Tag Archives: faeries

April 24, 2013 · 7:51 pm

The Wheel Turns to Beltane 2013……..

thCA8K56D9Merry Meet my friends! Spring has Finally spring here in Ohio!  Though there has been fluctuations…40* one day, 80* the next! …..Spring none-the-less has bloomed.  Spring flowers, flowering bushes and trees are all blooming.  Birdsong in the mornings and I love seeing them at the feeders again…cardinals, finches, sparrows, even woodpeckers!  Squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits are scampering around, kids are playing outside again and adults are working in their yards and gardens.

I had a birthday a few days ago…my 55th! (gasp!!)  🙂  For my birthday present, my hubby built me a raised bed for my veggies and herbs and he put up a clothesline! Something I have missed having in my yard for 16 years!  I finally live in a house with a yard that is sunny enough to have one! You have no idea how excited I am about this LOL…it’s a big deal!  To me, there is nothing like the fresh, clean scent of clothes that have hung outside in the Sun and breeze 🙂  A clothesline brings back wonderful memories for me.  In my mind’s eye, I see my grandmother in her housedress and apron, happily pinning up her linens and clothes while I tag along, with the pins, putting my nose in each and every piece to breathe in the great scent!

My granddaughter, who is 4, was here when I hung out my first load of linens and clothes.  I was overjoyed as she immediately wanted to know what I was doing and why.  As soon as I hung up the bright pink sheets, she did what all kids do..she ran thru the damp sheets, laughing and putting her nose right in them..just like her mommy, my daughter, did when she was a little girl 🙂  I believe more happy memories are being made with that clothesline 🙂

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Beltane is coming up fast! May 1!  Beltane….marking the coming of longer, warmer days, gardens in bloom, faeries scampering thru the flowers and Mother Earth becoming full and in bloom!  Maypoles are erected and danced around, May baskets are happily filled with bright flowers and left on doors, and love and lust is rising in the hearts and souls of young and old alike.  Beltane is a happy, energetic, fun Sabbat!

Here at my house, we will have an outdoor fire and a great meal full of fresh veggies and fruits…a nice light meal.  I’ll start planting my pots of herbs, planting crystals and blessings along with the them.  I’ll ask the Faeries to assist me in success in growing them big, full and magickally!  An offering will be made to Mother Earth and the Fae….honey, bread and wine…to show how grateful I am for their presence in my Life and in my gardens.  I’ll do a ritual under the waning Moon to celebrate the Sabbat as well.

If you’re interested in Beltane correspondences, recipes, ritual, altars etc…just type Beltane into the search engine over to the right here on this page.  There is 3-4 years of info here!  I’m sure you’ll find some things you’ll like 🙂

For Beltane I recommend you spend some time outside, whatever else you do!  Take a walk, plant a tree or flowers, sit by a tree and listen to the breeze thru the young, tender leaves. Make up a May basket and surprise a friend or neighbor with I.  Visit a garden center or a botanical garden or a park. Plan a romantic night with your special someone..and remember! You are a special someone too…so do something for yourself!  One of my favorite things to do for Beltane is to collect some dew overnight…just set out a shallow bowl..and wash my face in it in the morning!  It is said to bring youth and beauty and Goddess knows at 55yo I could use the help 🙂  Try it….it really works!

The  fair maid who, the first of May
  Goes to the fields at break of day
  And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree
  Will ever after handsome be.”
  –  Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme 

May you have the most blessed Beltane! May you feel Love, Joy and youthful exuberance!  Dance..Sing….Be Merry!!

thCA0U7M6S

Blessings and Love,

Autumn

 

 

 

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April 27, 2012 · 10:22 pm

Beltane 2012 Recipes……

Merry Meet friends.  As I told you all in my last post…my writing is a bit more sporadic,  due to the fact I’m still trying to recover from the brain surgery I had on March 21.  I was looking thru a new cookbook though and decided to put a few recipes here that I have either made or want to try…and soon 🙂  

A lot of you are sending me wonderful comments, messages, cards and are asking how I’m doing.  I thank you all so so much for it!   Let me just say that this recovery is slow..but sure.  I saw my neuro docs today..had a recent catscan and everything looks ok.  The headaches are still with me, will be for awhile, some cognitive issues, balance and shakiness…but the headaches are more tolerable and that is great!  I’ll stay on the meds for a while, restrictions have not been lifted, but maybe by mid June I’ll at least be able to drive again 🙂  

