We have lots of great articles, crafts, recipes and more for you today. So, grab your favorite beverage and let's dig right in!
Happy birthday this week to Deborah Blake, Lily Shahar Kunning, James Bratton, LJ Scott, Tabitha Hammons, Dana Wright, Klav Kitanova, Dana McKinney, Susan Yee, Nikki Featherstone, Lugh Lamhfada, and Joshua Holcomb. May this be your best birthday ever, and may this next year of life bring you joy, peace, happiness, success and wonderful adventures in abundance!
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Why Siquijor loves its 'witches'
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, April 27
A mythical half-man, half-animal being called Tyi Wara is honored annually on this date with songs and dance by farmers in the African republic of Mali. It is believed among the Bambara tribe of that region that Tyi Wara was sent down to Earth by the gods of nature in order to teach human beings the necessary skills of farming.
Monday, April 28
In ancient Rome, the beautiful Goddess Flora was honored annually on this date. She was a fertility and vegetation Goddess of Springtime and flowering plants. Her three-day festival, the Floralia, marked the beginning of the growing season.
Tuesday, April 29
Pagan Tree Day: On this day, plant a tree dedicated to your favorite Pagan Goddess or god. For instance: plant a myrtle tree in honor of Venus and Aphrodite; and oak for Demeter, Diana, and Hera; a pine for Attis, Cybele, and Pan; a rowan tree for all moon-Goddesses; a sycamore for all Egyptian gods and Goddesses; a willow for Artemis, Brigid, and Persephone; a yew for Hecate and Saturn; etc.
Wednesday, April 30
In Germany, Walpurgisnacht begins at sunrise on this date and ends at sunrise on the first day of May (May Day). Birch boughs are placed on all doors and windows to protect the home from evil spirits and sorcery. Traditional bonfires and torches of rosemary and juniper are lit, and according to legend, Witches can be seen riding across the sky on broomsticks on this dark and magickal night. On this date in the year 1988, the English Witch Alexander Sanders (also known as King of the Witches) died of lung cancer. He was gifted with psychic powers, and was the founder of the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca.
Thursday, May 1
The Beltane Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world annually on this date. Beltane (which is also known as May Day, Rood Day, Rudemas, and Walpurgisnacht) is derived from an ancient Druid fire festival celebrating the union of the Goddess and the Horned God. It also celebrates the rebirth of the Sun, marking the "death" of Winter and the "birth" of Spring. At dawn, morning dew is gathered from grass and wildflowers to be used in mystical potions for good luck. Throughout the day, Nature is celebrated by feasts, games, poetry readings, and clockwise dancing around a brightly decorated Maypole. In ancient Rome, the deity worshipped on this day was the Spring goddess Maia, whose divine powers encouraged the crops to grow. The month of May is named after her. On this date in the year 1776, the Order of the Illuminati (an occult sect and secret order dedicated to the study of forbidden books, Tantric mysticism, and ceremonial magick) was founded in Bavaria by Adam Weishaupt.
Friday, May 2
On this date, an annual fertility festival featuring a man wearing the costume of a hobbyhorse, a devilish mask, and a pointed hat is held in England and throughout rural regions across Europe. Ysahodhara, the consort of the great god Buddha, is honored in India with a sacred festival that takes place on this day each year.
Saturday May 3
In ancient Rome, an annual women's festival in honor of the earth Goddess Bona Dea took place on this date. Sacrifices of sows were made to her in order to promote fertility in women, and the unveiling of sacred objects for only women's eyes to see was included in the celebration of her rites.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Beltane celebration and a fantastic week!
Karen
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Sparkle & Shine with Sosanna
While not a religious celebration for me, Beltane is indeed one of my favorite festivals celebrated on the Wheel of the Year. Basically a fertility festival celebrated between April 30 and May 1, Beltane is also known as a fire festival. I have a love love relationship with fire and that makes Beltane right up my alley. Bonfires and maypole dances are some of the common ways to celebrate Beltane. This is also the time when many traditions celebrate what is called “The Great Rite”.
