2020

 Well, it looks like my Sabbath posts have gone full circle and we are fastly approaching Imbolc again. This year my Altar is decorated with a green cloth, candle and last years Brigid doll, cross as well as a few things I received on the 27th for my Birthday. Yes, I am now 23! And I was impressed to find the majority of gifts I received were witchcraft-related. I've been gifted crystals, altar ware and a rather fetching spirit board themed lunch box. I also started my new job so have splurged my first paycheck on an olive green backpack with my initial and a triquetra embossed on!!!  So I am more than happy and enjoying being a little more materialistic at the moment.

How are you all doing? I know this blog doesn't reach many people but if you are reading drop a comment on how your doing :D

Yule

 

Decorated Yule Log

Yule

Yule is the winter solstice celebration of the welcoming of the sun and light back to the world by Pagans. The winter solstice itself is on the 21st of December this year. Now I know this post is long past the solstice, but it is still Yuletide which ends on the 1st of January next year.

 There are many different beliefs that coincide with the winter solstice. For the Norse, Odin is said to ride his eight-legged horse across the sky- Perhaps this is where Father Christmas/Frost/Noel and Santa Claus with his reindeer is derived from. 

Some look to the battle between the Holly and Oak kings being just one story for Yule or Befana who rides a broom giving gifts to children.. or even the Krampus, a demonlike creature who takes naughty children away.  There are also many other cultures across the world that celebrate the same topic with different names. Saturnalia being the Roman equivalent and Hanukka the Jewish. But the main contender that many argue holds similar traditions to Yule is Christmas, the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth which over the many years it has been around; has incorporated Pagan traditions and symbols into its own practices in order to promote conversion to Christianity. If you interested in the specific celebrations or the history I've mentioned so far, feel free to expand your knowledge and get googling. Learnreligions.com is a very useful website for this. So I hope you will utilise that blog as much as this one.

What traditions of Yule can I Practice?

Pretty much anything goes at this time of year! Just remember to be kind, grateful, giving, respectful and to have fun. You may choose to do a ritual for the new year or to give thanks for all the hard work the universe has provided, definitely decorate your Altar and house and give offerings if you can on your Altars as with other Pagan Solstices and Equinoxs'. As this is a personal choice I'll leave what you do to yourself. Though just remember the consider your surroundings and if it will affect anyone or anything negatively. ( I say this because within the last week someone nailed 12 bits of chicken wings to a tree, carved a rune into it and decorated the tree with a red bow- not very considerate of wildlife and plant life- nor of if it would upset anyone who saw it). I always try to consider if it will hurt the earth, an animal/person, anger any spiritual force/ being (Sidhe may not approve) or someone's psyche before coming up with a plan for a ritual. I also nearly set fire to my house the other day with a candle too close to my prosperity for new year simmer pot spell. SAFETY NOTE: SMOTHER A FIRE IN A CANDLE NOT WATER IT

Wassailing 

Wassailing, commonly known as carolling, is the act of singing to the neighbours and rich and the receiving of treats in return. Figgy pudding is a traditional treat given to Wassailers and is even mentioned in the Christmas carol " We wish you a Merry Christmas" Wassail is also a mulled cider beverage served to wassailers via a communal bowl. This cidre was very much like Mulled wine, spiced with cinnamon and cloves but topped with toast as an interesting treat.

Beverages

Mulled Wine, Wassail, and Eggnog are all spiced drinks served during wintertime. Personally, I like a good clove and apple tea or I will even heat up store-bought ice tea and sip that. I've been drinking warm tea at wintertime for as long as I can remember and can remember my mother bringing it out to me as a made a snowman with my sister and we stood in the crisp air cold, warming our hands and sipping lemon tea looking at the silver sky happily. That memory I must have been 4 years old easily.  Hot chocolate is also a family favourite which I like to make as close to the original way as possible- with a chunk of dark chocolate melted in warm milk- so bad for you but so good. I like to sweeten it with cream, caramel or condensed milk. I know very naughty.

