Pagan Project 2013

Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!

daybreak

Live statue in Salem

Full Moon

Fire

The element of fire shows up in mythological stories all across the world, often in stories related to the sun.

There are five basic elements within pagan religions. These elements are not to be confused with science lab chemical elements.

These five elements are also represented at the five points of the pentagram.  These five elements are air, earth, fire, spirit and water.

Four of these five elements correspond to the cardinal points of the sacred circle, the fifth (ether or spirit) relates to the centre and circumference of the circle. These elements can be thought of as natural energy in different states of being.

Fire represents energy, inspiration, love, passion and leadership. In rituals- fire is represented in the forms of burning objects... love spells, baking, lighting candles and fires.

Fire is also the element of change. Actually it represents magick itself. Fire is the most physical and spiritual of the Elements.

It has been an important part of all cultures and religions from pre-history to modern day and was vital to the development of civilization. 

Fire is a masculine element - its aspects being change, passion, creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire is used in spells, rituals and candle magick for healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. Fire is the element of authority and leadership.

Have you ever sat around a campfire with your friends... as you all fall into contemplative silence? If so - you have felt the magick of Fire.

To feel the manifestations of this power, go out on on sunny day and feel the warmth and light of the Sun.

Eostre - Ostara - Vernal Equinox

 Eostre or Ostara  March 20, 2013 also known as the Spring or Vernal Equinox, is one of two dates where day and night are equal; a point of balance, after which the forces of light gain power and preeminence over the powers of darkness until it reaches its ultimate at Midsummer.

A traditional Vernal equinox pastime is to go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magical meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you've chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.

It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk (or a ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself.

Other traditional activities include planting seeds, working on magical gardens and practicing all forms of herb work - magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic.

To perform a ritual, flowers should be laid on the altar, placed around the circle and strewn on the ground. The cauldron can be filled with spring water and flowers, and buds and blossoms may be worn as well. A small potted plant should be placed on the altar.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing chant.

Invoke the goddess and god in whatever words please you.

Stand before the altar and gaze upon the plant as you say:

    Great goddess, you have freed yourself from the icy prison of winter. 

    Now is the greening, when the fragrance of flowers drifts on the breeze. 

    This is the beginning. Life renews itself by Your magic, Earth Goddess. 

    The God stretches and rises, eager in His youth, 

    and bursting with the promise of summer.

Touch the plant. Connect with its energies and, through it, all nature. Travel inside its leaves and stems through your visualization - fingers and into the plant itself. Explore its inner nature, sense the miraculous processes of life at work within it. After a time, still touching the plant, say:

    I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance.

    Mother Goddess and Father God, instill within me

    through this plant a warmth for all living things.

    Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures.

    May I never forget.

Meditate upon the changing of the seasons. Feel the rousing of energies around you in the Earth. Works of magic if necessary, may follow; then celebrate the simple Feast.

The circle is released.

The eggs may be eaten as part of this Spring Equinox Sabbat feast and the shells cast into an open fire or buried in the ground as an offering to the Earth Mother.

Deities honored during this festival are those of the maiden goddess and the youthful, warrior god. The Sabbat takes its name from Eostra (Ostara), the Goddess of the Dawn, the Saxon Goddess who heralds the triumphant rebirth of the Sun and the return of the greening season. Hellenic traditions celebrate the return of Persephone, Demeter's daughter, from Hades. Some sects see this as the time of courtship between the God and the Goddess, whose relationship will then be consummated at the following sabbat of Beltaine.

When the Catholic Church preempted this rite, as with so many others, it kept the essence of the sabbat, but appropriated its essential properties for Christ. Eostre (Ostara) has always been a rite celebrating the resurrection and restoration of the Sun. The Holy Roman Church simply ascribed the resurrection to Christ, also known as the Son, who is also described in biblical terms as "the Light." Even the way in which "Easter" is arrived at is Pagan in origin, calculated from the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox. That is, of course, unless a full moon falls on that date; at which time, the Easter sabbath falls on the following Sunday. While they were forced by an unchangeable astronomical event into keeping the essential date of the original Pagan Sabbat, it seems that having the Holy Easter Sabbath on a full moon was simply too much for the Church to abide!