There are many deities that are associated with Beltane and fertility: Artemis and Hera from the Greek; Bacchus and Flora from the Roman; Bes and Beset from the Egyptian, just to name a few. Hecate is referred to in several ancient writings as the womb or the Mother of all or the Cosmic World Soul. There are no direct celebrations for Hecate at this time of year, but I've found no reason not to incorporate offerings or prayers to your deity at the times when you feel it works best.
Hecate’s moon is said to be the dark moon. This is the time just after the final sliver of the moon goes dark. While I do offerings to her on her moon, I also do the majority of my spell work on the full moon. The energy and light I feel of the full moon works best for me, just as celebrating Beltane may work better than celebrating Mabon. The idea behind Beltane is to celebrate the life-giving elements of our earth.
Just as any other Pagan holiday, Beltane can be a personal spiritual rite of passage or it can be a group celebration. I generally use this time to make offerings to Hecate at the crossroads. I also use this time to move any of my used spell items into my bonfire. This is a great way to dispose of items that have come to the end of the spiritual life. I will take collected spell castings from the year and put them all in the Beltane bonfire to send them on their way. As the fire burns in the center of the sacred space, I walk the perimeter with salt creating a blessing line around my property. I use this in addition to mirror magic to safeguard my space.
The idea here is to bring the energy to the day that you have within you. There really is no right way to be a Pagan. Look at the history of your deity, find the days that feel right and embrace it. After all, do you need a special day to be told you’re great?
Namaste and Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
The Witches' Cupboard with Autumn Earthsong
Beltane is almost here! As I was thinking about which herb I wanted to write about for the Beltane issue of the Stew…I decided on Yarrow.
Yarrow is easily found from June through September in meadows, roadsides, pastures, ditches, etc. It’s often thought to be just a weed, but it’s so much more
Yarrow is easily found from June through September in meadows, roadsides, pastures, ditches, etc. It’s often thought to be just a weed, but it’s so much more
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows from 10 to 20 inches high, a single stem, fibrous and rough. The leaves are fern-like, dark-green, giving them a feathery appearance. The flowers are several bunches of numerous small, white flower heads. Each tiny flower resembling a daisy. Depending on the weather and where you live, the flowers bloom from May to September.
For you gardeners out there, growing yarrow is sometimes too easy, as it tends to take over a plot. It creeps along via its root system, while simultaneously reseeding itself. Yarrow prefers ordinary soil and a fair amount of sunshine. Some varieties of yarrow grow up to 4 feet in height. It comes in shades from white to pale pink…to ornamental yellow and red varieties!
Other Names: Milfoil, Old Man’s Pepper, Soldier’s Woundwort, Knight’s Milfoil, Thousand Weed, Nose Bleed, Carpenter’s Weed, Bloodwort, Staunchweed, Devil’s Nettle
Mythology:
Yarrow carries the name Achillea because the Greek God Achilles in mythology is storied to have given the plant to his troops to stop bleeding in battle. Unfortunately, it didn't stop the bleeding when he hurt his own heel, and he died from his wounds. The modern terms "Achilles tendon" and "Achilles heel" originate from this myth.
Medicinal Uses:
Yarrow has been a well-known healing herb for centuries. It has a wonderful list of healing medicinal purposes!
Parts used….everything above the ground (leaves, stems and flowers)
Harvesting for medicinal purposes should be done while the plant is in flower.
Yarrow is used medicinally against colds and flu, cramps, fevers, stomach ulcers, kidney disorders, toothaches and abscesses, skin irritations, to regulate menses, and to reduce inflammation. It can aid digestion and increase appetite. Yarrow is a diaphoretic and helps to eliminate toxins and fevers. Yarrow's astringent properties can also help stop diarrhea and dysentery. Other yarrow uses include coughs, sore throats, lowering blood pressure, hay fever, and more.
