The Sunday Stew
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Editors: Jennifer Rasmussen, Kallan KennedyThe 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 are used with permission.
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Happy Birthday this week to Vaygar Ingvald Elmersson, Beth Miller Buckley, Vilkas Molteris, Elizabeth Bouyahi, Lindy Berkebile Yutzy, Mary Lamson, Kallista Silverheart, Pierre Kellogg, and Carolyn Snowtrixx. May this be you best birthday ever, and may your next year of life bring you joy, peace, happiness and success in abundance.
In the News
This segment features news from around the world. The articles do not reflect the views of the staff of The Sunday Stew, nor the blog owner. We believe you should be informed as to what is going on in the world where the terms Paganism and Witchcraft are concerned.
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Good Morning, Sunday Stew fans! Hope you're doing well in this steamy July heat! Ready for another weeks's serving of Pagan Lore? Here we go.......
Sunday, July 6
This is a day sacred to all horned Goddesses of the ancient Pagan religions: the Deer Mothers, Europa, Hathor, Hera, Io, Ishtar, Isis, Juno, Luna, Nephthys, Pasiphae, Selene, and so forth. In Spain, the annual Running of the Bulls takes place on this day. The bull symbolizes fertility and the male procreative power and is a sacred animal to Apis, Baal, Bacchus, Dionysos Zagreus, Dumuzi, Enki, Freya, Menwer, the Minotaur, Moloch, Sin, Thor and Yama.
Monday, July 7
In Japan, the Tanabata (Star Festival) takes place annually on this day and celebrates the reunion of the two celestial lovers who bridged a raging river with their own bodies. In China, the annual Feast of the Milky Way (Chih Nu) takes place each year on this day to celebrate the romantic encounter between Vega the Weaver Maid and Aquila the Herd Boy.
Tuesday, July 8
On this date in ancient Rome, a nature festival known as the Nonae Caprotinae (Nones of the Wild Figs) was celebrated in honor of the Goddess Juno, the Great Mother. It is believed to be one of the oldest of the women's festivals. In Tomar, Portugal, there is an annual parade in which girls balance flower-covered pillars of bread on their heads. This parade is believed to ward off the spirits of illness for the remainder of the year.
Wednesday, July 9
In ancient Greece, a six-day festival called the Panathenaea began on this day every four years. It was held in honor of the Goddess Athena.
On this day, Pagans around the world celebrate the divine birthdays of the wine- and fertility-god Dionysus and the Greek Goddess Rhea.
On this date in the year 1992, Herman Slater (Wiccan High Priest, well-known occult author, and proprietor of the Magickal Childe bookstore and Witchcraft supply shop in New York City) lost his battle against AIDS. His death was a great loss to the magickal community.
Thursday, July 10
Day of Holda. On this day, the Anglo-Saxon and Norse Goddess of the Underworld is honored annually with prayers, the lighting of black candles, and offerings of rose petals. Also on this day (approximately) a centuries-old festival is held in Douai, France. Wickerwork giants are paraded through the streets of the city to drive away evil-natured spirits and demons.
Friday, July 11
In ancient times, the Greek deities Kronos (Father Time) and Rhea (Mother Earth) were honored with an annual religious festival called the Kronia, which took place on this date in the city of Athens.
Saturday, July 12
According to an age-old superstition, a child who comes into the world on the twelfth day of July ("the luckiest day of the year") will be destined for a life of wealth and great success. Yama, the Buddhist god of death and the Underworld, is honored annually on this day in Tibet with an ancient festival known as the Old Dances. This day is also sacred to the Goddess Dikaiosune, an ancient deity who presides over justice.
Enjoy the week ahead, and I'll see you next time with more Pagan Lore!
Karen
Independent Avon Representative
Serving all your Avon needs -- come see what's new!
Sparkle & Shine with Sosanna
Pagan Vacations with the Elements
Summertime is the prime time for vacations, and Pagans are no different when it comes to the excitement of being out and about when the weather is warm.
For me, getting outside is a love/hate situation. I love being outside, but I am a very temperate person. I cannot stand being too hot or too cold, and I generally do not like planes so my vacations are staycations!
I documented my earlier staycation in blog posts for the entire time I was out. You can find them posted under my personal blog with the tag #staycation. Sometimes, I do manage to get out and do other things like working it the garden and tending to my feral cat colony. I've been working with year with Melody Drew in Goldsboro NC to help get all of her cats spayed and neutered. It’s been a long project, but we’re hanging in there. We set traps monthly, sometimes weekly, depending on donations and cat population. At some point, I’m sure we’ll get it done.
One thing I like to do is work on my pottery wheel. I have been throwing about eight months now and I’m really enjoying how it is going. I've completed several pieces, and even sold a few. I really feel connected with the clay. It starts out as a solid and sticky. Then I move it to the wheel and add water. Using the centrifugal force of the wheel I use my body to center it. If I lean too much to the left or right it will not center. I have to put my elbow in my gut and feel my spine straighten before I can lean in just enough to feel the wheel stop bobbing off center.
With each pass, I have to stop and add water to my hands to stop the clay from grabbing me and flying off. I use my fingers to push in and guide the clay calling the shape that lives within it to come out. Its there inside, waiting to be set free. I slow the wheel down to smooth the sides and pull it up a bit higher. Sometimes the result is an amazing piece of work. Sometimes it falls. To see more of my clay work check out my blog with the hashtag #throwing.
