Happy New Year

As I write this entry I am listening to the boom boom boom of fireworks gone wild! My men are having a blast :). New Years is almost here. At this time of year, I see a lot of people writing about whether or not to make a resolution list this year. I can understand both points of view. Some say it is a definite to make goals for the year to come. Others say why bother, if you don't stick to it and complete your goals it can affect you in a negative way. So I compromise. I make a "to do" list for the next year. The goal of this list are to put things I would like to do, but they are not set in stone. I usually have way too much on my list, but if I can even accomplish just one or two, I feel like I have achieved something. Those who know me well, know that I am a "list" woman. I have a list for everything. Groceries, daily chores, daily to-do's-both at home and work, monthly goals for my coven, etcetera. I like being able to scratch off things on those lists. Maybe it is silly, but I like the feeling of accomplishment that I feel when I do. It also gives me validation that I didn't waste my day or time.

Past and more recent events have made me feel that I need to get on with living my life and not just watching it pass by. Many years ago, my sister in law and neice were killed in an auto accident, they were 31 and 13 respectively. I had certainly experienced death before-grandparents and great grandparents. But this was the first time to experience death of souls so young. In the next few years we lost one of our best friends to cancer, I think he was forty or close to it. Again, someone taken before their time. More recently I have received news of different friends who are struggling with the issues of illness and possibly death. This makes me think of my life and what have I done with it. How have I lived it? I can say that I am certainly happy with my life now, sure things might be much better if had more money, but I can honestly say I have a happy life. But I do want to do more with it, live more of it, live life every day.

So I do still have my list for 2013 of what I would like to do. But I think the most important one on the list is to live and love. To find joy in every moment you can, because unfortunately we never know when our time will be up. We always think it won't happen to us. Well I know first hand that good young people are taken before their time.

So for this year, I wish you all the normal: health, weath and happiness. But most of all I wish you love and and a good life. Make sure you tell those you love how much they mean to you. Make memories as often as you can. And be happy :)

Blessed be,
Autumn

Merry Yule

Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Warm Winter Blessings....... Whatever you celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful, magical day :).  Sorry I haven't blogged more. I have been dealing mostly with my medical issues, mainly my lupus and diabetes. They have been kicking my butt, but of course I haven't exactly been taking good care of myself either.

Our holiday celebrations started a week early as I officiated for the wedding of good friends. It was a lovely ceremony that was attended by both pagans and non pagans. I was a bit nervous for the ceremony as it was very pagan, but I received very nice reviews of the ceremony afterwards.

On the 22nd, my coven celebrated Yule at my home with ritual, feasting and gift giving. The weather was wonderful, sunny and the high was around 55 degrees. Of course as the sun went down, it got a little cooler, but we lit the bonfire and we stayed warm :) Every year we try to focus on one element of the sabbat and work with that symbol during our ritual. This year we made ornaments to use as talismans. I think everyone had a wonderful time. That evening we attended a "We Survived the Mayan Calendar" party at a friends house. Great food, great company :)

Being that our families are Catholic we also celebrate Christmas with them. Christmas has never been a particularly religious occasion, but more of a family oriented one. We have a large family, so spending time together is usually a great time. And again, being Cajun, we had plenty of good food!!

I am looking forward to this new year, we have new plans for our coven's study group. I think it will be both a challenge and a fun way to spend our time together. I wish you all good health, wealth and happiness this coming new year.

Blessed be,
Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- S is for Salt

I am a witch, but I am also a poor witch :). As such I have to make use of things I use on a regular basis or which can be obtained very cheaply.

So I usually go through my cabinets and see what I have on hand and I always have some salt :). Salt is cheap, easy to use and can be used in a variety of ways.

Protection Magic- salt can be used in spells and rituals as a protection item. Add a few grains to a gris gris or mojo bag and you have a portable device for protection. You can also sprinkle salt around the area you are working in to protect from negative energies. For example to form a protective circle or a circle of salt around a mirror for scrying.

Kitchen Magic- when cooking meals, you can add herbs to infuse magic into your meals. Salt can be added for protection or purification/cleansing.

Ritual bathing- when I do rituals I always like to prepare by taking a ritual bath. The salt not only softens the skin but helps cleanse away physical dirt as well as negativity. The Egyptians used natron in all of their cleansing needs. You can even color bath salts for use in sympathetic magic as well. For example, using blue food coloring with salt and then adding to the bath can help facilitate healing magic.

Earth magic- salt is considered related to the element of earth (at least in my way of doing things). You can use salt as a consecration tool for cleansing altars and altar tools. Just be careful of what you use salt on, it can be abrasive to certain objects. 

In most wiccan covens a ritual circle is usually cast prior to performing ritual. In some traditions, salt is mixed with water to help cast the circle. 

I had a friend who used to live in an old plantation home. She complained of being able to feel this negative energy throughout the home, so we put together a cleansing party. Once we were able to complete the cleansing we also added salt around windows to keep out negative energies. 

Do you use salt in your practice?

BB,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- R is for Repetition

The online free dictionary defines repetition as

rep·e·ti·tion   (rp-tshn) n. 1. The act or process or an instance of repeating or being repeated. 2. A recitation or recital, especially of prepared or memorized material. [Middle English repeticioun, from Old French repeticion, from Latin repetti, repettin-, from repettus, past participle of repetere, to repeat; see repeat.] repe·tition·al adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---

repetition [ˌrɛpɪˈtɪʃən]

n

1. the act or an instance of repeating; reiteration

2. a thing, word, action, etc., that is repeated

3. a replica or copy

4. (Law) Civil and Scots law the recovery or repayment of money paid or received by mistake, as when the same bill has been paid twice

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

I was raised Catholic and was active in the church until my early 30's. Anyone who has ever  been Catholic or just attended a service there knows that repetition is a big part of their rituals.  As children we are taught our prayers and had to recite them every night to make sure we learned them properly and retained the knowledge. Mass is always done on the exact same format, with maybe the exception of Easter Sunday or Christmas. Otherwise, regular masses are always done the same. One could walk into a church in another country, but still know what was going on at any time of the ceremony. This is one concept from my christian upbringing that I do firmly still believe in. 

Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

I am not sure about anyone else, but for me, I learn faster by doing. So repetition is a staple in my life, including my pagan faith. Rituals and spells work so much better when you know what you are doing and learning things by heart or at least knowing them well enough for a good flow makes a world of difference. I do believe that words are power and if you are speaking from the heart and remember the words instead of just reading them off a paper makes the words so much more powerful. At least in my opinion. Now I do on occasion not remember everything and I do use note cards to guide my way, but I am at least familiar enough to still say the words with meaning. I am working on memorizing my invocations and such and I have seen a difference on how my rituals and spells work when I do it this way. Practice makes perfect. So practice, practice, practice and learn repetition, repetition, repetition.

Do you use repetition in your faith?

Blessings,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- R is for Rites of Passage

My definition of Rites of Passage are ceremonies that mark important/significant events that happen in a person's life. Wiccan's have many celebrations that can be performed and celebrated.


Belly Blessings- performed on mothers-to-be as a blessing for both mom and child. Mom can also be pampered during these ceremonies.

Wiccaning/Naming Ceremonies- done once a child is born. The child is blessed and introduced to the gods and elements. Different traditions will have different ways of doing this.

Becoming a Woman- done for girls who have started menstruating.

Becoming a Man- done for boys who are entering teen years.

Handfasting/Marriage- this can be a spiritual or legal ceremony, joining a couple together as husband and wife, or partners. In older times a Handfasting was for a year a day, but now people tend to go longer :)

Divorce/Handparting- done when a marriage or partnership ends.

Croning or Saging- done for elders who are ready to enter the next stage of their life.

Death- service to honor the dearly departed.

Other rites of passage can also include initiation into a coven or even your own dedication to your gods can be viewed as a rite of passage.

What rites do you celebrate in your faith?


Blessings,

Autumn

Q is for Q & A- Pagan Blog Project

I have seen others do a Q&A section as part of the PBP before, so I thought I would join on the band wagon :). I do think that if people get to know someone just a little better, the more they are likely to visit again. So here are a few questions I came up with. If there are any other questions you would like answered, just ask!


How long have you been on your current path? I found the goddess in 2001, so 11 years now.

How did you find your path? I was actually raised Roman Catholic. On a trip to Salem, MA in October of 2001, my sister came out of the broom closet to me and introduced me to the goddess. After that I started doing my own research and haven't looked back.

What is your path? I do consider myself Wiccan, but I am not a fanatic nor do I believe the rede is a law or commandment. I view it more as an ideal to strive for. I do not weigh every single decision I make against it, but I do think about the rede for important decisions. I am also very eclectic. I do not come from a specific tradition and take bits and pieces from here and there. My sister and I are very interested in bringing back hereditary witchcraft. Of course our children won't qualify as hereditary, but it is our hope that they will teach their kids, and their kids teach their kids, etc.

Do you practice solitary or with a coven? My sister, husband and I do have a coven, KOTH, Keepers of the Hearth which started as an Internet coven so my sister and I had a way to celebrate our faith together. Today KOTH is a physical coven here in SW Louisiana.

Are you in or out of the broom closet? Actually, a little of both :). I don't hide who I am. If you are on my facebook page then you have seen the pagan items plastered on it :). But at work or in public I don't scream "Hey look at me, I am pagan". But if asked, I certainly won't lie about it. Some of my immediate family knows, the others don't want to know :) We have told them, if you really want to know, just ask. To date no one has asked, I guess they are afraid of what the answer might be.


Are you active in the pagan community? Yes I try to be. Here locally, we have a few outings that are regularly scheduled. For example, we have coffee cackle which is the first Sunday of every month unless it falls on a holiday. This is just a networking idea for people of like minds to get together and get to know each other. We also have tarot study groups and sharing circles once a month. Our community is small, but we do have a dedicated few who try to make a difference. We do have a community yahoo group for new people to find us as well. On the not so local front, I am also involved in the planning for the NOLA PPD which will be held next year in New Orleans. We have a great line up happening, more details to follow later on.

What are your hobbies or interests? I love to read and have way too many books :) And my kindle is getting fuller each day as well. I also love movies, especially sci-fi. I am a Star Wars fanatic :) My family and I also enjoy being outdoors, taking nature walks and camping whenever we can. We also love to travel and attend as many pagan festivals as possible.

This is just a basic overview of me. If you have any specific question, just let me know.

BB,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- P is for Pampering

Pampering? Yes, Pampering. Everyday life can be extremely stressful. Trying to balance home, work and play can be very difficult at times. In my own life I am a wife, mother, high priestess, teacher, nurse, cook, maid, taxi driver, secretary, etcetera. And to top if off, I now have gained a mundane job as an administrative assistant which I start on Monday. Things were hard enough to handle as a SAHM (stay at home mom), but now things will really get interesting in the days to come :0. As a witch and high priestess, one of my main goals is to take care of myself. How can I possibly take care of my family and coven members if I can't do so for myself? The answer is you just can't. We need to live a balanced life to live a healthy and happy life. And of course life will always get in the way and throw you some interesting curves to make life difficult. We need to learn to take care of ourselves, relax, unwind, reduce stress and recharge. One of my favorite ways to combat these problems is to pamper myself.