Externally, clean yarrow leaves can be used to stop a wound from bleeding. A yarrow infused oil or balm can be used to treat other topical skin conditions including burns, ulcers, and swollen and inflamed skin, and hemorrhoids. Inserting a fresh, clean yarrow leaf into the nostril can stop nosebleeds. Yarrow can also, conversely, start bleeding when needed…for instance, getting clotted nose blood, to un-clot.
Medicinal applications:
An infusion (tea) of yarrow flowers can be prepared by steeping the flowers into boiling water for some time. This preparation is useful for upper respiratory illness. It may also be useful to heal eczema when applied externally as a wash. An infusion or tea is also great for reducing fever. To get relief for varicose veins, soak a cotton pad with the infusion and apply to the veins. The poultice will also aid hemorrhoids. You can also put the infusion in bath water to soothe hemorrhoids and skin issues.
Yarrow oil is useful for any external skin issues such as swollen joints, rashes, or bruises. Also great as a chest rub (add peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil) for congestion of the chest..colds, flu or cough.
Cuts and scratches on the body can be healed by wrapping cleansed, fresh yarrow leaves on the affected area. To clean leaves, place in a bowl, pour white vinegar over them…let stand for a bit. Strain off vinegar then rinse leaves twice to ensure all the vinegar is gone. You can also place a chewed leaf on a sore tooth.
A tincture made of Yarrow is useful for healing urinary disorders and menstrual problems.
Warning:
Pregnant women should not use Yarrow internally! Excessive use can cause headaches and skin irritations for anyone who is sensitive to it.
Culinary Uses:
Yarrow is bitter but used sparingly it works in cheese sauces, soups and salads. It has also been used in place of hops to brew beer.
Magickal Uses:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Yarrow is used magickally for Courage, Love, Psychic abilities, Divination, Perception, Protection and Purification.
Some ways to use Yarrow for magick are:
-When drunk as a tea, Yarrow is said to increase psychic powers and powers of perception.
-When flowers or leaves are burned, if the smoke goes up, it's a good omen, but if it goes down, it's a bad omen.
-Use Yarrow flowers in love sachets and charms.
-Place Yarrow flowers under your pillow before sleep and your lover will appear in your dreams.
-Hang flowers over your bridal bed to insure love that lasts at least 7 years. Or place them in your bridal bouquet
-Grow Yarrow near your door for protection or hang some over your front door.
-Carried in the hand or placed in a mojo bag….it is believed to ward off fear. Also to reverse negativity and protect from hexes
-Add to the bath to protect from evil or harm.
-Throw Yarrow flowers across the threshold to protect the house from evil.
-Tie to an infant's cradle for protection from harmful forces. (an old belief too)
-Place the flowers on your altar to aid in divination
-use it in loose incense for protection, purification or divination
These are just a few ways to use Yarrow in magick. I’m sure you can find many more. Next time you take a walk, look for some yarrow and bring it home and put it to good use!
I want to wish you all a very Blessed Beltane. Remember, it’s all about the Sun, love and lust!! Have fun!!
Blessings and Love, Autumn
Saga's Spirit with Loren Morris
Beltane is a beautifully colorful celebration day with ribbons, flowers, and summer just around the corner. It is one of my favorites. I don't know if you will like the craft that I have thought of, I hope you do. Maypoles are so pretty with their braided ribbons and flowers.
I thought of capturing the maypole as a decoration to put inside the home on a wreath. It was a fairly easy project, but it is a bit messy, so it is best done outside.
