Ostara Biscuits

I made these easy and fun biscuits to celebrate the beautiful spring weather...

Ingredients
Biscuits
* 125g softened butter
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
* 1 egg
* 2 cups plain flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
Icing
* 1 cup icing sugar
* 2 teaspoons milk
* 2 teaspoons corn syrup (or glucose syrup available in cake decorating section of supermarket)
* Food colouring
* Smarties, Skittles, sprinkles and other decorations as preferred

Method
Biscuits
1. Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees (140 degrees for fan-forced oven)
2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla essence
3. Beat egg and add to mixture then beat well to combine
4. Add sifted flour and baking powder
5. Place on to floured board and knead lightly
6. Roll out mixture approx 1/2cm thick
7. Stamp out preferred shapes (dip cutters in flour to aid stamping process)
8. Place on greased pan or tray
10. Cook for approximately 10 minutes - biscuits should be starting to turn a very light brown colour and should not respond like dough in the centre to the touch
11. Allow to cool on pan or tray
Icing
1. Once biscuits are cooked and cooled, mix icing sugar, milk and corn syrup in a bowl
2. Add a few drops of food colouring (for different colours, separate into bowls and/or plan colour mixing as preferred)
3. Smear on cookies and add other decorations

Ostara - 2010

Ostara this year in the southern hemisphere was on 23 September, which was also the time of the full moon and, for those interested in astrology, coincides with the activation of the cardinal cross that began around the time of the winter solstice (google for further info or I really love Divine Harmony's take on all things astrological and how they influence us as individuals).

On a personal level, I have chosen this time to formally dedicate myself to a further year and a day study on a predominately solitary path. This is something I felt would be the case when I completed my second year and a day of study and now it seems that the timing is perfect on every level for this to begin.

So, last night I performed my dedication ritual, took my vows and am progressing the work which has been motioning slowly forward but which is now ready to build momentum as it integrates further into my life.

Some of the things that are now part of my studies are the two new blogs I set up recently. Please feel free to check them out and see if there is anything there of interest...

One Card For Kora - this is usually short posts with a few thoughts on tarot card I choose each day.
Kora's View - this is just a random photo of something I decided to photograph whenever the mood takes me

I will still be updating my original blog Curiouser and Curiouser which seems to have developed into mostly cryptic and ambiguous outpourings of some of the rabble that is chatter of my mind.

With that shameless self-promotion aside, here are some photos of my altar from last night.

 

Blessed Yule

Today marks the mid point of winter in the southern hemisphere when the daylight hours are the shortest and we enter into the longest night. In pagan mythology, the Goddess is pregnant and will tonight give birth to her son and consort, the God. Tonight brings us the rebirth of the Sun God who will grow and gain strength over the coming months. From tomorrow, the days will slowly but surely begin to get longer and all of the world will work towards the time of awakening as the earth thaws.

Sending the brightest blessings of Yule to one and all. Blessed be.

Good Night Sleeping Spell

Bad dreams? Insomnia? Restless, interrupted sleep? Try this Good Night Sleeping Spell and allow the magic within to help you get a good night’s sleep.

You Will Need:

• Dried chamomile
• Bowl
• Pentacle
• Sea salt
• Boiled water (slightly cooled but still hot)
• Feather
• White pillar candle
• White pillow slip
• Small pouch (white, blue or black, perhaps with a star pattern etc)

Method

On a night during the waning moon (so, between the full moon and the dark moon), take all items outside and sit quietly for a few moments then say:

As the Goddess is my witness

I seek a greater peace

From my conscious mind

To which I bind

At the times I should release

Let the light of blessed darkness

Be directed this way hence

That I may sleep

Each night so deep

When I’m ready to commence

Place the pentacle in the bowl and say:

My body seeks a wholeness

With my spirit and my soul

This symbol base

In love and grace

Shall aid me in my goal

Sprinkle sea salt in the bowl and say:

The earth compels a nearness

Represented by this salt

To cleanse and heal

And truth reveal

Acknowledged without fault

Wave the feather over the bowl and say:

The air creates a clearness

Represented by this feather

Of mind and thought

And learning sought

Working here together

Pour the water into the bowl and say:

The water shines with cleanness

Represented by this liquid

Pure once more

Each drop I pour

Negativity here I forbid

Place the candle in the bowl, light it and say:

The fire instils a boldness

Represented by this flame

Our passion deep

For restful sleep

To which I now lay claim

Place the pillow slip in the bowl so it is completely submerged in the water loosely around the base of the candle being careful to avoid the flame then place three pinches of chamomile in the bowl and say:

The chamomile invokes a calmness

Instilled into this weave

That sleep may come

When each day is done

And a restful night I will receive

Spend some time staring into the flame of the candle while filling yourself with a feeling of calm as you visualise yourself lying peacefully in your bed getting a good night’s sleep. Inhale the smell of the chamomile and create a connection to that scent within you.