Below are some suggestions and ideas that I use to accomplish the task of pampering:

Bubble bath- with the use of oils, candles, incense or bath salts, this can be a wonderful relaxing activity

Music- play music that moves your soul or simply makes you want to dance for joy

Aromatherapy- the use of incense and oils to enhance our senses

Meditation for quieting the mind and finding peace

Breathing exercises can help tremendously to reduce stress

Yoga for wellness

Lavender pillows or dream pillows for a good nights rest

Drink plenty of water to keep the body going

Eat healthy as well

Get a massage, give a massage, this can also be very beneficial in certain relationships :)

Enjoy a wonderful cup of tea, glass or wine or whatever beverage moves you

Laugh, laugh and laugh, your soul will be enriched all the more

Read a good book

Watch an up-lifting movie. The library offers many selections for free.

Walk a labyrinth, having a problem, see if the labyrinth can help. There may be places in your area which offer this for free. For example, in my town, there is one behind our local hospice.

Get in touch with your inner child, play, have fun

Coloring- I love coloring, especially mandalas

Make and use prayer flags

Schedule some “me” time even if it is only for a few minutes

Take a nap, even for just a few minutes

Take a nature walk in a park or on a beach

Sunbath

Practice a creative art such as henna. Many people use henna as an approach to spirituality, especially when getting ready for a ritual.

Change the vibrations around you-the use of candles, color, oils, incense, music can make a profound change in your current attitude.

These are just a few ways I like to take time and rejuvenate and de-stress. How do you pamper yourself?

BB,

Autumn

Happy Lammas/Lughnasadh

I hope everyone has a wonderfully magical sabbat for whatever or whichever you celebrate :). My coven and I celebrated Sunday evening by hosting a public ritual for our community. Considering we are a small community, we had a great turnout. The main focus of the ritual was gratitude for the blessings we have received and for the "crops" we have harvested. May the Lord and Lady bless us always and help us to maintain a bountiful harvest.

Blessed be,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- O is for Osiris

Osiris/Asar/Usir

King of the Dead

Supreme God and Judge of the dead, Resurrection and eternal life.  Provider of fertility and prosperity to the living.

Osiris is an Egyptian God and also ruled and lived on the Earth with his wife/sister/consort Aset/Isis. This couple was very popular and much loved. They were so loved that their brother Set was extremely jealous and he wanted to be king himself. So he devised a plan to get rid of his brother Osiris. Osiris decided to have a dinner party (some say to celebrate his birthday perhaps) and Set being his brother was there. He told Osiris he had a fun gift for the party. He had a sarcophagus made and who ever could fit perfectly in it, would own it. The sarcophagus was beautiful and everyone had their eye on it. Of course it was a trap set for Osiris. One by one, each guest laid in the sarcophagus to see if they were a perfect fit. Finally it was Osiris' turn and of course he was a perfect fit. However once he laid in it, Set slammed the door down entrapping Osiris within it. He then took the coffin and hid it so no one could find it, especially his wife Aset/Isis. She was heart broken and searched the ends of the earth for her beloved husband. Finally with the help of her sister Nepthys and others she was able to find the coffin. Set was furious. He stole the coffin with Osiris body back and this time had the body dismembered into several pieces and scattered across the globe. Aset/Isis was not one to give up. Finally she was able to recover all the pieces of her husband except one, his phallus. So she fashioned one from magic and then proceeded to impregnate herself with the child of Osiris- Horus. Because of this story and many others, Osiris became the god of the dead and the underworld. And because of the fact that he was able to impregnate Aset/Isis, he is also seen as a god of rebirth/resurrection. (This is just one interpretation of the myth, as there are many many more).

Osiris is the son of Geb (the earth) and Nut (the sky). His siblings include his wife/sister Aset/Isis, Nepthys, Set and Horus the elder. His son Horus was born of Aset/Isis. He also fathered (it is said) Bast and Annubis as well.

He is usually depicted in mummy wrappings, wearing what is known as the Atef crown. This is similar to the White Crown of Upper Egypt, with the addition of a feather along either side, and a small sphere at the top. He holds the crook and flail, symbols of ruler ship. In some depictions he has black skin symbolizing the underworld and rebirth and also symbolizing the black fertile soil deposited by the Nile every year.  In other depictions he has green skin-Lord of Vegetation- which represents life, death and rebirth of the cycles of grain and other plant life. His skin may also appear white as in reference to his bandages.

His cult was originated in Abydos where it is said his tomb resides even today. His associations with burial rites were also established by the 5^th dynasty. He had absorbed the funerary gods of Abydos.

Osiris brought civilization to the barbarous cannibals of the first people of Egypt. He taught them how and what to eat (and not each other!), raise crops like corn and vines. He also taught them how to worship the gods and made laws for them. He ruled by persuasion not by force. And because of this he was greatly loved. With his death by Set, he became God of the Dead and Underworld.

Due to his resurrection from the dead he is also considered a fertility god. This title is also attributed to the fact that he taught the people agriculture and how to take care of them selves. Osiris was at one time an ancient corn deity, identified with a pastoral deity called Andjeti. His cult object is the djeb column which is thought to represent the 4 pillars seen one behind the other or a man’s backbone.

The Nile is probably the most important natural resource to the early peoples. Osiris is seen as the god of death due to his own death and his death is associated with the drying up of the Nile or the drought season. It is said that when he dies, the Nile dries out. When the induation of the Nile happens, it is then said that he was returned from the dead to bring rebirth to the people by flooding the Nile again.

