This week's Stew is in preparation for Brighid's Day/Imbolc. We'll have a special Brighid's Day Edition of the Stew on February 2.
Our chefs have cooked up some real food for thought. Loren is talking about appreciation as a tool, Lina's doing Spring Cleaning, Alan's taking you back to basics, Renee is wrapping up resolutions, Melissa is preparing for Imbolc, and Tiffany's talking leadership. Of course, Karen and I have you covered with all of the standards, so you'll be ready for the week ahead, and La'Trice has another delectable delight for you to try, and Tiffanie Dovich has some easy-to-make treats for your furry friends.
And, the LONG-AWAITED Elderberry Syrup Recipe from Autumn Earthsong is finally here!!
Don't forget! The Chinese New Year begins on January 31. This is the Year of the Green Wood Horse.
Here are some links to read more about the Chinese New Year:
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/ChineseAstrology2014.htm
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/horse.htm
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2014/2014Zodiac.htm
And now, on to The Stew:
Happy Birthday this week to Natalie Corcoran, Kathy Olbeter, Michael White, Towanna Arnold, Jonquil Alexia, Andrew Kemp, Tammy Jo Seeley, Liz Christy, and Rosmarinus Stehlik. May this be your best birthday ever, and may your next year of life be filled with joy, peace, happiness, good health and all the most wonderful things in abundance!
The Piety of Pagans: What we can learn
Ancient Pagan Prophecy of Christ?
Adultery, Witchcraft Land Workers on Death Row
Woman Accused of Witchcraft Beaten to Death in Peru
Woman Thrashed for Practising Witchcraft
Socerer Threatened By My Family: Indonesian President
Witches House Designated Local Landmark
Pagan Britain by Ronald Hutton, Review
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Acknowledges He Believes In Witchcraft
Neighbours performing witchcraft just one of the paranormal 999 calls made from North Devon
Sunday, January 26th
Each year on the second new moon after the winter solstice (which normally occurs on or around this time of the month), the traditional Chinese New Year begins and is celebrated for two consecutive weeks until the full moon. On the first day of the New Year, ancestral spirits are honored and houses are decorated with strips of red paper to attract good luck and ward off evil ghosts. A Lantern Festival and Dragon Parade traditionally take place on the last night of the New Year celebration.
Monday, January 27th
On this date, the annual Day of Ishtar ceremony takes place to honor the ancient Assyrian/Babylonian Goddess of love, fertility, and battle. Ishtar is identified with the ancient Phoenician Goddess called Astarte.
Tuesday, January 28th
In the Shetland Islands, a centuries-old fire festival known as Up-Helly-Aa is held each year on the last Tuesday of January (which normally falls around this date). The festival, which marks the end of the traditional Yuletide and pays tribute to the old gods and goddesses of the ancient Viking religion, climaxes with the torching of a replica of a Viking ship. The day ends with a traditional prayer to drive away evil entities from village homes.
Wednesday, January 29th
On this day in the year 1688, famous mystic, scientists, and spiritualist-medium Emanuel Swedenburg was born in Sweden. His works had a major influence upon the secret societies of the eighteenth century, and a religion based on his mystical theological philosophy was founded in his name by his followers.
In the country of Vietnam, a mythical and centuries-old Parade of the Unicorns takes place each year on this date (approximately).
According to mythology, the ancient Pagan Goddesses Irene and Pax were born on this day.
Thursday, January 30th
In ancient Rome, an agricultural festival called the Feriae Sementiva (Feast of Spring) was celebrated annually on this date with sacrifices to Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) and Tellus Mater (the Goddess of the Earth and fertility), as well as other lesser gods and Goddesses associated with agriculture.
On this date in the year 1940, Z. Budapest (the founder and leader of the main branch of feminist Dianic Wicca) was born in Budapest. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Susan B. Anthony coven (named after the famous suffragist), hosted a radio show in San Francisco, directed the Women's Spirituality Forum in Oakland, and led a successful public hexing against a mass murderer.
Friday, January 31st
Each year on or around this date, a sacred festival is held in the Katmandu Valley of Nepal in honor of the Goddess Sarasvati, an ancient Indian deity who presides over all forms of education. As temples dedicated to her, offerings of food, flowers, and incense are made by faithful Hindus and students who seek her help on their school exams. In the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka, an ancient palace where the king is accompanied on this day by Nepalese officials, the annual rites of Spring begin with a traditional gun salute, followed by veneration ceremonies which are performed by the royal priest. In the Hawaiian Islands, a joyous flower-filled festival in honor of an ancient Goddess associated with the narcissus flower is celebrated each year on this day; while in China, an annual festival honoring Kuan Yin takes place.
Saturday, February 1
This is Candlemas Eve. Brigit, the Celtic Earth-Mother and Goddess of fire, wisdom, poetry, and sacred wells, is honored on this day. In Ireland, offering of yellow flowers are made to the goddess at sacred wells dedicated to her. In ancient Greece, the three-day Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries began each year on this day in honor of the Goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Persephone, and Proserpine.
Enjoy the week, everyone, and I'll see you next time with another edition of Pagan Lore!
Karen
Resolution Wrap-up
Wrapping up my month of new beginnings and new resolutions I’ve decided that I’m going to try to stop letting people get to me so much. Over the past year I’ve spent a lot of time trying to play the peacemaker and the defender of some imaginary force. I sit and I try to be sure I always follow the rules and do what I can to show others a good example.
Recently someone who I thought was a good friend actually ditched me because she “couldn’t handle” the people that were posting on my Facebook page. Instead of tuning them out, she tuned me out. She actually sent me a message that said, “After I’m over it, I’ll send you a friend request and we can be friends again.”
Umm, what? So basically I’m supposed to be some sort of disposable friend, who can be turned off and on at the drop of a hat? I’m just supposed to sit here and be ok with the fact that you need to distance yourself from me, not because of me, but because of those around me? How the hell does that actually work? I’m not sure I get it… You know because I usually hold those directly accountable who do things to me. I don’t blame the neighbor because the mail lady lost my package. You did it, you own it, right?
It really confuses me how some of this stuff works. I’ve never been a bit fan of trying to deal with people in general. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve found a ton of great friends by participating in blog projects and even reconnected with folks via social media but some of this crap is straight out of middle school. It completely blows my mind how grown adults can behave. All this blocking and unblocking, whispering and snickering. Really? What the actual hell?
