You'll still have your favorite song of the week, Pagan Lore, Astrology and Divinations as well. The Sunday Stew Chefs welcome our newest addition to the Crew: Loren Morris brings some new ingredients in her column, "Oh The Humanity!". Ready to dig in?
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker
Other folks are all too happy to set expectations for you. For me, I know there was a line of folks, starting with my parents, ready to decide what it was I should do with myself. And it's way too easy to get trapped in those expectations. As a friend said to me earlier this week, that's no way to live. While the sun is at it's peak, why not focus that potent summer and solstice vibe on the things that mean the most to you, instead of what others project upon or expect of you? Take that energy and use it on something you maybe put off because it seemed too self-focused. For those hard core people-pleasers out there, I'll bet you'll find that a bit of enlightened, self-directed bliss helps you better interact with others around you. It works that way for me at least!
Keep Dancing,
Kestril
In the News
Repeal Witchcraft Act
18 Arrested for Witchcraft Killing
Teacher in Papua, New Guinea Beheaded for Witchcraft
Summer Solstice: It's All About Sex
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, June 16
Today is Silver Chalice Day. Every year on this date, Wiccan friends and coven members gather together in a circle to rejoice and share a traditional silver chalice of wine (or fruit juice) consecrated in the names of the Goddess and Her consort, the Horned God. Many Pagan handfastings and Wiccanings are performed by coven priestesses around this time of the month. On this date in the year 1881, famous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau died in her home in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Monday, June 17
An annual purification ritual to drive away the evil spirits of the rainy season takes place on this date in Nara, Japan. Lily stalks are blessed by seven white-robed priestesses, and a traditional dance is performed.
Also on this date, Eurydice (a tree nymph who was transformed into an Underworld goddess after dying from a serpent bite) was honored annually in ancient Greece.
Tuesday, June 18
The annual Dragon Boat-Festival, which at one time was a Pagan Summer Solstice ritual to appease the dragon gods of the rivers, is celebrated on this date in China in honor of the martyred poet, Qu Yuan.
In ancient Rome, the Goddess Anna was honored on this day with an annual religious festival.
Wednesday, June 19
The Feast of the Holy Ghost, a week-long religious festival, begins annually on this date in Brazil.
In ancient Rome, the Day of All Heras was celebrated annually on this date in honor of the Goddess within as well as all Wisewomen.
Thursday, June 20
On this day, Pagans in parts of England celebrate the Day of Cerridwen in honor of the ancient Celtic Goddess of fertility. Vervain (the herb most sacred to Cerridwen) is burned in small cauldron pots as an offering to the Goddess, green ribbons are tied to trees, and green candles are lit on altars dedicated to her.
Friday, June 21
On the first day of Summer (which normally occurs on or near this date), the Summer Solstice Sabbat is celebrated by Pagans and Witches throughout the world. Summer Solstice (which is also known as Midsummer's Day and Litha) marks the longest day of the year when the Sun is at its zenith. In certain traditions, the Summer Solstice symbolizes the end of the reign of the waxing year's Oak-King, who is now replaced by his successor, the Holly-King of the waning year. (The Holly-King will rule until the Winter Solstice.) It is the ideal time for divinations, healing rituals, and the cutting of divining rods and wands.
On Midsummer Day, the people of ancient Russia worshiped the fertility Goddess Kupala. To ensure female fertility and abundant crops, she was honored with bonfires, sacrifices of cockarels, and special wreaths that were cast into the rivers.
Saturday, June 22
On this date (approximately), the Sun enters the astrological sign of Cancer. Persons born under the sign of the Crab are said to be family and home-oriented, nurturing, sympathetic, and often very moody. Cancer is a water sign and is ruled by the Moon.
Wishing everyone a very blessed and joyous Summer Solstice celebration, and I'll see you next time with more Pagan Lore!
Karen
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
Sosanna’s Summer Salads
One of the best things about the days getting longer for me, is fresh vegetables. Hubby and I have a wonderful garden. We grow green squash, tomatoes, carrots and lots of fresh herbs.
I have two of my very favorite things that we make when summer rolls around. It gets really hot and humid here in NC so I try to not heat up my kitchen if I can help it. Not to mention, we really should be eating our foods at close to living/raw state as possible. Here are two of my summertime favorites.
Fresh Caprese Salad
1 Large Tomato - sliced
6-8 Fresh Basil Leaves – whole
6-8 slices of mozzarella (find organic if you can)
Olive oil
Sea Salt
*always wash your fresh veggies well, I don’t use any pesticides on mine, but my neighbor may, so wash everything really well before preparing.
Slice the tomato into 6-8 slices
Alternate slices of tomato with the mozzarella and the basil.
Sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt to taste.
