Greek Mythology: Asteria

Asteria is the daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe. Asteria was the Titan Goddess of nocturnal oracles and falling stars.

Asteria turned herself into a quail and flug herself into the Aegean Sea to escape the advances of Zeus. Becoming the "quail island" Ortygia.

According to the writings of Hesiod Asteria and Perses are the parents of Hecate.

Greek Mythology: Leto and the Birth of the Twin Gods

Leto was the Titan Goddess of Motherhood. When she had an affair with Zeus and got pregnant, Hera was furious. Hera went to her grandmother Gaia (the Earth) and asked her not to let Leto give birth on the mainland, any island at sea, or any place underneath the sun. So Leto was forced from land to land not allowed to rest and give birth. Until she wandered to the floating island of Delos which was mainland or a real island. Leto asked the island to allow her to give birth and in exchange her children would bring wealth to the barren island. The island agreed and Leto gave birth to Artemis right away however, she would be in labor 9 days and 9 nights to give birth to Artemis' twin Apollo. Artemis assisted in the labor which is why she is a Goddess of Childbirth. Later in keeping to her word Delos became very prosperous. Many came to worship on the island where the Twin Gods were born and the island became sacred to Apollo. 

Pagan Parenting: Children's Prayer

 Pagan Parenting/ Pregnant Pagan Series can't decide which one to choose...

Moon and stars in the sky
Watch over me as the sun say bye
Protect me while I lie my head
and close my eyes and go to bed
Bless me now day is done
and tomorrow we will have some fun


...lol

I made it up while I was getting into bed...

Pregnant Pagan: Herbs

So recently getting pregnant has become a new kind of mindset... you have to worry about a lot making sure you get enough calories and water eating right etc. but also being pagan I started to have a whole other number of worries... 1 of which being the herbs that I come into contact with and that I burn and so on... so after doing a lot of research on the internet I found there was a lack of a list of herbs to avoid while pregnant.
SO I went through the entire Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham and made my own list... and I want to share it with all of you... maybe if you get pregnant yourself or are making someone something and want to be careful

Note: This is a list of Poisonous herbs and also ones that Pregnant (P) or Nursing (N) women should not be consuming (x) or using now I must say that other factors go into what maybe bad for the individual this does not take into account many amounts because some herbs though not poisonous should be taken in light amounts and not for long periods of time... Again if you have other factors you need to look up the herb(s) in question... but this should narrow it down a bit... there are some comments about children and toddlers this is not all encompassing for everything they shouldn't have it would have been just an extra comment that was in the book. G is Good also if you are looking at herbs be careful about folk names...