Trees 

There are many traditions that are universal this time of year- Tree decorating is a family favourite in my house. Every year we get a new bauble for the tree. The Romans would decorate a small tree with tin decorations for Saturnalia, those in Europe would decorate outdoor spruces with garlands and decorations from what they had (dried fruit, pine cones, wood, candles/lanterns as well as metalwork)... Even in Bodhi the Buddhist faith, a fig tree is used - though you will have to research if it's decorated or not. Later tinsel, made of silver, was invented in Germany as well as glass Baubles. One tradition in Germany is to hang a pickle in the tree to find. Nowadays you can buy or rent a fresh tree or use an artificial one, others choose to decorate their outside foliage too. There is no wrong way to decorate a tree so do what you like. Stars for the top of a tree are believed to have pagan roots to the Pentagram and pentacle, but in Christianity, it symbolises the Star that the 3 Magi (Wisemen, Kings) Melkior, Balthazar and Kaspar followed to Bethlehem. We opt for what can only be described as colour and chaos- we literally throw every shade, shape and style of the bauble, random coloured tinsel and rainbow colour changing lights on it- it takes hours to decorate! but with some festive music, something to nibble on it comes together quite quickly and whilst it may be a nightmare for some. We're perfectly happy with it.

Yule Log

A Yule log is a piece of wood, usually a log, that is lit and burnt for twelve days during the winter solstice/ yuletide period as a protective ritual of the hearth (home) from illness, the cold, evil and bad luck. Nowadays the Yule log has become more of a decorative piece and in some cases, a chocolate cake alternative is eaten, but it is still decorated and burnt by many practising Pagans.

Wreathes 

Wreaths were originally hung on the outside of a house as a form of protection, usually containing dried fruit/veg (Citrus, Juniper, Apples), cinnamon, herbs (cloves, nutmeg, and star anise), flowers (poinsettia, winter roses) and foliage like holly, mistletoe and pine (Pinecones are especially protective). You can make your own fairly cheap via kits or drying your own items, or you could buy a ready-made one. I keep a wreathe of Lavender and dried flowers in my bedroom also- all year round as not only are they good for protecting your home but make wonderful room decor. What you use to make a wreath, combined with your intentions will create a wreathe with a specific use. So make sure you do your research before you make one.

Candles

As the winter solstice is about the return of light and the sun, it would make sense to use candles as part of your yuletide practice. The Jewish light a Menorah for Hanukka and Christians also use candles at this time of year. White, Red, Green, Brown, Silver and Gold Candles are all a fantastic start for colour choices. When in doubt though go for white! White can be programmed with any intent after all and is a protective colour.  Many opt for pillar or taper candles at this time of year but I prefer to use what I have which a jar candles, at least I can decorate the bottom of them with a bit of tinsel! You can carve sigils and runes into your candles too which is a great idea for ritual work.

 A kiss under the mistletoe

Traditionally mistletoe is protective and considered a fertility aid, usually hung outside an entrance to the home, ceilings, beds and windows. The acts of kissing under the mistletoe actually come from something a bit saucier- making babies under the mistletoe which was believed to help with conception and a stronger pregnancy. The family-friendly version is, of course, a kiss that's seen as sweet and romantics.  It's also a symbol of internal life, prosperity and used to ensure a good harvest.
Returning to it's usual believed effect... the belief of a strong pregnancy may hold some backing to ensuring pregnancy goes well- but not due to the mistletoe itself but the act of baby-making during wintertime. Conception in winter means that as spring and summer come   ( when the baby is developing in the womb rapidly and the mother requires more energy), so does an increase of food, energy and nutrients that are available to a pregnant woman to consume.

Holly

Holly is the evergreen twin to Mistletoe and shares the same metaphysical properties- it's used as a symbolism for the sun and for the Holly king as well as eternity (according to Druid beliefs). In Christianity, it is used to represent Christ's thorny crown and the blood he bled as he was walking with his crucifixion cross to his death.