When you are ready, extinguish the candle with a few drops of the water from the bowl. Wring out the pillow slip, pour the remaining water and any salt from the bowl onto the ground and say:

As the Goddess is my witness

I am thankful for this rite

That brings me peace

And sweet release

As I lay down to sleep each night

Allow the pillow slip and the chamomile in the small pouch to dry (it may not be able to be used that night) then put the pillow slip over your pillow and the pouch inside the pillow slip. As you drift off to sleep, inhale the fragrance of the chamomile and think about when you performed the spell then enjoy a wonderful, restful night's sleep.

Full Moon in Libra Ritual - March 2010

This is the ritual I wrote for this Full Moon, which falls in Libra, while the sun is in Aries and which focused onj the balance inherent in Libra as well as the equinox and the relationship with Aries. I am so very grateful to the sisters who shared this ritual with me and am honoured by the inner developments it brought, especially during the night of the ritual and the two days following it.

Full Moon in Libra Ritual

by ~Kora~

Call to Circle

KORA: [Commence beating of drum to call guests into circle for ritual to begin]
Hear ye, hear ye
The moon rides at her peak
Hear ye, hear ye
I call to all who seek
Join me, join me
With love upon your heart
Join me, join me
Our circle’s soon to start

RHIANNON: Let all who are ready to stand together in perfect love and perfect trust please take their place here among us now.

Cast Circle

KORA: Lock the door and drop the sail
Let all who are willing stand
As we cast our circle here deosil
Each hand upon a hand

RHIANNON: Please join hands with your right palm facing up and your left palm facing down as we cast our circle here tonight.

KORA: I ask you all to close your eyes and visualise the energy flowing into your right hand, being amplified through your body and being passed on through your left hand. Feel the energy tingle as you receive it from the right and give it on in turn to the left. Your hands and arms will start to buzz and even with your eyes closed you can see the bright, protective white/blue glimmer surrounding us. Now, imagine this ring of energy start to extend up towards the sky and down towards the ground. As it extends in each direction, it starts to curve and the shape of a sphere is formed. We are now surrounded by the orb of light and thus our circle is cast.

RHIANNON: Please join our voices together as we recite ‘I Am Witch’.

ALL: I am witch.

Calling the Quarters

KORA: [facing the guest in the North] On my word, I ask you to carry our chant to the powers of the North, element of fire, manifestation of our spirit through action and passion, be with us in our circle here tonight. As I will it, so mote it be. North!

NORTH: North!

[The word 'North' is then said by the person to the right of North and continues to be said by each person around the circle in an anti-clockwise direction until it has been said by each person three times. While this happens, Kora lights candle in the north of the altar.]

NORTH: Hail and welcome.

KORA: [facing the guest in the West] On my word, I ask you to carry our chant to the powers of the West, element of earth, manifestation of our spirit through practical matters, be with us in our circle here tonight. As I will it, so mote it be. West!

WEST: West!

[The word 'West' is then said by the person to the right of West and continues to be said by each person around the circle in an anti-clockwise direction until it has been said by each person three times. While this happens, Kora lights candle in the west of the altar.]


WEST: Hail and welcome.

KORA: [facing the guest in the South] On my word, I ask you to carry our chant to the powers of the South, element of air, manifestation of our spirit through thought, be with us in our circle here tonight. As I will it, so mote it be. South!

SOUTH: South!

[The word 'South' is then said by the person to the right of South and continues to be said by each person around the circle in an anti-clockwise direction until it has been said by each person three times. While this happens, Kora lights candle in the south of the altar.]

SOUTH: Hail and welcome.

KORA: [facing the guest in the East] On my word, I ask you to carry our chant to the powers of the East, element of water, manifestation of our spirit through our emotions, be with us in our circle here tonight. As I will it, so mote it be. East!

EAST: East!

[The word 'East' is then said by the person to the right of East and continues to be said by each person around the circle in an anti-clockwise direction until it has been said by each person three times. While this happens, Kora lights candle in the east of the altar.]


EAST: Hail and welcome.

Goddess Invocation

KORA: Goddess Libra, fair and just
In perfect love and perfect trust
I call your presence here tonight
Lend your energy to our sacred rite
Blessed be

ALL: Blessed be

KORA: Thank you, please be seated.