So as my final resolution for this first month of 2014, I resolve to stand up for who I am, what I believe in and for what is right. I will continue to work my art and write as I see fit. I will stand by my honor and continue to “call a spade, a spade”. I will be outspoken. I will be blunt. I will not apologize for who I am. Judge me for who I am, not for what those around me have done, and I promise to do the same for you.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
My Shop: www.facebook.com/sosannascloset
My Blog: www.confessionsofamodernwitch.blogspot.com
From Discord to Harmony-Spring Cleaning at Imbolc
“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”– Albert Einstein
Sweep away the cobwebs…shake off the dust…clear out the clutter! Imbolc is nearly here and that means Spring Cleaning! My pre-Imbolc Spring Cleaning usually takes about a week. I actually am quite a packrat so this is a process that goes on all year for me. However, the week before Imbolc is special, as it usually is a day that is symbolic of initiation and dedication. I was initiated on Imbolc, so this day has special spiritual significance for me. The week before, I commit myself to special cleansing activities that will help me clear the way a little better as I move down my spiritual path. We need to cleanse ourselves and our homes of all the old, stagnant energy that will not be supporting us as we move forward. Here is my suggestion for a 7-day Spring Cleaning for your body, mind, spirit and home:
Day 1- Cleansing of the hearth. ‘The kitchen is the heart of the home.’ The space that we often spend so much time in needs special attention. It is time to reorganize your counters and clear out those pantries. How about finally getting a good look at what has been languishing in the back of the fridge and freezer? Look at what you have and take inventory. Are there non-perishable items that you can donate to a local food pantry? Are your spices in need of replenishing? What is just surprisingly well past the expiration date that needs to be thrown away? Scrub away the grease and grime you have been meaning to get to on the windows and in all the other little out of the way spots you never quite get around to cleaning. One day dedicated to the area which provides nourishment for our bodies and spirits is a good way to get started. Make it sparkle and shine and smell fresh and clean.
You can read the rest of the article at: Mid-Stride Moxie
Appreciation, A Magical Tool To Sharpen
During the cold winter months, the Cherokee take time to appreciate the things that they have. This could include their families, their homes, their food, their health, their friends, etc.... it makes sense that Native Americans would have stopped to focus on the good things they have during those cold, winter months. Focusing on good things and appreciating what they do have would help to keep your thoughts away from the hunger that you face during the harsh winters. This practice has continued today, because they know the magic in appreciation.
Lately, I have been working on my inner strengths and cultivating myself. I wrote a small blog about it a couple of weeks ago. I've picked my journaling, yoga, and meditation back up. I can't believe how much good it does in such a short time. I've been working on appreciation in accordance with my daily rituals.
Appreciation for what you have is often a hard idea to grasp, and sometimes when you hit a particularly rough patch, the "why mes" start and you forget to look at what you have already. But appreciation for what you do have during those difficult moments can be a powerful magic tool that you find within. You don't have to do a spell for appreciation. You don't have to have a magic wand. You only have to use your mind. Your mind thoughts are powerful. They make your magic happen.
Read the rest of this article at Saga's Cottage Blog
My store:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SagasCottage
Elderberry Syrup
Hope this post finds you all safe and sound with this cold and snowy Winter we’ve been having and hope all of you are healthy too. At my last writing, I talked about the Elderberry tree, it’s medicinal properties, magickal uses and some folklore about it. I promised my Elderberry syrup recipe so here it is.
I adapted this recipe from the one that Mountain Rose Herbs as shared…just added a few ingredients and different amounts too. It is a yummy, easy to swallow recipe…kids love it too!
I Can’t Believe Stores are Playing Imbolc Carols Already.
Oh, the days leading up to Imbolc are such an exciting time! We celebrated the rebirth of the Sun at Yule, and we are finally seeing it grow and swell. He arcs higher and higher into the Northern sky, bringing us longer days and milder temperatures. The geese are making a boisterous return, and the wee crocuses are poking their heads above the snow to say howdy-do!
I hate this time of year.
Maybe it’s because of where I live. The vagaries of the weather are never so intense. On the heels of lovely warming trends often come the nastiest snowstorms. It’s a teasing time of year; promising blue skies one day, freezing rain the next. On Friday, the Sun smiles upon your bare head in benevolent glory; on Saturday, He hides behind thick blankets of grey clouds, and lets them blow big, fat, ice-laden raspberries all over you.
I want to go out and dig up my garden. On the colder days, it’s too chilly. On the warmer days, it’s raining.
I want to prune, clip, tie back, hoe, plant, edge, fertilize. The warm sun is quickening my blood – but the frozen ground is not ready yet.
Sometimes, the lesson Mother gives us is not so much, “Get out and celebrate, child!” but “Hold on tight, love. This too shall pass.”
Some times are better than others. Some months are more pleasant. Some days feel more like something to be endured than celebrated – and that’s okay. No one says we have to be prancing about in chiffon scarves with daisies twined in our hair all the time (skyclad if you prefer but remember to turn off your webcam.) Just as the awakening earth is still not quite ready to receive seeds, so too, you may lay fallow for a time. Even those of us who praise Her various forms can still admit to ourselves that we just might prefer this one to that one…
She simply smiles and whispers…
“Wait.”
Preparing for Imbolc: Leadership
Imbolc is a week away but winter is still coming in strong. The snow is coming again for many while others are going through droughts.
Here in Georgia the weather for the past weeks have warmed up beautifully to the 60s. Just enough for Mother Nature to remind us of the beautiful spring weather that is approaching.
I really haven't been focused on the cold. I'm more looking towards the warm breezes and gaining light of Imbolc.
Over the past weeks of cold I've used for introspection for myself. A goal I made at the beginning of the year goals was to branch out more. I've realized that I really didn't need to try so hard. The branches were always waiting on me to see. They waited to show me they really weren't that weak sapling like I perceived them to be. They werestrong branches from strong young trees that I could steadily balance on and make even stronger . I just needed to open myself up to the opportunities. I need to PUSH myself.
Even doing so I've become more of the person not only I thought I could be but my oldest sister in law that I could be to. A better leader.
A leader.
Something I've always struggled with. I am the eldest sister in law and I needed, need, to PUSH my quiet leadership to forge a push for the ones coming behind me.
Oh, what does this year have planned me?
This week’s recipe was given to make by a co-worker. She made it for a pot luck at work and I absolutely love it. It’s perfect for those time you want a light but, filling meal.
Hearty Pasta Salad
1 lb. pasta cooked according to package directions, set aside to cool
Dressing:
½ C olive oil
½ C sugar or sweetener of your choice
½ vinegar
½ tablespoon garlic salt
¼ tablespoon salt
½ mince dried onion
½ tablespoon of dried parsley
In a medium bowl, mix all ingredient together and set aside.