Serve
Cucumber Salad
1 Whole Cucumber – washed & peeled per person
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s)
Salt
Slide the cucumber in about ½ an inch slices and add to a bowl
Pour enough Apple Cider Vinegar in the bowl to cover all the slices
Add a pinch of salt.
Eating them immediately will give a crunchy cucumber with a lightly seasoned taste.
Refrigerate for about 2 hours for a deeper vinegar flavor.
As the days get longer and the wind gets warmer spending time outside when I can is a joy. Being able to work in my own garden and feel the earth under my feet is one of the incredible benefits of living where I do.
The politics here are not that great, the food options, a little less than ideal. But here, I can afford the land, the house and the ability to connect back to nature not only on the solstice, but all year around. Being next to the earth, feeling it beneath my feet heals me and helps me to continue to sparkle and shine.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
Uncharted Seas with Captain Dave
My wife and I recently purchased our first boat. She’s an older ship, nearly as old as we are, and she needs some love. Right now, she’s sitting at the dock, she hasn’t been sailed in years, her engine’s not working and her running rigging is heavily chafed…but mostly, she just needs scraped, sanded, varnished, stained, sealed, scrubbed, and polished. In everything else, she’s got it where it counts. Solid, dry, sturdy and proud.
So begins our adventure.
Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane
In preparation for doing this blog post I started looking for Solstice celebrations around the world and how long they had been going on. As near as I can tell, it is probably one of the oldest and longest lasting of all of the earth change celebrations and has been recognized wherever humans lived. I don't think I had paid much attention to the celebration in the Southern Hemisphere, but people living there celebrated just like the Northern Hemisphere.
It seems to have been celebrated with lots of similar traditions wherever humans live.....recognition of life and growth and the sun. Handfastings have always been common and so has some form of Sun circle.
My preference has always been Mid-summer Eve and watching the Sun come up on Solstice. Mid-summer Eve holds lots of memories for me and unless you live on the NW Coast, usually is nice weather and lends itself nicely to all night vigils and feasting under the stars.
Back in my very young and stupid days, I got hold of one of Gram's spells and a cousin and I did a spell that turned out to be a summoning. The smartest thing I did that evening was to follow the spell exactly. We summoned what, in retrospect, was apparently an Earth Elemental. Looking back on it, I realize that being a Virgo, random summoning would be more likely to call up an Earth Elemental, but at the time, I was simply scared to death and remember running for what I thought was my life. I was afraid to tell Gram what I had done and suffered from nightmares for a long time about the thing finding me. In fact at the Solstice gathering the next day, all I can remember is hoping the "thing" didn't show up.
I have always found Mid-summer Eve a most magical time for me. The energy that night is wonderful and it calls to me in so many ways. I feel so in tune with The Mother and the little energies that fill the night. The little mysteries always seem to be very active on that night.
Enjoy your celebrations and reach out to the energy that reaches out to all of us.
The Spice with La'Trice Lott
To this day, there is no such thing as a "kid's only" party in my family. All festivities, are multi-generational affairs. My birthday parties were attended by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and on occasion, a few friends. Like most kid's birthday parties, mine included lots of games. In addition to musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey, there might be kids jumping rope; people playing softball or volleyball, if we were at the park; sandcastle building, body-surfing or rollerskating if we were at the beach; and no matter the location, folks playing dominoes or bidwhist, and let's not forget, the SoulTrain line. Food was always in abundance: hot dogs, burgers, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans (all homemade), watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries, plums, peaches, not to mention the pies, cobbler AND birthday cake. It can never be said that someone left a Cha'lean-Hosted-Event without being well-fed.
From late teens to mid-20s, I was more interested in hanging with my friends at the hottest teen dance club, than having birthday bbqs with the family. During my 30s, the clubbing gave way to quiet dinners at restaurants with a significant others, close friends or both. And once I became a parent, my birthday took a backseat, and celebrations were whittled downed to take-out and a cupcake bearing a single candle.
In recent years, my birthday celebrations have come full circle. Once again, they are filled with family and friend spanning generations. The party is usually held on the Saturday closest to the solstice. We fire up the grill. Summer fruits and veggies, lemon cookies and other tasty treats are served. The music plays. Kids run through the grass, splash in the pool or play lawn bowling. Flames dance in the firepit and the fairy lights twinkle. As the evening draws to close and the last guests depart, I sit contently next to the dying fire, sipping a glass of mead. As I gaze into the flames, I see the echo of my younger self, turning cartwheels across the lawn and laughing merrily.
New Feature: Oh the Humanity! with Loren Morris
Hi y'all! I just wanted to give a description of what this section will be about. Everything and everyone (except clowns, I hate clowns) will be fair game for this section. It won't be limited to any one religion. I also will not be racist, or sexist, or homophobic, or close-minded. What I would like to do when I find humorous clips, if I'm able, put correct information in them. If not, we'll just have a good laugh. It won't always be
videos, it could just be a picture, meme, or cartoon that I happened to run across.