To me, this process helps connect me to the earth, even though I’m not stepping a foot outside. I have the earth in the form of the clay and the water beginning the elemental escape that is pottery. I continue the journey with the air that comes in and pulls the water out of the clay body allowing it to take on its completed shape. Finally, I place it in the kiln where the fire comes in and changes the bright colorful glazes from their liquid form to glass. From beginning to end my adventure with the clay is visit with the elements. I get to spend time with them, work with them and enjoy the beauty they represent.
From my perspective, a Pagan vacation isn't simply a vacation for a Pagan. A Pagan vacation is one in which a follower of any of the Pagan path can take a moment to become one with the earth. Be it working with clay, or sitting out by the fire drumming, each has its own energy, its own spirit that feeds the soul of the Pagan. A vacation is time away that helps us refuel, re-energize our bodies and minds in order to come back and begin working again. As Pagans, we need to have that connection to the earth to plug in and fuel up on the energy of the Goddess.
Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(
There and Back A-hen: Just a bunch of clucking nonsense with Melissa "Chicky" Cassick
What is the difference between need and want? Living in harmony with nature tends to require a level of “doing without” that goes beyond the simple financial aspect. Once our basic needs are met, how do we judge a want versus a need?
One of the most amazing capacities that human beings have developed is the ability to deceive ourselves, and to justify needing more and more. The rest of the animal kingdom does not do this: once their basic needs are met, they’re all set. My cats have not wallpapered the inside of the litter box. The dog really doesn’t care whether she sleeps on bare floor, a quilt, or a fleece throw with cute, wee chihuahuas all over it. Even the guinea pigs took no notice of the fact that their little piggy pods are purple. Not a word of thanks. And that’s because they don’t CARE.
They have never made themselves believe that bigger is better, and fancy beats plain. Even those animals who “decorate” their nests are doing so not out of a sense of aesthetics, but to attract a mate and fulfill a biological urge.
But humans… We decorate our nests, and ourselves. We embellish our food, our means of transportation, our workplaces, our tools. We crave colors that pop, and textures that excite, and flavors that thrill! It’s not enough to simply satisfy, we must saturate our senses -- quite often through artificial means.
And that’s when I start to wonder, how much is too much? How much is too much for ME, before I start questioning whether the basic reason why I am a Pagan in the first place -- because I want to respect and honor nature -- is being undermined?
I stopped coloring my hair, as I wrote about previously. Part of the reason was that I wanted to see what it really looked like, who Melissa really was. I have grey coming in, and I love it, and I’m lucky -- it’s beautiful silver, like frost on black branches. But the other reason was that I started to be concerned about the wisdom of dying it. I didn’t like doing something that was so out of keeping with living a “natural” life. I didn’t like the idea of the chemicals being on my scalp, being absorbed through my skin. I didn’t like thinking about where those chemicals would go when I rinsed the dye out of my hair, to watch it swirl down the drain and become somebody else’s problem. So I stopped, and I congratulated myself on taking an action that I felt reflected my faith.
Then I started thinking about my tattoos. Hunh. They’re not natural. They’re dyes. They’re under my skin. I never questioned what they were made of. And I never thought about the environmental practices of the artist -- was the studio properly disposing of leftover pigment?
Is all that enough of make me stop getting tattoos, or even regret the ones I have? Well… like I said, we humans sure are good at justifying doing what we want. And I want my tattoos, and I want more of them.
Do wants become needs when that want becomes paramount to who you are? If coloring my hair still felt like something that was imperative to my sense of well-being, my sense of self, I would probably still do it and justify it thus.
Is my cell phone a want or a need? My son’s computer? Bubblegum flavored toothpaste for my daughter? My dog? Ice cream? All of it is debatable -- endlessly, mind-numbingly debatable.
Every purchase comes with a price-tag far beyond the numbers: where was this made, what was it made from, and by whom? what went into the production process? under what conditions? how long can it be used, and can it be recycled, and can it be disposed of safely if not?
And every one of us has a private ledger in our mind, tallying up numbers in black and red, and making our decision based on what we see in the final column. And it is an intensely personal decision. I may ponder the necessity of what a pagan friend is doing, but I don’t know what went into her decision, nor what steps she may be taking to counteract any negative effect resulting.
To borrow a phrase from our own Jennifer Andrist Rasmussen, we must practice mindful consumerism. Make certain that each purchase is well-contemplated. Maintain a level of trust that the Pagans around you do the same. More than anyone else, we should know that we need to take care of our poor, old Mother.
From Madness to Mindfulness with Jennifer Rasmussen
A Mindful Vacation
My husband and I just got back from eight days in Wisconsin. It was awesome. It was beautiful. It was needed. I learned a lot about myself rolling along those county roads on the back of our Harley-Davidson. Some of those things I already knew and some were new realizations. The biggest thing I learned is that my life has become overrun by fear: fear of failure, fear of success, fear of living, fear of death.
When you are the passenger, you have to be vigilant but you also have time to think. I thought a lot. I thought about my journey from madness to mindfulness. This journey is going to take a very long time. On the first two days of our trip, I spent most of the time afraid: afraid of bugs, afraid of a wreck, afraid of an argument, afraid we would run into bad weather, etc. I was in such a state of fear that when we arrived at his parents’ house, my husband offered to drive the almost-three hours back home to get the car. How can anyone possibly enjoy life in such a state?
