Where is Autumn??

Ah, September is upon us. When there would be a hint of autumn in the air, it is 34C/93F with humidity. Not very fall-like at all. The reason for these high temps?? Where I am living there is a hurricane coming...Hurricane Earl, to be exact. Hurricane Danielle missed us, but not before she left us with all this hot, sticky heat. Ugh!

So, to get me in the autumn mood, I decided to switch up the layout on here & over at Rowan's Book of Shadows. I found a bunch of new templates and I want to use them all. I still have some cool Samhain ones that I'll put up in 30 days.

I can't believe that summer is winding down. It seems like it was yesterday when I first went to Twa Corbies back in May and helped with the summer planting and now Cliff is finishing up harvesting the gardens and soon he will be going bow hunting...Mmm, venison.

Looking back over the past 3 months, a lot has happened to me: my cat got sick & died, my mother had a quadruple bypass, visited the Hollow 2 additional times and struggled with my son's autism...all on top of the mundane things like working at the salon, paying bills and trying to have a love life.

Happy September 1st!!

6 More Weeks!!

I'm sitting here whittling away on my Stave that I am making, on my patio when it gave me the gentlest of kisses. The sublety of it is in the air & I know that soon it will become more & more. My heart skips a beat at the thought. Autumn will soon be here!! My favorite time of the year...school starts again, Canadian Thanksgiving and Samhain!!! Here is a pic to get you all in the mood. I took it last autumn while venturing in the woods.

A Slow Week for Rowan

Hey there!! I know I haven't been on as much, my bad. There's nothing new going on right now with me, except that I joined the unemployed yesterday. But don't worry, I'm a resilient gal who always bounces back, like a red rubber ball.

Found a really cool site that you all may like. A friend on Facebook recommended it to me. It's the Pagan Radio Network. You can stream it from Windows Media Player, Quicktime, iTunes, etc. It's all Pagan music. There are podcasts there, as well. I'm listening to it right now as I blog.

I've been noticing already that some of the other blogs I follow are decorated for Yule. It's hard to believe that the Solstice will be upon us in a few short weeks. I started putting out my outside icicle lights on my patio, since the weather here is uncommonly mild for November. This time last year we were under 30cm of snow. Speaking of Yule, I had designs on getting myself a really nice Yule basket that I saw at the Sacred Mists Shoppe. It's a basket filled with yummy goodies to help you this Sabbat. There are incenses, an altar cloth, candles, a mini besom, etc. But now as I am jobless, I will hopefully get the Imbolg basket instead. They offer baskets for the 8 Sabbats.

Ok, if you haven't figured it out, I am a Twihard. I'm a 35 yr old Twilight freak!! I saw New Moon on Thursday night, it was a sneak peak showing. All I have to say is: "Holy Crap, Batman!!" It is a little over 2 hrs long. Lots of bare chests (Note to self: Don't look at Taylor Lautner, he's old enough to be your son) and a sparkly Edward. The movie has a good pace to it and it follows the book about 90%. I did have to laugh at the girlfriends dragging their boyfriends to this movie. There was a huge group of gay guys who gasped everytime you see Jacob shirtless.. I had a really good time. Now I can't wait for it to come out onto DVD this spring.

Oh, before I forget, I became a member this week of the Black Hat Society. Yay!! Thanks, Jennifer for accepting me. From what I can see, there are a few other Canadians there. It's a great group, I've been on joining groups, reading posts, getting to know the group of wonderful witches there. I love it!!

Blessing to you all,
Rowan

Post-Samhain Letdown

I know a lot of people this week are feeling a bit out of sorts. Between celebrating Samhain and the time change (here in N.America), I don't blame them. We just celebrated the New Year, visited with our ancestors and had the most joyous few weeks in a while. It's like we all got hyped up on getting things ready for the Sabbat, from house cleaning, decorating, preparing things, we may have run ourselves a bit thin.

This is what I like to refer to as the Post-Samhain Letdown (PSL). Actually, this can happen after many of the Sabbats, depending how much work & effort you put into preparing for them. I know some who get this way after Beltaine. The excitement is gone for another year, decorations are being put away and you feel this emptiness. Don't worry, it's only a temporary thing, it will go away. It's kind of like going through Samhain withdrawals, but without the shakes, night sweats, etc. You feel tempted to raid your child's treat bag for that little sugar rush, to remind you of the excitement. Don't do it, put the candy bar down & move slowly from the bag!!