You'll need:
Wreath
Mesh ribbon
Dowel rod
Different colored ribbons
Flowers
Hot glue
Hat pin
Moss
Floral foam half ball
Read more at Saga's Cottage Blog
Magic in Motherhood with Autumn Noel
Maydaying with Family
A few years ago, when I was young and energetic and not 29 with a toddler and pregnant, I had an awesome Mayday/Beltane party. My husband actually built me a maypole, we grilled fajitas and I served a highly liquored-up mayday punch (which of course was delicious!). One of my older friends who had maypole danced in elementary gym class taught us how to dance and wrap the maypole. It was hilarious and fun; we even unwrapped it and re-danced. But by the second time around, the mayday punch had kicked in and several of us got tangled and wrapped up in the ribbons, which made for a great story and even funnier pictures. As a mommy, my Sabbat celebrations are a bit less wild, and more family focused. I've pretty much outgrown the mayday punch drinking days, but still do something special for my husband and little one with each celebration that rolls around…
A few days ago, my little one ran up to me holding two sturdy sticks she had collected out in nature (... well what we have of nature, here in the suburbs) at the park. One a large stick and one its exact miniature copy. She happily played with them for the rest of our park trip, and then we brought them home. I have them set aside to be turned into “Maying Wands” on May 1st, one for her and one for me. We will use ribbon scraps and lots of glitter, and hopefully top it off with a few flowers, if I can find any out on our rose bush.
….Then I’ll spend the rest of the day trying to get her not to poke anyone, or anything, or impale herself with her wand. For my husband, a strawberry pie is on the dessert menu for Beltane night. It delicious and simple, for an unbaker like me… I found the recipe online here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/refreshing-strawberry-pie. We will also set up the Maypole and see what Mayday dancing skills my little one has to offer. I can’t wait to see the cuteness that will unfold.
This Sabbat of love and romance has changed for me over the years. I have a bigger and different kind of love to give and more people to give it to; to my husband for being a wonderful lover and friend, to my toddler who I fall more in love with every day, and to my belly as I watch it grow and create a new life. I hope that your Beltane is full of warmth, romance, Mayday flowers and all things spring and fertile!! I know mine will be, and I am so thankful for my many many blessings.
Blessed be,
-Autumn Noel
There and Back A-hen: Just a Bunch of Clucking Nonsense with Melissa 'Chicky' Cassick
Bows are tied to hawthorne trees, baskets of bursting color hang from doors, and rainbows of cascading ribbons wind round an erect pole, giggle giggle. Blushing maidens use apple peels, mirrors, smoke, and obliging farm birds to discern the identities of their future beloveds. Lustful couples exchange rings, before they engage in more outright exchanges. It must be Beltane!
The earth awakens -- and it wants. A casual image search for this Holiday will net plenty of pictures of semi-nude frolic; a more dedicated search is exponentially more rewarding. I am a big fan of the Horned God, I am. I am a lover of dark, mysterious, masculine men, beards and long hair a definite plus. This time of year, with everything blooming, attracting, pollinating, mating… It’s a time to dance sinuously, a time to sing a love song under a window, a time to build a bonfire and get down to business by its primal light.
It’s not just a time for human intertwining: it’s a time for nature walking, as the forest comes alive looking for love. The birds cry for each others’ companionship, and the frogs advertise their advantages with chirps and garumps. Deer and skunk, goose and snake, turtle and heron are all out and about: a spring fling for the woodland realm.
The first truly warm days blow southern breezes across my face, lifting my hair, and bringing the scent of lilac. The flowers douse themselves in fragrance, and dress in the flashiest colors, looking for attention. My plants are in the ground: after my fussy coddling in the light of a kitchen window, they are now free to spread their leaves and be bathed in sun from all directions. They grow faster now, thrusting roots deep into the earth in determined fashion, proclaiming their independence. Soon the bees will pay a call, spreading the pollen, starting the fruit. Even the plant world is filled with lust and the urge to create.
Spring is here in earnest.
The Passionate Chickyn to Her Love
And we will spend each passing day
Maintaining our small residence,
With some time left for us to play.
And we shall sit upon the chairs
I bought on sale at Target once,
And watch the house wrens as they feed
And perch upon the neighbor’s fence.
And I shall plant thee beds of peppers,
Tomatoes, onions, and the like,
And we shall dine on salsa fresca:
You can make it for tonight.
An afghan stitched of poly blend
I shall crochet to warm your toes.