Osiris also has the job of Judge and he presides over the ceremony of the weighing of the heart and feather. He is the one who gives final judgment to those who have died.

He is the equivalent of the Greek Dionysus and Hades.

Correspondences:

Cult Center – Busiris, Abydos

Chief Festival - July 3

Main festivals –

Feast – February 15, April 10, July 26 & 28;

Festival of the resurrection – July 3

Statue – a bearded man wrapped as a mummy holding the flail and crook

Family – Son of Geb and Nut, Brother/Husband of Isis, Brother of Set, Nepthys and Horus the Elder.  Father of Horus, Father Bast and Annubis
Cardinal Point – North
Element - Earth
Herbs – Anise, Apple, Banana, Carnation, Cypress, Dogwood, Foxglove, Garlic, Holly, Honesty, Iris, Juniper, Lemon, Lettuce, Lime, Marigold, Mugwort, Oak, Orris, Peach, Peppermint, Red Clover, Summer Savory, Sunflower, Sage, Tansy, Turmeric, Violet, Yarrow
Crystals – Amethyst, Aventurine, Azurite, Citrine, Elestials, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moldavite, Moss Agate, Onyx, Ruby, Sugilite, Sunstone, Tektite, Yellow Topaz,
Metal – Copper, Gold
Wood – Elder, Oak
Color – Black, Green
Incense – Frankincense, Sandalwood, Sage
Day(s) – Sunday
Time(s) – Midnight and Dawn
Season – Winter and Spring

Pagan Blog Project- O is for Oak Tree Magic

The Oak Tree has long been associated with ancient peoples and has been seen as “magical” or “sacred”. For example the Druids. These “priests of nature” worshiped their religion under the Oak Tree or in sacred groves. Fred Hagender writes in his book, The Meaning of Trees, “our ancestors recognized that there is a vital balance in life: you take and you give. So they celebrated the forces of nature by offering them gifts, songs, prayers and blessings to revitalize the natural world – a world in which they felt themselves to be an intimate part.” It is certainly the tree I use most in my magic.

As pagans we are taught that nature is an important part of us. We need to respect it and learn from it. Humans and nature have a symbiotic relationship. We depend upon each other for survival. We offer nature our energy through prayers and blessings (and other offerings) and in turn nature (in particular trees) offers us a vast array of gifts. Wood from its trunk and limbs are used for shelter from the elements: heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. This wood is also used in crafting magical tools such as athames, wands and staffs. From its wood we also get fire to heat our homes , cook our food (kitchen witchery) and for cleaning ourselves (ritual bathing). Fires are also used as vehicle for offerings made to the gods.

The Oak Tree has many magical associations including: strength, endurance, durability, longevity, stamina, prosperity, will, protection, good luck, fertility, cleansing, success, wisdom, status, self confidence, masculine god energy, inner strength, bravery and leadership to name a few.

Oak trees come from a genus of more than 450 species. They are associated with weather gods due to the fact that the oak tree is the tree most often struck by lightening and survives the ordeal. The tree itself is a conductor of electricity. Because of this, ancient peoples would often call upon the weather gods, such as Zeus, Odin or Thor, to strike their enemies down with their lightening and give victory to their people.

The Oak Tree is a doorway of opportunity and is considered the doorway for shamanic portals. It is a symbol of “as above, so below”. Its limbs and leaves reach up into the skies/ heavens (as above) and its roots reach deep with the earth (so below). This makes it an ideal portal to use in connecting to the other-world.

This tree produces acorns which are a great tool for making magical charms. Acorns have the attributes of immortality, fertility, nurturing and sustenance. For prosperity, hang acorns in your home, get creative, make a wreath or other craft project. Acorns hung in windows are said to be a way to ward off evil. In ancient times, acorns were used as food and sustenance. Still today some peoples still roast and grind the nuts for bread or the making of beverages.

The leaves are just as magical. Use them in a bath for its cleansing properties. You can also used the leaves in magical spells. One of my favorite uses is to write my needs upon the leaves and then offer them to the gods through fire.

Oak chips can be used as a type of incense to burn away negativity. Oak chips are also used to cook meat as well. You can bless the chips before lighting them and infuse their magic into the food you are cooking.

The bark of the oak tree is said to have astringent properties. It has been brewed as a tea for help with congestion, hemorrhoids, fever, diarrhea, dysentery, inflamed gums and to treat wounds. In hoodoo practices, the tea is also used to remove jinxes.

Correspondences for the Oak Tree:

Celtic Year of the Oak Moon is June 10^th through July 7^th

Latin- white oak = quercus alba

red oak = quercus rubra

black oak = quercus velutina

Celtic word for Oak is Duir meaning door. Pronounced (dur) or (doo-er)

Parts used are the wood, leaves, bark and acorns

Folk names- Tanners Bark, Jove's Nuts, Tree of Jove, King of the Forest, Tree of Endurance

Animals associated with the oak tree are stag, squirrel, wren, white mare

Gods/Goddess: Dagda, Oak King/Holly King, Green Man, Cernunnous, Morrigan, Cerridwen, Rhiannon, Epona, Odin, Thor, Herne, Wodin, Jupiter, Cybele, Rhea, Pan, Hecate, Janus, Brigid

Gems- granite, amber

Element- earth, fire

So how do you use the magic of trees in your practice?

BB,

Autumn

Sources used:

The Meaning of Trees by Fred Hagender, ©2005 by Chronicle Books

Mickie Mueller’s Class on Celtic Tree Calendar-The Oak Tree Month (www.voiceoftrees.com)

Pagan Blog Project-N is for Nuit

                           

        

•       

  

Nut/Nuit,Nu/Newet/Neuth
The Sky

Pronounced Noot , Noot-it, New-Eat. It is believed her name came from the English words for night, nocturnal, equinox and the French terms la nuit which means the night.