Reading – The Goddess Libra

The word Libra comes from the Latin for ‘weighing scales’ and it is a pair of scales that the Goddess Libra holds in her hands. She is the Goddess of Justice and represents balance – either a mastery of it or a greater need for it.
Libra is the Seventh sign of the Zodiac and is sometimes referred to as the Balance. The Sun enters Libra around the time of year when day and night are of equal length due to the axis of the Earth and the Sun being roughly parallel. As we celebrate the path of the sun at the autumn equinox, this is also a very special time to be able to harness the balance in power that occurs with the moon in Libra as well.

In ancient times, the constellation of Libra was associated with the judgment of the living and the dead. Perhaps the greatest fault of this Sign is indecision as Libra individuals often find it difficult to make up their minds and strongly dislike taking sides but we will be combining the energy and action of the sun, which is currently in Aries, and asking the Goddess Libra to bless our actions to create harmony and balance in our lives.

Spellcraft – Libra Balance Mobile

Tonight, we will be crafting mobiles hung with representations of the things in our lives we want to bring into balance. We often feel pulled in different directions in our lives and have a daily need to balance our responsibilities and our interests; the things we need to do and the things we want to do; the people who depend on us, who have asked things of us and who are relying on us; our family; our friends; and all of the many other areas that are in constant battle as they compete for our time. Tonight, we will be calling on the Goddess Libra to help us create harmony in this chaos.

Please take a few pieces of paper and write something on each one to represent the things you want to balance
out in your life.

We will then construct the mobiles and attach these areas of balance. This will be a powerful symbol, filled with the energy of the full moon in Libra, and a physical reminder to ourselves that we can create balance if we focus on what we need to do and make sure that we are not putting too much into any one area and thereby creating an imbalance.

Meditation

Please take a few moments to get comfortable. Ensure your back is straight to facilitate even breathing and your feet, legs and hands are resting comfortably.

Allow your breathing to deepen as you begin to relax. Bring your focus in on the movement of air in and out of your lungs. Know that you are completely safe as you inhale slowly, filling your lungs and taking in as much air as is comfortable for you. Pause for a moment before breathing out and as you release your breath, feel the tension sliding out of your body as well. Continue to breathe in and out deeply, slowly drawing in air as you inhale, pausing for a moment, then slowing releasing that air as you exhale. Keep this rhythm going and enjoy the peace and quiet that is beginning to settle in your mind and in your body.

As you are releasing all worries and thoughts of the mundane world, notice how your face feels completely relaxed. The muscles around your eyes and your mouth are soft and care free. You can hear the noises of the outside world but there is nothing there that needs your attention right now. Feel how relaxed your shoulders are becoming with each breath out and let the world keep turning as you take a few minutes just for yourself.
Now, notice the symmetry in your body, how you are created in perfect balance as a creature of supreme harmony in design. From the top of your head, down your face, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach, hips, legs, knees, feet and toes, you are a living, breathing child of a divine and balanced universe. Allow the boundaries of your body to blur as you become one with all creation through this connection and take a few moments to float comfortably in the space that is you.

While you are floating there, you start to notice soft colours glowing around you. All around the edge of your vision the colours seem to fade in and out in hues of pink, blue, ivory, green, silver, yellow. Each time a patch of colour dissipates, it comes back after a few moments even more brightly that before. These colours are all so real and so unique, it’s like you can actually feel, smell and taste each one as it materialises before you. What does each colour remind you of? What sensations are you feeling when each colour appears? They are all so different but each one brings a pleasant and comfortable feeling and it’s like you could almost wrap yourself inside that feeling and be happy there forever.

As you are enjoying these sensations, you notice a tiny flicker of light far, far away. As you turn your attention to the place where the light appeared, it glistens again briefly before disappearing only to reappear a moment later. This time it shines for a little longer, like it is gaining strength, like it can feel your gaze and is being drawn to you. There is a beautiful peace in this light and even though you were enjoying the feeling of the colours surrounding you, what you want now more than anything else is to experience this new, bright, pure, white light.

The light continues to grow as it gets closer and closer to you. Soon you can see that it is the unmistakeable form of a woman and you know in your heart that this is the Goddess Libra. Her form is stately and proud, yet kind and compassionate. You can begin to make out the shape of her long flowing robes and her entire dress appears to be made of the colours of light that you were enjoying just moments ago – oh, what would it feel like to be able to wear those colours the way she does?

More and more lines start to appear in this vision before you. Her golden, flowing locks of hair stream out around and behind her as if lifted by a gentle breeze. Her eyes look like two pieces of pure blue/green tourmaline and they are fixed intently yet lovingly directly on you. You can feel yourself rising towards this figure and you know that in moments you will stand perfectly before her.