Holly has also been used as a medicinal aid for whooping cough and as a pain killer for broken bones ( though it's not safe for children and not fabulous for adults either). Now don't go brewing up some form of holly juice- and definitely don't eat mistletoe. Both are toxic. But if you take into account what it is used for as well as it's metaphysical properties, it stands to reason that Holly was used to warding off colds and warding from other illnesses during winter.

Flowers

Like all holidays it's nice to decorate the house with flowers. My mother is a huge fan of brightly coloured Lillies this time of year, my Grandmother is traditional with Poinsettias and I myself love a good red rose bouquet with baby's breath and white carnations. Traditional colours of this time of year are Red, white and green so incorporating that into your flowers and decorations is always a win!

Feasting

Like most holidays across all cultures. Feasting is a big part of Winter celebrations. It's a time to use up your preserved food and cook and eat the last bits of seasonal food you have available.  Now naturally this will be personal for everyone. For me, it's pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon)  with mash potatoes and gravy, with a chocolate cake with custard for pudding.  For my mum it's a turkey roast dinner one day followed by a turkey salad, then my dad's turkey curries the next few days after until we have eaten all our winter food.
Tonight is one of the curry nights and tomorrow I will be making pancakes with lemon syrup and fresh oranges. We also have fruit cake which my mother drizzles rum into for months before we eat it. I'm not keen on fruit cake but i absolutely love decorating the cake with fondant- word of advice get yourself a holly shaped cookie cutter if you want to decorate a winter-themed cake as I spent 2 hours trying to make leaves by hand. Some things it's ok to cheat with

Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold

These items are traditionally known as the gifts given to Jesus Christ by the 3 Magi, but did you know that they are also used in Yule practices as ways to bring good luck and aid in spiritual work by Witches?  Myrrh and Frankincense usually come in a resin format and burnt on a charcoal disk; however, oils and incense can be bought if you wanted to do some spiritual cleansing or use them in rituals

Fun fact!
It is believed the 3 Magi were also spiritualists and magicians. For a bit of fun why not watch Los Reyes Magos by Antonio Navarro. It is supposed to be a Christian children's film at first but unlike most biblical stories- this focusses on the journey and the magic used by the 3 Magi in order to receive their gifts for Christ. But of course, any festive movie you like is perfect to snuggle up to.

Gifting 

Traditionally Oranges with cloves stabbed into it (Called Pomanders), citrus and other small protective or edible items like Apples were gifted during wintertime. Handmade gifts also were popular and often gifts were given throughout Yuletide- especially towards the end.  This gets me in a bit of trouble with my parents as gifts  I will open throughout Yuletide, but my parents believe it should be on Christmas day- The joys of a mixed belief household. I do however reserve family gifts for the 25th and only open gifts from friends before then. Just remember when you're getting or making your gifts, it's not about the size, it's not about how expensive it is or about extravagance. A gift should come from the heart with a warm kind intent and never expect anything in return.  Yule is also about family and friends so hold them close- providing its covid safe to do so.


I think I will leave it here for now. As always this blog is to inspire further research, not give you all the answers. But I hope you all had a wonderful Winter Solstice and enjoying the Yuletide celebrations. As all ways Stay safe and have a Happy New Year!

Coming soon!

 Hi Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm really sorry for not having any posts up since Samhain! Time has just gone too quick. I've finished my last bit of Uni work, resigned my old job for something new and exciting, we've had another death in the family and I've been playing supportive witchy mom friend to a few close friends during this time. What about you guys? Comment below what you've been up to!

I'm currently procrastinating the Yule information post, there are so many things to go through as it's such a complex holiday, there's no single origin for a tradition or single focus in terms of the folklore. But don't worry there will be some traditions and things to do during yule showing up mid-Yuletide. I'm even thinking of another DIY! how fun will that be!

Anyway like always, stay safe, stay smiley and I wish you all a blessed day!