*Salad
1 pint Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 cups of broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
½ lb. of red seedless grapes, cut in half.
Place cooled pasta in a large bowl. Pour dressing over pasta and mix to coat. Cover, chill and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. An hour before serving add veggies and grapes to bowl. Mix well. And enjoy.
*These are just a suggestion, feel free to use whatever fresh veggies you like.
Hi there, I’m Tiffanie Or T.K. depending on who you talk to or what time of day it is and I’m here to add a doggie bag of delights to your weekly stew. So Sit, Stay and Wait for pawesome tips & tricks and random info about including your favorite furry (or scaly) pals to your witchy workings.
What better way to celebrate your hearth and home while honoring your canine companions than a wonderful healthy treat that you can make yourself in your kitchen! (That’s the hearth part kids) So without further ado here is a paw licking recipe by yours truly! (Did we mention it’s gluten free too?)
Paws Out Pet Boutique &Bakery Presents
Cinna-Chick Krunchies
You will need:
•3 cups Bob’s Mills Gluten Free All purpose Baking mix (You can find this at your local Kroger or Health Food store)
•½ Cup Organic low sodium Chicken or Beef Broth
•1 teaspoon Aluminum free baking powder
•1 teaspoon Organic Cinnamon
•¼ cup of powdered goats milk (this one might be a little harder to track down but you can use normal dry milk if you can’t find any)
•1 teaspoon of REAL vanilla extract ( None of that fake imitation stuff over here)
•¼ cup of organic applesauce
Order of Operations:
•Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
•Mix your flour, baking powder, powdered milk and Cinnamon inside a large bowl or mixer till well blended.
•In a separate smaller bowl mix your applesauce, vanilla, and broth till you’ve got a kinda of liquid goop thing going on. You can either add the whole thing to your dry mixture or add it in slowly while mixing on a low speed.
•Your resulting dough will be really soft and sticky, it should be holding its shape though at this point if not slowly add a bit more flour till you get the desired texture for your dough. (Remember this is a wheat free mixture and the consistency is going to be different than traditional dough.)
•Sprinkle your working surface with some of your flour to keep the dough from sticking to it. (Remember this stuff is super soft!) Flour your hands and your rolling pin.
•Roll those puppies out to desired thickness. (These will rise while in the oven so keep that in mind.)Then you cut out your shapes with the cookie cutter of your choice! My little witchlet chose a heart shaped but whatever you want to use will work. Place them on your cookie sheet (Now if you don’t have a super snazzy air bake pan like me then line your cookie sheet with wax paper). Now here comes the fun part! Place them carefully on the tray and then pop those bad boys in your preheated oven! Tada! Now just wait about 25 mins or so (Luna advises that you go play with your puppy dog in the meantime).
After they are done baking let them cool off before giving them to your favorite pup!
And that’s it. Delicious all natural pet treats! If you don’t feel like baking your own head on over to our website www.pawsout4more.com for more healthy options for your pets!
As an extra bonus for you kitchen witches out there here are the magickal associations for today’s recipe
Apple- This passion filled fruit stands for love, health, peace, and rebirth. Perfect for Imbolc don’t you think?
Baking soda- This uplifting powder adds some oomph to all your baking magickal or otherwise. I like to think of it like the quartz crystal of the baking world.
Chicken- This feather fowl is known to promote well-being and homey feelings *Think chicken noodle soup* Also known as a favorite sacrifice to a multitude of deities across many faiths.
Cinnamon- One of the most recognized scents among the spice world, cinnamon raises spiritual energy to higher level weather consumed or burned as an incense. This yummy spice is also known to be not only antiseptic put a natural pain killer as well.
Flour- Normally when one thinks of flour they think of wheat which stands for prosperity and wealth and abundance. However in this case we have a chickpea and potato flour mixture. But ya know we are witches. We’re adaptable! Hooray for substitutions!
Sunday, January 26
Great Day for Business, All Day
Monday, January 27
Balsamic Moon 12:11pm
Moon Void of Course from 5:01pm through the rest of the day
Great Day for Business until 5:01pm
Tuesday, January 28
Moon Void of Course until 12:04am then moves into Capricorn
Great Day for Business after 12:04am
Wednesday, January 29
Moon Void of Course from 7:19pm-11:33pm then moves into Aquarius
Great Day for Business until 7:19pm
Thursday, January 30
New Moon in Aquarius, 4:38pm
Friday, January 31
Chinese New Year of the Green Wood Horse
9:29am Mercury moves into Pisces
Moon Void of Course from 11:44am-10:44pm then moves into Pisces
Venus Stations Direct 3:48pm
Saturday, February 1
All is Quiet in the Heavens
Weekly Horoscopes from DarkStar Astrology
Tarot: The 3 of Wands
The 3 of Wands is about preparation, expansion, foresight, and enterprise. This is all about your plans being on track, and you moving forward with them. If you own or are starting a business, this is a great week for finding new opportunities and expanding your horizons.
It could also be that you're about to start a new phase of learning, or that you are being asked to take a longer-term view. Short-sighted or rash decisions are not a part of this energy.
You are in a position of strength and are able to control much more than you may have been led to believe.
This card is also about virtue and honor. Your fortitude and character are your main assets this week. Trust yourself.
Totem: Cougar/Mountain Lion
Key words and phrases: leadership, balance of power, intention, strength and grace.
Image may be NSFW.
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This happens to be one of my totems, so I'm intimately familiar with its energy. Many of you will see the correlations between the attributes and things I've discussed on this blog, particularly last week.
Often called Puma, Mountain Lion, Florida Panther and by other names, the Cougar is one of the largest of all North American cats. Males can weigh in at 150 pounds and be up to 8 feet in length. Females are generally smaller, though still up to a good 7 feet in length and weighing in at 90 pounds. Their primary prey is larger animals such as Elk and Deer, though they will eat smaller animals if preferred food sources are scarce.
Cougars stalk their prey because of their design. A cougar is built for speed and short bursts of energy. They are not marathoners.
They act quickly, trusting in their own instincts and ability to get what they want. Those who carry this medicine need to practice the ability to act upon their own instincts and not try to rationalize decisions.
Cougar people often admit that they do tend to act first and think later. This can be a great advantage to the Cougar person if he/she keeps the mind focused firmly on goals. Those for whom Cougar is a life-long totem learn the lesson of grabbing opportunities as they come, and without hesitation.