When she has almost reached you, you notice that where she usually holds her scales, she now holds your spellcraft balance mobile. It, too, glows with her vibrancy and you can see it is charged with her energy. She begins to raise her arm slowly so that the mobile is in line with her face, then her lips gently part and she breathes a sweet, soft blessing upon the papers. She does this again and again, one breath for each area you are seeking balance in, and you know that it is her will that your wishes here are granted.

Once she has done this, she lowers the mobile again and you can now see her lips moving. You can’t hear her voice at first but you understand what she is saying. “I am Libra, Goddess of Justice, and I bring you the blessing of balance and harmony in all you seek”. You keep watching her lips move and instinctively understand and listen intently to the message she has for you.

Now, Libra invites you to talk to her. Do you have any questions that you would like to ask her for she is willing to hear them and respond to you in kind?

The time has come for you to take the responsibility for your wishes. Libra raises her arm and hands you the mobile you have made. As you reach your own arm out before you to take it, you can feel the glow of her energy tingling through your hand. You take the mobile and you can see that she has already started to draw back. She now holds her own scales again for she has her own duties to continue with in the universe but as she fades, you see her raise one hand to her lips then extend it towards you to send you a parting kiss through the air as she goes.

You continue to watch her fading form until she is only the most minute speck of light in the far distance once more. You feel calm, yet confident, peaceful, yet excited, but most of all you feel loved.

Again those patches of gently pulsating colours attract your attention and you watch as they continue to fade in an out all around you. Each colour seems to have the same feel as it did before, the same taste, the same smell, but it is somehow more developed than it was earlier. You realise that now that you have connected with these colours, they will always be part of you and you will be able to experience them again at any time you wish.
For now, however, you know that it is time to return. Your breathing is still gentle and peaceful and you start to take a few deeper breaths, filling your lungs with air and coming back to yourself slowly, bit by bit, with every breath out. You again feel the symmetry in your body from your toes, feet, knees, legs, hips, stomach, chest, arms, shoulders, neck and face. You feel completely relaxed and rejuvenated as you start to move your fingers and perhaps gently stretch and yawn as you come back completely and when you are ready you can open your eyes.

[Sharing about the meditation.]

Cakes and Ale

RHIANNON: May the Goddess Libra be among us and bless these cakes and ale for good fortune and good balance in us all. Blessed be.

ALL: Blessed be.

Releasing the Goddess

KORA: Goddess Libra, fair and just
In perfect love and perfect trust
We thank you for your presence here tonight
And for lending your energy to our sacred rite
Blessed be

ALL: Blessed be

Releasing the Quarters

[All face North]

NORTH: [personal choice of words to release the power of the North then extinguish the north candle on the altar]

[All face East]

EAST: [personal choice of words to release the powers of the East then extinguish the east candle on the altar]

[All face South]

SOUTH: [personal choice of words to release the powers of the South then extinguish the south candle on the altar]

[All face West]

WEST: [personal choice of words to release the powers of the West then extinguish the west candle on the altar]

Opening the Circle

KORA: Our circle is open, yet unbroken. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again. Blessed be.

ALL: Blessed be!

I am Witch

This poem or incantation can be found with various adjustments and has been credited to a number of different sources (where any citation is provided at all). The version below is as it was taught to me and as I use it at this time.

I am Witch

From beneath me arises the energy of the earth,

my home and my foundation.

From above me pours down the light of the sun,

and the enchanting moon.

To my right hand flows the strength to control and direct,

the power of magic.

To my left hand comes the skill to divine and to heal,

the source of blessing.

Before me arises the perfected one I strive to become,

my magical true self.

Behind me falls the one I was,

and with it my discarded failures.

Around me circle the eternal stars,

lamps of wisdom in the deeps of space.

Within me grows the Flame of Life,

the light of experience and understanding.

I am Witch.

Blessed be.

Mabon Ritual - March 2010

This is the group ritual we performed recently at a local park to celebrate Mabon this year. I tried to make it a relaxed, light and fun evening with a focus on chanting and making noise. It ended up being such a lovely celebration, raising some very special energy and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this time with some very beautiful friends.

MABON RITUAL

by ~Kora~

Reading – What is Mabon?

As with each of the sabbats, Mabon has been known by many names throughout history and across different cultures. Some of these names include Cornucopia, the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of Dionysus, Mea'n Fo'mhair (Druidic), the Second Festival of Harvest or the Second Harvest Festival and the Wine Harvest.

However it is known, Mabon is the Autumn Equinox. This means it is the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices and the time when day and night are of equal length as the sun crosses the equator.