The weather here in Ohio has really been beautiful…whether a cold day or warm day.  Spring is here in all her glory. Our grass is green and lush and has been cut a few times already.  The herbs that come back each year…are back and growing great….like lavender, lemon balm, catnip, thyme, chamomile, and mints.  Knock out roses are big and budding. Lilies are growing, dianthus, ajuga, honeysuckle, all bloomed.  Frogs, birds, squirrels, chipmunks and even raccoons are scurrying all over the place too.  I’ve been hearing an owl hooting several nights now but haven’t see him yet.  I’ve had some porch time, and nights with a fire going LOL! That is Spring in Ohio!  I Love it and Mother Earth coming to life makes me happy I’m still here to see it and I feel like I’m coming back to life too! 

Beltane is coming up fast.  Because of my illness I’ve decided to celebrate Beltane in a quiet way rather then the dancing, festive, party way it usually is celebrated.  I will have a fire for sure with my family here.  We will have some good food, some wine, and spend time together by the fire.   My ritual will be simple…taking in the Moon Goddess energies and just being still…listening…quiet…resting.  Asking for healing and energy to continue for myself and those I love who need it too.  It will be lovely.

Now for the recipes….foods for Beltane can consist of these things….Dairy, honey, oats, red fruits, herbal salads, red/pink wine, punch, large round oatmeal cakes, and sweets.

I found a few recipes to post here I thought you might like.  Don’t forget to do a search for Beltane recipes I posted last year too 🙂 

Raspberry Lemonade

2 –  12 oz cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

2 – 10 oz pkgs frozen sweetened raspberries, partially thawed

2-4 Tbs sugar ..to taste

2 liters club soda, chilled

Ice

In a blender, combine lemonade, raspberries and sugar.  Cover and process until well blended.  Strain to remove seeds.  In a 4 1/2 quart pitcher or drink dispenser, combine the mixture, club soda and ice.  Mix well.  Serve!   Add mint leaves to poured glasses for some extra taste!

 

 

Peach Oatmeal Pancakes

1 2/3 cups pancake mix

1 cup quick cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 Tb cinnamon

2 egg whites, beaten

1 Tb vanilla extract

1 peach, pitted, peeled and diced

1/2 cup chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combine pancake mix, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon; mix well.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot buttered griddle.  Turn pancakes when bubbles form and start to pop; cook other side until golden.  Makes about one dozen pancakes. 

 

Tree Hugger Granola

4 cups long cooking oats, uncooked

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1/4 cup canola or sunflower oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 Tb rum or pineapple juice

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, almonds and coconut, if using; toss to mix.  In a separate bowl, stir together remaining ingredients.  Pour oil mixture over oat mixture; stir until everything is evenly coated.  Spread out on a lightly greased 15″ x 10″ jelly roll pan.  Bake at 325* for about 25 mins, stirring every 5-10 mins, until golden.  Allow to cool on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.  Makes about 7-8 cups.

*Great for a Beltane day walk 🙂

 

 

Spinach Strawberry Salad

1 1/2 lbs spinach, torn

3 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 sweet onion, thinly sliced

1 cup chopped walnuts

Arrange spinach, strawberries, onions and nuts in a salad bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.  At serving time, drizzle the following Poppy Seed Salad dressing over the salad.  Toss and serve immediately.  Makes 6 servings.

Poppy Seed Dressing

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup cider vinegar

2 tsps green onion, chopped

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

1 1/2 Tb poppy seeds

In a blender, mix sugar, mustard, salt and vinegar until smooth.  Add onion and blend until smooth.  With blender running, add oil slowly.  Blend until thick.   Stir in poppy seed. 

 

 

Tomato-Basil Pasta

8 oz pkg linguine pasta, uncooked

3 tomatoes, chopped

1/3 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tb olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed on package; drain.  Meanwhile, mix tomatoes, basil, garlic, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add pasta and parmesan cheese; toss lightly.  Serve immediately.  Serves 4.