Cougars have a territory that spreads up to 300 miles. The Cougar individual need to keep moving and searching until they find what they seek. When they do make a "kill" however, it’s likely to be a big one.
It is important Cougar people make use of stalking skills. Those with this totem are not given to sharing the details of their plans with others. While Cougar is the totem of leadership, it is often a solitary path for most. Cougar people do best in individual, rather than team pursuits.
Cougars also mark their territories and yet do allow transient Cougars of both sexes to pass through un-harassed.
For the Cougar person, this means setting your boundaries, yet having the ability to allow others to cross through when they are not challenging your personal space or power. Cougar people sometimes must express to others that their boundaries and "territory" are sacred and rightfully theirs. Cougars rarely fight, and much of their aggression towards others of their own kind is for show.
However, if one is backed into a corner, they (both cat and human with this totem) will come out fighting with fangs and claws bared. These folks don't tend to carry a grudge, once the point has been made they simply carry on with what presents itself next in their lives. Heaven help anyone who is on the receiving end of their fury!
Many Cougar folks will use the power of their voice first before taking any sort of other action. A Cougar's call can send a chill up one's spine! The sound is powerful, and carries great distances in the wild. Cougar people find that their words have great power and meaning to those that hear them, so they best choose their words wisely.
Cougar people often tend to also value their privacy highly, they often don't like to live in large cities or areas where there are many other humans because they feel infringed upon by the energy of others.
Cougar people simply need a lot of space, be it emotional, physical or mental. This does not mean that a Cougar person cannot or will not have very close, satisfying relationships, but it does mean that in order for them to do so; they need to be with people who can understand their deeper needs for freedom and their urge to go "roaming". This is not indicative that a Cougar person cannot be monogamous. Once the Cougar person has found the mate that can allow them to be who they truly are, they are not likely to risk it on a passing fancy.
Those with Cougar totem may find that regardless of where they choose to live, they feel the need to move frequently. There is a restless energy to this totem that is always calling them to move on, to explore and carve out new space for themselves. It’s difficult for Cougar people in our society as one is encouraged to "put down roots”, but once they find the right denning area and if they choose a proper mate, they can stay in one area for quite a long time.
Female Cougars usually give birth to two cubs, but have been known to have up to 5. The cubs are marked at birth with brownish-black spots that fade as they grow. This symbolizes both Cougar's strong connection with the material world and its ability to find what it needs in order to grow and thrive as well as acting as camouflage for the newborn cubs.
Cougar people have a strong need to feel grounded, and in control of what is happening around them.
Cougar also reminds us that we need to express our power actively. We must pursue those things that truly feed us from the level of the heart and soul, as well as those things that feed our bodies.
Cougars are powerful. They can put a suffocating bite on the neck of prey at 470 Newtons (bite pressure measurement per body weight) from their canines. Cougar medicine people also have the ability to flay open their prey or attackers with both verbal and physical strength. They are agile in both word and deed.
Cougar’s message is to understand your leadership ability, and to grasp the concept of personal power; a power that comes from within – not power over others. Spend time alone and meditate on your goals (prey). Use the power of the Cougar to help you take charge of your life, attack your life’s goals and dreams this week. Remember: Responsibility is no more than the ability to respond to any situation.
Kallan is a professional Tarot/Totem Reader with more than 20 years of experience. If you would like assistance with finding your own totems, or would like a tarot reading, please use the contact form at the top of this page. After this week, there will be a professional website from which to order your readings.
Take a look at some of the items she offers, and then head on over to her Etsy Shop to see more.
You can't beat the quality or the prices! Don't forget to mark her shop as an Etsy favorite, and tell her Kallan sent you ;)
That's it for this week's Stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
The Sunday Stew is a free, e-publication delivered every Sunday as a loving gift to the Pagan community. All submissions are the intellectual property of their authors, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the blog owner. All photos used are used with permission.
We welcome your feedback! Please be sure to tell us how we're doing and give us suggestions for improvement. You can leave a comment here (remember, they are moderated so it may take some time for yours to appear), use the contact form at the top of the page, email Kallan, or comment on Kallan's Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!
Our chefs have cooked up some real food for thought. Loren is talking about appreciation as a tool, Lina's doing Spring Cleaning, Alan's taking you back to basics, Renee is wrapping up resolutions, Melissa is preparing for Imbolc, and Tiffany's talking leadership. Of course, Karen and I have you covered with all of the standards, so you'll be ready for the week ahead, and La'Trice has another delectable delight for you to try, and Tiffanie Dovich has some easy-to-make treats for your furry friends.
And, the LONG-AWAITED Elderberry Syrup Recipe from Autumn Earthsong is finally here!!
Don't forget! The Chinese New Year begins on January 31. This is the Year of the Green Wood Horse.
Here are some links to read more about the Chinese New Year:
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/ChineseAstrology2014.htm
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/horse.htm
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2014/2014Zodiac.htm
And now, on to The Stew:
Happy Birthday this week to Natalie Corcoran, Kathy Olbeter, Michael White, Towanna Arnold, Jonquil Alexia, Andrew Kemp, Tammy Jo Seeley, Liz Christy, and Rosmarinus Stehlik. May this be your best birthday ever, and may your next year of life be filled with joy, peace, happiness, good health and all the most wonderful things in abundance!
In the News
The Piety of Pagans: What we can learn
Ancient Pagan Prophecy of Christ?
Adultery, Witchcraft Land Workers on Death Row
Woman Accused of Witchcraft Beaten to Death in Peru
Woman Thrashed for Practising Witchcraft
Socerer Threatened By My Family: Indonesian President
Witches House Designated Local Landmark
Pagan Britain by Ronald Hutton, Review
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Acknowledges He Believes In Witchcraft
Neighbours performing witchcraft just one of the paranormal 999 calls made from North Devon
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Good Morning, Sunday Stew readers! Hope everyone is keeping warm and cozy during these cold days -- but cheer up! Candlemas is almost here, and we know what that means! Now on with this week's Pagan Lore -- and there's a lot!
Sunday, January 26th
Each year on the second new moon after the winter solstice (which normally occurs on or around this time of the month), the traditional Chinese New Year begins and is celebrated for two consecutive weeks until the full moon. On the first day of the New Year, ancestral spirits are honored and houses are decorated with strips of red paper to attract good luck and ward off evil ghosts. A Lantern Festival and Dragon Parade traditionally take place on the last night of the New Year celebration.
Monday, January 27th
On this date, the annual Day of Ishtar ceremony takes place to honor the ancient Assyrian/Babylonian Goddess of love, fertility, and battle. Ishtar is identified with the ancient Phoenician Goddess called Astarte.
