death, and Rebirth."

Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white Goddess candle on the altar. Replace the green candle in the cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle with both hands and hold out at arm's length over the cauldron:

"Awaken my Lady
Look upon Thy Divine Child
His rebirth while You slumbered
Was subtle and silent
The Stag King, the Green Man,
Lord of Fertility
Awaits Thy wakening
Gentle and benevolent"

Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder at the left top of altar. Step back and assume the Goddess position. In a bold voice:

"All hail the Oak King
His rebirth; a promise
All hail the Divine Child,
Giver of Life
All hail the Blessed Sun,
Reborn to the Mother
For he retakes His throne
At the end of Solstice Night!"

Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings. Spell workings associated with Yule include those for peace, harmony, love, and happiness. Next celebrate with the Cakes and Ale ceremony, saving some for the wee Folks, outside.

Thanks To The God And Goddess

"Lord and Lady, I thank you for joining my circle this evening
Bringing your love, joy and warmth to me.
Stay if you want, go if you must.
Blessed Be."

Thanks To And Dismissal Of The Elements

Thank and release the elements:

"Carry sweet tidings,
'round the world and beyond
I charge thee as messengers
Earth, Water, Fire, and Air
Let all rejoice loudly
In the Oak King's return
Teach all that you meet,
With the glad tidings you bear."

Snuff each Quarter candle in a widdershins manner.

Step back and face the cauldron and the green and white candles still burning bright.

"Before my circle tonight I close,
Blessings I ask for this hearth and my kin
Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise
A special flame I will carry, within
And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light
Adding my will to the Sun King's intent
To climb aloft in the vaulted skies
And for strength back to me; three times, strength I've sent."

Snuff the green and white candles. Take the Mistletoe wreath and place it on the other symbols on the Pentacle/Center Plate. Release the circle. Clean up, leaving the gold God pillar candle in the center front of the altar to light upon rising in the morning.

Yule Incense
2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Pine needles or resin
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper berries

Blessed Be!!!
Lady Aisha Shamise