This weeks clip is christian. I found Dr. Henry Lewis last week by accident. He inspired the idea for the Stew Snicker. So, this week, you are meeting Dr. Lewis and his grooming to take become witch king. The woman with the ouija story was on the same show. I'm a ouija collector, so I had to take up for the ouija.
I hope you enjoy the clips!
This Week in Astrology
Today is the First Quarter Moon at 1:24pm EDT
Jun 16th: Chiron Retrograde 5:17 AM EDT (until November 19th)
Reminder: Neptune, and Saturn are Rx at the moment.
Mercury goes Rx June 26.
Moon Void of Course: 5:25pm-9:15pm EDT moves into Libra
June 17: Good day for business transactions (all day).
June 18: Good day for business transactions until 11:55pm EDT.
Moon Void of Course from 11:55pm EDT
June 19: Moon Void of Course until 2:38am EDT moves into Scorpio
Good day for business transactions after 2:38am EDT.
June 20: Moon Void of Course from 3:16pm EDT
Good day for business until 3:16pm EDT.
June 21: Moon Void of Course until 4:50am EDT moves into Sagittarius.
1:03am EDT: Sun moves into Cancer
1:04am EDT: The Summer Solstice begins
Note: Full Moon in Capricorn is Sunday, June 23 at 7:32am EDT.
Weekly Tarot:Ace of Wands
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| Paul Ward Art |
Key words: Inspiration, power, creation, beginnings, potential
"The seed of a new venture - perhaps as yet unseen. An opportunity to be met with boldness, vigor, and enthusiasm. The herald of birth, invention, or entrepreneurship. An innate and primal force released. May suggest a surge of vitality, creativity, or fertility that can set things in motion." ~facade.com
It's no surprise that this card showed up for the week ahead. The Ace of Wands is all about new beginnings, the seeds of new ventures, birth, invention, entrepreneurship. You may experience a "breakthrough moment" in which something inspires you to a new adventure. This is a card that challenges you to meet this new start or opportunity with boldness, vigor and enthusiasm. It suggests a surge of creativity, vitality and fertility that sets things into motion for the time ahead.
Summer has arrived with all her lovely fecundity. Enjoy!
Weekly Totem: Robin
Robin has been speaking loudly all weekend to ensure his place in The Stew this week. Robin is the symbol of the Sun, and whenever we hear her song, smiles and happiness are sure to follow. Robin tells us to believe in ourselves and in our dreams, because if we do, obstacles will fall by the wayside. If you want to grow, Robin says you must first learn to sing your own song. Robin will show you the way, you just need to trust what you know is your truth.
Midsummer Celebration Ideas for the Pagan Family:
Collect Herbs
Herbs collected at dawn on Midsummer have long been thought to be especially charged with magic. Get up early and collect some from your garden to be dried and used throughout the year. If you don’t have an herb garden, try going to a natural area. Take along a book that identifies wild herbs, and choose some to bring home and dry. Make sure that you can identify those that you choose to ensure you are not taking home poisonous plants, and never, ever ingest herbs you collect from the wild.
Bathe in Dew
While you are up early, collect some dew of the grass or tree leaves and wash your face with it. Dew collected on the morning of Midsummer is also highly charged with powerful nature magic. Whoever washes with it is said to be blessed with youth for the coming year.
Game Time!
Summer Solstice was a prime time for merry making and frolicking, since it fell between the two hardest work seasons– planting and harvesting. Incorporate some of that fun into your holiday celebration– cut loose and play games.
Barbecue :)
Midsummer is a fire festival. Cooking outdoors on an open fire is a great way to celebrate the season. Allow children to roast hot dogs or marsh mallows (with a long stick and adult supervision) on the flame of life as it crackles and burns.
The Wicker Man
One long-surviving Pagan tradition is that of making a burning man. Giant burning men have been erected at large festivals and burned on enormous bonfires, however a small version that can be placed on the barbecue or in the fire pit will suffice for your needs.
Gather sticks and twigs and make a small human figure by tying them together with twine. At sunset, have an adult put the burning man on his “pyre” and watch it go up in flames. Know that as he turns to ash, so does the year begin to wane.
Sundials
What better craft for the longest day of the year than to create your own sundial? If you have land upon which you can make a permanent sundial on the ground, gather some stones or shells, and a large stick. It should be a place that is in an open area that gets full sunlight all day. Plant the stick half-way into the ground, in the center of where your sundial will be. Pack the soil around it well. Then, from dawn till dusk, every hour on the hour, place a stone at the spot where the protruding top of the stick points. As the seasons change, you will note the differences of where the shadows fall, allowing children to witness the changes in the sun’s journey through the year.
