Lammas Blessings

This is my first Lammas. There are quite a few things to look back back on and be thankful, even in these few short months of my new lifestyle. I am grateful that my husband and children haven't judged my choice to follow a pagan path. I am gratefull for the acceptance of the pagan community I have found on line. I would like to thank Lady Willow Hawk for allowing me to ask questions and pick her brain. Thank you Willow <3
I will spend some time under the full moon tonight and give thanks to my lady for all she has done to inspire me on my path and for her acceptance.

I am about to make a loaf of bread for tonight's dinner of: roasted veggies [ have either picked from my garden or bought from my local farmers market], and parmesan herb encrusted chicken breast. The herbs are from the wonderful of my garden.
 As I enjoy this meal with my family, I will give thanks to my lord for his light and life that we honour at this time.

HAVE A JOYFUL LAMMAS

Garden of Herbs

I must ask all of you who are following this blog to forgive me. I have been down and out again. They say it's the 100 day flu here in Ontario. I say it sucks.
I'm attempting to get caught up so I think I will sort of cheat and talk about plans for my new witches garden. I have purchased some herbs from Richter Herbs here in Ontario. I have seeds for mullein,mugwort,chamomile, California poppy,black hollyhock,horehound,Hyssop,vervain & rue. I already have Calendula, lemon balm,three mints,catnip,sage,three thymes and comfrey.
I would like to incorporate the herbs and flowers of English gardens to the side of our new storage shed.
I was thinking of making a circle to the side of the shed so I can grow taller plants against it and also add some art on it as well. I saw a rusty wire pentacle that could look cool.

The planting season in my zone is not until May 24th weekend. I will keep updates on this project. First the shed needs to go up so I can dig in.
                                                             

Update!

Ok so the shed looks nothing like the one we were planning on, but thats fine I like the color and it is finally up, so I was able to plan and dig.

I was able to put in a few transplants but I will do most of the planting in the spring or as I come by herbs that will fit into the proper section. I found a cute red clay salamander to sit in the south (fire) quadrant.

Esbat Issues - Was it the same for you?

My second E post for PBP Esbat issues!

I was really looking forward to the full moon of March because I found a recipe for Esbat cookies to make for the end of  the celebration and I was excite to try for the first really true time. Then I choked.
Why? Because I'm not quite sure on how to begin.
Growing up with repetitive church prayer I could pray easily and sometimes just in robotic unison. Our Father...
I do not want that type of relationship with my deities. I want to speak respectfully and wholeheartedly even though my god is still the same God I have always prayed to, I want to include my Goddess.This is what an Esbat is all about, connecting with moon and Goddess energy. I feel closer to her now in my mid life than ever. I'm still in Mother mode. I have had my children. I have mothered and continue to mother them, yet I look forward to creating and raising more. A garden, my business, pets & grandchildren one day. I still feel the desire to nurture and help others.
I would like to give thanks and ask for help and guidance to become what I was meant to become. Hopefully, just putting this out there will bring me the answer I need.


I would love feedback about your first time. As a solitary it is good to have this forum to connect with.

Blessings to all,
Seren

Essential Oils - Pagan use

EEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm so behind. It doesn't pay to sick!

As I try to catch up to the PBP group, I am working with essential oils to make a line of Chakra candles.E for essential oil. Pagan use that is.
 I have used these gifts from plant and blossom for my soap making for many years. I have friends that are aromatherapists and rely on these oils to help their clients.
 Recently, as I wander down my Pagan path I have discovered  new ways to use essential oils and I thank the old ones before us for taking the time to journal in Herbal Grimoires, and modern pagans for keeping tradition and knowledge alive. I have collected a few excellent books on the topic from my new fav used book shop and am trying to [find the time] keep a herbal Grimoire myself.
Essential oils may be used in salt bath before ritual or new sea salt sprays to use when a bath prior to ritual isn't possible. A candle for meditation can be enhanced with the addition of an oil that you find pleasing.
 Essential oils are used for anointing candles prior to use or for spell work.
Add a bit of related oil to your dream pillow filling and extend it's life. Create a perfume spell to protect, attract or repel.
I am still learning the magickal use of each oil and how I will use them. It will be a long lesson but I am happy that my creative path has lead me by the nose. Back to work!
Blessed Be,
Seren

Diving Deeper

I have been pretty safe lately with my blog. I think I have been using it to focus on what I know instead of what I have learned or need to know. My intention was to journal my thoughts and feelings.
As I read a bunch of interesting blogs tonight, I seemed to choose the ones that spoke to labels and titles.
I am experiencing so much information lately, not only from this project, but from two on-line courses.(In for a penny in for a pound as they say). I realized I too have been stuggling to settle in on a path. Eclectic? Always have been but is that a cop out in this case? Pagan? yes I believe so. Wiccan? Witch? I'm kind of waffling. Kitchen,cottage, garden? Yes. yes. for sure.
What do I call myself? The only thing I know with certainty right now is I am solitary. I am a creative & a herb garden lover, I am enjoying the path I am on. I'm like a child on the way to a theme park. I want to know where the ride will take me. I am full of excitement and anticipation. I am eager to take it all in and just be authentic.I want  to be...me. The real "weird" or as I like to call it Unique, me. I truly hope to find the answer at this years end so I can call myself   add title here   by Samhain.
Blessing to you and yours;
 Seren

Censer PBP

My second C is for Censer's.