(And if I do not finish it,
You know that’s just the way I roll.)
The kids will string you strands of beads,
Pinks and purples, bright and shiny;
And you shall wear it all day through
Lest thou should hurt their feelings tiny.
And plastic dishes for thy lunch,
With Dr. Seuss embellished fine;
On these I place some greens to crunch
(The “One Fish, Two Fish” plate is MINE!)
At evening’s end, by life exhausted,
We shall watch “Buffy” every night,
And snuggle close, our arms entwined,
And share our love by flickering light.
If home’s delights thy heart should move,
Come live with me, and be my love.
-- Melissa Cassick, 2014
Tiffany's Gumbo with Tiffany Newson
May Day is coming! Time for love, lust, fertility and coming together on a more intimate level.
Yeah, that's nice. I'm not going to be. Don't get me wrong. I will be participating in the coming together festivities. What comes from those festivities will not be happening over here.
Come the 2nd, I'll be getting my procedure for Essure. No more fertility over here! No more babies!
Woohoo!
It's a sad time but a joyous one. While most everyone else will be using this time and energy to procreate, I'll be using it to reconnect to my love. Come May 17th, we'll have been officially together for 9 years! Nine years! We've been through it all. Lust, love, super fertility. (Specifically with our ninja baby, calculating back around this time we got pregnant with her.) We've gone through separations, rebuilding, reconnecting, depressions, family and parent betrayal, death and financial issues.
This year, this Beltane, will be the close of one level and the aspiring to reach to the next.
This year our fertility will not be in the way of procreating but in pouring love and those energies toward growing ourselves closer together. To not just being lovers, but much more. Our lust will be reaching for the things we've always wanted.
The Magical Garden with Johanna Lawson
April is drawing to a close and the long cold Winter is becoming a distant memory. Gardens are beginning to burst with life now. The Sun is setting later each day, allowing us more time to spend in our gardens, whether it is to work or to play. Life is in full swing. Flowers are blooming, trees are opening, birds are nesting, and the bees and butterflies are beginning to dance among the fragrant blossoms. The days are warmer but still have that slight chill that, when you stand in the sunlight, gives you that little shiver down your spine. We are heading into the warm half of the year, to the midpoint between Spring and Summer – Beltane.
The ancient Celts hailed Beltane as the beginning of Summer and the time for planting. The hearth fires were extinguished and relit from the great bonfires, the sparks of passion and desire and the representation of the returning longer warmer days of Summer, lit at Beltane. They went “a-maying”, collecting flowering hawthorn branches to hang in the home for prosperity and health. May poles were erected and danced around to ensure the fertility of the land and the people. The May Queen and the Green Man were adorned with crowns of flowers, fresh herbs and green leaves, becoming the embodiments of the Goddess and God on Earth, their union bringing fertility and life to the land.
Beltane is a day for celebrating the fertility of your garden as well as that of your life. As Beltane dawns, head out into your garden and watch the Sun rise. Welcome it and ask it to bless your gardens with warmth and light for abundant growth. Bless yourself with some morning dew. Ask the Lord of the Green and Lady of the May to bring good health, prosperity and creativity to you and your family. Sit a while if you can and just be with the life around you. Pick flowers, fresh herbs and other bright greenery and sit with your plants while you make a crown, either for yourself or for someone special. If you have a Goddess or faery statue in your garden, you can place a crown of flowers upon its head to honor Mother Earth and the green spirits of the garden. Take some of the picked flowers and greens and bring them inside to decorate your altar, mantle or any other place in your home in need of a little green.
As a fire festival, Beltane is also a time for rekindling passion and desire, not just that of the physical world but that of the spirit. If you have a fire place or fire pit, this is a good time to clean it out, sweeping the ashes out (which can be used in the garden later) and ridding it of any other debris. Cleanse it psychically too, removing any built up negativity. Bless it, asking the Goddess and God to relight the fires of love, passion and desire in you and your partner or to rekindle the passion for your magical life or your creative life, such as for your art, your writing, or your gardening. Then light a new clean fire. Use that fire as the backdrop for a romantic evening or to dance around in celebration with your family, circle or coven. Toss a few dried branches of magical herbs on the fire too, like sage, rosemary or lavender, asking for “fertile” blessings (love, prosperity, health, creativity, etc.) as you go ‘round.