When we left his parents’ house two days later, the fear, anxiety, and dread had subsided a bit but were still there. However, this time I stopped the negative self-talk (“What is wrong with you? You’ve never been afraid to ride before!” “You are such a baby!”), and accepted the feelings and tried to hear the message they were trying to bring me. Once I opened my mind to listen, I realized these feelings were occupying so much space in my head because I am not living MY life. I am living life according to the ideas and expectations of others.
It was an “A-HA” moment for me. We spent Sunday night in an awesomely outdated motel in Crivitz, Wisconsin. Our room looked out on the Peshtigo River and even had a doc with a bench where we sat in silence and just gazed out across the water. We both felt the same longing in our hearts for a place of our own near the water where we could sit and watch the world flow past.
We strolled across the road to dinner (again on the river) and I could not help but smile and feel my heart and mind settle down a bit as a group of men, women, and children came into the bar area to have drinks while they waited for a table. I heard that familiar Wisconsin accent and said to my husband, “these are my people.” He just sipped his Diet Coke and smiled that smile I love so much. That same smile he gave me as we were riding and he asked “do feel like we are getting closer to your grandpa’s yet?” and I said “YES!” I CAN feel it. I can feel the change in my body when I’m sleeping and we cross the border into Wisconsin. I always could.
We arrived at Grampy’s place on Monday morning. We spent the day sitting outside in the sun watching the butterflies and the birds. We spent Tuesday with my Great Uncle Gary and his wife Sandy. I absolutely love those two. They live a simple life in the house Uncle Gary was born in. They have a decent-sized garden where they grow veggies for canning and freezing. They mostly keep to themselves except for family that lives a couple of miles away. By the end of the day, my fear was gone.
We left Wednesday morning. It was cool and overcast. It was the kind of day I love. As we rode toward home, I fought back the tears. It hurts to leave my heart-home. We made our way down those back roads again looking for a place to stay for the night. We drove through some adorable little towns and some towns that were totally abandoned. My heart ached for them and what they must have been at one time. It seemed like we were ahead of the rain until late afternoon. We stopped in a town called Sullivan and had dinner at the most incredible Mexican restaurant. It was called Fiesta Cancun and was run by an adorable Mexican couple. It was the best traditional Mexican food we have ever eaten. I can assure you I was mindful of every bite! We donned our raingear and headed out again.
We ran into rain again and stopped at a motel in Whitewater. We debated on whether or not to push on for the next eighty miles home. The radar only showed more rain, so we stayed. It turned out to be an excellent decision. On our way home, my husband saw an antique store in a town called Walworth. I will spare you all of the details, but I will say that we are going to go back with the car soon. As we rode through little towns like Darien and Walworth, all I kept thinking about was how much I not only WANT to live in Wisconsin but how much I NEED to live in Wisconsin. I was envisioning a little U-PICK farm with my beloved blackberries where I could also sell some quilts and various things. We can pick a town that is between both of our families in Illinois and Wisconsin so that we are not too far from anyone. I still have to hammer out all of the details but at least it’s a start.
It is time to start listening to what the Universe is trying to tell me. It is time to really work on being mindful of my feelings and be open to the messages they are trying to send. More than that, it is time for me to live my own life. I do not to continue to live in fear of reaching the end of my days and never accomplishing my dreams.
Random Thoughts from a Wandering Mind with Brian Belenchia
Money vs. Spirituality
Every Friday night for the last six years a group has gathered to talk about topics such as spirituality, self-help and anything that would help us “grow.”
That group varies in size from 2 people to over 30 at times, though there has been a core group that has remained for the almost the entire duration. The people in that group come from a variety of backgrounds beliefs, and quite often, a difference of opinions.
This is what makes that group so special - a difference of beliefs, practices and opinions but all with the same goal/purpose; to grow spiritually and help each other to grow as well. This group is simply known as “The Friday Night Discussion Group.” The discussions and insight from this group has been nothing short of incredible and undoubtedly divinely inspired. For this reason I will be tapping into this group for my blog posts. I only hope my writings can do justice the great in depth talks we have.
This week’s subject was money. More specifically how money can hurt and/or help spiritual growth.
Many of us wish we had more of it, some of us wish we didn't need it, others wish we had just enough to get by, while others wish they had mountains of it to do whatever they wanted to do. So, who is right? The answer is all of them and none of them. I have listened to gurus and motivational speakers speak over and over again about “abundance.” It is the buzz word of the new age ! But what is abundance? Is it piles of money? Is it having everything you want and desire? Is it about a spiritual feeling of fulfillment? Maybe abundance is about having food on the table, a roof over your head, and the love of a family. It is truly different for everyone.
I honestly believe there are those that will never achieve their dreams of mountains of money no matter how much they “believe it” or put it out to the universe, because it is not part of the lessons they need to learn. That all of these gurus promoting, and making millions, convincing people they only need to make a wish and it will happen are truly stopping people from fulfilling their life purposes. But, what do I know? I have often said intent without action is like hitting a golf ball into the water and waiting for it to swim back. Abundance comes from action; period. Not writing a million dollar check and placing it on your refrigerator for you to see every day.
So, this leads into a whole other discussion and where our discussion was intended to go. What if you don’t feel worthy of accepting money, far worst what if you feel guilty charging people for services? This is where our discussion began and where my issue begins. My fear when I am doing coaching or hypnotherapy is what if someone can’t afford my rates but needs me? Speaking to other practitioners this also is an issue with them.