Mabon represents balance but it is also a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth. In ancient times, this is the second major harvest, when the gifts from the mother are reaped and we give thanks for the abundance of our lives. In today’s modern times, we are no longer so dependent on the harvest festivals, but we still have the opportunity to give thanks for all of the blessings that enrich and fulfil our lives.

Mabon is a reminder that we reap what we sow. In Wicca, we see this as a physical reflection of the seeds we plant in the earth as the warms began to break through the winter around the time of the spring equinox six months ago, but we all also see this as a powerful metaphor for all of the things in our life. We are responsible for our own happiness and we know that it is through our own thoughts and actions that we will benefit and achieve all we set out for in our lives.

Mabon is a time to assess our performance – without blame and without regret. As the wheel begins to turn towards the colder months and our minds begin the process of introspection, we look at what has worked for us and before we turn to thoughts of what we need to think about changing. But, for us now, the focus is on the positives in our lives and that is something we should all take a moment to reflect on.

As such, we will now take a moment to go around the circle and give each of us the opportunity to give voice to something we are thankful that we have achieved or received in our lives.

[The speaker gives thanks for a blessing in their life, followed by the person to their right and so on until all within the circle have expressed an element of gratitude.]

Casting Circle

Tonight, we celebrate Mabon, the autumn equinox and one of the eight sabbats of the wheel of the year. Please, join hands as we cast circle.

Let our voices rise as one in the Elemental Chant and our drums and instruments resound as we in the southern hemisphere call the quarters deosil from the north. Please take up your instruments as you begin to feel the energy of the chant.

The Fire, the Earth, the Air, the Water

Return, return, return, return

Aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a

Aye-o, aye-o, aye-o, aye-o

May the Goddess, in all her aspects, be present here in this circle. We call upon the Goddess with The Goddess Chant, that you may lend your energy here in this circle tonight.

Isis, Astarte,

Diana, Hecate,

Demeter, Kali,

Inanna

Mabon Park Blessing

We take this time to send out blessing to the area around us. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this time together in nature and we pour our positive energy into the turning of the wheel and the changes it will bring to all living things around us.

We will now raise energy through drumming and noisemaking as a form of sympathetic magic to all that lives around us.

[Everyone to take up instruments; commence drumming/noisemaking]

Cakes and Ale – Poem: Turn the Wheel to Mabon

[Cakes and ale to be distributed]

Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, to the Mabon March

Autumn breeze and maple trees still joyous as they parch

Resplendent in the richest gold with jewels of red and brown

We lament about the shortened days: ‘O, how soon the sun goes down!’

Harvest one and harvest two, in our memories are stored

Corn and grain and welcome rain, are our toil’s reward

Equal are the night and day, thus balances the divine

Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, as we enjoy the Mabon wine

Blessed be

[Sharing of cakes and ale followed by general discussion on Mabon.]

Opening circle

Please take up your instruments as we send our thanks to the quarters.

[Drumming/noisemaking to commence]

Spirits of the north, element of fire

We thank you for your presence here this night

We bid you hail and farewell

Blessed be

Spirits of the east, element of water

We thank you for your presence here this night

We bid you hail and farewell

Blessed be

Spirits of the south, element of air

We thank you for your presence here this night

We bid you hail and farewell

Blessed be

Spirits of the west, element of earth

We thank you for your presence here this night

We bid you hail and farewell

Blessed be

Hail to the Goddess in all her aspects

We thank you for your presence here this night

We bid you hail and farewell

Blessed be

[Chant to open circle]

May the circle be open

But unbroken

May the love of the Goddess

Be ever in your heart

Merry meet and merry partM

And merry meet again

Mabon Ritual

Reading – What is Mabon?

As with each of the sabbats, Mabon has been known by many names throughout history and across different cultures. Some of these names include Cornucopia, the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of Dionysus, Mea'n Fo'mhair (Druidic), the Second Festival of Harvest or the Second Harvest Festival and the Wine Harvest.

However it is known, Mabon is the Autumn Equinox. This means it is the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices and the time when day and night are of equal length as the sun crosses the equator.

Mabon represents balance but it is also a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth. In ancient times, this is the second major harvest, when the gifts from the mother are reaped and we give thanks for the abundance of our lives. In today’s modern times, we are no longer so dependent on the harvest festivals, but we still have the opportunity to give thanks for all of the blessings that enrich and fulfil our lives.

Mabon is a reminder that we reap what we sow. In Wicca, we see this as a physical reflection of the seeds we plant in the earth as the warms began to break through the winter around the time of the spring equinox six months ago, but we all also see this as a powerful metaphor for all of the things in our life. We are responsible for our own happiness and we know that it is through our own thoughts and actions that we will benefit and achieve all we set out for in our lives.