You can also make a may pole for part of your Beltane celebrations. This can be as large or small, as elaborate or simple as you wish. (There are many good suggestions and plans on how to do this to be found on the internet.) An existing tree in your yard can be used and the ribbons hung from its lower branches. Try writing wishes and blessings on each ribbon to be weaved and bound together as you dance. If you have no room for this at your home, see if a local coven or circle is holding a dance around the may pole in your community that is open to the public.
Beltane is a time for celebrating life, love, passion, desire, and rejoicing in the Earth. Put aside the physical work of the garden on this day and celebrate being with and of the Earth. This is a time for enjoying being alive, honoring the life around you, and welcoming the life to come in the Summer. Delight and revel in the scents, sounds, sights, textures and tastes of Spring and the approaching Summer. Dance, sing, eat, drink, laugh, make love, make merry.
Beltane Blessings to you all!
Mid-Air Moxie with Adelina Soto Thomas
Anyone who has worked for the public knows how difficult it is to maintain your higher spiritual self and a positive attitude when faced with the lower, primal behaviors in others. Facing daily crisis, stress, fear and anger from others can make remembering to be grateful every day for what you have a struggle. Trying not to resent the negative attitudes of those who appear ungrateful for the efforts, resources, time and good intentions of those trying to help can begin to consume us. Because we are fallible human beings, we find ourselves going through periods of cyclical, spiritual burnout. Feeling discouraged, and cranky, we want to lash out and are ready to quit on everything and everyone. We question ourselves to the core-we are lost and can’t find our way back home.
“Burnout is a state of emptiness… But it does not result from giving all I have. It merely reveals the nothingness from which I was trying to give in the first place.”–Parker Palmer
When we find ourselves in burnout status, often the primary cause is lack of self -care. When we feel that the pain we are experiencing includes a spiritual burnout, the intensity of it can be overwhelming. We may find that techniques and rituals we used to do to move ourselves out of burnout don’t work. We question ourselves, our motivations, and our very life choices. This can be a frightening time and can often lead to a Crisis of Faith. What do we do when our spiritual practices are not helping us?
“When life gets you down do you know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...”–Dori
To get yourself unstuck and out of the mire of discontent that surrounds you, you need to embrace the struggle within. Every day….get up and get moving and get through the day. There will be time for analysis later, but for now ‘just keep swimming’. Don’t look for applause, appreciation, the gratitude of others…the greater moments and lessons are before you. These are your ‘Chrysalis Moments’. Spiritual burnout can signal the beginning of a great period of transformation.
“There are far better things ahead, than any we leave behind.”–C.S. Lewis
Instead of being fearful, be curious. Instead of doing it yourself, delegate or ask for help. Instead of sticking to rituals and routines, change small things in what you do. Instead of holding on just give something up or give it away. If you hold onto old ways of thinking about what you do and who you are, you miss the chance to become what you have the potential to be. Spiritual Burnout comes when you give into fear, exhaustion, resentment and stress and cling to what is no longer serving your Higher Self. Each of us may experience this multiple times in our lives. Instead of struggling against the current, go with it and see the places it may lead you. You are shedding the skin of your past and moving into a powerful and beautiful new you. What a glorious gift indeed!
“When I was willing to let go of what I wanted, I received what was truly mine.”–Anita Moorjani
Make room and make ready. It can be a transformation that happens slowly or rapidly. Clear away the debris in your life. Let go of what you don’t use or need. Accept changes…big and small. Have a journal handy to write your thoughts, dreams and inspirations. Allow yourself the freedom to try new foods, music, books, etc. Walk into a store you wouldn't have before and look around. Drive down a road you've never gone down before. Be open; be willing; be daring. Check in with your spirit guides. Practice divination. Allow yourself to dream and experience your ‘Chrysalis Moments’ with joy and curiosity. Let the God, Goddess and the Universe take your hand and lead you out of the mire. Believe… There is something wonderful in store for you if you trust the process of transformation.