I recently had a lengthy “discussion” with a dear friend who insisted if they really needed me the universe would provide them with the money. Needless to say, I disagreed. I don’t want someone to have to decide whether they will fill their gas tank or see someone for help.
During our discussion some incredibly good points were made. Our fears of someone else not having the money for help are our fears, which I completely agree with and need to deal with. We as a society put too much emotion into something that has no emotion. Money is a monetary form of exchange. The emotion involved in it, whether it is depression from not having enough or elation from having mountains of it is our perception of it. Period. There are many monks who beg for food every single day who are some of the happiest people on earth, while there are millionaires who are completely miserable.
So how do we “devalue” money in our own spiritual growth? How do we separate it from our higher-self. Well that was the light bulb in my head. We need to do exactly that, we need to separate money from our spiritual growth. Everything we need for growth, to feel good, to feel fulfilled is right there in that chest cavity pumping blood to your outermost regions.
Separate them ! Instead of allowing the lack of money to bring you down, let your higher self move you past the desire for money. Don’t let money dictate how you feel, how you react, how you love, how you grow. Stop letting it control your spirit!
Yes, I have learned over the last year it is much easier to be happy when you know your electric isn’t going to get shut off, or your house isn't going to be foreclosed on, but our happiness is a direct response to those things. It sucks, it hurts, and it will fill you with anxiety if you are facing those things, yes more money would stop those things. But our happiness our spiritual fullness has nothing to do with “money.”
Spiritual fulfillment has to do with life, not quality of life. We need to hug our kids, human and pet, love our family. Put your feet in the grass, or better yet lay in the grass and look at the clouds and listen to the birds. Bury yourself in a book. Do whatever brings you peace. Take very single opportunity you can, even if it’s just a sliver in time, take a deep breath and thank your higher power for the ability to take that breath. Will the money come? I have no idea, but one thing money cannot take from me and that’s my life and spirituality.
That group varies in size from 2 people to over 30 at times, though there has been a core group that has remained for the almost the entire duration. The people in that group come from a variety of backgrounds beliefs, and quite often, a difference of opinions.
This is what makes that group so special - a difference of beliefs, practices and opinions but all with the same goal/purpose; to grow spiritually and help each other to grow as well. This group is simply known as “The Friday Night Discussion Group.” The discussions and insight from this group has been nothing short of incredible and undoubtedly divinely inspired. For this reason I will be tapping into this group for my blog posts. I only hope my writings can do justice the great in depth talks we have.
This week’s subject was money. More specifically how money can hurt and/or help spiritual growth.
Many of us wish we had more of it, some of us wish we didn't need it, others wish we had just enough to get by, while others wish they had mountains of it to do whatever they wanted to do. So, who is right? The answer is all of them and none of them. I have listened to gurus and motivational speakers speak over and over again about “abundance.” It is the buzz word of the new age ! But what is abundance? Is it piles of money? Is it having everything you want and desire? Is it about a spiritual feeling of fulfillment? Maybe abundance is about having food on the table, a roof over your head, and the love of a family. It is truly different for everyone.
I honestly believe there are those that will never achieve their dreams of mountains of money no matter how much they “believe it” or put it out to the universe, because it is not part of the lessons they need to learn. That all of these gurus promoting, and making millions, convincing people they only need to make a wish and it will happen are truly stopping people from fulfilling their life purposes. But, what do I know? I have often said intent without action is like hitting a golf ball into the water and waiting for it to swim back. Abundance comes from action; period. Not writing a million dollar check and placing it on your refrigerator for you to see every day.
So, this leads into a whole other discussion and where our discussion was intended to go. What if you don’t feel worthy of accepting money, far worst what if you feel guilty charging people for services? This is where our discussion began and where my issue begins. My fear when I am doing coaching or hypnotherapy is what if someone can’t afford my rates but needs me? Speaking to other practitioners this also is an issue with them.
I recently had a lengthy “discussion” with a dear friend who insisted if they really needed me the universe would provide them with the money. Needless to say, I disagreed. I don’t want someone to have to decide whether they will fill their gas tank or see someone for help.
During our discussion some incredibly good points were made. Our fears of someone else not having the money for help are our fears, which I completely agree with and need to deal with. We as a society put too much emotion into something that has no emotion. Money is a monetary form of exchange. The emotion involved in it, whether it is depression from not having enough or elation from having mountains of it is our perception of it. Period. There are many monks who beg for food every single day who are some of the happiest people on earth, while there are millionaires who are completely miserable.
So how do we “devalue” money in our own spiritual growth? How do we separate it from our higher-self. Well that was the light bulb in my head. We need to do exactly that, we need to separate money from our spiritual growth. Everything we need for growth, to feel good, to feel fulfilled is right there in that chest cavity pumping blood to your outermost regions.
Separate them ! Instead of allowing the lack of money to bring you down, let your higher self move you past the desire for money. Don’t let money dictate how you feel, how you react, how you love, how you grow. Stop letting it control your spirit!
Yes, I have learned over the last year it is much easier to be happy when you know your electric isn’t going to get shut off, or your house isn't going to be foreclosed on, but our happiness is a direct response to those things. It sucks, it hurts, and it will fill you with anxiety if you are facing those things, yes more money would stop those things. But our happiness our spiritual fullness has nothing to do with “money.”
