The Wiccan’s Glossary

Adding this baby to the website ! Blue Gold stone known for; Meditation, calmness, banish negative energies, protection, metaphysical properties of copper, night sky, & peace ✨💙 #bluegoldstone #gemstones #gemshop #witch #themysticpeach #nightsky #stars #space #grunge #WitchLife #positivevibes #protection #dreams #xoxo

Ostara Recipes

Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is approaching. And of course one of a celebration’s must-haves are food and drinks! So of course I just had to come up with a list of recipes!

Crispy roast potatoes with Rosemary 700g Small new potatoes 2 Tablespoons Olive oil ½ teaspoon Salt 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ Tablespoons Fresh rosemary, chopped Cover new potatoes with water and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Drain and toss potatoes in pan over heat until outside of potatoes are dry. Add olive oil, salt, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Place potatoes in a pan, in one layer, and bake in a 180°C oven until crispy and browned, about 15-20 minutes. Serve with roasted and grilled meats or poultry.

Hot Cross Buns Frosting: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon milk 1 cup orange juice Dough: 3 cups unsifted flour ¾ cups granulated sugar 1 cup evaporated or whole milk ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 and ½ teaspoons cinnamon ¼ teaspoon allspice 1 cup raisins (optional) 1 cup walnuts (optional) 1 package dry yeast ¼ cup hot water (for dissolving the yeast) 1 large, well-beaten egg. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While the oven is warming, combine all ingredients except yeast, hot water, the egg, and the frosting ingredients and mix well. Dissolve the yeast in the hot water, then add it and the egg to the rest of the mixture. Combine well. Shape into a ball, and place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover the mixture with a cloth and allow the dough to rise in a warm spot for about an hour, until it has about doubled in size. Shape the dough into round balls about 3 inches across and place them at least 3 inches apart on a lightly greased and floured baking sheet. Place the sheet into the preheated oven. After 5 to 8 minutes of baking, open the oven and use a sharp knife to slash one equal-armed cross into each bun about ¾ of an inch deep. Allow the knife to pry open the slashes slightly so they will be less likely to bake themselves closed again. Return the buns to the oven and allow them to bake another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the buns are a nice brownish gold. While the buns are baking, combine the frosting ingredients and beat them to a smooth, even consistency. When the buns are done, take them out of the oven and, while they’re still hot, drizzle the frosting onto them.

Ostara Buns 4 cups pastry flour 2 cups sugar ½ cup vegetable shortening 1 tube almond paste ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 5 eggs, slightly beaten Icing 1 cup confectionary sugar ¼ teaspoon almost extract 1 tablespoon soft butter 4 teaspoons water Preheat oven to 375*F.  Combine bun ingredients in large bowl until a medium-soft dough forms.  Add a little flour as needed for consistency.  With your hands, shape biscuit-size balls.  Slightly flatten the balls when you place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.  Cool.  Beat icing ingredients together until smooth.  Frost buns with large cross (+) with icing.  Great for an Ostara breakfast.

Vareneky Dough: 2 cups flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon oil

Filling: ½ pound sharp cheese, shredded 2 cups mashed potatoes Heat 3 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt in large pan. Mix flour, egg, salt, milk, and oil until sticky dough emerges. Roll out dough on floured board ¼ inch thick. Cut into circles. Combine cheese, mashed potatoes. Fill centers of dough circles with filling, 1-2 tablespoons. Wet edges of dough, fold in half. Pinch together to seal. Drop into simmering water; cook for 10 minutes. Remove and drain, then fry in butter until brown. Yield: 6-8 servings