 

 

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

1 stick butter, softened

6 Tb light brown sugar

6 Tb sugar

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup quick oatmeal

Cream butter and sugars.  Add in all the rest of the ingredients except oatmeal.  Blend well.  Now add oatmeal and blend well.

Drop by teaspoonful on cookie sheet.  Tope with raisins if you’d like (I like them without as they are very thin, sweet and buttery!). 

Bake at 350* for approx. 10 mins or until soft and golden brown.  Cool

This recipe was given to me by my husband’s Aunt Nikki when we got married.  To this day it is a favorite 🙂  Oh…I would at least double this recipe..they will go fast!!

Well, there you are…some new recipes to try.  Some of these came from my own recipe file, some from Gooseberry patch cookbooks 🙂  Let me know if you try them..I plan on trying those I haven’t made yet…especially that tomato-basil pasta! 

I wish all of you a very Blessed Beltane…frolic with the faeries and have a wonderful day!

Love and Blessings, Autumn

Sources-  pics are from the internet

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April 12, 2012 · 4:21 pm

The Wheel turns to Beltane 2012…….

It is Beltane! The Earth softens under the caress of the sun and all the world is new. We emerge from the darkness of a long, difficult winter; our eyes drink in rolling green hills budding branches and tender shoots. We breathe deeply the fresh fragrance of radiant blossoms. Merriment calls!”

– Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary

 

Merry Meet my friends.  Hope that you are having Spring weather, that your world is blooming and greening and warming like mine is.  However the last 2 days it has felt more like Winter then Spring..sunny days but frosty cold mornings!  The frost did a bit of damage to some of my herbs and budding trees and bushes..but they will recover just fine I’m sure.  I love seeing the birds, chipmunks, squirrels enjoying the weather as well as the frogs and fish in our pond.  My sister got some great pics of the frogs sunning themselves on rocks next to our pond.  I love frogs!

 

 

 

As you who read my last post know, I had brain surgery and was quite ill and in the hospital for like 11 days.  I am taking baby steps towards healing.  My last catscan showed some improvement and no new bleeds.  However, I have pretty severe headaches still, shakiness and dizziness, and alot of fatigue to deal with.  I’m told to expect that for awhile.  Another side effect, a bit of trouble focusing…which is causing me trouble with my writing, reading, even watching tv and playing words with friends LOL.   Because of that..I have had a hard time writing here on my blog and posts may be a little more sporadic for a little while.  Please bear with me while I heal….and my muse comes back 🙂 

 

We are coming up fast on Beltane…one of my favorite Sabbats because of the sheer Joy of it.   It is a fire festival, a welcome to the return of the Sun…..we celebrate longer days, warmer days…the greening of Mother Earth.  Witches are out in their gardens…tenderly planting, watering, weeding, designing and enjoying the feel of the warm earth, the Sun on our backs, the scent of the flowers and herbs and our bare feet in the green grass and rich brown dirt.   Meals are taken outdoors on patios and balconies.   We want to eat lighter and healthier, take walks, be more active.  Personally, one of my favorite things about the warm weather..is having my morning coffee on my front porch while I watch the Sunrise…and in the evening, again on the porch with a glass of wine and watch the Moonrise.  Even if you live in the city, in an apartment or condo…you can have pots of herbs and flowers to tend, to touch, to care for.  We dress lighter and in brighter colors, don our garden hats or gypsy scarves (especially for me this year with my shorn head LOL).  We want to be around water too..a pond, a pool, a lake, an ocean…even a kiddie pool is fun if thats all thats available!  I know I will have a blast with my grandbabies with their kiddie pool this Summer 🙂  

 

 

 Beltane!……  It’s about joy, love and lust, yes that kind of lust but also Lust for Life!  After making it thru the long, cold, dark Winter…we are again free to be outdoors, to enjoy nature, warmth, Sun and longer days.  Dance around a fire, feast, frolic with the faeries as they are very much part of Beltane.  Erect a maypole and invite your family and friends over to wind the ribbons and dance around it.  Set up a fairy garden and don’t forget to leave them an offering of a shiny crystal or stone or some honey and bread….. ask them to aid you in your garden.Rejoice with the God and Goddess in their Great Rite….laugh, be happy!! 