Samhain

SAMHAIN! HALLOWS EVE! DAY OF THE DEAD! 

What do these holidays all have in common?
Samhain (sound out slowly as Ss-ow-en/Ss-ow-in/ or Ss-ow-een for the correct pronunciations . Then put them together!) is a time of year, much like Beltane. When the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. Hallows eve specifically (also known as Halloween) and the Mexican holiday “Día de Muertos” includes the very essence of Samhain on single days and are within the same week at the end of October. It is believed that during this time spirits, death and evils are free to roam. In the 1770s a writer characterised Samhain from a holiday into a deity personification mistakenly- however, Samhain is not a deity, merely the celebration of ancestors, visiting spirits and the looming winter. Decorations follow this theme within altars, decorations and dress.

On Hallows Eve (31st Oct),  individuals dress as spirits, animals, goblins and ghouls as a method of protection against evil spirits or fair folk who wish to "spirit" individuals away into heir realms. Pumpkin carving ( formally turnips and squash carving) is also a protective act, and 'trick or treating' was originally named souling. This is where visitors (usually poor) would offer prayers, protective talismans and aid to deceased family members in return for food and water.

On Día de Muertos/ Day of the dead (2nd Nov) Individuals visit family graves, decorate graves, feast/party, have ancestral Altars and believe their ancestors visit them as well as pray to allow safe journeying to the spirit world. Samhain is a time for reconnecting with spirits, honouring the fallen. As well as a perfect time to do shadow work and divination.

So what can you do to celebrate? Well first do some further research. Traditionally this time of year is celebrated with Autumnal colours like Orange, Golds, Reds, Browns. As well as cold colours to represent death and other colours that represent spirits. Black, White, Silver and Purple all come under this theme. Skulls, family photos of deceased members, protective talismans and rituals honouring those who have been lost as well as protecting those who remain from other forces other from illness and danger are all pretty common. Dumb dinners where all members are silent during a feast of food is a common tradition to celebrate and dressing up as the dead, as scary or ugly creatures is commonly associated with this time. If you do decide to do a Dumb dinner. Prepare seasonal autumnal fruit, veg and meat dishes, as well as decorate using a black theme. Think of it as a happy 'wake' where everyone is silent. Of course, this does mean as a hostess you will have to be intuitive of what your guest requires. Additionally, opt to have a spare chair which nobody except spirits may sit on. It would be rude to host a feast for the dead and not provide them with somewhere to sit after all. What kind of crafting is good this time of year? Shadow work, spirit work, divination crafting and protection magic is particularly strong at this time of year. You should also ward your house and think about leaving offerings to appease evil forces and leave you alone. What deities/energies can I work with this time of year? As Samhain symbolises a lot of death and spirit related content. Look to that as a theme. Samhain is also the final Harvest to the end of the year so any deities such as Hades, Persephone, Hekate, Demeter, Yama, Osirus, Anubis and many others are all suitable. again please do your research and protect your home from death, evil/ unwanted forces and illness first before calling on any of them for any works you wish to do with them. Also please don't wish death on anyone at this time. You might regret your decision .

Familiars and pets: Safety about tools

 

Trigger warning: Contains elements of death that some may find upsetting 

Today's post regards a rather sad occurrence in my life. On the 24th of September. My cat Midnight had to be put to sleep.

Midnight was born in May 2006 in Germany and had been rescued by my sister's friend at the time. We brought her back to the United Kingdom where she has always been safe and well cared for, she has survived cancer, being clipped by a car and numerous fights with our local three-legged Tomcat.

On the night of the 23rd  of September, it was raining heavily, and like usual I said my goodnight to my dear one in her little bed. Something I do every night. During the early hours of the 24th, during this storm. My cat was poisoned. Most likely from a chemical of some sort. We found her mid-morning cold, unable to breathe and in incredible pain, she couldn't even move. We had to have her put down as we were just too late to help her.  Now as an experienced animal owner I can guarantee we had nothing toxic for the cat to consume. But it's vitally important to any animal owning people including witches to ensure that any products they have are safe for their animal, be this for your practice or for gardening, for your vehicles etc. So consider this story a warning. My cat died at age 14 after travelling across the sea and surviving two potentially life-threatening situations. She was the picture of health but died a very painful and undeserved passing. 