“The wings of transformation are born of patience and struggle.”–Janet S. Dickens
Sunshine's Meanderings with Kathleen Lane
Women are more aware of and more able to identify scents even in small proportions than men. Odors trigger a larger portion of the brain in women and part of it may be due to estrogen. For me, odors have always been a memory trigger. My grandmother was old school and when my great grandmother died, she lifted me up and made me kiss great grandmother. For years and years, the smell of lily of the valley caused an immediate panic attack because that was what was banked around the coffin.
On the other side of the coin, the smell of Hoppe's Gun Cleaner calls up memories of my grandfather and very good feelings. There are fragrances that can induce calm, produce mental clarity and energize us physically, emotionally or mentally.
If you want to relieve Anger try Chamomile, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose and Ylang-ylang.
If you are battling depression try Bergamot, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Orange, Rose Geranium, Sandalwood, Tangerine and Ylang-ylang.
Improve your memory with Bay Laurel, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon and Rosemary.
If you want to help anxiety use Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Frankincense, Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram, Myrrh, Orange, Peach, Rose, Rose Geranium and Violet Leaf.
And my favorites for this time of year, these scents help to invigorate and combat fatigue: Angelica, Camphor, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Lemon, Peppermint, Pine, Sage and Spiced Apple.
Play around with different scents and find the combinations that work for you. I like to put them on a cotton ball inside my pillow case and on my handkerchief. Yes, I know....I like a handkerchief, not tissues. Another great place is inside the band if you are wearing a hat. Your body heat really activates the scent.
The Spice with La'Trice Lott
I don't know about y'all but, in our house, we love finger foods. Anything we can pick up and eat in one bite is very popular. This week's recipe fits the bill. It's a twist on the classic bruschetta.
Spring Strawberry Bruschetta
Ingredients
1 roma tomato
1 cup of strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 olive oil
Salt/ black pepper
1 Fresh baguette
Fresh Mozzarella, thinly sliced
Instruction
1) Pre-heat oven to 375
2) Cut your baguette in half and then slice into circle. Top with mozzarella and place on cookie sheet. Bake until cheese is slightly melted, about 5-8 minutes.
3) Combine all ingredients (oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, sugar, tomato and strawberries) into a bowl and lightly stir to combine.
4) Remove bread from and spoon strawberry mixture on top.
This Week in Astrology
The Sun is currently in the sign of Taurus, the Bull.
Retrogrades:
Mars until May 19
Saturn until July 20
Pluto until September 23
Sunday, April 27
Moon Void of Course (VoC) from 10:52pm through the rest of the night
Monday, April 28
Moon VoC until 10:53am then moves into Taurus
Tuesday, April 29
New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Taurus 2:14am
Moon VoC 11:53am-4:55pm, then moves into Gemini
BELTANE
Thursday, May 1
All's Quiet in the Heavens
Friday, May 2
Venus moves into Aries, 9:21pm
Waxing Crescent Moon at 9:26pm
Saturday, May 3
Moon VoC 12:58am-2:12am, moves into Cancer
Weekly Horoscope from DarkStar Astrology
The Weekly Divine with Kallan Kennedy
Kallan Kennedy is a professional tarot/totem intuitive with more than 20 years of divination experience. She offers private readings to her clients via her website, Secret Services. Order your personal reading today!
This Week's Tarot: 4 of Cups
Now, this can be interpreted several ways. Given that the young man clearly has been given a lot, one could say that he is being ungrateful for what he already has.. or is taking it for granted. Many of us have lived through the adage, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." This could apply if you have been feeling a sense of 'meh' lately. The Four of Cups can serve as a warning not to take what you have for granted. The number 4 suggests that one has a firm foundation upon which to build or has already built, and the Cups suit is that of emotions. Be sure that if this is you, you are actively maintaining your foundation and emotional ties. Don't take those things for granted.