 

 

Another thing I really want to do this year…is to make up some May Day baskets for my friends and family…I love this idea of using a canning jar or even just a tin can…fill it with beautiful flowers and leave it as a surprise on the door….what a lovely gift! 

For me…this year especially…Beltane will be a most  joyous occasion..simply for the fact that I am still here…with my family and loved ones. I am so grateful for that.    I must say..Summer is not my favorite time of year….I love it until it gets too hot.  I don’t like being hot LOL!  However,  early Summer is just a beautiful time of year with it’s warm days and cool, comfortable nights.  I intend to enjoy every minute of it…and Beltane is a great way to start off a beautiful Summer Season!  

 

Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.”
– Kahlil Gibran

 

I’d like to thank you all again so much for all the love, concern, comments, cards and gifts,  healing, lit candles and friendship sent my way while I’ve been sick.  I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for it….from my heart to yours..thank you so so much!  

Blessings and Love, Autumn   

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May 11, 2011 · 9:26 pm

Countdown to Litha……

Merry Meet my friends!  This last couple of days here in Ohio have been really wonderful!  Very warm, rains coming and going,  everything is so green,  flowers are blooming…. it’s starting to feel like Summer!  I actually had to turn on the A/C..yep…it was that warm 🙂  My ferns are now hanging on the porch and I’m pulling out the summer cushions and pillows tomorrow for the porch as well.  My hubby has our new shed mostly painted..it’s sooo cute….and we will finally be planting our flowers this next weekend.  This week I’ll  buy my new patio pots..big ones!….and will transplant my herbs that I grew from seed outside as well.  We are spending more time outside now that the two full weeks of rain is gone and I’m looking forward to getting Summer started!

The Summer Solstice..or Litha is June 21st this year. I love the Summer Solstice..the longest day of the year!

 “Nights are warm, and stars shimmer in the sky like a blacktop road in the noonday sun.  Roses spill over garden gates, heavy with bees and perfume; field and forest are lush and teeming with life.  Faerie-folk gather in the woodland glades, and frolic beside moss-banked streams; the fires of summer burn green and gold, and everywhere there is high magick afoot!”…………………..Michele Morgan  “Simple Wicca”

Isn’t that the most delicious description of Summer…I couldn’t improve on it so I quoted it.  

Summer Solstice, Litha or Midsummer’s Eve..whatever you call it…. means that the Sun God is at his strongest,  the height of his reign, but now He begins his decline, as the days give way in the coming months to darkness.  The Goddess is now pregnant with His child.  The Earth’s bounty is in full swing…gardens are growing, everything is green and lush, trees and shrubs are fully bloomed.  Animals are scurrying, enjoying the warmth and Sun but at the same time..collecting food for the winter. Litha is a fire festival!  It  is also when the realm of the Fae is most astir.  Faerie magick is about!  It’s a time to romp with the faeries!  Put out gifts of food and libations for the faeries.  Fresh milk or cream, butter, wine, cakes, and honey are all much desired sustenance in the realm of Faerie.  Gifts of coins, ribbon, or colorful stones are also fancied.  Leave your offerings in the garden, near a stream or pond, or beneath a tree in your woods or yard.

In ancient Norse countries, the people celebrated the battle between the Oak King (God of the waxing year) and the Holly King (God of the waning year).  Of course, the Holly King wins, for it is he who will reign until Yule, when he gives way to the rebirth of the Child of Light, the baby Oak King. 

    Handfastings, or Pagan marriage ceremonies, are commonly held at Midsummer.  Hum..I wonder if that’s where the June Brides come from?  Spells of transformation and purpose are often done on this Sabbat.   Other customs include lighting a ritual bonfire, sprinkling it with magickal herbs, and dancing round the flames, asking for the blessings of health and prosperity. Harvest your magickal herbs on Midsummer morning, and hang them to dry for use in spellwork in the coming months.  Catch a jar of fireflies, whose green glow represents faerie fire deep in the heart of the forest.  Make wishes upon the tiny creatures, and then release them to carry your wishes to the Goddess.