Green beans with Rosemary vinaigrette 3 Tablespoons Raspberry vinegar 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Garlic, minced 1/3 cup Olive oil 8 cups green beans Combine first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place beans in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat and serve. Ostara Bread ¾ cup soy milk 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast 3 ¼ - 3 ½ cups flour 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave nectar 1 teaspoon salt ¼ cup vegan margarine ¼ cup warm water 1 cup quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked 2 ½ teaspoon flax meal mixed with 3 Tablespoons water 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 ½ cups vegan powdered sugar 2 tablespoons soy milk Mix flax meal and water and let sit while moving on to the next step. Heat  soy milk and margarine in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until margarine is melted; cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup water. In large bowl combine margarine/milk mixture, dissolved yeast, 1 cup flour, oats, sweetener, flax mixture, salt and cinnamon; mix well. Add enough additional flour to make soft dough.  Knead on lightly floured surface 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Shape to form ball. Place in greased large bowl, turning once to coat surface of dough. Cover; let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until double in size.  Punch dough down. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. For bunny body, shape ½ to form a 36" long rope.  Loosely roll up rope spiral fashion; pinch dough to seal end tightly. Place about 3" from bottom of greased large cookie sheet; press down slightly. Divide remaining dough in half. For bunny head, shape one half to form a 25" rope. Loosely roll up rope spiral fashion; seal end tightly. Attach to top of body on cooked sheet by pinching dough together. Divide remaining dough into thirds. For tail, shape on third to form a 15" long rope.  Loosely roll up like others; pinch to seal end. Attach to side of body on cookie sheet by pinching dough together. Shape remaining dough to form two 3 ½ long bunny ears. Attach to head by pinching dough together. Let rise about 1 hour or until nearly double in size.  Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire cooling rack. For icing, remaining soy milk and powdered sugar, mix until smooth.  Drizzle over cooled bread. Serves: 1 bunny shaped loaf Ostara Honey Cakes recipe ½ cup Riesling wine (German white wine) 1 egg 2/3 cup flour 1 cup honey 2 tbs sugar 1/8 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp nutmeg Dash of salt Beat the egg together with the wine. In another mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Stir until blended through. Let sit for 30 minutes. In another small bowl, mix the honey and nutmeg. In a skillet, heat up about a ½ inch of oil. Drop a tablespoon of batter into the oil and fry until golden brown. Drain off the oil, and dip into the honey mixture.

Source/credit: http://recipesforapagansoul.weebly.com/ostara-mar-20-23.html

This is longer then I expected. Oh well. - Mara

( ☮ )

Neptune Retrograde

Started the 12th of this June and will end November the 19th. This is a time for new beginnings and rude awakenings. Pay special attention to your desires and your personal relationships; now is the time to be brutally honest with yourself. During this time others will tend to be as well.

LOUHI

[noun]

a queen of the land known as Pohjola in Finnish and Lappish mythology. She was described as a powerful witch with the ability to change shape and weave mighty enchantments. She was also the main opponent of Väinämöinen and his coterie in the battle for the magical artifact Sampo in the Kalevala.

How to Harvest your Magical Herbs

Most plants used for cooking can be harvested at any time of day but if a herb is being harvested for medicinal use there are certain times of the day and certain weather conditions that are best for capturing the strength of the most active ingredients.  Also if herbs are being used for magikal works there are times that the plants energy is at its optimum and therefore aids the work being undertaken. The perfect conditions for gathering leaves flowers and fruit for drying and storing is a very dry day probably around mid to late morning as any moisture on the surface from rain, mist or dew can cause the plant material to degrade quickly and can induce fungal and bacterial growth.  Harvesting should also be avoided when the sun is high and hot as the essential elements of the active ingredients can be evaporated or lose strength.

Having said all this there are times that you may stumble on a particular plant that has been eluding you and you are totally unprepared for collecting it in the perfect weather conditions, moon phases or with the correct tools and in these situations it comes down to the two choices

come back when the conditions are right which I have done and then been unable to find the plant again

pick it anyway and hope that the active ingredients are not too diminished (I have been in this situation and have had good results anyway)

It is best not to harvest any herbs that have been growing close to the road as the leaves take in the carbon monoxide and poisonous fumes given out by the traffic and take it down into the plant to the root where it becomes stored.  Do not pick wild herbs and plants from verges or throughfares as this contravenes several laws and also the fact that most areas like these are open to our friendly dog and cat population.

If harvesting wild plants leave a large amount of flowers, seed and root as the plant population of that area will very quickly die out if you go in mob-handed and wrench up the only two plants for miles around.  Make sure you know what you’re picking this is very important when harvesting in the wild there are many pocket spotter books available that are invaluable when identifying plants, I try to carry one with photographs rather than drawings as sometimes they can be a little misleading.

When to harvest

Most herbs are harvested in the summer either before or during flowering.  Seeds and most types of bark are collected in early autumn and roots in early autumn and spring.  The leaves of evergreens are collected throughout the year but don’t collect large amounts before or during a heavy front as this will leave the plant vulnerable.

Early Spring: Collect Dandelion roots

Late Spring: Arial parts during flowering; Lungwort, Sweet Violet, Flowers: coltsfoot, cowslip, elder

Early to Mid-Summer: Arial parts/leaves before flowering; Agrimony, Angellica, Catmint, Cleavers, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Hysop, Ladys Mantle, Lemonbalm, Motherwort, Parsley, Peppermint, Plantain, Sage, Stinging Nettles, White horehound, Yellow Dock.  Bark while flowering: Rose.  Flowers; Borage, Camomile, Honeeysuckle, Linden, Pot Marigold, St Johns Wort

Mid to Late Summer: Arial parts whilst flowering; Californian Poppy, Heartsease, Marjoram, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Shepherds Purse, Skullcap Thyme, Vervain, Wild Lettuce, Wood Bettony, Wormwood, Yarrow.  Flowers: Hops, Lavender, Mullain.     Leaves After Flowering: Borage, Colsfoot, Cowslip, Fenugreek, Lungwort, Sweet Violet.