Eostre (Ostara) is the beginning of the fertility festivals. Buds begin to push their way through the earth to reach the strengthening sun's light; animals in the wild feel the ancient instinct to breed; the energies of Nature shift subtly from the torpor of Winter to the exuberant activity of Spring. It is a time of new beginnings, of action, of saying goodbye to the old and making room for the new. We can see this urge reflected in our lives even today. We talk of "Spring cleaning" and "In Spring, a young man's fancy turns to..."; the desire to run the greening fields (or, in our world, walk the parks, fish, and other outdoor activities) vies urgently with the obligation of our workday routines, often resulting in "sick leave days" and spur-of-the-moment "personal days" where the real excuse is "Spring Fever."

Symbols of this holiday include eggs, rabbits, and flowers of all kinds. Modern secular activities such as the dying of Easter Eggs are remnants of ancient Pagan traditions. The Anglo-Saxons painted eggs with their hopes and dreams and presented them as a gift to Eostre. These eggs were then buried in the Earth, so that the Earth-Mother would know dreams of her children, in hopes that She would see fit to help them realize their desires. This practice predates Christianity by approximately 1000 years.

Rabbits (hares) were the companions of  Eostre and she is still often pictured with a hare by Her side. Because of their well-acknowledged reproductive ability, they are the perfect compliments to the start of a fertility-based season.

In many cultures, the Goddess was known not only as the Goddess of Fertility, but also as the Goddess of Grain. Therefore, special cakes and breads were baked and given to Her in offering. This tradition remained, long after the original reasons were lost, and we still see people baking special Easter breads and cakes today.

Other foods traditional to this season include those made of seeds, as well as pine nuts. Also, green leafy vegetables and sprouts are equally appropriate. Some groups create special dishes made of flowers, such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes.

Activities appropriate to celebrate the day include those listed above, as well as randomly collecting wildflowers on a walk through the woods, or buying a mixed bouquet from a florist. The flowers you choose will often reveal your inner thoughts and emotions, and their meanings to you can be divined through books, pendulum, and your intuition.

Some groups set the seeds they'll soon be planting within the sacred Circle of their Ostara rituals. In this way, either a special charging ritual can be done for the seeds, or the seeds can simply absorb the energy of the Circle. They can then be planted safely after the next full moon.

Ritual cleaning is often done, though usually in the secular vein today. It seems people are driven by the need to throw open the windows to our homes and force out all the stale, winter air. Many of us clean the house from top to bottom; sweeping every nook and cranny from ceiling to floor; cleaning out cabinets and drawers, and scrubbing them, too. Often, many choose this time of year to change the liners in drawers, or to put away the winter bedding in favor of the lighter-weight summer linen. Heavy winter clothes are washed, folded, and put away and the lighter weight spring and summer clothes find their way into our closets.

This same mundane ritual of household cleaning can be applied to our inner selves, as well. Use Ostara to clean out all the mental cobwebs and to throw away all the old, negative modes of thought. Throw open the doors to your mind, heart, and soul and let the gentle breezes of Ostara breathe new hope and the vigor of youth into your newly awakening life.

Dragon's Blood

The Dragon's Blood tree is very unique, because it does not have the look that most trees usually do. 

This tree produces blood-red sap, the sap out of the trunk, and the sap was touted as the dragon's blood. Dragon's blood has been used as medicine and dye since the 1st century by the ancient Roman society, ancient Greek, and Arabic. Then, around the 18th century, used as a varnish for violins in Italy. Today, dragon's blood is still used as a varnish violin and used in the photographic process.



When burnt, Dragon's Blood creates a strong herbal and spicy fragrance. It's so earthy, dark, spicy and  is very pleasing to me, I love it!

Magickal Powers of Dragon's Blood when burned are Love, Protection, Exorcism,Courage and Sexual Potency. Use for Courage, Energy, Strength, Purification, Changes, Determination and Cleansing.  Carried for good luck.

