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.

Litha

Litha occurs on longest day of the year, which, in the southern hemisphere is around 21 to 23 December when the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn and for the northern hemisphere it is when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer around 21 to 23 June. It is the first sabbat of the waning year.

Other names for Litha include Alban Heruin or Alban Hefin (Druidic), Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Midsummer, St John's Day, Summer Solstice, Thing-Tide, Vestalia, Whit Sunday or Witsuntide.

There are many themes for this time of year, some of which are as follows:
* Abundance of light
* Balefire, especially jumping over the balefire
* Fairies
* Fertility of plants and harvest
* Fires / Bonfires
* Mistletoe
* Oak Trees
* The Sun – sun wheels, peak of the sun’s strength

The colours of Litha are the bright colours of summer, particularly blue, gold, green, orange, red, white and yellow.

Traditional foods for Litha are:
* Ale
* Corn cakes
* Garden fresh vegetables
* Honey
* Honey cakes
* Lemons
* Mead
* Oranges
* Pumpernickel bread
* Squash
* Summer fruits

Popular herbs, plants and flowers include:
* Carnation
* Chamomile
* Daisy
* Elder
* Fern
* Frankincense
* Heather
* Honeysuckle
* Ivy
* Lavender
* Lemon
* Lily
* Mint
* Mistletoe
* Mugwort
* Oak
* Rose
* Saffron
* Sage
* Sandalwood
* St. John’s Wort
* Vervain
* Wild Thyme
* Yarrow
* Ylang-ylang

Popular incenses at Litha are:
* Frankincense
* Lemon
* Myrrh
* Pine
* Rose
* Vanilla
* Wisteria

Litha-related gemstones include:
* All green gemstones, especially emerald and jade
* Diamonds
* Lapis Lazuli
* Tiger’s Eye

In Pagan mythology, Litha is seen as the time when the Oak King, who represents the waxing year, is triumphed over by the Holly King who represents the waning year. The two are actually one God, the Horned God, but the Holly King is seen as the growing youth while the Oak King is seen as the wise and mature man.
The Goddess is also celebrated at Litha by many Pagan traditions. She is seen as the woman heavy with child, who will give birth to the God at Yule. She is also seen as the bounty of coming harvests, of protection and sustenance.