Autumn: Roots/ bulbs when leaves have wilted: Angellica, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Comfrey, Cowslip, Elecanpane, Garlic, Goldenseal, Lovage, marshmallow, Soapwort, Valerian.  Seeds/ fruit: Celery, Elder, Howthrorn, Dill, Fennel, Lovage

N.B. When getting plants from the wild, respect the area and plant you are harvesting, never strip a plant bare, never pull it out by the roots to get a few leaves and always check if there are other plants of the same species around. Also be very sure that the plant you are about to pick is what you think it is, Mother Nature can be very tricky sometimes, and 2 seemingly identical plants can have very different effects when ingested. 

It is best to ask permission of the plant before taking it’s bounty, and remember, respect, respect, respect !

Transporting your herbs must be done carefully to retain their valuable powers. It’s best to take an open-topped basket or cotton bag with you and some layers of tissue so that herbs can be transported dry and safe back to home, it is pointless seeking out a special plant, than sticking it into a carrier bag in your pocket so it sweats, bruises and it unidentifiable mush by the time you get home.

Disguising Magic in an Unsupportive Household

1. Crystals: wearing and keeping crystals around is a good way to express your personality and interest in nature without showing that you’re explicitly practicing the craft

2. Herbs: Whether in soaps, candles, or food and drinks, herbs are a good way to share your magical ways through gifts and spending time together without them knowing about your craft. 

3. Gardening and enjoying the outdoors: Most people don’t know that being a witch implies having a love for nature. Maybe suggest gardening as a chore you’d like to have weekly. This is very easy way to spend time with family at the beach on vacation, experiencing a National Park, or in the backyard without them knowing that this is actually a part of your craft. 

An unsupportive household can cause a lot of anger, sadness, and resentment. Don’t forget to keep a journal (Book of Shadows) about your experiences, as an escape, and a way to vent.

Tasks for the Cosmic Witch

Learn the various planetary correspondences for herbs, crystals, and other materials 

Channel energy from various planets and other celestial bodies (asteroids, nebulae, stars, etc.)

Spend time outside when it’s dark 

Camp out under the stars

Make planetary waters and oils 

Meditate to ambient music - try to find a video on youtube that has some spacey scenery for added effect 

Put glow stars up in your room

Make a glitter jar 

Research constellations and other star lore 

Complete your astrology birth chart 

Learn about the different zodiac signs and their correspondences 

Research the lunar cycle and its correspondences 

Research the science behind various astronomical phenomena

Circle Casting

Magical Spells & Exercises Masterpost

Magic circles have two basic purposes: they are like fences, and they are like portals.

Magic circles function like fences because they raise a barrier to prevent certain things from coming in to your area. Works of magic can attract all manner of interested and parasitic spirits, as well as attracting unwanted energies. A circle can keep all of these things away while the magic is being worked. This not only keeps the magic “clean”, but it functions as a layer of protection.

Circles can also keep energy in, which is very useful. You can imagine a magic circle as being like a bowl which holds energy and prevents any from spilling away. Once you purposefully direct the energy, the rest can be grounded, and the circle can be removed.

Circles function as portals because they create a liminal space partway out of our physical world, and partway in to the astral world. This is what differentiates magic circles between other forms of barriers like shields and wards. If you have ever cast and worked inside of a circle, you may have experienced that very unusual “magical state” that can occur within. This liminal space is useful because here we can have more direct contact with the energies and forces we seek to manipulate. It can help us flip that switch from “everyday” to “magical”.

Another important function of circles is that they end, and removing ourselves from that liminal space is a really useful way to start getting back to “normal” after a spell is cast.

The casting of a magic circle can be extremely basic, and no more than a simple exercise, or it can be very complex and a full ritual in itself. If you like circle casting, try learning several techniques and using whichever one suits your best.

If you want to practice circle-casting, try casting a circle before engaging in another practice exercise like channeling or charging.

Often, spirits or entities are called to watch over the circle and ensure it remains protected.

Circles can be small, fitting on your desk or a piece of paper. Often, circles are made large enough to fit yourself, all your tools, and any other practitioners within it. Remember that circles are magical spaces, so the walls of the circle can pass through furniture, walls, floors, and ceilings, and remain unbroken.

Circles are generally meant to be temporary, so ensure that after your magical work is done, the circle is removed.