Spiritual fulfillment has to do with life, not quality of life. We need to hug our kids, human and pet, love our family. Put your feet in the grass, or better yet lay in the grass and look at the clouds and listen to the birds. Bury yourself in a book. Do whatever brings you peace. Take very single opportunity you can, even if it’s just a sliver in time, take a deep breath and thank your higher power for the ability to take that breath. Will the money come? I have no idea, but one thing money cannot take from me and that’s my life and spirituality.
The Good Greenwitch by Rhonda DeFelice
Re-Connecting
It’s officially Summer. Time for bored kids and days where we are tempted to call off work because the weather is just too nice. I moved back to my tiny fairly rural hometown after 20-some years, and was shocked at how many younger parents complained about the lack of things to do around here. Our little town in Western PA is filled with parks and wilderness and Nature… how is there nothing to do?
I came from Los Angeles, where there is arguably something to do all the time. Why would I move back to someplace so boring after being someplace so exciting? Here’s the thing: there really isn’t SO much to do. One is hard-pressed to find open Nature. Beaches are packed and can take over an hour to get to, even though they aren’t that far away from the city. Traffic is too insane. In California, the state parks are not free. You must pay for parking everywhere. And that’s not cheap. It’s also after driving around and around to find parking in the first place.
When we visited back here from LA before moving, we stopped at one of my favorite places in the world, which happens to be a small state park. My husband - an LA native - asked how much it would cost to get in. I was momentarily confused, because while I recalled never paying to get into this wonderful place before, I was now conditioned by California’s rules and regulations. But no… park (for free), walk in (for free), enjoy (for free). We made the decision to move back while in that very park.
In 10 minutes, in any direction from my little home with a big yard, something I certainly did not have in LA, I am smack-dab in the middle of Nature. Trees. Ponds, streams, creeks, lakes. Parks. How does one say there is nothing to do? As a child, I had to be forced in after a day outside. We played non-stop in the woods. We were completely connected to the outside world. I could identify trees by the leaf shapes. I caught lightning bugs and ladybugs and tadpoles. I worked in the garden, and though I complained a little about that at the time, I surely appreciate it now. I waited for our fruit trees to offer me delicious snacks. I was lucky. I was connected.
Now, I don’t see that. The children here do not have gardens in which to work. They don’t know how rewarding it can be to eat something right out of your own yard, and how much more delicious that can be. At a time when child obesity rates are sky high and food is getting more and more expensive and there’s more “stuff” in food that actual food, why aren’t we connecting every Summer? Why aren’t we out there growing food? Learning about the plants? Realizing some of those weeds are actually not only edible but super-good-for-us? It’s a vicious cycle. The further from Nature we get, the less healthy we get. The further from Nature, they less healthy the planet, and once again, the less healthy we are because now our environment is sick too.
We have lost our connection and it is costing us big time. It is costing us our lives.
This Summer, this very year, while we still have an outdoors to enjoy, why don’t we spend a little time doing just that? Let’s reintroduce ourselves to Nature. I realize how very tricky that can be in the city, but every city has farms nearby. Just go to the local farmers’ market and you’ll learn that quickly. We need to reconnect because it is quickly becoming too late. There won’t be anything left to reconnect with if we don’t get on that and now. Right now.
Bare feet in the grass… because there are no chemicals in my yard. Meeting the bees… those that are left. They aren’t many. Watching the bats in the evening swoop in for a mosquito meal… bats are few and far between here, they have been killed by a contagious fungus. We’re losing it all. So if you wonder how on Earth to spend this Summer? Reconnect. We must. Nature will not look kindly upon us turning our backs. Let’s turn back around and say hi to a tree. Heck, go ahead and hug it. There are worse things than being called a tree-hugger.
Visit me at my blog: http://goodgreenwitch.com
Magick in Motherhood with Autumn Noel
I’m a little obsessed with seasons…
From an early age I have been obsessed with seasonal things. I blame my mother, in a good way. She always had my childhood home decorated to match the current holiday however big or small. From Christmas, down to St. Patrick’s Day, our home was always adorned with the appropriate colors and decorations to match. We had fun seasonal snacks, before pinterest made this a “thing” and were often “gifted” something fun to use or wear to school at the beginning of big holiday seasons, ie: Halloween socks, a Christmas shirt, a fun valentines pen, etc.
I am so grateful to my mom for making the turning of the wheel a celebration in our home, even though back then it had no connection to Paganism whatsoever.. I think her seasonal spunk laid the foundation for my love of seasons, which turned into my love for Paganism. So now, as an adult, I have an entire area shed outback, dedicated to my seasonal décor, organized and stored in chronological order. Every box or bin is labeled and there is a matching labeled spot for it to be stored in… yes I am that OCD. But I am very proud of it and love to pull out my decorations and reminisce each year over the lovely goodies; especially and Fall, Halloween and Christmas season.
I have listed for you in order the holidays my storage shed goes by, and some ideas to help you if you get stuck in your seasonal decorating endeavors. What does one decorate with for August you might think? Read on to see how into this I REALLY am…or just to see how nuts I really am:
( Please keep in mind I wasn't raised in a Pagan home and keeping with my childhood traditions, I often decorate for what are consider Christian non-secular holidays)
January ( celebrations- The New Year and Winter)- Snowmen, silver globes and domes, blue, white and silver “randoms” (picture frames, candles, etc), white twinkle lights and sticks gathered from around your home. I also decorate with wedding photos, as this is my anniversary month!