Litha Correspondences

*Element-Fire

*Threshold-Evening/Dawn

 *Symbolism-Crowning of the Sun God, death of the Oak King, assumption of the Holly King 

 *Symbols/Tools/Decorations-The Sun, oak, birch & fir branches, sun flowers, lilies, fire, seashells, summer fruits and flowers, sun wheel, sun dials, circle of stones, bird feathers, Witches’ ladder, love amulets.

 *Herbs-Anise, mugwort, chamomile, rose, oak blossoms, lily, cinquefoil, lavender, fennel elder, Mistletoe, hemp, thyme, nettle, wisteria, vervain, St. Johnswort, rue, fern, wormwood,  Pine, heather, yarrow, oak & holly trees.

 *Incense/Oils-Heliotrope, saffron, orange, frankincense, myrrh, wisteria, cinnamon, mint, rose,  lemon, lavender, sandalwood, pine.

 *Colors-Blue, green, gold, yellow, red.

 *Crystals/Stones-Lapis lazuli, diamond, tiger’s eye, all green gemstones.

 *Customs/Activities- Bonfires, all night vigil, singing, feasting,  herb gathering, handfastings,  rededication to the  Lord and Lady, beginning of the harvest, honoring the Sun  God and the pregnant Goddess.

 *Foods-Honey, fresh vegetables, lemons, oranges, summer fruits, summer squash, ale, mead, Pumpernickel bread

 *Gods-Father Sun/Sky, Oak King, Holly King, Arthur, God is at peak power and strength.

 *Goddesses-Mother Earth, Mother Nature, Venus, Aphrodite, Yemaya, Astarte, Freya,  Hathor, Ishtar, All Goddesses of love, passion, beauty and the Sea, Green Forest Mother, Great One of the Stars

 *Spellwork/Rituals-Nature spirit, fey communion, divination, love and protection, rededication of faith, rites of inspiration, nurturing, relationships, fire.

Every year, at Midsummer, I do two things.  I re-dedicate myself to my faith. It is a ritual I look forward to and doing it outside, on the longest day of the year, when the night is warm, fireflies are about, faeries are flitting, the Moon is shining….it connects me to the Goddess in a most amazing way!  The other thing I do is to make up a new witches protection bottle and my outdoor protection talismans, salt circle etc.  I usually do this on the Full Moon in June. Again, it’s all about being outside and really connecting my magick to the Goddess.  Of course a bonfire will be going at the same time and I’ll have something cool and fruity to drink 🙂  Then I will just sit under a tree, feel the warmth of the Earth beneath me, and just appreciate the humming of life going on all around me.  It’s magick!

So it’s time to think about this wonderful Sabbat coming soon and really plan for a fun, outdoor celebration!  Future posts will include recipes, my altar, ritual etc…just like I always do 🙂  If all you do is have a bonfire and have your family or friends over for a cook-out..you are celebrating! On the Solstice night, watch the Sun go down!  Consider the re-dedication, I can’t tell you how great you’ll feel afterwards….it is so rewarding and emotional!  Summer is coming and the Summer Solstice is a fabulous way to get the Summer fun started! 

 

“Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me,
who could ask for more?”
–   Bev Adams, Mountain Gardening

 

Blessings and Light, Autumn

*Sources….internet pics, Simple Wicca by Michele Morgan, and my BOS!

 

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June 17, 2010 · 8:03 pm

Summer Solstice…

We are very close to celebrating Summer Solstice on June 21.  Summer solstice is the  longest day of the year and when the Sun is at its strongest.  The Sun god is at his mightiest, and as of this moment, will begin to decline as the days grow shorter and the winter months come.  Pagans in ancient times (and now) celebrate on this day,  the power of the Sun and his love for the Goddess, who is now pregnant with his child.  The sun causes the Earth’s bounty to ripen and grow, as those of us who garden can attest, much as the child the Goddess carries grows. 

Midsummer or Litha, is a fire Sabbat.  It is most appropriate to have a  bonfire and spend time outside.  Also, the faerie realm is very active during this time.  Make an offering to the Fae  and thank them for the help they give to you in your garden.  A gift of a crystal point or a bit of bread and honey are much appreciated by them.  Your herbs should be growing tall and you can use them in your cooking and spellwork now.   Spend time outside, have a cook out, take a walk, sit under a tree and feel the Goddess’ presence, offer up thanks for the many blessings this season is giving you.