Adam and Eve Root ...Poison
Agaric... Poison
Aloe ... dried P N, Fresh (x)
Angelica... P
Anisa... P
Apple seeds in large amounts is poisonous
Alkanet... X
Almond, Bitter... X
Anemone...X
Apricot seeds... X
Asafoetide... P and do not give to children
Avens... X
Avocado seeds ... X
Barley spouted seeds... X
Basil ...PN X  do not give to children or toddlers
Beech nuts... in large amounts X
Beets large amounts of the leaves X
Belladonna... Poisonous
Wild Bergamot... P
American Bittersweet ...Poisonous
Bladderwrack... PN
Bleeding Heart... X
Bloodroot...P, Poison
Blue Flag... P, Poison
Boneset... X
Borage... Herb: X, seed oil G
Bracken... X
Brazil Nut... processed only
Briony... Poison
Broom... Poison
Buchu... P
Buckthorn... PN
Cactus... some are poisonous
Calamus... Poison
Camphor... X
Carrot seeds... P
Cascara Sagrada... PN
Castor... Poison
Catnip...P
Ceder... leaf and berries P
Celandine... Poison
Celery... P
Chamomile, Roman... P
Cherry... Seed and wilted leaf X
China Berry... Poison
Chrysanthemum... Poison
Cinnamon...above food amount : P
Cloth-of-Gold... X
Club Moss... X
Cohosh, Black... PN
Clotsfoot... PNX
Columbine... Poison
Comfrey...X
Cotton... Root and Bark P
Crocus... X
Cyclamen... X in large doses
Cypress... P
Daffodil... Poison
Daisy... Poison
Deerstongue... X
Dodder... P
Dogbane... X
Dutchman's Breeches... X
Elder, American... Ripe fruit G all other parts X
Elecampane... PN
Euphorbia... Poison
Fenugreek... Seeds: P
Fern... Some are Poisonous look up specific
Feverfew... P
Fleabane... X
Foxglove... Poison
Garlic... N
Ginger... Dried root above food quantity: P, fresh G
Golden Rod... P
Golden Seal... P
Gourd... Some poisonous
Groundsel... X
Heliotrope... Poison
Hellebore, Black... Poison
Hemlock...Poison
Henbane...Poison
Henna... X
High John the Conqueror... Poison
Horehound... P
Horse Chestnut... Poison
HorseRadish... above food quantity: X
Horsetail... P
Hyacinth... X
Hydrangea... X
Hyssop... P
Job's Tears... P
Joe-Pye weed... NX
Juniper... P
Kava-Kava... PN
Larch... large amounts X
Larkspur... X
Lemongrass... P
Licorice... P
Lily... some poisonous
Lily of the Valley... Poison
Lobelia... Poison, P
Mace... X
Mahogany, Mountain... seeds and leaves Poison
Maidenhair... P
Male Fern... Poison
Mandrake... Poison
May Apple... Poison
Mimosa... P
Mint (look up specific)
Mistletoe... Poison
Morning Glory... Poison
Mugwort... P
Mulberry... Unripe berries, bark, twig, and leaf X
Myrrh... P
Nutmeg...X
Oregon Grape... P
Parsley...P
Peach... Seeds leaf bark X
Pear... Seeds X
Pennyroyal...P, oil is Poisonous
Periwinkle... Poison
Plum and Wild Plum... Seeds and wilted leaf X
Plumeria... Poison
Poke... Poison
Pomegranate... Root and stem X
Poppy, illegal... X
Potato... Greens X
Prickly Ash... Bark P
Purslane... P
Quassia... P
Ragweed... X
Ragwort... X
Rattlesnake Root... P
Rhubarb... PN
Rice... dont eat raw
Rose... Greens X
Rosemary... P
Rowan... X
Rue... P
Saffron... P
Sage... P
Sagebrush... P
St. John's Wort... Poison
Senna... PN
Sloe... Fresh flowers and seeds X
Snakeroot... X
Snapdragon... X
Solomon's Seal... Berry X for children
Southernwood... P
Spikenard... P
Squill... Poison
Stillengia... N
Sweet pea... X
Tansy... P
Thistle... older plants X
Thistle, Holy... P
Toad Flax... X
Toadstool.... Poison
Tobacco... Poison
Tomato... Greens X
Tonka... Poison
Trillium... P
Uva Ursa... Poison, P
Vervain.... P
Vetch, Giant... X
Vetivert... P
 Wahoo... Poison
Wolf's Bane... Poison
Wood Rose... X
Wormwood... Poison, PN
Yarrow... P
Yew... Poison
Yohimbe... Poison

That's all folks... for now lol...

Finding Your Niche

For the longest time I was a very in the broom closet solitary pagan and witch. I learned most from books and as time progressed youtube videos. However, besides book knowledge I really didn't explore the crafty side of paganism which I now love so much.

What I am trying to say that we all have a niche. In divination, herbalism, history, kitchen witchery, folk magick, and many others... I started down this path and with no guidance and I could not understand why but I never could get the hang of tarot... I can use them but it wasn't until I found Runes that I really started getting the handle on a divination tool. I also had always loved history and mythology... even before I knew about paganism. However, I am one of those witches that loves to sit at a crafting table for hours making oils and bath salts, corn dollies, and cauldron splashes.

Imbolc Offering Stones

Plain Offering Stones recipe from Krazyboytx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LL3wMUmgw

2 cups organic flour, 2 cups warm spring water, 1 cup sea salt, 2 tbsp organic oil, 1 tbsp cream of tartar.