Mabon is a time to assess our performance – without blame and without regret. As the wheel begins to turn towards the colder months and our minds begin the process of introspection, we look at what has worked for us and before we turn to thoughts of what we need to think about changing. But, for us now, the focus is on the positives in our lives and that is something we should all take a moment to reflect on.

As such, we will now take a moment to go around the circle and give each of us the opportunity to give voice to something we are thankful that we have achieved or received in our lives.

[The speaker gives thanks for a blessing in their life, followed by the person to their right and so on until all within the circle have expressed an element of gratitude.]

Casting Circle

Tonight, we celebrate Mabon, the autumn equinox and one of the eight sabbats of the wheel of the year. Please, join hands as we cast circle.

Let our voices rise as one in the Elemental Chant and our drums and instruments resound as we in the southern hemisphere call the quarters deosil from the north. Please take up your instruments as you begin to feel the energy of the chant.

The Fire, the Earth, the Air, the Water

Return, return, return, return

Aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a

Aye-o, aye-o, aye-o, aye-o

May the Goddess, in all her aspects, be present here in this circle. We call upon the Goddess with The Goddess Chant, that you may lend your energy here in this circle tonight.

Isis, Astarte,

Diana, Hecate,

Demeter, Kali,

Inanna

Mabon Park Blessing

We take this time to send out blessing to the area around us. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this time together in nature and we pour our positive energy into the turning of the wheel and the changes it will bring to all living things around us.

We will now raise energy through drumming and noisemaking as a form of sympathetic magic to all that lives around us.

[Everyone to take up instruments; commence drumming/noisemaking]

Cakes and Ale – Poem: Turn the Wheel to Mabon

[Cakes and ale to be distributed]

Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, to the Mabon March

Autumn breeze and maple trees still joyous as they parch

Resplendent in the richest gold with jewels of red and brown

We lament about the shortened days: ‘O, how soon the sun goes down!’

Harvest one and harvest two, in our memories are stored

Corn and grain and welcome rain, are our toil’s reward

Equal are the night and day, thus balances the divine

Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, as we enjoy the Mabon wine

Blessed be

[Sharing of cakes and ale followed by general discussion on Mabon.]

Opening circle

Please take up your instruments as we send our thanks to the quarters.

[Drumming/noisemaking to commence]

Spirits of the north, element of fire
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be

Spirits of the east, element of water
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be

Spirits of the south, element of air
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be

Spirits of the west, element of earth
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be

Hail to the Goddess in all her aspects
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be

[Chant to open circle]

May the circle be open

But unbroken

May the love of the Goddess

Be ever in your heart

Merry meet and merry part

And merry meet again

Apple Mabon Bread

Ingredients
* 2 ½ cups grated apple
* 2 cups raisins or craisins
* 1 ½ cups boiling water
* 3 Tbs olive oil
* 1 cup honey
* 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 ½ tsp salt
* ½ tsp ground clove

* 3 cups whole wheat flour
* 1 ½ tsp baking soda
* ¾ cup chopped nuts

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (160 for fan forced) and grease two loaf pans.
Combine the first nine ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together the last three ingredients.

Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture and combine well. Pour into prepared loaf pans and bake for 40-60 minutes. Use a cake tester to check when cooked. Remove from pans and place on a rack to cool.

Triple Wish Pouches – Love, Health and Insight

This spell focuses on love, health and insight but the overall concept could be used for any three things you would like to enhance in your life.

All ingredients are fairly common and the overall spell is simple yet powerful. I do so love to follow the tenet that to bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Lavender is the base ingredient and should end up as the dominant fragrance in the pouches, so use more of this than the other herbs. All herbs have been chosen as they all have magical uses associated with love.

You will need:
* Lavender (love, protection, sleep, dreaming, longevity, purification, happiness and peace)
* Pink and white rose petals (love, psychic powers, healing, divination, luck, protection and purity)
* Jasmine (love, protection, money and prophetic dreams)
* Chamomile (money, sleep, love and purification)
* Rosemary (protection, love, mental powers, purification, healing, sleep and youth)
* Strawberry flowers (love and luck)
* Three bay leaves (protection, psychic powers, healing, purification and strength)
* A bowl to mix the herbs together in
* Three small coloured pouches (pink, blue and purple)

Add lavender to the bowl while saying:

Lavender from the Goddess

Plant of love and peace

Sweet dreams at night

And days so bright

As my abundance does increase

Add pink and white rose petals to bowl while saying:

Rose petals from the Goddess

Plant of love and healing

White so pure

And pink adore

Forever happy feeling

Add jasmine to bowl while saying:

Jasmine from the Goddess

Plant of love and protection

Dreams prophetic

Life energetic

Filled with great affection

Add chamomile to the bowl while saying:

Chamomile from the Goddess

Plant of love and purification

Money and wealth

Happiness and health

Through inspiration and motivation

Add rosemary to the bowl while saying:

Rosemary from the Goddess

Plant of love and power

Heal and protect

Divine connect

In this and every hour

Add strawberry flowers to the bowl while saying:

Strawberry from the Goddess

Plant of love and sweetness

Good luck and fortune

By sun and by moon

Brings abundance and completeness

Mix all ingredients together in the bowl while saying:

All things from the Goddess

Plants of love and more

My life abounds

Your love surrounds

My intentions ever pure

Write the word “LOVE” on one of the bay leaves, “HEALTH” on another and “INSIGHT” on another.
Place the LOVE leaf in the pink pouch then add one third of the herb mixture and say:

Mother, maiden, crone

Love in my heart and home

Place the HEALTH leaf in the blue pouch then add one third of the herb mixture and say:

Mother, maiden, crone

Health wherever I may roam

Place the INSIGHT leaf into the purple pouch then add one third of the herb mixture and say:

Mother, maiden, crone

Insight in all I know

Tie the pouches together and say:

Mother, maiden, crone

My triple wish is sown

As lavender is associated with the element of air, air will be used to seal the spell. Do the rest of the spell each day until you have used all of the herb mix and on the last day, crumble the rosemary leaves as you say each verse for the last time.

Take a small pinch of the mix from the pink pouch and say:

The love I have within me

With the world I share

I send it out to the universe

As it’s carried through the air

Throw the mix into the air then take a small pinch of the mix from the blue pouch and say:

The health I have within me

With the world I share

I send it out to the universe

As it’s carried through the air

Throw the mix into the air then take a small pinch of the mix from the purple pouch and say:

The insight I have within me

With the world I share

I send it out to the universe

As it’s carried through the air

Throw the mix into the air then tie the three pouches pouches together and say:

 

The law of three on air will blow

As above, so below

Blessed be

Lughnasadh

When Lughnasadh rolls around on the 1st or 2nd of February in the southern hemisphere or 1st or 2nd of August in the northern hemisphere, the fields are full and fertile. Crops are abundant, and the late summer harvest is ripe for the picking. This is the time when the first grains are threshed, apples are plump in the trees, and gardens are overflowing with summer bounty, which makes Lughnasadh the first of the harvest sabbats.

It's the dog days of summer, the gardens are full of goodies, the fields are full of grain and the harvest is approaching. Take a moment to relax in the heat, be grateful for the food we have on our plates and reflect on the upcoming abundance of the fall months. At Lughnasadh, it's time to begin reaping what we have sown throughout the past few months and recognise that the bright summer days will soon come to an end.

Alternate Names
* August Eve
* Ceresalia
* Elembiuos
* Feast of Cardenas
* Feast of Lugh
* Festival of Green Corn
* First Festival of Harvest
* First Harvest
* Harvest Home
* Lammas
* Lughnasa

Pagan Mythology
The God is middle-aged now and His power is waning as His strength is being fed into the grain. Rituals at this time thank the Goddess for her bounty and the God for giving of His strength. This is a time to start seeing the fruits of plans made earlier, the time when goals are almost accomplished.

Themes / Symbols
* Baking bread
* End of summer
* First harvest fruits and vegetables
* Honouring the Parent Deities
* Honouring the Sun Gods

Traditional Foods
* Ale
* Apples
* Barley cakes
* Berries
* Berry pies
* Breads
* Elderberry
* Grains
* Lamb
* Meadowsweet tea
* Nuts
* Potatoes
* Rice
* Wild berries
* Wine

Herbs, Plants and Flowers
* Acacia flowers
* All Grains
* Aloes
* Blackberries
* Corn and Cornstalks
* Crab Apples
* Frankincense
* Ginseng
* Grapes
* Heather
* Hollyhock
* Myrtle
* Oak leaves
* Pears
* Rice
* Rye
* Sloe
* Sunflower
* Wheat

Incense
* Aloes
* Rose
* Sandalwood

Gemstones
* Aventurine
* Carnelian
* Citrine
* Peridot
* Sardonyx
* Yellow Diamond

Colours
* Brown
* Gold
* Green
* Orange
* Red
* Yellow

Different Information in Wicca

You will probably have noticed by now that there is an abundance of information on Wicca, witchcraft and magic but much of it is incomplete, inaccurate, or contradictory. Part of learning the path is about exploring the different topics, either through research, meditation, practice, application, divine guidance etc, and finding what “fits” for you.