This is a good time to rededicate yourself to the God and Goddess in your chosen path.  Handfastings are of course perfect for Midsummer.  Spells for health and prosperity will be answered this time of year.  Decorate your altar with summer flowers, a faery statue, summer crystals such as tiger’s eyes and any green stone, birds feathers, fresh fruit slices, a pot of honey.  Use the summer colors such as green as grass, gold as sun, blue as sky, yellow as sunflower and red as rose!  Lighten up and brighten up for this sumertime Sabbat!

My altar is pretty much done..though I’ll be adding slices of fresh citrus fruits and strawberries and a bit of honey on that night.  Here is a picture of what I’ve done so far…..

The ring of stones is for the fae, Gaia and Greenman, my goddess and god, faeries, my elemental representations, my ritual tools,  all there.  As I said, my natural elements of honey and summer fruits will be put on when I’m ready to use it.

My family will be enjoying a bonfire and a feast. We will  make an offering to the Fae, and enjoy each others company.  That night I will spend time at my altar privately, doing my own ritual.  Summer Solstice is a joyous celebration and I hope that you all enjoy it too!  May the sun shine on you brightly, may the faeries bestow their blessings on you and may you live everyday in Joy, Love and Light!

Bright Summer Blessings, Autumn

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May 1, 2010 · 4:11 pm

Blessed Beltane….

Just a brief post to wish all of you a very Blessed Beltane…Light your fires and be joyful that the May Queen has come and the Sun God is young and strong in the sky!  Trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs are blooming, animals are birthing their young, The faeries are busy and afoot, and Love and lust is in the air!!

Light a bonfire and dance around it joyfully, leave a gift to the faeries, plant flowers and herbs, have a feast, and Thank the Lord and Lady for the turning of the Wheel!  I am grateful too for all my witchy friends and embrace you all.

Blessed Be, Autumn

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April 26, 2010 · 4:58 pm

Beltane altar……

It’s Beltane time my witchy friends..saturday May 1!  This Sabbat is all about Spring, fire, passion, fertility, the Union between the God and Goddess, and faeries!  It is the celebration of Spring being here, flowers, trees and shrubs blooming, young animals being born,  Father Sun burning bright and bringing warmth and longer days, and the faeries coming out to help our gardens bloom! 

I set up my altar a couple of days ago.  I used a white base cloth for light, bright days of summer, with a grass green over cloth to represent Spring and everything greening up in nature.  I place a red taper candle to represent Goddess and a white taper candle to represent God.  I used my Gaia and Greenman statues to represent the Earth waking up and greening also.  I have a faery, rose quartz, and a small potted blooming flower.  I still need to make my mini Maypole yet.  I also have the usual elements of my Athame and wand, and the 4 items representing the Elements which is my incense burner, a small green candle, a bowl of water and a bowl of salt.  It looks lovely and a very good representation of Spring.

I’m hoping if the weather is good to have a bonfire in our outdoor fireplace, to plant my herbs into their outdoor pots and I’ll do my Beltane ritual in the morning..to represent the coming of the Sun King as the Sun is climbing in the sky.  I will leave a crystal point and a bit of bread with honey as a gift to the faeries and ask them to help me with my gardening and herb growing.  They also will help to attract the butterflies, birds, insects, ground critters etc to my yard and care for them.  

I hope to find time to make oatmeal cookies or granola as grains are a good thing to eat for Beltane..along with dairy foods.  Homemade granola on yummy yogurt would be perfect!  I’m not going to have time to do May baskets but that is a lovely way to welcome Spring and to show your neighbors or friends appreciation for being in your life.  How nice would it be to find a May basket hanging on your front door on May Day!  I think I will though get a bouquet of spring flowers..daisies are my favorite!…for my own home.  Open windows and let the fresh air in and the negative old air out!  Start fresh  on anything you want to change in your life..now is the time!

I hope to spend the day with both of my daughters and my grandaughter having lunch and spending some time together. I hope that you have someone to share this wonderful Sabbat with…

with much Love and Blessings…Autumn

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April 20, 2010 · 4:30 pm

Spring is here…..