Nut (Nuit) was the personification of the sky to the Egyptian people. She was originally a goddess of the sky only, but evolved into a goddess of the heavens and sky, whose body symbolizes the vault of the sky. She is the daughter of Shu and Tefnut, the granddaughter of the sun god Ra. Her husband was also her brother Geb. She is considered one of the oldest deities in the Egyptian pantheon, with her origins found in the creation story of Heliopolis.

“A scared symbol of Nut was the ladder, used by Osiris to enter her heavenly skies. This ladder-symbol was called maqet and was placed in tombs to protect the deceased, and to invoke the aid of deity of the dead. Nut is considered an enigma in the world of mythology because she is direct contrast to most other mythologies, which usually evolve into a sky father associated with an earth mother or Mother Nature.”

Some of Nut’s titles include:
Coverer of the Sky-She was said to be covered completely with stars
She Who Protects-One of her jobs was to protect Ra
Mistress of All or She Who Bore the Gods- She gave birth to her five children, probably the most familiar of the gods today.
She Who Holds a Thousand Souls-Because of her role of re-birthing Ra each day and because she helped with the resurrection of her son Osiris, Nut became associated with the afterlife.

Ra cursed Nut for her love of Geb and forbade her to bear children during any month of the year. Thoth outwitted the curse by playing draughts with the moon and winning 5 extra days, days not attached to any month. In these 5 days, Nut produced her 5 children. The days on which each of these deities were born are known as the five epagomental days of the year and were celebrated all over Egypt. The days were considered either lucky, unlucky, or neither. For example: The day of birth for Osiris was considered unlucky, the day for Horus the Elder was neither lucky nor unlucky, the day for Seth was unlucky, the day for Isis is lucky, and the day for Nephythys was considered unlucky.

Originally a Mother Goddess who had many children, Nut plays an important role in creation legends. In one myth Nut gives birth to the Sun-god daily and he passes over her body until he reaches her mouth at sunset. He then passed into her mouth and through her body and is reborn the next morning. Another myth described the sun as sailing up her legs and back in the Atet (Matet) boat until noon, when he entered the Sektet boat and continued his travels until sunset.

She is shown in profile, naked over the earth god Geb and may be supported by Shu and with her arms and legs bent down so she touches the horizon with hands and feet. Her body is usually covered with stars and because of this she is sometimes associated with the Milky Way. “There are some astronomical indications of this. It has been shown that at the winter solstice before dawn, in Pre-dynastic Egypt, the Milky Way would have looked very much like a stretched out body with arms and legs touching the horizons in the same manner as Nut was frequently shown in later times.” In zoomorphic form she is a sky cow or sky sow. Her 4 hooves were cardinal points and the sun god and stars are show sailing across her underside of her body. Because of her association with the cow, she is sometimes thought of as Hathor.

Nut is associated with rebirth through the renewing of the sun every day, but she was also a favorite funerary deity, in which she helped to give rebirth to the dead pharaoh and she became connected with the underworld, resurrection and the tomb. She was seen as a friend to the dead, as a mother-like protector to those who journeyed through the land of the dead. She was often painted on the inside lid of the sarcophagus, protecting the dead until he or she, like Ra, could be reborn in their new life.

In the Valley of the Kings, there are many tombs that have the ceilings painted blue with 5 pointed stars on them. These paintings reach down the walls of both side and end with Nut’s feet on one side of the passage and her upper body on the other side.

There were many festivals to Nut through the year. But, despite being a protector of the dead, she was a personification of the sky - a cosmic deity - and no temples or specific cult centers are linked to her. Some of her festivals were:

6th August – 19th Thuti – Festival of Nut and Ra
27th August – 10th Paopi- Birthday of Nut
30th August- 13th Paopi – Day of Satisfying the Hearts of the Ennead
4th January- 20 Mechir- Day of Nut and Raet proceeding southward
1st February- 18th Pamenot- Feast of Nut
2nd February- 19th Pamenot- Birthday of Nut
26th February- 13th Parmutit- Day of Nut
5th May- 21st Payni- Day of the Living Children of Nut

*taken from www.philae.nu/akhet/NetjeruN.html#Nut

Correspondences:

Cult Center – Throughout Egypt, although she had no physical temple specifically to her
Birthday – August 27
Statue – portrayed as bent over, stretching from horizon to horizon.
Family – Daughter of Shu and Tefnut, twin sister of Geb, wife of Geb, Mother of Osiris, Isis , Nephythys, Set and Horus the Elder
Cardinal Point – East
Element - Air
Herbs – Anise, Bean, Bromeliad, Clover, Dandelion, Fern, Goldenrod, Lavender, Maple, Marjoram, Mint, Oak, Parsley, Pine, Sage, Summer Savory,
Crystals – Ammonite, Angelite, Aventurine, Azurite, Bloodstone, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Quartz, Selenite, Sodalite, Tektite, Turquoise
Metal – Copper, Silver
Wood – Oak
Color – light Blue
Incense – Jasmine, Sandalwood
Day(s) – Friday
Time(s) – Dawn
Season - Spring
Magic/Responsibilities: Sky and Heavens, Mother and Guardian, Death and Burial, Demi-Animals, Immortality, Physical Prowess

How can you bring Nut into your life?

Nut is known as a funerary goddess. If you have a loved one who is deceased, you can call upon Nut to watch over them and to help them transition into the next life (world).

She is also the great mother/creator. So if you need help with nurturing, whether it be people or projects, Nut would be a good choice to ask for help. She can give you the nurturing you need to see thing through to the end. As a mother, she does not give up on her children and will help them to succeed.