Tuesday, January 28th
In the Shetland Islands, a centuries-old fire festival known as Up-Helly-Aa is held each year on the last Tuesday of January (which normally falls around this date). The festival, which marks the end of the traditional Yuletide and pays tribute to the old gods and goddesses of the ancient Viking religion, climaxes with the torching of a replica of a Viking ship. The day ends with a traditional prayer to drive away evil entities from village homes.
Wednesday, January 29th
On this day in the year 1688, famous mystic, scientists, and spiritualist-medium Emanuel Swedenburg was born in Sweden. His works had a major influence upon the secret societies of the eighteenth century, and a religion based on his mystical theological philosophy was founded in his name by his followers.
In the country of Vietnam, a mythical and centuries-old Parade of the Unicorns takes place each year on this date (approximately).
According to mythology, the ancient Pagan Goddesses Irene and Pax were born on this day.
Thursday, January 30th
In ancient Rome, an agricultural festival called the Feriae Sementiva (Feast of Spring) was celebrated annually on this date with sacrifices to Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) and Tellus Mater (the Goddess of the Earth and fertility), as well as other lesser gods and Goddesses associated with agriculture.
On this date in the year 1940, Z. Budapest (the founder and leader of the main branch of feminist Dianic Wicca) was born in Budapest. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Susan B. Anthony coven (named after the famous suffragist), hosted a radio show in San Francisco, directed the Women's Spirituality Forum in Oakland, and led a successful public hexing against a mass murderer.
Friday, January 31st
Each year on or around this date, a sacred festival is held in the Katmandu Valley of Nepal in honor of the Goddess Sarasvati, an ancient Indian deity who presides over all forms of education. As temples dedicated to her, offerings of food, flowers, and incense are made by faithful Hindus and students who seek her help on their school exams. In the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka, an ancient palace where the king is accompanied on this day by Nepalese officials, the annual rites of Spring begin with a traditional gun salute, followed by veneration ceremonies which are performed by the royal priest. In the Hawaiian Islands, a joyous flower-filled festival in honor of an ancient Goddess associated with the narcissus flower is celebrated each year on this day; while in China, an annual festival honoring Kuan Yin takes place.
Saturday, February 1
This is Candlemas Eve. Brigit, the Celtic Earth-Mother and Goddess of fire, wisdom, poetry, and sacred wells, is honored on this day. In Ireland, offering of yellow flowers are made to the goddess at sacred wells dedicated to her. In ancient Greece, the three-day Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries began each year on this day in honor of the Goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Persephone, and Proserpine.
Enjoy the week, everyone, and I'll see you next time with another edition of Pagan Lore!
Karen
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
Resolution Wrap-up
Wrapping up my month of new beginnings and new resolutions I’ve decided that I’m going to try to stop letting people get to me so much. Over the past year I’ve spent a lot of time trying to play the peacemaker and the defender of some imaginary force. I sit and I try to be sure I always follow the rules and do what I can to show others a good example.
Recently someone who I thought was a good friend actually ditched me because she “couldn’t handle” the people that were posting on my Facebook page. Instead of tuning them out, she tuned me out. She actually sent me a message that said, “After I’m over it, I’ll send you a friend request and we can be friends again.”
Umm, what? So basically I’m supposed to be some sort of disposable friend, who can be turned off and on at the drop of a hat? I’m just supposed to sit here and be ok with the fact that you need to distance yourself from me, not because of me, but because of those around me? How the hell does that actually work? I’m not sure I get it… You know because I usually hold those directly accountable who do things to me. I don’t blame the neighbor because the mail lady lost my package. You did it, you own it, right?
It really confuses me how some of this stuff works. I’ve never been a bit fan of trying to deal with people in general. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve found a ton of great friends by participating in blog projects and even reconnected with folks via social media but some of this crap is straight out of middle school. It completely blows my mind how grown adults can behave. All this blocking and unblocking, whispering and snickering. Really? What the actual hell?
So as my final resolution for this first month of 2014, I resolve to stand up for who I am, what I believe in and for what is right. I will continue to work my art and write as I see fit. I will stand by my honor and continue to “call a spade, a spade”. I will be outspoken. I will be blunt. I will not apologize for who I am. Judge me for who I am, not for what those around me have done, and I promise to do the same for you.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
My Shop: www.facebook.com/sosannascloset
My Blog: www.confessionsofamodernwitch.blogspot.com
Mid-Air Moxie with Adelina Soto Thomas
From Discord to Harmony-Spring Cleaning at Imbolc
“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”– Albert Einstein
Sweep away the cobwebs…shake off the dust…clear out the clutter! Imbolc is nearly here and that means Spring Cleaning! My pre-Imbolc Spring Cleaning usually takes about a week. I actually am quite a packrat so this is a process that goes on all year for me. However, the week before Imbolc is special, as it usually is a day that is symbolic of initiation and dedication. I was initiated on Imbolc, so this day has special spiritual significance for me. The week before, I commit myself to special cleansing activities that will help me clear the way a little better as I move down my spiritual path. We need to cleanse ourselves and our homes of all the old, stagnant energy that will not be supporting us as we move forward. Here is my suggestion for a 7-day Spring Cleaning for your body, mind, spirit and home:
Day 1- Cleansing of the hearth. ‘The kitchen is the heart of the home.’ The space that we often spend so much time in needs special attention. It is time to reorganize your counters and clear out those pantries. How about finally getting a good look at what has been languishing in the back of the fridge and freezer? Look at what you have and take inventory. Are there non-perishable items that you can donate to a local food pantry? Are your spices in need of replenishing? What is just surprisingly well past the expiration date that needs to be thrown away? Scrub away the grease and grime you have been meaning to get to on the windows and in all the other little out of the way spots you never quite get around to cleaning. One day dedicated to the area which provides nourishment for our bodies and spirits is a good way to get started. Make it sparkle and shine and smell fresh and clean.
You can read the rest of the article at: Mid-Stride Moxie
Saga's Spirit with Loren Morris
Appreciation, A Magical Tool To Sharpen
During the cold winter months, the Cherokee take time to appreciate the things that they have. This could include their families, their homes, their food, their health, their friends, etc.... it makes sense that Native Americans would have stopped to focus on the good things they have during those cold, winter months. Focusing on good things and appreciating what they do have would help to keep your thoughts away from the hunger that you face during the harsh winters. This practice has continued today, because they know the magic in appreciation.