Things in your practice to keep an eye out for are:

Incense: sticks and cones
Smoke: from candles, resin, oils 
Resin/ oils
Herbs and plants- check your plants, flowers and herbs are pet safe before bringing them into your home and garden.
Chemicals: Rat poison and Antifreeze are extremely toxic to animals and believe me they are silly enough to consume them. 

Keep toxic items out of reach. Apparently, sardines in brine and oil can help flush out some toxins if administered/ eaten early.

Signs of poisoning:

Vomiting- especially more than once in a short time period
Diarrhoea
Frothing of the mouth

Weakness
Spasming/ fitting
Lethargy- can't move or tired
Breathing difficulties- panting, strained breathing/wheezing etc.
Refusal or disinterest to eat.


If your animal is acting out of sorts get them to a vet, call them, get their advice. It could save their life.

And to Midnight, Goodnight baby, forever rest safely  x

Mabon

 Sorry for the late upload guys, things have been a little hectic. My kitty passed away during our celebrations. I hope you understand. As such I'm afraid this posting won't be as detailed compared to as before. But to give you a rough idea...

Today we are talking about Mabon ( pronounce as Mah-bohn) which is the Autumnal Equinox as the first harvest of the year. It is the twin to Ostara. Whilst Ostara is the rebirth, Mabon Mabon is a God who was stolen as an infant and rescued by woodland animals/spirits before being returned to his mother Modron (Moh-Drohn). In other legends, he was rescued by King Arthur. He is used and celebrated as a symbol of the waning of life and the suns light. Darkness and light are now at the balance before the tip towards the dark and cold associated with death...and the second harvest of fruits and vegetables are occurring.

A cornucopia basket is often used to depict Mabon with its phallic masculine shape and hollow feminine interior. Altars are usually dressed with non-perishable (or continually replaced or dried) harvest produce and outdoor shrines with othering to nature, spirits are built to honour those who have helped create the bountiful harvest. Traditionally buttermilk bread, Apple pies, crumble and cakes are baked and feasted upon alongside other seasonal foods. Corn dolls and grain crafts are also traditional. The colours that are often associated are typical autumnal colours and green. There are also rituals to celebrate other deities like ones of Harvest, Hunting and even winemaking. Persephone, in particular, has her own celebration at this time of year in Greece where Parsley is left as an offering to the goddess. I mention this because I had a dream about her shortly before my Cat's passing which was a little too coincidental and I believe she may have been trying to reach me. I'll mention deity work later on one of my pages for you. I hope this post has helped inspire you to do some research of your own. The next posting shall be about familiars and then Samhain. Thank you to anyone who has stuck around to read this blog and its posts.

Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh (Luna- sahd)or Lammas as it's known into some. Is the celebration of the first harvest and the Celtic god of crafts and skill Lugh. It is also connected closely to the Roman god Vulcan who is known for being a fiery and destructive god of blacksmithing and many other seasonal gods and spirits. Though his own celebration is in late August compared to Lughnasadh. Instead, Lughnasadh is all about the celebration of life while acknowledging death is close by as it is the start of the seasons changing.

As it is the first harvest time of the year. Berries and fruits, root vegetables and fresh-baked bread are feasted upon in delight and Altars become humbled with nature themes and seasonal offerings. In England, there are telling's of the legend of John Barleycorn who represents the first crop of corn but personified through corn decorations. Speaking of How can you decorate?

A Kitchen Altar

Those who practice kitchen magic will already be familiar with a Kitchen Altar. Just like a regular Altar but more foodie and homely. You can decorate this with freshly baked bread, corn husks, gathered wheat, homegrown produce and homemade items ( like knitting!).  Any way you like really.

