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.