A censer is a vessel used for holding and burning incense. The size of  censers varies greatly as does the materials they are made from.
The spiritual or religious connotation may be depicted by the decoration on, or engraved around the bowl.
Some censers are made with chains an may be hung or carried to spread the incense smoke during a ceremony. Many censers are bowls that are open to receive the charcoal & incense or they may have a screened or grated covering. Others are simple plates.As long as the censer is prepared with a little sand or salt before the charcoal is lit and placed, the censer will be easy to clean. 


Funny story.. I bought a garage full of STUFF from a collector. I re-purpose and sell STUFF from time to time. This was some time ago before I had any knowledge of where my path was leading me. In the wack of bottles, jars, frames and   crates, I found a beautiful container with a screened top, it looked to be silver plated brass and it had lovely decoration engraved around it. I wasn't sure but I decided it had to be a floral frog, as that, in my limited knowledge was the only thing I could see using it for. I did wonder why a lovely piece would be hidden as you do with frogs, so I decided to keep it  for myself and use it for scented pot-pourri beads.
Soon after my studies  of wicca began, I realised I was presented with a special piece to use on my alter and the pretty engraving of flowers and vines spoke to me. Use me with your own bounty.


I have wonderful dried herbs that would make the sweet or pungent loose natural incense I could burn during rituals, or just as a thank you for blessings received. That was the start of incense making for me and now I am learning to make hand rolled cones.
You do not have to use charcoal and loose incense in your censer, but if you do it is worth it because the fragrance and smoke has no extra chemicals typically found in retail stores. You also control how
It took a bit of searching locally to find good charcoal to use in my censer because I didn't typically go to head shops or cigar shops because I don't smoke. I found it  at a spiritual store first and then later on line. 


The censer represents the elements of Air and is normally placed on the eastern side of the altar. 

Calendula

Calendula officinalis or pot marigold is a favourite herb for many reasons. It is a hardy spring annual and flowers constantly and profusely, It has daisy like flower that range in colour from soft yellow to deep dark orange. It is related to the element of fire.
Calendula originated in southern Europe and now grows world wide. Easy to grow from seed, it's quick growth and sunny blooms bring joy to the gardener.
The other bonus is if you want to share seeds, let the blooms go to seed on the plant and harvest once they are ready. A lovely gift.
Greeks and Romans used circles of "golds" in ceremonies and it is used in India to decorate Hindu deities for decades.
The name Pot Marigold comes from it's culinary uses in soup pot and beyond. It was used in German, Mediterranean and middle Eastern countries to impart flavour and colour in food. I use it in rice for colour in place of expensive saffron, and when I'm energetic and shake cream into butter, a few petals add colour like they did back in ancient times for their cheese and butter products.


Calendula is used in the craft for charms that help in legal matters, for use with other herbs to produce dream that are prophetic and is one of the Beltane herbs.


You can decorate or colour a cake or cookies with un-sprayed Calendula petals and use it in your celebration.

 I infuse oils with fresh Calendula to add to my soap bars and I grind it up to impart colour in the same soap bars. I use this wonderful herbal oil for it's healing properties in salves and oils. My dream pillows for prophetic dreams have Calendula in them and it is in many of my Tubs Tea's.


You can also use it as an additive to a pretty sun tea to enjoy after your day in the garden is done or you can try this hot tea for a pick me up:  
                                                             Your choice of green or white or rooibos tea  2 1/4 Tbsp
                                                             a slice of peach dried /dehydrated until hard
                                                             a slice 1/8" ginger root dried and 1 Tsp of dried Calendula
mix together and place in ball or pot and add hot water for 4 servings


Hope you enjoy it.

My first Imbolc

I have to admit I was a bit hesitant, No one was around. I just wondered if I was ready to try. It was unsure and clumsy and sort of by the book, but I know the God & Goddess were sort of smiling at my humble innocence. Once I finished, I was sure my next  time would be better.
With wonderful weather Ontario is experiencing, I chose some pretty ribbons from my stash and loosely tied the on my Magnolia tree. An offering to Bride my Goddess at Imbolc. I love this tree. It was a gift for Mother's day 13 years ago now. Appropriate, I think. For this day Crone becomes maiden and soon to be Mother.Imbolc is symbolized in the buds of my mother's day magnolia. The fuzzy little buds are changing color and just beginning  to swell.
I wait as the days warm up and the first pink pokes out from the swollen green buds that protect the delicate blossoms. It's the first tree to bloom in my back yard, followed by lilac's and roses.