Lately, I have been working on my inner strengths and cultivating myself. I wrote a small blog about it a couple of weeks ago. I've picked my journaling, yoga, and meditation back up. I can't believe how much good it does in such a short time. I've been working on appreciation in accordance with my daily rituals.
Appreciation for what you have is often a hard idea to grasp, and sometimes when you hit a particularly rough patch, the "why mes" start and you forget to look at what you have already. But appreciation for what you do have during those difficult moments can be a powerful magic tool that you find within. You don't have to do a spell for appreciation. You don't have to have a magic wand. You only have to use your mind. Your mind thoughts are powerful. They make your magic happen.
Read the rest of this article at Saga's Cottage Blog
My store:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SagasCottage
The Witch's Cupboard with Autumn Earthsong
Elderberry Syrup
Hope this post finds you all safe and sound with this cold and snowy Winter we’ve been having and hope all of you are healthy too. At my last writing, I talked about the Elderberry tree, it’s medicinal properties, magickal uses and some folklore about it. I promised my Elderberry syrup recipe so here it is.
I adapted this recipe from the one that Mountain Rose Herbs as shared…just added a few ingredients and different amounts too. It is a yummy, easy to swallow recipe…kids love it too!
For the basic recipe..it makes about 2 cups. I almost always double this to have on hand!
4 ozs of dried elderberries
2 cups water
3-4 cinnamon sticks
2-3 star anise
A dozen cloves
1 TB grated fresh ginger
Orange and/or lemon peel..as much as you like.
1 cup honey
*use good local honey or raw honey..it’s healthier!
Place all the ingredients except honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer covered, for about 20-25 mins. This will about half the liquid you started with.
Strain with a wire basket into medium bowl. Be sure to smoosh liquid out of the ingredients in the basket to get all the liquid. Discard the ingredients however you like. Let the elderberry liquid cool just a bit and stir in the honey..blend well.
Store in a lidded container in the fridge. I use a ball or mason jar
Shelf life should be 2-3 months.
To prevent colds and flu, take 1 TB per day.
If you have a cold, flu, cough or sore throat, you can take 1 TB every 2-3 hours.
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For kids, you give the same way but give ½ to 1 tsp. They will love it, it tastes great!
Clik here to view.
For kids, you give the same way but give ½ to 1 tsp. They will love it, it tastes great!Remember what I said in my last post, this syrup will help keep illness away and if you DO get sick, it will shorten the life of the illness and lessen the symptoms. Also, as an added bonus, if you use local honey, it will help build up your immunity to seasonal allergies as well!
I just made 2 batches of this yummy goodness myself. I hope you try it and here's to your health this Winter!
Blesssings and Love, Autumn
Notes from the Circle by Alan Heartsong
Back to Basics: Casting the Circle
There are lots of books out there that talk about how to cast a circle, but they leave a lot out, I think. So here’s my step-by-step, and how I experience it.
1. Planning the space: Assuming all of your ritual “stuff” is set up and in place, you have to decide where the circle boundaries are going to be. If you’re working with others, discuss the boundaries before beginning in case some of them can’t perceive the energy well enough (yet) to keep from crossing the circle. Because things come up unexpectedly, always plan where a temporary door into/out of your circle may need to be. Due to the layout of my living room, that can only be in the South or Southeast, for example.
2. First breath, Ground and center: Take a deep breath, let the tension flow out of you down to the center of the Earth, and as you inhale focus on your heartbeat to make you fully present in your head with the energy of the Earth filling you up.
3. Second breath, Open to the sky: Make sure your crown chakra is open to the moon, the stars, the sun and breathe that stellar energy in to mix with the Earth energy in your solar plexus.
4. Third breath, Turn it up: Basically, as you inhale the third breath picture the Earth and Stellar energies making you glow brighter and brighter, then set your breathing on automatic and keep that image in your head.
5. Anchoring the circle: Choose your starting point. I like starting/ending my circle in the North, because that’s the direction of Earth for me and that’s where all things come from. You may choose something different, and if it works well for you that’s fine, but you have to start/end casting the circle in the same place, or it isn’t a circle at all.
6. Begin casting: I’m going to remind you that you’ve charged yourself up with energy, so here’s where you start using it. Keep in mind, that while you’re casting the circle you are still also charging yourself up so you shouldn’t feel depleted when you’re finished.
Whether using your hand or a ritual tool to direct the energy, start a stream of energy flowing to the starting point and leave it hanging in mid-air as you move your hand to draw the line of energy, and step to the right. Go all the way around the room, maintaining the flow of energy from the earth/stars into your body, down your hand, and into the circle.
7. Tie it off: As you’ve moved around the room leaving the energy for the circle behind you and replenishing yourself from the cosmos, you will come back to your starting point. I like to draw that last bit of the circle into an infinity loop, the final stroke of which will connect it to the point I started from. In my mind, this keeps the energy moving while I am not the source of it.
8. Finishing: By the time you’ve tied off with your infinity knot, you should feel the change ripple through the space like the rings on a pond after tossing a pebble in.
And that’s it. Your space is warded, your circle is cast, and you’re ready to start your ritual or spell. The person casting the circle usually also maintains a “watchful eye” on it during the ritual to make sure it stays up.
As for opening or un-casting the circle, there are more options than I'm listing here, but these are the most common:
1. Break it: Yep, some people cut the circle with an athame and declare the space open, letting the energy disperse.
2. Suck it up: Some people are more comfortable drawing the energy of the circle into a tool for “storage” to be used in the next ritual.
3. Earth it: Some folks will uncast the circle directing the energy into the Earth.
Now, it doesn’t have to really be round. It can be an ovoid shape, depending on the space you’re in and the number of folks in it. If you’re in a really long room, you won’t have a round ritual space. It’s OK, the important bit is having the space enclosed by magic.
You can choose to cast silently, but if you’re with a group sometimes having words spoken while casting can help the group share the same imagery for the circle, and they will feed energy into the person casting it so that the circle is strengthened additionally by the combined will of the group.
Happy Zapping, Witches.
Love,
Alan
There and Back A-hen: Just a bunch of clucking nonsense with Melissa Chicky Cassick
I Can’t Believe Stores are Playing Imbolc Carols Already.
Oh, the days leading up to Imbolc are such an exciting time! We celebrated the rebirth of the Sun at Yule, and we are finally seeing it grow and swell. He arcs higher and higher into the Northern sky, bringing us longer days and milder temperatures. The geese are making a boisterous return, and the wee crocuses are poking their heads above the snow to say howdy-do!
I hate this time of year.