Nut is the barrier that separates chaos from the ordered cosmos. She helps to keep the universe in order so that all life goes on as it should. If chaos reigned, life would cease to exist (according to the Egyptians). If you ever feel that your life is getting out of control and that chaos is starting to rule your life, call upon Nut for help.

As a mother goddess, she is also a protector. Protection can encompass many ideas. For example if you need protection from evil, harm, illness, etc. Anything you can imagine that a mother would protect her child from, Nut can protect you from.

If you want to feel a connection to Nut, the simplest way would be to simply stare into a dark night sky and star gaze. Meditate on Nut and what she means to you. Feel the energy grow between you.

Prayer to Nut:

Great Mother Nut, Sky Goddess, Mother and Creator, hear my prayer.
My life has become chaotic, help me to restore order.
You, Great Goddess, are the barrier between chaos and order.
I beseech thee to lend me your energies. Help me to find order in my life.
Of my own free will, with harm to none. So mote it be.

(You can add correspondences such as blue or white stones, Sodalite would be a good combination of both colors. The night sky is usually depicted as blue or navy, so colored candles would also work well here.)


References:

www.touregypt.net

Temple Ankh research notes (www.templeankh.com)

www.ancientnile.co.uk/gods.php

www.philae.nu/akhet/NetjeruN.html#Nut

The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson

Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt by Nicki Scully and Linda Star Wolf

Circle of Isis by Ellen Cannon Reed

The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines by P. Monaghan

Pagan Blog Project-N is for Nature Religion

If you ask ten different pagans what the meaning of nature religion is, you will probably get ten different answers!  Religion is a very personal idea. Each person has their own way of celebrating it and follows their own unique path. For me, walking a nature path means celebrating all life, not just human life. It means honoring the earth and celebrating the seasons as our ancestors may have done in the past. I do consider myself Wiccan, although not a fanaticJ. So I do celebrate sabbats and esbats as well as give honor daily to my personal deities. I try to be respectful of all nature and take care of our planet.

As a Wiccan and witch I also follow a magical path. To practice magic you really do not need physical tools, although they can be helpful in manifesting the energy you need to accomplish your goal. Most pagans I know are not wealthy and cannot afford expensive tools or toys. Some of the most powerful tools I have ever used were those from nature itself.  Mother Nature is quite generous in her gifts to us. So why not use them for your magic.

The following are examples of items found in nature that can be easily adapted for magical purposes: (the items listed are those found in my particular area)

Tree limbs or branches- can be used to make personal wands. Wood can also be used to make fires.  Branches can also be used to make pentacles as well. They can also be used in making besoms or brooms.

Acorns or other nuts can be used in spells and as amulets.

• 

Leaves- you can research the different types of trees in your area and find out their specific attributes. Leaves are a great tool to use in magic. You can write your needs upon its leaves then burn them as offerings to the gods.

Pine needles-can also be used in spells or mojo bags and burned as incense.

Pine cones-I have used pine cones in many different types of crafts. They are wonderful decorations for Yule and other sabbats.

Plants/herbs- collect those grown in the wild or grown from your garden. Herbs can be used in kitchen magic, mojo bags, spells, rituals, etc.

Water- collect from different types of sources for use in magic. Storm water can also be collected to add power to your magic. Water can also be used in cleansing rituals or spells.

Earth/dirt-use in fertility magic. Graveyard dirt can also be used; however I do caution that you not take dirt from an unknown grave. You never know what kind of energy you will get if you do not know the background of the person who lies there.

Air-utilize windy days to help manifest air magic.

Rocks and stones can be used to make magical divination tools, such as runes.

Seashells also represent west and water and can be made into powerful amulets.

Sand can be used in the same ways that dirt is used in earth magic. It can also be used in fire magic by making candles out of sand. Search the internet, there are many sites available on how to make sand candles. There was also a great article in Family Fun magazine this summer on how to make sand wands for the kids.

Feathers-great tools for cleansing and air magic. Be careful however not to collect feathers from birds that are on the endangered lists. This can cause legal problems for you.

Egg shells-ground up and use in protection or fertility magic.

Shed snakeskin- can be a very powerful tool esp in healing magic.Just make sure the owner of the skin is long gone before taking :). 

***Anytime you take anything from nature, always ask permission first and then offer nature something in return.

These are just a few examples of nature items that can be used in magic. So what is your favorite natural item to use in your own practice?

May your magical endeavors always be blessed.

BB,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- M is for What is Magic?

This article was written with the help of my sister, Crystal Luna Rouge, when we first started teaching together.

What is Magic?

Every person has the ability within themselves to do magic. And some people do it without realizing they are performing magic! For example: have you ever made a sick friend or loved one chicken soup when they were feeling ill? If so, you put all your love and energy into making the soup, so it would help them get better faster. This is a form of magic.

Most people are afraid of magic because they have been taught that it is evil. But now with magic coming back into the world and out of the “broom closet”, the truth is slowly but surely coming out as well. Magic is not evil. It is a very natural ability that can be practiced by anyone who wants positive change in their lives.

The Dictionary’s Definition of Magic:
Noun.
1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
a. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
b. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
2. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
3. A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).

Adjective.
1. Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: “stubborn unlaid ghost/that breaks his magic chains at curfew time” (John Milton).
2. Possessing distinctive qualities that produce unaccountable or baffling effects.


[Middle English magik, from Old French magique, from Late Latin magica, from Latin magic, from Greek magik, from feminine of magikos, of the Magi, magical, from magos, magician, magus. ]

Magic vs. Magick

Magic within this document will be spelt as you would find it in a Dictionary:
M-a-g-i-c.