You can add:

pastel food coloring- colors: White, Red, Pink, Yellow, Green and Brown.

glitter

herbs you can use:

Basil

Peppermint

Sage

Rosemary

Ginger

Cypress

Clove

Bay Laurel 

Heather

Violets

White and Yellow flowers

Cinnamon

Stone chips:

Amethyst

Bloodstone

Garnet

Ruby

Onyx

Turquoise 
and you never can go wrong with Citrine and Rose Quartz

Celebrating Sabbats

I know its random and it might get off track but...

I love the Sabbats! There plain and simple but obviously there is more to it... Sabbats are a celebration of the sun, the cycles of the Earth and the seasons themselves, and I find that is the be the best thing to celebrate that everyone can come together and appreciate. More then a particular deity every pagan can appreciate Winter Solstice or Beltane. I also feel though that anyone from any religion can celebrate the change of the season and what each one brings to us. My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall... when everythings changing and the weather is cool spring brings bright colors and pastel and the reds and oranges of fall just bring a joy to me even though it means the cold will soon be here.

I love that Imbolc is coming up so soon because for me I get to honor one of my patron God Eros!...

My favorite thing to do for Sabbats and I'm sure its obvious from my previous blogs is crafts... I is a crafty witch lol... I find new things to do every year and I have my traditions that I seem to do every year... and I seem to mix a lot of my Sabbat crafts together... for Yule I made a corn dollie next year I plain on dipping the husks in colors like green and red. I love hearing of other peoples crafts... (so anyone know of good crafts please send them my way)...

What's you favorite holiday and are their any particular crafts you do for it?

Surfing for Sabbats Activities: Ostara

One of my favorite Sabbats... I know its a little soon but I don't care... I might add more later as I find new ideas
http://www.youtube.com/user/CharmingPixieFlora#p/u/119/TQT96iSToFE
http://www.youtube.com/user/CharmingPixieFlora#p/u/120/CKML9xxempc
http://www.youtube.com/user/CharmingPixieFlora?blend=1&ob=0#p/u/99/PfdGQXd7QiA

So obviously for this holiday it is traditional to paint eggs that are boiled... neat idea that I did last year though was to hollow the eggs out before hand... but there are so many other ideas that you can do with your eggs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKdU2oDLrw
you can also use a drumel to do a design in the egg...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://voices.yahoo.com/5-easy-ostara-crafts-pagan-kids-2880027.html

Mini Eggshell Planters
Another great craft for the ritual altar or to decorate a sunny windowsill, these little eggshell planters are perfect for the season.
You Will Need:
Carton of eggs
Growing medium
Cotton balls
Knife
Scissors
Plastic spoons
seeds
Egg Dye
Permanent Markers
Tap eggs on the top "pointed" end with the knife until they crack. Peel back a small section of shell and allow the egg to fall out. Try to keep the bottom 3/4 of the egg intact. Reserve the eggs for recipes.
Wash eggs carefully with hot water and rinse thoroughly. Set on a rack to dry. If you like, you can carefully trim around the edges of the egg with a craft scissors, or peel it back for a jagged look. Remember to keep about 3/4 of the egg intact.
If you like, at this point you can dye the egg shells carefully. Another cute option is to draw a face on the shell, so that the plants growing out look like hair. Just make sure your colors and decorations are dry before proceeding.
Place the egg shells back into their carton, open-side up. Put a cotton ball into each eggshell. Spoon some growing medium into the eggshells. This can be potting soil, soil-less potting mixture, or peat moss.
Sprinkle some grass or herb seeds onto the soil. Sprinkle with water to just moisten the soil, and dribble with a little water each day to keep it moist, but don't over-water. You can leave the eggs in their carton and set them right on a sunny windowsill.
Do this two to three weeks before Ostara if you would like to place the eggs on your altar. Transfer them to a basket with a grassy/cottony bedding and be careful not to tip them. Alternatively, place them into egg holders.
The plants will begin growing out of the top of the eggs. If you would like to transplant them into the garden or a bigger pot, just crack the egg first so the roots can push through. Then pop them right into the soil. The calcium in the egg shell will be good for them.