A pinch of Dragon’s blood added to other incenses increases their potency and power. 

In folk medicine, dragon's blood is used externally as a wash to promote healing of wounds and to stop bleeding. It is used internally for chest pains, post-partum bleeding, internal traumas and menstrual irregularities.

Here are some other Folk Names for Dragon's Blood: Blood, Blume, Calamus Draco, Draconis Resina, Sanguis Draconis, Dragon's Blood Palm.

Dragon's Blood's scientific name (Daemonorops draco, D. propinquos)

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@Padhopper... Your Welcome! and thank you.  The burning candle is for my Mother and all others who have passed on. Many Blessings!

Dandelion

When most people think of the term “dandelion,” the first thing that probably pops up is the weed that grows in their backyards. Dandelions, however, are much more than that. If used properly, you can use dandelion root and extract to help solve many minor health problems with natural and inexpensive methods.Dandelions have much more going for them than spotting your lush green grass with small yellow flowers.

Dandelions may not be found in the Southern Hemisphere, it is at home in all parts of the North... in pastures, meadows, lawns and on waste ground. So plentiful that farmers everywhere find it a troublesome weed.

Dandelions are often used as a culinary dish in several different cultures. In fact, many world-renowned chefs will use dandelion root or dandelion extract in their soups and salads because they are so tasty. You can do the same thing, too. By using the young dandelion leaves, you can add a raw addition to your favorite salad with new and unopened buds. Cook older leaves and eat them with your next meal. Dandelion is versatile in that it can either be served alone or it can add a tangy flavor to your favorite dish.

The root, when dried, roasted and ground like coffee, is used to make a tea.  This infusion will promote psychic powers.  The same tea, steamed and placed beside the bed,  will call spirits.

Not only is dandelion one of the more popular weeds that you can use for both medicinal purposes and cooking purposes, but dandelion root contains several vitamins. You can find a good amount of vitamin C, vitamin A and calcium in this “weed” that grows wild in your backyard. They are also high in iron. In fact, a dandelion root contains more calcium and iron than a dose of spinach, which just goes to show that dandelions are a great addition to any well-balanced meal.

Magical folklore surrounding the Dandelion includes blowing the seeds off a ripened head to carry your thoughts (or magical energies) to another; Love revelation (blowing all the seeds off with one blow indicates passionate love, seeds remaining indicates the love is fickle) and how many children you will have (the number of seeds left on the head after one blow).

Scientific name:  Taraxacum officinale 

Folk Names: Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Piss-a-Bed, Priest's Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive.

American Crow

In North America, the American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a common sight. The Crows is an all-black bird, even on the legs and bill and has a short tail that is rounded or squared off at the end.  Crows are members of the corvid family which includes magpies, blue jays and  ravens. Crows are generally smaller and not as thick-billed as ravens, which belong to the same genus. Crows can be found worldwide.


These noisy birds live throughout North America in summer, except for the extreme north and very deep south. In winter, they vacate the colder regions, ranging throughout the United States, southern British Columbia and Atlantic Canada. They are common in both urban and rural areas, taking advantage of both road kill and garbage. If you see a large black bird, about 48cm (19in) long, especially in the city, it is probably an American Crow.  When they molt, the old feathers can appear brownish or scaly compared to the glossy new feathers.

These highly intelligent birds can be masterful mimics and great problem solvers. Crows have loud, hoarse, cawing voices.  The crow is now considered to be among the world's most intelligent animals.

Crows are very social, always found in flocks and are rarely found alone. Living in large, close-knit families, and like social mammals, they not only hunt and forage together but also defend territories and care for the young together. Common sights in treetops, fields, and roadsides, and in habitats ranging from open woods and empty beaches to town centers.

American Crows usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything – typically earthworms, insects, other small animals, seeds, fruit, garbage, carrion and chicks they rob from nests. Their flight style is a unique pattern of methodical flapping, that is rarely broken up with glides.