That said, in different traditions of Wicca (as with different denominations in other religions), specific information is taught as being singularly true and correct; however, it should be remembered that while these things may be correct in that particular tradition, many Wiccans are eclectic and/or solitary so have the freedom to determine their own truths when it comes to practical application and understanding of the technical aspects of the craft.

Another point to remember is that several aspects of Wicca are determined by the natural laws of the earth and these are affected by where you physically are on the planet.

Some things are not negotiable, such as the directions of the compass points – north will always be north, but there are some things that have other considerations, mostly being whether you are in the southern hemisphere or the northern hemisphere. This affects things like the seasons and therefore the Sabbats. Another aspect affected by this is the directions to cast and open circle, often referred to as deosil and widdershins. Widdershins roughly means ‘against the sun’, which is clockwise in the southern hemisphere but anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere while deosil can be defined as ‘with the sun’, which is anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere and clockwise in the northern hemisphere. Often you will find the definitions of the words deosil and widdershins as clockwise and anticlockwise respectively; however, this is based on the northern hemisphere’s viewpoint only and misrepresents the true meanings of the words.

Interestingly enough, the moon phases are the same in both hemispheres although the direction of the crescent when the moon is waxing or waning is reversed. So, in the southern hemisphere, a waxing moon appears are a leftward curved crescent (like the letter “C”) and the opposite in the southern hemisphere during the waning moon phase. This is reversed in the northern hemisphere. A quick visual representation of this is (O) for the southern hemisphere and )O( for the northern hemisphere. Check out this very cool animation to help understand what happens with the moon in different parts of the world.

Other things you will often find differ are correspondences. Some of this is due to overlap, for example, the colour purple is often used to represent intuition but it can also be healing, while blue can also be used for both of these purposes. Red can represent love, but so can pink. The heart chakra is usually represented by the colour green but rose quartz can also be used for various matters of the heart, including working with the heart chakra. When looking at correspondences, consider the impact of conditioning, be it social, spiritual, historical, cultural or just personal experience as this may have played part in the accumulation of the different correspondences. In the end, pre-existing correspondence lists can be used as a guide but your choices in how to use them are broad and open to your own preferences and interpretations.

The point of all this is that the best thing to do is to research and explore all of the various aspects involved in Wicca as you journey along your path with appropriate respect to established teachings in order to determine what works best for you.

Parsley Spell for Cleansing and Strengthening

sThere are several ways this spell can be used:
* Use every day for one moon cycle starting on the day after the moon is 100% full. During the waning moon, focus mainly on the cleansing aspects while building on the strengthening aspects once the moon begins waxing.
* Use by night at the full moon to increase the intensity of the spell.
* Use at dawn as a great way to start the day.
* Use at spring as part of an ‘out with the old, in with the new’ strategy.

You will need a knife, preferably your boline if you have one, and a small container of water. Moon water would be ideal however any pure, clean water can be used. The water should be consecrated and ready for magical use.

The spell should be performed while wearing white clothing or it can be done sky clad. The intention is to cleanse your body of negative or dormant energy and allow it to be filled with positivity and strength.

Kneel before the parsley plant, breathe deeply three times then say:

Plant of cleansing, plant of strength

Parsley from the Goddess sent

I ask her now for but a length

That her powers may be lent

Carefully cut one sprig of parsley and say:

Thanks to the Goddess, blessed be.

Place the sprig of parsley in the water. Using your athame or your finger, stir the parsley in the water three times then say:

Heed the flower, bush and tree

The cleansing power of parsley

I take within and focus true

That I soon may feel renewed

My health and strength in great reserve

Day by day will be preserved

My soul once heavy now set free

By the lady, blessed be

Eat the sprig of parsley.

P.A.N. – Pagan Awareness Network

The Pagan Awareness Network (PAN) is an Australian not-for-profit group who work to increase awareness of pagan beliefs and activities. They have a strong and thorough website containing much non-denominational material and information regarding paganism and aim to correct misunderstandings, foster tolerance and assist in the growth of the pagan community.

PAN was started in Australia in early 1997 following the withdrawal of ‘regional controllers’ from the Witches League for Public Awareness (Salem Mass. USA). Not wanting to waste the work that had already been invested, they began with a website and some pamphlets that aimed at demystifying pagans and paganism. The group went on to host Full Moon Circles with the first public circle on 23 March 1997. Such events are still held in Seven Hills, New South Wales. They are predominately a means for like-minded people to make contact with one another and organise pagan moots and gatherings.

Active socially as well as politically, PAN work to promote religious tolerance and have pagans rights recognised in Australian laws and culture. They publish a bi-monthly newsletter called The Small Tapestry and a larger annual newsletter called The Tapestry, which is available to members of the association.