Now is also the time to get crafty, be you a chef, sewer or an artsy person.  So why not put some of your masterpieces up for decoration. 

Litha

I apologise for the late posting. With current circumstances its been quite difficult to balance being home schooled at a university level ( I'm studying my postgraduate course) and my Witchy home life. Today's informational posting will be less DIY and more about encouraging you to think about what you wish to do.

Today we will be talking about Litha!

Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice and Mid-summers day. Is all about celebrating the SUN!. There are of course many different ways to celebrate depending on your belief system but in general any solar deities, summer deities, even love deities are celebrated and worshipped during this time.

Many use stone circles as part of their celebration, such as Stonehenge, famous for it's spiritual symbolism and the solstice celebrations. With ritual celebrations that lasts from sunrise and sunset- usually observed in masses.  2020 was the first year I know that Stonehenge was closed off to our community as a preventative for the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. Many  National Heritage staff did however prepare a live video feed of Stonehenge that was globally available. So i watched my very first Stonehenge Solstice experience through the digital lens of the world.

Actual things you can do for Litha:

Many create a bonfire as the sun comes under the fire element . Other celebrate the Masculine energy of the sun; which in theory makes sense due to the popular holiday "Father's day" is celebrated around the same time. Midsummer mead is a popular drink, as is seasonal food and flowers as part of feasts , rituals and Altar decorations. I myself made some chamomile lemon cake for the Solstice and decorated my Altars with a Solar theme.

It's not pretty but it tastes fantastic

I have freshly picked lavender which i am in the process of drying and i have been planting autumnal flowering wild flowers as well as trying new recipes. My father has been baking buttermilk bread and making mozzarella and my mother had a go at making pizza dough which was beyond successful.

So even your quarantine diy's are perfect for Litha . Handfasting marriages are also common around this time of year and alfresco dining. So go outside and enjoy the sun even if its cloudy and raining. Even BBQ's count so have fun.

I must admit i was laxed on my own decoration and celebrations for Litha- especially on my altar this time. Perhaps that's why i developed a vitamin D deficiency (joking of course). But this is just another argument towards "you do not need to have all the bells and whistles to celebrate" I kept my celebration simple And luckily my Witchcasket subscription came with a sun theme which made decorating a lot easier for me this time around. I had sunstone on my altars, Marigold petals and some artwork sent to me which sits on my main Altar quite contently. I  also made some witch bells, and recently some home made/grown cherry Jam.

If you'd like to see more detailed information and a couple of rituals please follow the link below. Or write your own rituals. You know who to honour, what the main themes are and have more than enough of a capability to celebrate in a way that feels right to you.

https://www.learnreligions.com/litha-rites-and-rituals-2561483

Beltane

Beltane, or known as May day to some. Is the partner to Samhain. Both are closely interlinked by the fact that the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest. And whilst Samhain predominantly gives respect to death gods, spirits and defense against malicious forces through the disguises worn on Hallows Eve . When the Northern hemisphere celebrates Samhain, the Southern celebrates Beltane. Beltane is a fire infused celebration of the celtic god Bel.  It is a time of celebrating life and the coming summer. as well as celebrating the Fae, who are more active around this time of year.  So respect and offerings towards our Neighbors or fair folk ( a friendlier term for Fae) are fairly common.  Milk, bread and Honey are considered to be suitable for offerings.

Medieval depiction of Maypole dance

Mini Quarantine Maypoles
 which i put in my garden.
Intention & effort is the best way
 to practice.

You may have seen the hit Netflix show Sabrina- specifically a scene where there is a pole of ribbons that the Greendale Witches dance with for Lupercalia (Valentines day). This is called a Maypole and traditionally is used in Beltane celebrations . Made to be tall and brightly coloured for children and adults to dance around during Beltane celebrations.
It's common in Beltane for marriages and  sexual pairings to be -which is what the show 'Sabrina' showcases in it's maypole scene.