They’re also aggressive and often chase away larger birds including hawks, owls and herons.

Commonly found in fields, open woodlands, and forests. They thrive around people, and you’ll often find them in agricultural fields, lawns, parking lots, athletic fields, roadsides, towns and city garbage dumps.

Crows generally lay from 3 to 7 eggs, with 4 or 5 being the most common number. The coloration and pigment pattern of the eggs can vary widely even within a single clutch. Eggs may be bluish-green to pale olive and variously marked with brown and gray and can vary from almost unmarked sky blue, to very heavily blotched or spotted dark green.  Young crows may spend up to six years with their parents before breeding on their own. As winter approaches, northern crows gather into large night-roosting groups. These flocks can include tens of thousands of birds and occasionally hundreds of thousands. Possible reasons for this seasonal gregariousness are warmth, protection against predators such as owls, or information exchange. A crow may live 13 years in the wild and more than 20 years in captivity.

Folklore

The crow was sacred for the Celts and meant the flesh torn by fighting.  The major meaning of this black bird is to be a guide and the Gods' messenger.
In Celt Lore the belief was that Crow was an omen of death and conflict. Crows were associated with death transitions. Another belief was that the birds were faeries who shape-shifted to cause troubles. Magickal qualities included bringing knowledge, shape-shifting, eloquence, prophecy, boldness, skill, knowledge, cunning, trickery and thievery.

In the Middle Ages, people believed that sorcerers and witches used the symbol of Crow’s foot to cast death spells.

In Irish mythology, crows are associated with Morrigan, the goddess of war and death. The god Bran the Blessed, whose names means 'crow' or 'raven' is associated with corvids and death. His severed head is said to be buried under the Tower of London facing toward France, a possible origin for the keeping of ravens in the Tower, which are said to protect the fortunes of Britain. In Cornish folklore crows and particularly magpies are again associated with death and the 'otherworld', and must always be greeted with respect. The origin of 'counting crows' as augury is British; however the British versions rather count magpies - their black and white pied coloring reflecting the realms of both the living and the dead.

So we can say that the crow is a creator, a guide and a divine messenger. Guiding souls through their last travel and goes through the darkness without moving away from the road.

Catnip

A favorite magickal herb - Catnip tends to have a sedative effect on humans. It is commonly used in sleeping potions.

Grown near your home

 or hung over a door, 

catnip attracts

 good spirits and great luck.

Powers of Catnip are Cat Magic - Love - Beauty and Happiness

Use catnip in conjunction with rose petals to create Love Sachets.  Use catnip in spells to enhance beauty and happiness.
Add it to dream pillows to promote sleep.

Given to your cat, catnip creates a psychic bond between the two of you. A cat usually sniffs it, rubs against it, licks it & finally eats it.

Grow some for your cat and enough for your sleeping potions and spells.

Catnip is not harmful to your cat. They won't overdose on it.  Most cats know when they've had enough & will refuse any further offers.

It is most often drunk as a tea. It is also useful for settling an upset stomach. Harvest fresh  using both the flowers and the leaves or use dried catnip. How much you use is going to depend upon how strong you like your tea. Let it steep to your desired taste. If you like mint in your tea, you'll like catnip, though to me it is more pungent.

Tea Blend... for Aiding in Sleep

1 teaspoon of the tea blend makes 1 cup of tea.

• 1 part lavender
• 1 part catnip
• 1 part verbena
• 1 part chamomile

1. Blend dry herbs in a small jar.
2. To brew, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the herbal blend.
3. Steep 5 to 7 minutes. Strain and drink.
4. Enjoy - peace, harmony, healing, love, happiness

Dry Catnip by tying stems together and hang upside down in a warm, dry, shady spot.  When completely dry, crumble leaves into a jar with an airtight lid and store away from sunlight.

Scientific name: Nepeta catariasually is a perennial from the mint family of herbs.  Other Folk Names include   Cat, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Worth, Field Balm, Nepeta, Nip.

 fairly easy to grow - see your local garden center. It likes light sandy soil, and grows best in full sun.