Sun/Moon Masks At the equinox, night and day are in perfect balance. These fun masks remind us of that. They can be hung on the wall, or worn during revelry.
You Will Need:
One round 12" balloon
Strips of newspaper
2 tbsps white craft glue
1/4 cup all purpose flour
½ cup of water
Tempra paints
Paint brush
Paper plate
Scissors
Page reinforcers
Glitter (optional)
Ribbon
Cheap plastic table cloth or drop cloth
Mix the flour and water in an old disposable container until it has a glue-like consistency. Add two tablespoons of craft glue, which helps the paper mache stiffen better.
Blow a balloon up to be approximately the size of the child's head. Then make it just a little bigger. Tie it off to secure it.
Dip the newspaper into the glue mixture and layer it onto one half of the balloon. Do three to four layers overlapping each other. Make the mask oval-shaped, about the size of the child's face. Allow the paper mache to dry thoroughly before continuing.
Pop the balloon and remove it from the mask. Trim the edges around the mask to make them neat if you like.
Place the mask against the child's face and estimate where the eyes will be and gently make a mark with pencil or crayon. Also make marks about ½ inch from the side edges of the mask, just higher than the ears, on each side. These will be where the tie will go to tie it around the child's head.
Remove the mask from the child's face and cut out eye-holes with the scissor. Punch holes with a paper puncher (or poke through with a scissor) to make the holes for the ties. Put stick-on page reinforcers over the holes to strengthen them.
One half of the face will be the sun, the other half will be the moon. Cut a paper plate into triangles and glue them to the "sun" half of the mask with plain craft glue. Allow it to dry. This will look like the rays of the sun.
Paint the mask. Paint the sun half with reds, yellows and orange flaming colors. Paint the moon half with a silver or white. Sprinkle glitter on it and draw symbols or features. Let the child decorate the mask however he would like. Allow the mask to dry.
Thread the ribbon through the holes and tie it around the child's head, letting the holes rest on the child's ears.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/ostaracrafts/Ostara_Crafts.htm


Ostara is a marker of the coming of spring. New life is all around us, showing in the green shoots on the trees, sprigs of grass appearing from the mud, and even -- if we're lucky -- a few flowers poking up. It's a time of chicks and eggs, newborn lambs and calves, and the days are getting a bit longer and a bit warmer. We can smell the freshness of the earth when we're outside. A fun project to do at Ostara is make and decorate a tree for the Sabbat. It doesn't have to be huge or fancy, but it's nice to have one sitting indoors to remind you of the changing seasons.
You'll need:

• Several lightweight branches
• Some florist's foam
• A flowerpot
• Acrylic paints
• Spanish moss
• Small spring decorations 

First, paint the pot with spring designs -- flowers, butterflies, ladybugs, eggs, etc. If you have kids, this is a lot of fun. If you don't mind them getting a bit messy, let them use thumbprints to make designs. Allow the paint to dry.
Cut a chunk of florist's foam to fit into the pot and then insert the branches into the foam so that it forms a tree shape. Hang the decorations -- eggs, ribbons, flowers, etc. -- on the branches. Use salt dough and cookie cutters to make ornaments to hang, if you like.

Use the Spanish moss to cover the florist's foam in the top of the pot. Place your tree on your altar during ritual, or use it as a tabletop decoration.
Note: Try to use branches that have already fallen on the ground, rather than taking them from a live tree. If you must cut from a living tree or bush, make sure you do so in a way that will allow for new growth on the plant. If you have forsythia bushes, they may be blooming right now - their branches are perfect for this project!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.com/2011/03/ostara-crafts.html

Snake Wreath

St Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, at least according to legend, but what he really did was eliminate a lot of the old Pagan faiths by introducing Christianity. Many Pagans and Wiccans quietly protest St. Patrick by wearing a serpent pin or shirt on St. Patrick's Day. If you'd just like to do something a bit quirky and different, you can decorate your front door with a Spring Snake Wreath instead.