Magic spelt M-a-g-i-c-k was introduced by Aliester Crowley to differentiate it from stage performers. Aliester Crowely defined magic as "The Science and Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will". I think it means: Using your own will to bring change into your life.

Forms of Magic
There are many forms of magic for example: Folk, Witchcraft, Vodoun, Santeria, Qabala, Ceremonial, Herbal, Moon/Lunar, Crystal, Color, Poppet, Elemental, Food/Kitchen, Knot, Powder, Healing, Weather, Binding, Protection, Sex, Glamour, Dream, Scrying, Fairy and Candle magic to name of few.
Wicca seems to embrace most forms of magic but can vary on the practitioner.

Is Magic Energy?
Some have speculated that Magic is an energy or force of some kind, and this would appear to be true in many situations. For example the ritual of Drawing down the Moon. Without going into too much detail Drawing down the Moon is a ritual where a Priestess or Solitary Female within the magic circle points her Athame at the full moon and lets the Moons energies fill her body, she then uses this "energy" for her magical endeavour, whatever that may be.

Another example is where a Witch or Magician charges Tools, Herbs, Stones, Candles, Talismans etc. Therefore to "Charge" something they must believe that there is an "energy" of some sort. I have also read of stories where within a magic circle with several people involved that sparks of energy have literally jumped from person to person. This would also suggest that there is some kind of "energy" involved.

“Recent discoveries in quantum physics (the study of the physics of sub-atomic particles) and in cosmology (the branch of astronomy and astrophysics that deals with the universe taken as a whole) shed much light on how mind interacts with the universe. These discoveries compel acceptance of the idea that there is far more than just one universe and that we constantly interact with many of these "hidden" universes.
Unfortunately, most books on quantum cosmology are written in language that an ordinary intelligent person cannot understand. Moreover, many if not most scientists are in a state of denial of anything supernatural. They are blind to the paranormal and simply cannot see the obvious logical conclusions of their own discoveries.

What is needed is a source that explains in understandable, non-mathematical terms the relationship between mind and matter––how the human mind acts to influence the physical world.
Such a source exists.”
Magic to modern day people (and the past).... Energy work in all the forms. It can be shown in many ways. There can be obvious physical things...like seeing a wound heal before your eyes, moving things with the mind (telekenetics), teleportation, etc... There can mental magic...like psychic abilities, talking to spirit (plants, animals, dead, ascended beings, etc...). Increased perceptions...see auras, hear thoughts, feel energy, etc...


Is Magic Desire?

Do practitioners of magic believe so much in their science that they simply just see what they want to see. Their perception is so intense in a belief in magic that after casting a spell or doing a ritual say for example:

Making a wish while blowing out candles on a birthday cake. This is one of the oldest forms of magic that has been around for centuries. What really happens here? The person is sending out the desire for an object of material substance or outcome. Does having intense belief in your perception guide you to draw to you the things in life that you desire. This spell or ritual you conducted was a focusing tool to make you concentrate and guide your energies towards your desire to accumulate something in your life.

It draws its power from a deep well in the center of the human soul. Within this well are the waters of the unconscious, and below the surface dwell all possibilities and potentials, awaiting their turn to be pulled up into the light and made real. So long as they remain under the surface, they do not exist, but the moment they are captured and brought forth they come to be. Other types are manipulations. Manifesting things you desire, changing weather, time, probability of future events, etc.. Personal magic...re-patterning oneself, making self a higher more pure being. Intent is very powerful tool.

Many people will to tell you to perform magic you need certain things i.e. Tools, Props, Timing, Astrological correspondences, Moon phase etc, to be successful in your magical workings. I believe it depends on the user’s preference. Personally, I think these things enhance your magical work but really don't do the work for you. They are simply an added bonus.

So what is magic? To be honest I am not 100% sure. I believe in a Universal Force whether this is actually the energy we use in magic is another matter. I personally do not believe it is what one sees on television shows and movies such as Charmed, The Craft, and Harry Potter. Their magic to me is the magic of imagination and is entirely a different subject.

How do you define magic in your own tradition?

Blessed be,
Autumn


Resources:
What is Magic by Wren Walker of Witches Voice
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
What is Magic? By: Donald Tyson (article found on internet)

Pagan Blog Project- L is for Litha and M is for Midsummer

So I am behind again on the pagan blog project, so I am combining my last L and first M. Both are for the sabbat we are celebrating now, Litha or Midsummer. This year part of my coven celebrated in Earlville, Illinois at Stonehouse Park with Selena Fox and Circle Sanctuary. The weather was very hot and the bugs were plentiful, but the time spent this past week was well worth it. :).

Our trip started out not so great. After an hour and a half of traveling, my husband noticed we had a crate missing! So we doubled back ALL the way to the beginning of our trip, but to no avail. We could not find the crate. It must have fallen off and someone picked it up. I hope who ever now had possession of my husbands clothes put them to good use! So now we have wasted 3 hours and have to start all over again. Our trip started at 2am on Saturday morning and ended at 3am on Sunday!! We had now been up for 24 hours straight. Needless to say, we were POOPED! We slept in at the hotel until 9am then headed out to Stonehouse Park for entry to the festival week. (Oh, we did stop at Walmart along the way to buy my husband more clothes!!! He doesn't do skyclad ;).

The rest of the week was much better and we made many new friends and had a fabulous time. We have even started making notes for our next trip to PSG.

Solstice morning, we attended a ritual headed by Selena Fox in which we paid tribute to Father Sun. It was a wonderful ritual filled with fun and laughter. The rest of the week we attended lectures and workshops with nightly concerts. Some of the bands playing were Spiral Rhythm, Tuatha Dea and Celia.