Maybe it’s because of where I live. The vagaries of the weather are never so intense. On the heels of lovely warming trends often come the nastiest snowstorms. It’s a teasing time of year; promising blue skies one day, freezing rain the next. On Friday, the Sun smiles upon your bare head in benevolent glory; on Saturday, He hides behind thick blankets of grey clouds, and lets them blow big, fat, ice-laden raspberries all over you.
I want to go out and dig up my garden. On the colder days, it’s too chilly. On the warmer days, it’s raining.
I want to prune, clip, tie back, hoe, plant, edge, fertilize. The warm sun is quickening my blood – but the frozen ground is not ready yet.
Sometimes, the lesson Mother gives us is not so much, “Get out and celebrate, child!” but “Hold on tight, love. This too shall pass.”
Some times are better than others. Some months are more pleasant. Some days feel more like something to be endured than celebrated – and that’s okay. No one says we have to be prancing about in chiffon scarves with daisies twined in our hair all the time (skyclad if you prefer but remember to turn off your webcam.) Just as the awakening earth is still not quite ready to receive seeds, so too, you may lay fallow for a time. Even those of us who praise Her various forms can still admit to ourselves that we just might prefer this one to that one…
She simply smiles and whispers…
“Wait.”
Tiffany's Gumbo with Tiffany Newson
Preparing for Imbolc: Leadership
Imbolc is a week away but winter is still coming in strong. The snow is coming again for many while others are going through droughts.
Here in Georgia the weather for the past weeks have warmed up beautifully to the 60s. Just enough for Mother Nature to remind us of the beautiful spring weather that is approaching.
I really haven't been focused on the cold. I'm more looking towards the warm breezes and gaining light of Imbolc.
Over the past weeks of cold I've used for introspection for myself. A goal I made at the beginning of the year goals was to branch out more. I've realized that I really didn't need to try so hard. The branches were always waiting on me to see. They waited to show me they really weren't that weak sapling like I perceived them to be. They werestrong branches from strong young trees that I could steadily balance on and make even stronger . I just needed to open myself up to the opportunities. I need to PUSH myself.
Even doing so I've become more of the person not only I thought I could be but my oldest sister in law that I could be to. A better leader.
A leader.
Something I've always struggled with. I am the eldest sister in law and I needed, need, to PUSH my quiet leadership to forge a push for the ones coming behind me.
Oh, what does this year have planned me?
The Spice with La'Trice Lott
This week’s recipe was given to make by a co-worker. She made it for a pot luck at work and I absolutely love it. It’s perfect for those time you want a light but, filling meal.
Hearty Pasta Salad
1 lb. pasta cooked according to package directions, set aside to cool
Dressing:
½ C olive oil
½ C sugar or sweetener of your choice
½ vinegar
½ tablespoon garlic salt
¼ tablespoon salt
½ mince dried onion
½ tablespoon of dried parsley
In a medium bowl, mix all ingredient together and set aside.
*Salad
1 pint Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 cups of broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
½ lb. of red seedless grapes, cut in half.
Place cooled pasta in a large bowl. Pour dressing over pasta and mix to coat. Cover, chill and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. An hour before serving add veggies and grapes to bowl. Mix well. And enjoy.
*These are just a suggestion, feel free to use whatever fresh veggies you like.
Pawsitively Witchcraft
Hi there, I’m Tiffanie Or T.K. depending on who you talk to or what time of day it is and I’m here to add a doggie bag of delights to your weekly stew. So Sit, Stay and Wait for pawesome tips & tricks and random info about including your favorite furry (or scaly) pals to your witchy workings.
What better way to celebrate your hearth and home while honoring your canine companions than a wonderful healthy treat that you can make yourself in your kitchen! (That’s the hearth part kids) So without further ado here is a paw licking recipe by yours truly! (Did we mention it’s gluten free too?)
Paws Out Pet Boutique &Bakery Presents
Cinna-Chick Krunchies
You will need:
•3 cups Bob’s Mills Gluten Free All purpose Baking mix (You can find this at your local Kroger or Health Food store)
•½ Cup Organic low sodium Chicken or Beef Broth
•1 teaspoon Aluminum free baking powder
•1 teaspoon Organic Cinnamon
•¼ cup of powdered goats milk (this one might be a little harder to track down but you can use normal dry milk if you can’t find any)
•1 teaspoon of REAL vanilla extract ( None of that fake imitation stuff over here)
•¼ cup of organic applesauce
Order of Operations:
•Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
•Mix your flour, baking powder, powdered milk and Cinnamon inside a large bowl or mixer till well blended.
•In a separate smaller bowl mix your applesauce, vanilla, and broth till you’ve got a kinda of liquid goop thing going on. You can either add the whole thing to your dry mixture or add it in slowly while mixing on a low speed.
•Your resulting dough will be really soft and sticky, it should be holding its shape though at this point if not slowly add a bit more flour till you get the desired texture for your dough. (Remember this is a wheat free mixture and the consistency is going to be different than traditional dough.)
•Sprinkle your working surface with some of your flour to keep the dough from sticking to it. (Remember this stuff is super soft!) Flour your hands and your rolling pin.
•Roll those puppies out to desired thickness. (These will rise while in the oven so keep that in mind.)Then you cut out your shapes with the cookie cutter of your choice! My little witchlet chose a heart shaped but whatever you want to use will work. Place them on your cookie sheet (Now if you don’t have a super snazzy air bake pan like me then line your cookie sheet with wax paper). Now here comes the fun part! Place them carefully on the tray and then pop those bad boys in your preheated oven! Tada! Now just wait about 25 mins or so (Luna advises that you go play with your puppy dog in the meantime).
After they are done baking let them cool off before giving them to your favorite pup!
And that’s it. Delicious all natural pet treats! If you don’t feel like baking your own head on over to our website www.pawsout4more.com for more healthy options for your pets!
As an extra bonus for you kitchen witches out there here are the magickal associations for today’s recipe
Apple- This passion filled fruit stands for love, health, peace, and rebirth. Perfect for Imbolc don’t you think?
Baking soda- This uplifting powder adds some oomph to all your baking magickal or otherwise. I like to think of it like the quartz crystal of the baking world.
Chicken- This feather fowl is known to promote well-being and homey feelings *Think chicken noodle soup* Also known as a favorite sacrifice to a multitude of deities across many faiths.
Cinnamon- One of the most recognized scents among the spice world, cinnamon raises spiritual energy to higher level weather consumed or burned as an incense. This yummy spice is also known to be not only antiseptic put a natural pain killer as well.