You'll need the following supplies:

• A grapevine hoop or other wreath form (available at craft stores)
• Spring greenery, such as ivy
• A bag of rubber snakes
• A hot glue gun
• Florist's wire
• Some ribbon

Start by decorating the grapevine wreath with your greenery. Don't use too much, because you'll want to leave room for the snakes. Next, arrange the snakes around the wreath, and hot glue them so they don't fall off. Depending on the size of your wreath -- and your snakes -- anywhere from six to a dozen should be fine. Just a word of caution here - don't touch the tip of your hot glue gun to the rubber snakes. Trust me, they don't like this.

As a finishing touch, tie a length of ribbon into a bow and fix it in place with the florist's wire. Use an additional loop of wire at the top to hang the wreath up.



thats all folks!!! lol for now...

Greek Mythology: Persephone

Goddess of the Spring and Queen of the Underworld
Married to Hades
Daughter of Zeus and Demeter
Symbols: Pomegranates, Bats, Mint, Lilies, Wreath of flowers
Roman Name: Proserpina... Other names: Kore

Some sources talk about how many Olympian gods had pursued Persephone including Apollo, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Ares. However, Demeter was the classic over protective mother and hid her away (after that is when she was abducted by Hades). There isn't much written about Persephone's life outside of the Underworld once she was abducted. There are however many stories that involve the Queen of the Underworld.

One of which is the story of Orpheus... a poet, and musician that was married to a young girl named Eurydice but when she fell into a nest of vipers she died. When Orpheus found her he played such a sad song on his lyre that even the Gods wept. They told him to go to the Underworld to get her back and when he played for Hades and Persephone it melted their hearts and Persephone convinced Hades to give him the chance to get his wife back... which I should say is EXTREMELY rare. All Orpheus had to do was to walk back the way he came and not look back. One step from exiting the Underworld he couldn't resist worried that his wife was not behind him he looked back and he saw her disappear.

One of the only time Hades pursued another woman it was the nymph Minthe that caught his eye who  Persephone transformed her into the mint plant... another nymph that he pursued was Leuce who she transformed into a white poplar tree... He however returned the favor when a man named Peirithous went to the Underworld to abduct her and bring her back to the Earth as his bride... when he arrived with his friend Hades offered them a seat... sitting in the chairs of forgetfulness stone chairs that wrapped themselves around the two.

Another myth was when Aphrodite entrusted the care of Adonis to Persephone she became so attached to the baby that in the end Zeus had to pass judgement that 1/3 of the year Adonis would be with Persephone 1/3 with Aphrodite and 1/3 to whoever he chose.

Greek Mythology: Hades

God of the Underworld
Born the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea
Roman Name: Pluto
Symbols: Cerberus, Helm of Darkness, Cypress, Narcissus, and the key of Hades



The Dividing of the Three Realms:
After the defeat of the Titans time came to divide the three realms of the world (Sky, Sea, and the Underworld) between Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. Hades being the oldest was obviously suppose to be entitled to the best of the best being the king of the gods and god of the sky... well it didn't work out so smoothly because Zeus argued that without him they all would still be in the stomach of Cronus, their father. So they came up with drawing lots (which is kinda like drawing straws) for the three realms and as luck would have it Zeus was given the Sky, Poseidon the Sea, and Hades was given the Underworld..

Personal note: Now poor Hades had no luck at all and he is given such a bad stigma... dark, moody etc. but seeing it from his perspective. He was the eldest by all accounts entitled to be the king of the Gods and God of the sky... wouldn't you be upset. Besides that being God of the Underworld he isn't very welcome on mount Olympus... that has to suck...

Persephone (Summed up a little bit)

Given what I was saying in the story of dividing the three realms Hades went to Zeus basically saying that the least he could do for him is give Hades a wife. So (without consulting with Demeter) decided that he would give Hades his daughter Persephone. Persephone was a young goddess of spring and daughter of Demeter.
So Persephone was picking flowers in a field alone (which in Greek Mythology is never a good beginning for the young girl). When the ground opened up and from this abyss came Hades on his 4 horse chariot. Hades grabbed Persephone and dove back into the darkness and the earth closed back behind them.
When Demeter went to look for her daughter and could not find a trace she panicked. Not resting or stopping she looked everywhere for her daughter but no one had seen what had happened to her. In her search she let her Goddess duties of the lands agriculture fall to the way side and the land because dry and barren no crops would grow and livestock died. Demeter came cross the path of Hecate who told her that her daughter was taken but she did not know by whom. So both went to the God Helios, god of the Sun, and who saw everything. He told them what had happened and tried to assure Demeter that Hades was a good husband for her daughter. However, Demeter didn't agree and threatened to keep the earth barren forever and therefore kill all of humankind. Demeter went to Zeus to get her daughter back and Zeus agreed. Zeus sent Hermes to retrieve her.