February (celebrations- Valentines and Imbolc)- Pink and red “randoms” (picture frames, candles, etc), hearts, old Valentines cards in picture frames, red and pink carnations, homemade valentines displayed in windows. My kitchen alter candle changes to yellow for Imbolc, and I usually try to find a wintry looking flower to display for a few days around the sabbat.
March (celebrations- Spring Equinox/Ostara and St. Patricks Day)- Old green stuffed bears in my children’s display rocking chair, a green wreath on the door, faux green flowers is vases, sparkly gold “coins” in dishes. After St. Patty’s Day, I switch to spring decorations.. bunnies, insects, flowers, pastel colored “randoms”, pinwheels, kites, fresh plants and flowering bushes. I also put out my “Spring Equinox” artwork.
April (Spring continues)- My Spring/Ostara decorations stay up…
May (Spring Continues, May Day/Beltane and Memorial Day!)- Spring stuff is up until after May Day, Mayday pole goes up for just one day/weekend depending on our celebration and then out comes the patriotic stuff. Red, White and Blue “randoms”, Patriotic placemats, a patriotic wreath, and my fish bowl gets new red, white and blue stones at the bottom, Uncle Sam windsock.
June (celebrations-Summer Solstice)- My patriotic stuff stays up for the duration of the summer, but I change out my solstice artwork to “Summer”. I change my kitchen alter to a bright red or orange candle, and pull out orange, yellow and red tea lights to light on the day of the solstice, making a little offering table around my tradition Solstice Shortcake.. a cute little display!
July ( 4th of July)- My patriotic stuff stays out, but I usually have a red, white and blue baked good on display!
August (celebrations- Back to School and Lughnasadh) Ummm this is one of my FAVORITE seasons to decorate for… SERIOUSLY!! It’s so dang hot when I am, so the hope that fall will soon be here through the celebration of Lughnasadh gets me really excited!! Sunflowers, apples, and a huge teal welcome-doormat with sunflowers (..and a few pumpkins that you don’t really notice). I have some placemats on my dining table that have scarecrows, fruit and roosters. I LOVE AUGUST! I take a weekly trip to the craft store just to smell the fall decoration/candle aisle…
September (celebrations- Labor Day, first day of Fall/Mabon) I don’t decorate for labor day, but as soon as it turns 4:15 (why the time, I am not sure) up goes FALL DECORATIONS!!!!! Orange, brown, and deep red “randoms”, pumpkins, scarecrows, mums, hay bales, cinnamon potpourri...you name it, I’ve got it!
October (celebrations- Halloween/Samhain) Some fall things go back into their bin to make room for good old Halloween decorations! Black and Orange, or specifically Halloween “randoms”, many vintage Halloween candle holders, stuffed animals and trinkets from my childhood, jack-o-lanterns carved weekly, old fashioned Halloween cutouts on windows, orange lights in my front bushes, Halloween placemats, Halloween wine glasses, Halloween cookie jar, Charlie Brown Halloween on repeat in the background almost all month long.
November (celebrations- American Thanksgiving)- Turkeys and Pilgrims, glitter mini pumpkins and acorns, homemade nature art made by my little one, a pair of “squirrel pilgrim” salt and pepper shakers from my childhood, “thankful” quotes in picture frames.
December (celebrations- Yule/Winter Solstice and Christmas)- Homemade salt-dough ornaments and pale blue glitter candles on the solstice date, Santa Clauses, Evergreen trees, sleighs and sleigh bells, stockings, Christmas lights, and home Christmas wassil on the stovetop, most days.
Saga's Spirit with Loren Morris
Hello everyone! It's time for the Full Moon Craft!
The full moon will fall on July 12th, 2014 and also this moon is special because it is the first of three Supermoons that are to occur this year! To read about supermoons, go here.
This month's full moon has 3 names that it is commonly known by. They are Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, and Hay Moon. I've decided to go with the Buck Moon because I have an antler lying on one of my altars and I thought it would be fun to make a wand using it.
It was called Buck Moon by some tribes and early settlers because this is the time of year that the deer antlers are grown out and full. Antlers are deciduous, meaning that they are shed every year. Deer grow their very first set around the age of 1. Antlers are also made of bone, being composed of calcium and phosphorus. The bucks shed last year's antlers usually around sometime from January to March, when their testosterone levels drop. When the days begin to lengthen in April and the testosterone levels starts to rise the deer then start re-growth of their antlers, which grow at a rate of around a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch per day. While the antlers grow they are covered in velvet, a brown fur. This velvet, during growth, contains a network of blood vessels and nerve endings, that supply the antlers with the nourishment they need. The antlers are sensitive during this time. In July, the rack is nicely grown and full, with the velvet shedding. By September the antlers have hardened, and there is no velvet at all. This cycle repeats every year with the antlers growing bigger each year.
Antlers have been used for many things. Native Americans used them ceremoniously and for day-to-day living tools. Now, things we make them into can include dream catchers, chandeliers, jewelry, furniture, knife handles and of course, wands.
As I said, I've had this antler for a bit, and I thought I would do something with it. I bought nothing for this craft, these were all bits and things that I had lying around. I didn't get real elaborate with it, but I do hope that it inspires you to make your own.