During Beltane, feasts and fire displays, are held with seasonal food such as berries, meats, breads and alcohol.  Altars are decorated bright candles- specifically green with seasonal wild flowers. For example like the Violets, Fruit blossoms and Marigolds growing in mine and my neighbors (my actual neighbours) garden.

My Offering Altar
(Before adding wildflowers)

You can choose to celebrate Beltane in multiple ways, what's been listed are a select few options. Since this is currently 2020 and my country has been in lock down since before Ostara. I myself made two miniature may poles using ribbon, dried rose stems, quartz chips and dried flowers which i placed in the soil by our fruiting apple tree and collected wild flowers that were in both my garden and along the street where i live.. i also repotted my cactus   I chose to use my garden path to my fence like a labyrinth- which was covered in my Ostara postin- so i could reflect before taking cleansing bath with a nice cup of tea and even made a rose tea lemonade which rests on my Altar near a Green candle.

If you'd like to see how a Maypole is used. Below is a Link to the scene within Sabrina from Netflix.

 Remember the types of witches in this show are identified as Satanist Witches and so their use of the Maypole for Lupercalia is used as per the storylines portrayal of those witches beliefs. They may not infact be accurate in the representation or celebrations of Satanist witches though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOfUW-8RCmg - Youtube Link
Have Netflix?  Have a watch. This scene is from season 2 episode 3.

If you think the example from Sabrina might be a bit too saucy, below is a link to the Maypole's dance being traditionally done by a group of students from a school who have been doing a maypole dance since 1929- every year. This is a fantastic example of the spirit of the dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncIAdeQGxoo

Ostara

Ostara

Hello and merry meet to any readers out there! I apologize for the wait. Today we will be talking about Ostara (The spring equinox) which is currently being celebrated.

Ostara is the name of a goddess of fertility who was known for coming to earth to visit and play with new life (children and young animals) and brought about spring. She is considered to be the rising sun and has a similar role like the Greek goddess Persephone. Ostara as a holiday starts within the last fortnight of March. It is the celebration of the rebirth of the earth and its species. With an emphasis on celebrating new beginnings. Now is the perfect time to set forth new paths in your life and focus on solving any problems that held you down. It’s a time for reflection on the future and the celebration of life.

There are many ways to celebrate Ostara, most commonly with prayers and Labyrinth meditation. Alters are often decorated with bright springtime colours, eggs, seasonal flowers and symbolism of rabbits. Sound familiar? The modern-day Christian holiday ‘Easter’ is a culmination of the Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection and of Ostara’s traditions and stories. Unifying Pagans’ and those who follow the Christian path. Much like Easter, there are Ostara prayers- but unlike Easter prayers. Prayers around Ostara don’t just honour a sole deity but in fact the earth, multiple spring deities… as well as contributing fae and spirits around this time of year.  You can construct your own prayer or ritual to do this.  Or you can follow this link to find more information, prayers and rituals about Ostara and other Sabbats.

https://www.learnreligions.com/ostara-rites-and-rituals-2562469  

It’s traditional to have egg hunts and to decorate hard-boiled (or faux) eggs. So, feel free to keep on purchasing items from shops’ Easter range or make your own items as part of your tradition. A tradition my family hold is to make flapjacks and chocolate rice crispy cakes with Cadbury mini eggs inside to look like a nest. We also cook a roast turkey and have a spring clean of the house. As children we would also take part in egg hunts, decorating eggs and make Easter bonnets.

Labyrinth Meditation

To start, what is a labyrinth? A labyrinth is much like a maze in its structure, however, unlike a maze, there is only one route to take to enter and exit it. Labyrinth meditation takes this concept and allows individuals to identify a problem as they walk towards its centre and the solution as they exit the Labyrinth. You can make a labyrinth yourself using anything from rocks, rope, plants, people or chalk. If your inside you may even be able to use tape to create your labyrinth.