During this time however, Hades had one of his servants convince Persephone to eat a fruit from the Underworld before she left. Now different sources will give you different numbers (3, 4, or 6),  but it is mutually agreed that Persephone did eat the seeds of a pomegranate. Why is that so special you might ask? Well once one eats the food that comes from the Underworld you are bound to the Underworld forever.
So when Hermes came to retrieve Persephone and bring her back to her mother... the "damage was done" as it were. The Titan Goddess Rhea and mother to Zeus, Demeter and Hades came up with a compromise that since Persephone eat the seeds from the pomegranate that she would spend part of the year with Hades and the other with her mother.
Each year as Persephone goes down to the Underworld the earth again becomes colder and infertile and when Persephone is returned life comes back and becomes warm and green. This is what we refer to as the seasons.

One of my favorite statues... carved by Gian Bernini in 1621-1622 called the rape of proserpina

Side picture of the Bernini statue looks so incredibly real

Personally and I know many would argue that I am wrong (that is the beauty of opinion... but please don't be writing hateful comments)... I believe that Persephone really grew to love Hades, I felt like it was kinda God and Goddess 101 to know that to eat the food of the Underworld you would be bound to the Underworld from then on... and another thing the few times that Hades did look at other girls why would Persephone care if she didn't have feelings for him.

Imbolc/Imbolg Candlemas: Surfing for Sabbats Activities

Just some activities and crafts I have found about Imbolc Candlemas or Imbolg...
first some youtube videos that I found helpful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W08Bv_lNowg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R4RnGzHV30&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poy81oNgawU


Corn dollies are another craft that can be done during this time... Which I have blogged about previously...  http://waterlilywitch.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-yule-crafts.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.ehow.com/list_7232712_imbolc-crafts-kids.html

Winter to Spring Centerpiece

• A winter to spring centerpiece is a wonderful family project that will beautify your dinner or buffet table. Simply wrap a plain straw or grapevine wreath half way around with silk fir greens and berries, and the other half with silk spring flowers. Place the wreath on the table. Put a punch bowl in the center of the wreath and add a large white candle, or several small candles inside the punch bowl. Light the candles to create a stunning centerpiece.

St. Brigid's Cross

• A St. Brigid's cross is considered good luck and protection when hung over a door or at the hearth. These crosses were traditionally made of wheat or dried plants, but children can easily create a St. Brigid's cross using gold, tan or brown pipe cleaners. Each child will need about one dozen pipe cleaners. First, bend each pile cleaner in half. Hook two pipe cleaners together at the bends, one horizontally and one vertically with the pipe cleaner ends pointing down. Link the next pipe cleaner in horizontally, the opposite direction from the initial horizontal piece, linking it to the vertical one. Add another vertical piece pointing up, linking the pipe cleaners together as you go. Continue adding pieces in this manner around the cross until all pipe cleaners are used. Twist the ends of the cross to hold in place. The cross is then ready to hang on the wall.

Bird Nests, Feeders and Baths

• Bird nests, feeders and baths encourage feathered friends to hang around as the weather is changing. To create a hanging bird nest, fill an onion bag half full of shredded paper. Cut a small hole in the side of the bag for a door. Cinch the top of the onion bag and hang in a tree for birds to enjoy. Small bird baths and feeders can be made by placing a flower pot saucer inside the opening of a small grapevine wreath. Attach wire to four sides of the wreath to create a hanger. Decorate with small silk flowers and ribbons. Add water or bird seed to the saucer and hang in a tree. Watch birds flock to see what is in the saucer.