Once I finished placing the ribbons and offering them, I took a walk to the compost pile and found a few branches pruned from my tree last year. I will create a nice wand for myself and a few that I hope to offer for sale on Zibbet. The magnolia is full of feminine energy. The tree is of Venus & would be wonderful for nature spells, or those that would work spells for fidelity and love, peace and harmony.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Imbolc.
Seren

B blog about Blue

BLUE

Colour energy and symbolism have been and still are an important part of  Pagan ritual or magick. Blue is use in many shades from indigo to light blue.

The ancient Egyptians used the blue stones Lapis lazuli to represent the sky. It represents the throat Chakra and the Third eye(Indigo) in Reiki.

There are a number of beautiful blue gemstones that many people , pagan or otherwise use to promote peace and to calm emotions. They may prove helpful to people who have difficulty sleeping or suffer from nightmares.They also offer inspiration and enhance quality of communication.

The colour blue signifies:  Tranquillity, patience, health, truth ,devotion, sincerity, Honor, loyalty, peace wisdom, justice, sincerity, healing (turquoise), femininity, prophetic dream ((blue kyanite), protection during sleep (aquamarine), astral projection.

Astrological signs:  Libra & Sagittarius

Elements:  Water and air

Deities: of  sea and sky 

Planets:  Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter

Days:   Monday, Friday, Saturday & Thursday

Autonomy: Why would I choose it?

 au·ton·o·my    [aw-ton-uh-mee]

noun, plural -mies.

1.independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions: theautonomy of the individual.

2.the condition of being autonomous;  self-government, or theright of self-government; independence: The rebels demandedautonomy from Spain.

3.a self-governing community.

Many people (but not all) that choose to call themselves neopagans or modern eclectic, or eclectic neopagan, tend to like the autonomy it allows them in the everyday, work a day world.

Indepenant by choice or circumstance, a person may hone their craft and worship the Divine as they see fit. They can decide when and where to worship, they choose the language they feel most comfortable using when calling on or speaking to Goddesses/Gods/Nature/Divine.

 I am drawn to the freedom to believe in goodness, to live by the Wiccan Rede  “an it harm none, do as ye will”.  I want to create with the blessing, and as a conduit, of the Divine. 

Having said that, I also love the input and support of like minded folk on public domain sites & those who appreciate my creations.  Typically I am a very social person. I am also a person that doesn't like to be told what to do. The emphasis is on Told here.

I have always aspired to the phrase …to each their own… in as far as religion, love and politics go. I believe each of us is responsible for our own actions & choices. As I study my path I find many others before me have chosen this individual way and found joy and freedom. There are  many books published on this and similar paths.

Back in the day our people learned as they went and passed the info down and around. Autonomous and social.

There is so much information available to a beginner trying to find a path. As I read through I am taken by some of the information and it rings true. That information could be something that I had already felt was right or did anyway, but more often than not it speaks to me as an AH HA! Moment.  I agree and see why. I understand the thought or reason.   

This is what forms the basis for what will ultimately be my chosen “title” and path.

I understand autonomy is not for everyone. I think is is important to be on different paths  the Divine has planned for them. 

Seren

(http://www.onewitchsway.com/pbp2012).

"A" is for Apple

The apple is held in high esteem for the witch, for when cut  in half ( horizontally), it has a Natural Pentacle at the centre. It is the symbol of immortality and sexuality, garden magic, love and friendship. It is associated with the planet Venus.

The apple has long been used in spells of love and as part of hand fasting rites through candles infused with the blossoms. Apple juice is used as an offering to fertility deities and at Samhain (the feast of apples) to our dead that will be reborn in spring, as it is a symbol of immortality.

The blossoms make wonderful perfume, ritual cleansing salts and are excellent for use in incense as well.

 In the old recipes, apple cider was used in place of blood when called for. A wand of apple wood  is good for emotional magick.

 paganblogproject@groups.facebook.com

Spirits of Serens Garden: Into the garden

Spirits of Serens Garden: Into the garden: This is my first entry & I"m not sure were to start or who cares even but I am expanding my horizons and a bit of background is necessary. ...

Into the garden

This is my first entry & I"m not sure were to start or who cares even but I am expanding my horizons and a bit of background is necessary.
 I was raised in a Christian family that didn't really attend church often. The obligatory times mostly. I believe in the Divine, an all mighty higher power. I have always had questions that I never asked. I pray the way I pray and that wasn't always the way everyone else prayed. I do not believe in Satan nor would I worship evil.
I have a small home based business and I create wonderful body products that are made from or coloured with herbs and flowers that I grow.

I am middle aged. I have a family and a very normal life. I have a bunch of friends that are all different from each other but they all have some form of creativity in them and that's what I find appealing about them.
One of my friends is an artist and Reiki master. A couple of months ago we ventured into the local metaphysical shoppe to see what it was all about. The owner is, among many other things a hypnotherapist and a Wiccan.
Upon entering the shoppe I felt uplifted. The warmth and fragrance that filled the air, the books and drums and crystals were all wonderful eye candy, and as my friend and the owner spoke, I lingered over the jars of herbs and the incense. I have never seen loose incense and I was interested and inspired.

On that very evening I pick up my laptop and began my search : What is Wicca?