Flour- Normally when one thinks of flour they think of wheat which stands for prosperity and wealth and abundance. However in this case we have a chickpea and potato flour mixture. But ya know we are witches. We’re adaptable! Hooray for substitutions!
This Week in Astrology
Sunday, January 26
Great Day for Business, All Day
Monday, January 27
Balsamic Moon 12:11pm
Moon Void of Course from 5:01pm through the rest of the day
Great Day for Business until 5:01pm
Tuesday, January 28
Moon Void of Course until 12:04am then moves into Capricorn
Great Day for Business after 12:04am
Wednesday, January 29
Moon Void of Course from 7:19pm-11:33pm then moves into Aquarius
Great Day for Business until 7:19pm
Thursday, January 30
New Moon in Aquarius, 4:38pm
Friday, January 31
Chinese New Year of the Green Wood Horse
9:29am Mercury moves into Pisces
Moon Void of Course from 11:44am-10:44pm then moves into Pisces
Venus Stations Direct 3:48pm
Saturday, February 1
All is Quiet in the Heavens
Weekly Horoscopes from DarkStar Astrology
The Weekly Divine with Kallan Kennedy
Tarot: The 3 of Wands
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| art by azurylipfe |
It could also be that you're about to start a new phase of learning, or that you are being asked to take a longer-term view. Short-sighted or rash decisions are not a part of this energy.
You are in a position of strength and are able to control much more than you may have been led to believe.
This card is also about virtue and honor. Your fortitude and character are your main assets this week. Trust yourself.
Totem: Cougar/Mountain Lion
Key words and phrases: leadership, balance of power, intention, strength and grace.
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This happens to be one of my totems, so I'm intimately familiar with its energy. Many of you will see the correlations between the attributes and things I've discussed on this blog, particularly last week.Often called Puma, Mountain Lion, Florida Panther and by other names, the Cougar is one of the largest of all North American cats. Males can weigh in at 150 pounds and be up to 8 feet in length. Females are generally smaller, though still up to a good 7 feet in length and weighing in at 90 pounds. Their primary prey is larger animals such as Elk and Deer, though they will eat smaller animals if preferred food sources are scarce.
Cougars stalk their prey because of their design. A cougar is built for speed and short bursts of energy. They are not marathoners.
They act quickly, trusting in their own instincts and ability to get what they want. Those who carry this medicine need to practice the ability to act upon their own instincts and not try to rationalize decisions.
Cougar people often admit that they do tend to act first and think later. This can be a great advantage to the Cougar person if he/she keeps the mind focused firmly on goals. Those for whom Cougar is a life-long totem learn the lesson of grabbing opportunities as they come, and without hesitation.
Cougars have a territory that spreads up to 300 miles. The Cougar individual need to keep moving and searching until they find what they seek. When they do make a "kill" however, it’s likely to be a big one.
It is important Cougar people make use of stalking skills. Those with this totem are not given to sharing the details of their plans with others. While Cougar is the totem of leadership, it is often a solitary path for most. Cougar people do best in individual, rather than team pursuits.
Cougars also mark their territories and yet do allow transient Cougars of both sexes to pass through un-harassed.
For the Cougar person, this means setting your boundaries, yet having the ability to allow others to cross through when they are not challenging your personal space or power. Cougar people sometimes must express to others that their boundaries and "territory" are sacred and rightfully theirs. Cougars rarely fight, and much of their aggression towards others of their own kind is for show.
However, if one is backed into a corner, they (both cat and human with this totem) will come out fighting with fangs and claws bared. These folks don't tend to carry a grudge, once the point has been made they simply carry on with what presents itself next in their lives. Heaven help anyone who is on the receiving end of their fury!
Many Cougar folks will use the power of their voice first before taking any sort of other action. A Cougar's call can send a chill up one's spine! The sound is powerful, and carries great distances in the wild. Cougar people find that their words have great power and meaning to those that hear them, so they best choose their words wisely.
Cougar people often tend to also value their privacy highly, they often don't like to live in large cities or areas where there are many other humans because they feel infringed upon by the energy of others.
Cougar people simply need a lot of space, be it emotional, physical or mental. This does not mean that a Cougar person cannot or will not have very close, satisfying relationships, but it does mean that in order for them to do so; they need to be with people who can understand their deeper needs for freedom and their urge to go "roaming". This is not indicative that a Cougar person cannot be monogamous. Once the Cougar person has found the mate that can allow them to be who they truly are, they are not likely to risk it on a passing fancy.
Those with Cougar totem may find that regardless of where they choose to live, they feel the need to move frequently. There is a restless energy to this totem that is always calling them to move on, to explore and carve out new space for themselves. It’s difficult for Cougar people in our society as one is encouraged to "put down roots”, but once they find the right denning area and if they choose a proper mate, they can stay in one area for quite a long time.
Female Cougars usually give birth to two cubs, but have been known to have up to 5. The cubs are marked at birth with brownish-black spots that fade as they grow. This symbolizes both Cougar's strong connection with the material world and its ability to find what it needs in order to grow and thrive as well as acting as camouflage for the newborn cubs.
Cougar people have a strong need to feel grounded, and in control of what is happening around them.
Cougar also reminds us that we need to express our power actively. We must pursue those things that truly feed us from the level of the heart and soul, as well as those things that feed our bodies.
Cougars are powerful. They can put a suffocating bite on the neck of prey at 470 Newtons (bite pressure measurement per body weight) from their canines. Cougar medicine people also have the ability to flay open their prey or attackers with both verbal and physical strength. They are agile in both word and deed.
Cougar’s message is to understand your leadership ability, and to grasp the concept of personal power; a power that comes from within – not power over others. Spend time alone and meditate on your goals (prey). Use the power of the Cougar to help you take charge of your life, attack your life’s goals and dreams this week. Remember: Responsibility is no more than the ability to respond to any situation.
The Shameless Plug
You know she's famous for her recipes from Samhain's Sirens. She's already everyone's favorite Herbal Witch here at The Stew.. but did you know that Autumn Earthsong has her own Etsy Shop? Yep, that's right. She's the official owner of Verbena Lane Botanicals, and if you haven't checked it out, you totally should!
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| Click HERE to go to the Etsy Shop! |
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| Happy Feet Scrub &Spray $22.00 |
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| Perfume Oils- made to order $6.00 |
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| Sweet Cheeks Balm $10.00 |
That's it for this week's Stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
The Sunday Stew is a free, e-publication delivered every Sunday as a loving gift to the Pagan community. All submissions are the intellectual property of their authors, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the blog owner. All photos used are used with permission.
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