To continue reading: http://sagascottage.blogspot.com/2014/06/july-buck-moon-and-antler-wand-craft.html
The Witches’ Cupboard by Autumn Earthsong
Peppermint Recipes
Hello everyone and Happy Sun day! I hope that you all have had a great week. I know that Summer has set in here in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s been HOT and muggy already! So….my recipes using yummy Peppermint HAVE to be COLD beverages! There are a couple of classic drinks that use mint…Mint Julep and Mojito! Can I just say I LOVE writing for the Stew as of course, I have to make these drinks and drink them…. to be sure they are as good as I say they are
Classic Mojito
*This recipe makes a pitcher full!
3/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2/3 cup simple syrup*
1 1/2 cups rum
3 cups club soda or seltzer water
ice
Drop the mint leaves and simple syrup into the bottom of the pitcher. Muddle the leaves to release their flavor a bit. Muddle is a fancy word for mash..use a muddler tool, the flat of a spoon or the end of a wooden spoon. Fill the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the pitcher with ice. Add the lime juice, rum and club soda. Stir well. Fill the remainder of the pitcher with ice. Stir well and serve on the rocks.
Use a lime slice and mint sprig to garnish.
*Simple Syrup….. 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Heat on stove in small pot until sugar is dissolved and water is simmering. Remove from heat and cool. You can store simple syrup in the fridge as well…to always have some available for not only this drink but many others. Like a Mint Julep!
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Mint Julep
*Makes 1 glass
6-8 mint leaves
1 TB sugar
Crushed ice
2 1/2 ozs bourbon
a splash of simple syrup (recipe above)
mint sprig for garnish
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2/3 cup simple syrup*
1 1/2 cups rum
3 cups club soda or seltzer water
ice
Drop the mint leaves and simple syrup into the bottom of the pitcher. Muddle the leaves to release their flavor a bit. Muddle is a fancy word for mash..use a muddler tool, the flat of a spoon or the end of a wooden spoon. Fill the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the pitcher with ice. Add the lime juice, rum and club soda. Stir well. Fill the remainder of the pitcher with ice. Stir well and serve on the rocks.
Use a lime slice and mint sprig to garnish.
*Simple Syrup….. 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Heat on stove in small pot until sugar is dissolved and water is simmering. Remove from heat and cool. You can store simple syrup in the fridge as well…to always have some available for not only this drink but many others. Like a Mint Julep!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mint Julep*Makes 1 glass
6-8 mint leaves
1 TB sugar
Crushed ice
2 1/2 ozs bourbon
a splash of simple syrup (recipe above)
mint sprig for garnish
Put the mint leaves and the sugar in the bottom of a tall glass. Muddle the leaves and sugar to release the flavor. Fill the glass with crushed (not cubed) ice. Pour in the bourbon. Top with a splash of simple syrup.
With a long-handled spoon, jiggle (not stir) to chill and mix. Add more crushed ice as needed. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Sip. Yum!
*If you have those pretty silver julep cups….the ice makes them all frosty and lovely. If you use a regular glass, you can put it in the freezer for a while before you make the drink.
*Want to make it even more special?? Muddle in 2-3 Strawberries with the mint and sugar…Yummy!!!!!
**Just a note …..these drinks are good with either fresh peppermint or spearmint!!
I hope that you all give these drinks a try on a Hot Summer night. Fix yourself and your love a refreshing mint drink, go sit on the porch and watch the Sun set and Moon rise and the fireflies come out! It’ll make for a lovely evening
Blessings and Love, Autumn
Read my blog at www.autumnearthsong.com
Check out my herbal shop at www.etsy.com/shop/verbenalaneshop
Nature's Most Wanted with Julie Baker
Growing up, I always questioned the good and bad of things. What and whose opinion made a living creature less worthy of compassion and respect? Perhaps it was because I was deemed less worthy, it allowed me to feel empathy for creatures that are judged before they are known. They are hurt without them giving hurt, and killed simply because they exist. It didn’t matter if they were my kind, my gender or size, or my species. I felt for them, my kith and kin, knowing simply that we are all made of the same stuff, and nothing should suffer for being born.
I believe that arachnids may be the most maligned set of creatures on the planet. Statistically, more people are afraid of spiders, than they are of death. Yet, these are some of the most beneficial animals on the planet. They are power-house predators that keep other species in check. They are also food for many species that could not exist without them.
Let’s take a look at them, and their place on our planet.
75% of the earth’s animals are arthropods (ticks, mites, spiders, scorpions, insects, so forth and so on.) this is about 750,000 species that are known to humans, and we are discovering more all the time. Of these animals, only 1% of arthropods are potentially harmful or dangerous to humans. A small percentage of these are harmful in how they impact human’s structures, and in how they impact food crops. Only a tiny percent of these animals actually carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
Most of these arthropods are hematophagous (blood sucking) and feed on warm blooded creatures such as humans. There are some hematophagous species that also feed on cold blooded animals, but that minimally impact humans. Two-winged insects, like those of the order Diptera (biting midges, horseflies, blackflies, deer flies, mosquitos) have developed many specialize mouth parts that enable them to quickly take blood from humans in order to produce eggs in most cases. Females of these species are the blood hunters. Though both the male and female of tsetse flies and stable flies are bloodsuckers. Other fast hit short-term blood feeders are fleas, conenose bugs, bedbugs, and soft ticks.