Here in Ohio we have just had such a beautiful couple of weeks..the weather has warmed, the sun has been shining and plants and trees are blooming.  I have purple phlox all bloomed out and gorgeous, my dogwood and crabapple trees are covered in white flowers, my lilac bush is bloomed and smelling wonderful, and even plants like coralbells, sedum and hosta are blooming!

There are yellow finches, cardinals, blue jays and other small birds on the feeders.  The chipmunks and squirrels are everywhere…I just love this time of year.  Of course, my allergies are acting up too which is not a good thing but thanks to allergy meds I’m hanging in there.  I planted small pots indoors of herbs and veggies and some of them are doing well and some haven’t done a thing!  I’ll transplant the healthy ones to outdoor pots around Beltane..the ones that aren’t growing I’ll replace with plants from the garden center.  We are hoping to build a garden shed/storage shed soon too.  We had to take out some dead trees this year and trying to decide what we are going to do with the empty space they left behind.  I hate losing trees but I’m hoping to plant flowering bushes or ornamental trees in their place.  I’m anxious to get my flowers planted too but here in Ohio its best to wait until around Mother’s Day to do it..we can get frost pretty late in the year..for instance, it was only 32 degrees night before last!

Beltane is coming up fast..I’ve got to buy a white tablecloth for my altar then I’ll top it with a grass green scarf to represent the color of spring and things blooming.  I’ll decorate it then for Beltane which I’ll discuss in the next post after I’ve done it!  We are hoping to celebrate with a fire in the woods, planting my herbs outside, offering a gift to the faeries, and fixing a feast!

Here’s hoping you all are having a beautiful Spring too…remember, You can make it so..just go outside and embrace the Earth waking up around you!  Thursday is Earth day so do something good for you Mother Earth..at least take a walk and maybe pick up some trash while you’re walking or drop some wildflower seeds along the way, or plant a tree or two!  Say a prayer to the Goddess and God for the Earth and her gifts.

Blessed Be, Autumn

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April 11, 2010 · 8:15 am

New moon……

The new moon is coming up in the next couple of days…this is a time for growth and healing and new beginnings or new projects.  Ask the God and Goddess for their help with this….I will be asking for healing from emotional hurt that was dealt to me this last couple of weeks by someone who claims to love me….my mother.  She has made her feelings for me perfectly clear….while still claiming she loves me, she said some really hurtful things to me which tells how she really feels.  She’s always been difficult and my life with her is riddled with bad memories.  My siblings and I never had a soft place to fall with her.  We could never please her, never get her unconditional love, very rarely drew a positive word from her.  After this last couple of weeks, and the fact that I’m almost 52 years old,  I AM DONE!!  Done trying to get along with her, done trying to please her, done trying to make her happy.  While I won’t tear the family apart by having a full blown separation from her, I am separating from her emotionally and more physically than I have in the past.  She has hurt me many times..more than I can ever relate…..but this last time is the worse.  I’m too stable (LOL) to let it affect my life totally in a negative way..but finding out how she really feels about me hasn’t been easy to take.  Thank god I have my other siblings, my husband and daughters and a great group of friends…I am not alone.  I hold my daughters dear and will never hurt them as I have been…

So on to more positive news…my herbs and veggies are growing in their little pots…once it warms up a bit more, I can move them outside until it is time to pot them.  Not all of the seeds are blooming yet…some take longer than others.  My book of shadows is coming along.  Its been alot of work and time consuming but all fun!  I love seeing it come together and I think its beautifully done and I’m very happy with it.  My sister, daughter and I are enjoying working on our books together.  My daughter Willow, sorrowfully, hasn’t received her book yet…..but she is also working on her pages.  It’ll be fun when her book gets here and we can have days we are all together working on them.

Beltane is coming up fast…we’re going to spend a day making small maypoles for our altars and flower circlets for our hair.  I’m hoping my husband will help me have a bonfire in our woods that night.  Beltane is a lusty festival!  All about fire, dancing, prosperity, fertility and fairies!  A fun and happy time, knowing that warm summer days are on their way.  It’s a good time to start gardens too.  A feast is expected with good wine and good food!  We will be giving gifts to the faeries to let them know we are aware of them and appreciate their help in our gardens!

So again, on the new moon, start that new project or start healing, and recognize that the Goddess is there to help you.

Blessed Be, Autumn

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