If you don’t have any land, you can still make a portable sundial. Get a round wood plaque from a craft store (the type used for making clocks works well). Let the children paint and decorate it if they wish. On Midsummer, put it in a place where it will get full sun all day. Drill a hole in the center (most clock face wood plaques will already have one) and put a stick firmly into it. Use glue around it to ensure its sturdiness. Then, glue a small stone or rock-- every hour on the hour– exactly where the stick’s shadow points.
Midsummer for Witches
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| Le-Regard-des-Elfes |
Torch Protection Spell: Carry a lighted torch, candle or lantern (it must be some form of living flame) around the boundaries of your property, especially through the garden where things are growing. This will encourage the crops and protect the whole property for the coming year.
Litha Ashes: The ashes of the Midsummer fire are lucky and should be taken home to be used in protective or healing amulets, or spread into the garden to ensure fertility. Ashes from the fire are placed in shoes to protect the wearer from bad luck, while a charred stick protects the home.
Litha Horn: It is traditional to bang drums and blow horns during the festivities. The Irish made a glass horn by placing an inch or two of water in a glass bottle. This would be placed in the fire and hopefully snap off clean as it was heated. The sound of such a horn will carry for miles.
Burning Away Negativity: Throw into the fire all things that represent negative associations for you. You might take up the opportunity to stop smoking, for example, by throwing a pack of cigarettes into the flames. Old magical tools and books that are no longer needed or that are broken can be disposed of in the Midsummer fire. (see fire charms)
Midsummer Candle Spell: For a general well-being and prosperity spell, take a yellow or gold candle and anoint it with marigold oil. As it burns, imagine the Sun bringing you prosperity and abundance.
Fire Charms
Walk around the mid summer bonfire, state your wish and throw in a pebble, you can make several wishes but a pebble is thrown for each one.
For luck and health, as the fires die down , leap the bonfire.
If you don't have a bonfire, use your cauldron and place in 3 gold or yellow candles, jump for the same.
Throw into the midsummer fire all things that have negative associations, or magical items no longer needed or broken.
- alder
- angelica
- ash
- basil
- apple
- carnation
- cedar
- chamomile
- cinnamon
- daisy
- dill
- elder
- fennel
- hazel
- flax linseed
- gorse
- heather
- lavender
- lemon
- mallow
- marigold
- marjoram
- meadow sweet
- oak
- rose
- rosemary
- rowan
- St. John's wort
- sunflowers
- thyme
- vervain
- violet
- yarrow
Midsummer's Eve Pillow Lore:
To dream of an absent lover, daisy roots should be placed under the pillow.
Place a piece of mugwort gathered on Midsummer Eve beneath your pillow for prophetic dreams.
Wrap a piece of wax in a stocking and place it under the pillow. The next morning melt the wax and pur it into a vial of water to set in the sun. It will harden into a shape that shows the occupation of your future husband.
Oak flowers on Midsummer Eve and withers before daybreak, it is said. Spread a sheet beneath the tree and catch the blossoms. Place them under your pillow and dream of your future lover.
According to old English lore, yarrow gathered from a young mans grave and laid under the pillow on Midsummer Eve wil produce a vision of your husband to be.
Placing ash leaves beneath the pillow results in prophetic dreams.
A laurel leaf placed beneath the pillow brings prophetic dreams.
Betony placed beneath the pillow prevents nightmares, the elf sickness inflicted by malicious fairies, and even drunkenness.
If you find a cinquefoil that has seven points (they usually have five), it should be placed under the pillow so that you can dream of your future partner.
Place a four leaf clover under your pillow to dream of your perfect partner.
According to Northern English custom, a future spouse can be determined by putting three holly leaves, named for three suitors and blessed in the name of the Trinity, under your pillow with the left hand. The first leaf to have turned over in the morning would be the one.
Marigold petals placed under the pillow will give you prophetic dream and enable you to identify a thief or robber.
Mistletoe placed beneath the pillow is an aid to conception. and also ensures a restful sleep and good dreams.
Placed under the pillow, rosemary ensures pleasant dreams and keeps evil away.
Sleeping with sage leaves under the pillow encourages prophetic dreams.
A very Blessed and Happy Solstice to you and yours!!
That's it for this week's Stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
The Sunday Stew is a free online publication presented as a gift to the Pagan community each week. All submissions are copyrighted to their authors and the views/information presented are strictly those of their authors and not necessarily those of the blog owner. Guest posts, event notifications, etc... are welcome. Contact Kallan Kennedy for more information or use the contact form at the top of this blog. We also welcome your feedback. Please leave a comment here or on Facebook and tell us how we're doing!