Bride Apple Custard Cups

• Custard is a traditional celebratory food of Imbolc. To make Bride apple custard cups, give each child half an unpeeled apple and have them use a spoon to scoop out a well in the fruit, leaving about 1/2 inch thickness around the outside of the apple. Mix up instant custard following package instructions and place it in the refrigerator to set. When set, scoop custard into the apple halves, and top with a pit of grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

Snow Candles

• Snow candles are great fun and end up being a variety of shapes. Simply melt paraffin or old candle stubs with wick removed in a coffee can. Tie a long piece of candle wick to a stick. Have the child punch a hole in the snow, and then suspend the wick in the center of the hole by resting the stick along the topside of the hole. Pour melted wax into the hole and allow the candle to set till hard. Grasp the stick and pull the candle out of the hole. Snip the stick off, leaving a wick about 3/4 inches long sticking out of the candle.
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~
  http://daughtersofearthwisdom.org/sabbats/imbolic/imbolic.html

Bride's (Brigid) Bouquet Sachets
Source: GrannyMoon's Morning Feast

Materials:

• Imbolc Potpourri (below)
• 1 Yard White Netting Material
• Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon
• Scissors

Potpourri:

• 1/2 cup dried basil
• 1/2 cup dried chopped bay leaves,
• 1 cup dried Heather flowers
• 1 cup dried Violets
• 1 cup dried white or pink rosebuds

Blend together in non-metal bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4" squares. Lay out squares on a flat surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of potpourri in the middle of each square. Pull up all the corners to the middle of the potpourri and gather the excess material until potpourri is caught in a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie off with yellow or pink ribbon. Use enough ribbon to make a small bow in the front of the sachet. Tell children how these sachets were exchanged as symbols of good luck and fertility. 

Hand Dipped Candles
Source: Lady Morgan Moonstone

You need to obtain the following supplies:

• 2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive).
• Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
• oils and herbs (for scent and magickal goals)
• candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for color)
• wax paper
• a wooden spoon
• a double broiler

Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler. If you don't have one, you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat). While the wax is melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.
Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons - the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.
Next, add the herbs to the wax. Empower with your energy and magickal intention while mixing the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next add 10-20 drops of essential oil (please, no synthetics when making candles for magickal or ritual use) to the wax until it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.
Start with a long piece of wick - twice the size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely cold between dippings when you first start.
After your candle has started to take shape you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a little, candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time and energy you put into it. Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1 or 2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry. You are done! 

Herbs for Imbolc Rituals
Source: Unknown


This time is known by some as the "Feast of the Waxing Light" it is the time of year that we are beginning to notice the Sun Gods growth in that the days are becoming longer. This, like MayDay/Beltane, is another pagan holiday which has survived into the current time, now it is celebrated as Ground Hog Day.
Angelica--is best in the ritual cup. In this manner is considered to bring one in contact with the inhabitants of Atlantis and to bring Atlantean energies into their lives, visions and understanding.
Basil--this is the traditional time of year for initiations and the initiate should have been taking daily tonics of basil for at least the last two weeks. It is given now to prepare the innerself for initiation to bring fortitude.
Bay--if the ritual is to be a solemn occasion then it is appropriate to chew one or two (no more than that!) leaves and meditate upon the growing light and Sun God.
Benzoin--is used in the incense.
Celandine--is used in the ritual cup and tossed into the fire.
Heather--is used to decorate the entire space.
Myrrh--is used in the ritual cup and/or incense. 

Imbolc Oil
Source: Crystal Forest

• To 2 Tablespoons of sweet almond, grape seed or other light weight carrier oil add:
• 5 drops Sandalwood e.o.
• 5 drops Vanilla extract
• 6 drops Jasmine e.o.
• 2 drops Balsam e.o.
   Imbolic Incense for Brigid Source: GrannyMoon's Morning Feast 1 part crushed rowan berries 1/4 part blackberry leaves 1 part birch bark 1 part willow bark 1/2 part bistort root 1 part oak bark 1/2 part snowdrop flowers 1/4 part flax flowers