I’d like to tell you two of the stories I was raised on about Ostara- specifically about the symbolism of the rabbit. As I’ve mentioned Ostara would visit and bring about spring. She also had a beautiful pet bird, with many brightly coloured feathers to her name. Her eggs she would lay would be equally beautiful. To entertain children, it is said the Lady Ostara would turn this bird into a young rabbit or hare- however, the young creature was still capable of laying her eggs; children would hunt for the coloured eggs and play both with Ostara and this transformed bird. It is also said that this bird, instead of being Ostara’s pet. Was a beautiful bird whose eggs were so pretty that the Lady Ostara would praise her? One day another animal attempted to slay the bird. Whilst dying the Lady Ostara took pity on her and transformed her into a rabbit (or hare) and allowed the newly transformed bird to remain to lay her eggs even in her rabbit form. Whether you take these stories with a pinch of salt, or seriously; is up to you.

DIY Pentagram

Merry meet! A quick one today!

Below is a DIY for a pentagram ( though i daftly labelled it a pentacle in my video - common mistake).

For those that don't know, a pentagram is a five sided star that represents the five elements that make up the world.

Here is a quick video tutorial i made on how to make a pentacle for your room, altar, house, garden etc.

You will need:

5 (cut to the same length)

 sticks/twigs/flower stems/ Bamboo
( i used  semi dried rose stems in the video)

Scissors

String
(i used embroider silk/floss)

Post tutorial Edit 2020: Florist wire (use before silk/floss for a sturdier hold)

You could also use a hot glue gun instead (but I chose string) because it's more plant friendly. I also now use florist wire underneath so as time goes by, if any of the stems/twigs shrink from drying out it'll still hold strong

Shortly i will also have a DIY Besom tutorial for you too.

Blessed be guys!

So ... I've started Tik Tok

Hello , Hello hello there, Merry meet to old and new readers!

I apologise for the interruption in updates-  With the Coronavirus situation i'm afraid my content production has been put on stand by.

In the mean time,  I've started a Tik Tok for a few tutorials for this blog- i'm still getting the hang of using it so the first few aren't fantastic. But here is a couple of the videos I've made so far.

The first one is a Soothing day water spell  No incantation needed, just intention. though you are more then welcome to say a little something as you do this.
Trigger warning: Flashing could effect epilepsy conditions. Also contains fire in video
 ( i'm sorry i got excited with filters)

For this you will need:

Cinnamon, Cloves, Dried Lavender, Moon Water & Tea Tree Oil.

And something to heat them up in ( do this for at least 2 hours),  though you could also infuse this over night in a couldron under the moonlight if you want to go heat-less. It's effect is a little different but has the same results
You only need 3-4 drops of tea tree oil for a small-medium batch

Calming and protective bath mix

My second attempt of another video ( when i discovered how to time  the text)

These are no way professional but i  figured some of you might like something visual for once that isn't a photo .
For this you will need:
Moonwater, Peppermint Oil, Cardamom, Lavender, Rose Petals and Juniper Berries.
Go easy on the peppermint oil as it's quite strong.
As this is a bath mix you could make a Small- stronger batch to add to water or create a bundle within fabric pouch and add directly to the bath ( Basically your making a bath teabag without the tea)

Both of these can also be added to smudging spray bottles  or used as a  metaphysical ,protective body spray- but be careful if your a pet owner and make sure you know what is toxic to your animal first

DO NOT PLAY WITH FIRE OR REPLICATE IF YOU ARE UNDER 18- USE HEAT-LESS METHOD INSTEAD!

How to dry flowers video

 I also have a short video version of my "How to dry flowers" tutorial which shall be added to that page and this post.

Well there you go! Three of my own videos- from the Tik Tok app.

Blessed be guys and i hope the virus hasn't got you too down x

I would just like to say a rest in peace to all the lives lost over 300 years ago  ( late Feb 1692- May 1693) when many innocent lives and witches were killed purely for being who they are and being condemned on the belief that they were evil.

Lest there not be another Witch trial since Salem.