There are also long-term blood feeders that need to attach themselves to the host in order to live, produce or pass through specific life cycles. Most of these arthropods are called parasites. These are classified as either ectoparasites or endoparasites, depending on how they attach to their host animals and feed. Those that live outside the body are ectoparasites (that live on the outside of their hosts bodies) they are typically flat or thin and have specialized body parts to allow them to move through and hold onto hair, well know varieties of these are fleas and lice. Endoparasites (that live all or part of their lives inside the host) are usually soft-bodied and have stumpy legs or spur with which to anchor themselves. For example, the human botfly; which lays eggs and the larvae lives inside the skin of the host, feeding off the blood supply until they emerge as adults.
Those are just the blood feeders. The impact of arthropods that affect our homes and crops are the other part of that one percent. From various species of termite that devour homes, to crop eaters that devour plants, to roach species that not only can trigger asthma in those that have it, but can also, in large numbers, passively carry a number of microbes that impact humans, such as bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella species, six parasitic worms and more than seven other types of human pathogens.
Much like the human 1% (a totally different sort of parasite), 1% of arthropods tend to screw it up for all of the rest. They make all arthropods the fodder for shoes and newspapers all over the world. They are not considered socially cute or lovely enough to get a pass on the squishing habit that so many humans have developed over a lifetime.
Who do you think is there to the rescue? To keep those beasties under control and balance in the world around us?
Yes, your friendly neighborhood spider. Whether they are the sort that spin a beautiful web, or the type actively hunt for their prey, spiders are on the job helping to prevent you from being some other crawly critters snack pack. They devour thousands of bugs in their lifetimes and are mostly non-aggressive. Spiders just want to eat, and it just so happens that this is a great thing for we humans.
So, the next time you see an eight-legged beauty doing its job, take a moment to think about the beneficial impact they have on the world around us, and in our lives, particularly. They do not want to hurt us. 98% of all reported spider bites are something else. Spiders don’t chase us. Their limited eyesight and our enormous size means that when they are running toward our feet when we startle them, it’s because they do not know our feet belong to us, and are just trying to make it to cover so we do not eat them.
Get to know the spiders in your specific location. Males and females of the same species can look vastly different, and understanding their place in our world can vastly change the way a person feels about them, including the fear of them.
While you are out puttering in your yard, grilling on the patio, enjoying a walk in the forest or pulling cucumbers off the vine, there are spiders around, diligently eating things that want to eat you, and the things you find delicious.
Broome Shtick with Rob Houck
Broome Shtick' was born out of cartoonist Rob Houck's desire to hear less crickets at night, and more cackling witches. Check out more of his witchy/toony goodness on Facebook, and find out why the Reverend John Hale is saying, 'God save us all from Rob Houck.'
This Week in Astrology
All times EDT
Planets in Retrograde:
Saturn until July 20
Jupiter until November 16
Moon Calendar:
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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 Card: 8 of Coins (Discs, Pentacles)
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| Vanessa Tarot |
The Eight of Coins (aka Discs or Pentacles) is the card of apprenticeship and pursuit of goals. This is the time to actively seek out what you want and learn all that is necessary for you to get what you want in life. It can also suggest that something new is about to take place for you in this arena. It may be that you are about to experience a change or a new beginning in terms of your work, education or financial circumstances.
Specifically, this represents concentrated determination to master the new skill being learned and the single-minded effort of someone who has consciously chosen a new career path or creative undertaking. You may be unhappy with your current state and you know you need to make some important changes in your life to increase your overall satisfaction. This card is a really positive sign that you are committed to making those changes and to ensuring that you give yourself the best possible chance. This is your encouragement to keep focused, and have patience. Your determination will see it to fruition.
If you aren't currently engaged in the active pursuit of your goals, ask yourself what you could learn or create to better yourself or your circumstances. If you are already engaged in the pursuit of new learning, the Eight of Coins may be a card of reassurance that the energy you invest in your development will be worth your while.
Weekly Totem: Owl
Owl is a universally sacred totem across all of the continents where it can be found.
People who carry owl medicine feel a strong connection to the occult, and are generally more active at night. Owl medicine brings the gift of wisdom and insight.
Owl is the ultimate symbol of magic, mystery, omens, and seeing through facades appropriately.
Owl can teach you how to enter quiet solitude to move silently, both in this realm and in others. If you've been feeling hassled, run-down, out of sorts.. your words are getting you in trouble.. owl has arrived to help you find your ground in silence and alone. Owl is a master at discovering secrets and that which is hidden. If you've been sensing someone's not being entirely honest, owl will bring those hidden things into the light. This is a time to seek truth in all of your interactions.
Owl is a universally sacred totem across all of the continents where it can be found.
People who carry owl medicine feel a strong connection to the occult, and are generally more active at night. Owl medicine brings the gift of wisdom and insight.
Owl is the ultimate symbol of magic, mystery, omens, and seeing through facades appropriately.
Owl can teach you how to enter quiet solitude to move silently, both in this realm and in others. If you've been feeling hassled, run-down, out of sorts.. your words are getting you in trouble.. owl has arrived to help you find your ground in silence and alone. Owl is a master at discovering secrets and that which is hidden. If you've been sensing someone's not being entirely honest, owl will bring those hidden things into the light. This is a time to seek truth in all of your interactions.