Below are pictures from our week long retreat. So how did you spend your solstice?

Community Altar

Entrance to the Ritual Circle

Grandmother Willow

Home Sweet Home for the week

Spirit Doll and Egg Rattle I made

Solstice Tree at home, I decorate it for each sabbat.

We had to leave Saturday morning to be back in Louisiana for Sunday evening so my husband could go to work on Monday. This is the sunflower for the main ritual on Saturday night that we missed. However we did put our intentions into the papers with are stuffed into the middle of the sunflower. The sunflower was burned as an offering in the Saturday night ritual.

I hope everyone had a blessed sabbat. We certainly did.

BB,
Autumn

Pagan Blog Project-L is for Litha Recipes

I don’t know where everyone is located who reads my blog, but I am here in SW Louisiana, and here in June, summer has been in full swing since April J. The temps here vary from 85-100 degrees right now and during the day time, homes get very warm, especially mine as I live in a mobile home. So what is a witch to do? Well fix non cook recipes of course, keep that kitchen cool J. Most of these recipes are from Martha Stewart and are some of my favorites. There is also a grilling recipe for spending some quality time outdoors with mother nature and father sun J.

Hummus From Martha Stewart

Store hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Ingredients:

 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) chickpeas

 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

 1/4 cup tahini

 2 cloves garlic, chopped

 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

 Directions

1.       Reserving 1/4 cup liquid, rinse and drain 2 cans chickpeas. Place chickpeas and reserved liquid in a food processor. Add 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup tahini, well stirred, 2 garlic cloves, chopped, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt. Process until smooth.

Cherry Tomato Salad from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

 1 tablespoon olive oil

 Coarse salt and ground pepper

 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

1.       In a medium bowl, combine mustard, lemon juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add tomatoes, and toss to coat.

Panzanella Bread Salad From Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar

 1/4 cup olive oil

 Coarse salt and ground pepper

 3 cups large cubes country bread (5 to 6 ounces)- I prefer my bread grilled J

 1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into small pieces

 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise

 1/4 medium red onion, very thinly sliced

 4 ounces provolone cheese in one piece, diced

 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

 Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper.

 2. Add  bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and cheese. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in basil. **The recipe also came with beans, however we are not a bean family. But if you are, feel free to add them J.

Spinach Salad from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1 bunch spinach, (about 6 cups), preferably flat-leaf, roughly chopped

 1/3 cup dried sour cherries or cranberries

 3 scallions, thinly sliced

 1 green apple, cored and thinly sliced

 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half

 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

 2 teaspoons apple-cider vinegar

 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

 Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese, (about 2 ounces)

 Directions:

1.       Combine spinach, cherries, scallions, apple slices, grapes, and walnuts in a large bowl. Whisk together vinegar and olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour vinaigrette over salad; toss in cheese, and arrange on salad plates.

 Grilled Tomatoes  (or grilled veggies)

Beefsteak tomatoes or other veggies you love

Parmesan cheese or whatever cheese  you like

Directions:

1.            Slice tomatoes fairly thick. Coat with olive oil for grilling.

2.            Grill one side a couple of minutes until grill marks appear. Turn.

3.            Grill other side till done. Grilling times varies as to how you like your veggies done.

4.          Add parmesan cheese or any other cheese you love.

Happy eating. May this Litha season see all of your heart’s desires come true.

 

BB,

Autumn

Litha craft-Sand Paintings

I was going through some old files and found this craft. I am not sure where it originated from, so if you know, please let me know so I can give proper credit. This is a great craft to help teach our littles ones about Litha and the Summer Season. Litha is the time of the sun, but as Wiccans we look for duality in all things, or at least this Wiccan does :). You can explain the significance of the sun and the power of the sun god at this time of year. You can also explain the concept of balance, so sand (and beach) are not a stretch. One of my favorite all time litha activities is tubing because it combines the best of both elements: the sun and water from the river. Nothing is more relaxing than relaxing in an inner tube floating down the river with the sun kissing your skin. But I digress :). So here is the directions for the craft:

 

 

Making Sand Paintings

Colored sand (various colors)

White glue

Paint brush (old one)

Paper (as thick as possible to prevent warping)

Pencil

PREPARATION:

1. Make sure to cover work surface completely. Lightly sketch design onto paper. Make design fairly simple with large areas of color. Stay away from tiny details.

2. Place your drawing on top of another clean piece of paper that you have folded in half and then opened again. This will aid you in not only in catching the extra sand but then in pouring in back in

the original container.

3. Pour some glue into a disposable container (paper cups work well). Thin glue with a few drops of water to the consistency of paint.

4. "Paint" glue onto areas of picture. (Paint only the areas that will be the same color until all areas of that color are complete. )

5. Sprinkle or pour sand over the fresh glue and then tip the paper to get rid of the excess sand. "Paint" more glue and sprinkle more sand until all areas of the selected color are completed. Extra sand can be carefully poured back into the original jar.

6. Then move on to each different color completing all areas of one color before moving on to the next. Let dry.

7. To outline areas, run a thin bead of glue right out of the glue bottle to outline area, sprinkle desired color of sand, let set a few seconds and gently tip page to get rid of excess sand. If bead of glue moves when you tip the picture it can be pushed back into place gently with a toothpick. More touchup work and be done to the edges of your outlines when the glue begins to dry but is still a

little pliable. The outlines add depth and texture to your pictures for just the right finishing touch and can also be used to cover imperfections.

 

May you all have a blessed Litha/MidSummer.

Blessed be,

Autumn