Another interpretation is that he is in deep contemplation about what he already has before he takes on more. Again, given that this is the suit of cups, it could mean concern over taking on more than one can emotionally handle. Our young man's body language could be saying that he's been hurt before, and isn't quite ready to take a leap, emotionally.
I've seen the interpretations that state this is also a card of disappointment in one's circumstances and life. It may be that you've been dealt an un-winnable hand for awhile now, and you are getting weary of enduring it.
The Four of Cups is an admonition to action. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in a rut of self-absorption. Part of this week's energy has to do with last week's Grand Cardinal Cross peak in the heavens as well. What lessons did you learn? Were you shocked by an event or someone's behavior? It's time to reflect and then take action.. this was the great shake-up for your life. Note that our young man was being offered the cup and while he did not take it, he also didn't reject it, either. It's good to take time to mull over an offer.. just don't pass up an opportunity by complacency.
Action cures Worry and Lethargy. Start with an attitude of gratitude.. write up a list of all those things for which you have to be grateful, including opportunities offered. Thank the Universe for them. Once you've taken this first step, you'll be on your way to a new adventure.
Weekly Totem: Bull
In ancient Celtic societies, the bull represented virility, strength and endurance... these traits were necessary for the propagation of the clans. Later, bull came to represent wealth and prosperity.
The ancient Greek myths speak of Zeus turning himself into a white bull to capture the attention of Europa, who is seen in Greek art as riding a white bull. This symbolizes of passion, transformation, virility, strength and fulfillment.
To the Chinese, the bull represented perseverance, determination, stability and long-suffering.
In Hebrew, the letter aleph (which has many other meanings as well) is the symbol of the bull, and was also the word for bull in the ancient Semitic languages. It represents man's ability to work with nature and her creatures to bring about abundance, provision and harmony.
To the Assyrians, the bull was born of the sun. The Hindu divine being Indra is depicted as riding on a bull. The Egyptian god Osiris is seen as having the head of a bull. The Minotaur is also prevalent in Greek mythology, and had the head of a bull and the body of a man.
The bull is masculine, and represents fertilizing the Earth (feminine). In this totem, we have both masculine and feminine embodiment.
Bull's overall message is that of strength, determination, abundance, and perseverance. If you're stalled in a project or goal, bull can help you plow through and get the job done. If you have been feeling helpless in your situation, call on Bull to lend you his strength to endure and overcome. When Bull Medicine grabs your attention it is asking you to gather your strength and power, both physical and mental. Bringing these together creates will-power to hold your ground when the going seems to be getting tough, and when you need to manifest abundance in your life. Your true power comes from within.
Beltane Pages from LaPulia Studio
Happy Beltane from all of us at LaPulia! Here are our Beltane Pages for your Book of Shadows. If you don't yet have a Book of Shadows or would like a keepsake you can pass down from generation to generation, we would love to provide you with one!
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Click HERE to see our available books! (We also do custom orders)
Review: The Way of the Phoenix by Stifyn Emrys
by Kallan Kennedy
True to the description, this delightful tome more than lives up to its promises. As a lover of Aesop's fables, I found the first half of the book to be as enchanting, if not more so than Aesop's work. The second half could easily put the author into the realm of Plato, Aristotle and other great philosophers whose work has stood the test of time. This is a must-have book for both the avid bookworm and casual peruser . It is well-structured and easy to read. It can be devoured in one sitting, or read slowly to digest each nugget of wisdom. This is a book you'll want to come back to read and consult over and over again.
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Beltane Extra!
Here is a link to an older post in which I shared an excerpt from Raven Grimassi's book that shows you how to make a pentacle braid for Beltane! Click HERE to read it.
That's it for this week's Stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
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