Samhain coincided this year with the time change, here in North America. Talk about getting all wonky on top of the PSL. Sure you get that extra hour of sleep, but it does take a bit to get used to a whole hour difference. That makes some, me included, a little discombobulated. I have no problem with jet-lag when I travel, but a whole hour difference throws me into a tailspin. Not a good combination with PSL & the time changing. Move away from that candy bar!!

Try not to let things get you down, ok?? I've been keeping busy this week with work, blogging, my son, etc. I haven't had a moment to dwell on the whole "Samhain is over for another year", as well as a recent break-up (long story, not going there). I've been meditating each night to relax after my day is over. Been catching up on my reading that I neglected when involved with my "ex".

So, try to keep yourself busy, don't let things get overwhelming. Go for a long walk, reconnect with the Goddess, meditate, take long relaxing baths (with the door locked so no one can disturb you), get you hair done. Just know that PSL is only a short-term thing that won't last long.

)O( Blessed Be,
Rowan

Mother Moon's Runes Giveaway

Ok, I follow a wonderful blog called Mother Moon's Message. She has this really great giveaway this month. Handmade Runes that she & her husband made from a willow tree. I'm posting the link to her blog so you can enter a chance to win these at the end of the month. I think these are great!! I just got my first set of Runes a couple of weeks ago.

Last Night's Full Moon

Here are some pix of the full moon last night that I took off my patio. I kinda like the blurriness, it adds mystery to the pix. Enjoy!!

)O(
Rowan

Full Moon Blessings

The Mourning Moon

November was the ninth month in the oldest Roman calendar. In the Celtic tradition this was the beginning of a new year. The Celtic year ended on the eve before Samhain and began again on the day after. They considered it a Moon month of beginnings and endings and many still do.

The goddess Hecate had many celebrations though out the year. November 16 was known as the Night of Hecate, the Three -formed. Hecate is part of the most ancient form of the triple Moon goddess as Crone or Dark Moon: Artemis was the Crescent Moon and Selene the Full moon. Most of Hecate's worship, and especially on this night, was performed in a three way crossroad at night. Food was left there as an offering to her. She was known to rule the passages of life and transformation, birth and death. Her animals were the toad, the owl, the dog and the bat.

Correspondences

Moon Names: Snow Moon, Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Beaver Moon, Mourning Moon, Blotmonath (Sacrifice Month), Herbistmonoth (Harvest Month), Mad Moon, Moon of Storms, Moon When Deer Shed Antlers.

Nature Spirits: subterranean faeries

Herbs: grains of paradise, verbena, betony, borage, cinquefoil, blessed thistle

Colours: gray, sea-green

Flowers: blooming cacti, chrysanthemum

Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms, hyacinth, narcissus, peppermint, lemon

Stones: topaz, hyacinth, lapis lazuli

Trees: alder, cypress

Animals: unicorn, scorpion, crocodile, jackal

Birds: owl, goose, sparrow

Deities: Kali, Black Isis, Nicnevin, Hecate, Bast Osiris, Sarasvati, Lakshme, Skadi, Mawu

Power Flow: Take root, prepare. Transformation. Strengthen communication with the god or goddess who seems closest to you.

According to the Old Farmers' Almanac, the full moon in November is the Full Beaver Moon. This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

Happy November!!!

Happy November to you all!! I hoped that all you Samhain festivities were awesome. I know that here in my house it was. I'm a little exhausted with the trick or treating we did last night, my Samhain ritual and the time change.

November in my house is a time to rest after a busy last 2 months with Mabon & Samhain. This is when I take down all the decorations, tidy up and prepare for the upcoming Yule season. It is also the time when, here in Canada, we remember our fallen heroes on the 11th.

November is also when I start my holiday baking. This year, I'll be making my favorite shortbread recipe, which I may post on here...not sure, it's my "secret" family recipe, I'll be making my mom's chocolate chip cookies, chocolate macaroon cookies, molasses cookies, etc. I also pull out the slow cooker to make boiled dinners, a family tradition in my house since I was a kid. I usually make chicken stews, beef stews, corned beef & cabbage. I may even be making my homemade chilli. Comfort food to warm up our bones when the temperature drops.

As much as most of you out there hate this...snow will soon be falling. I, personally, love the snow in winter. From the howling of a Nor'easter to the gentle falling of snow at night time, I love it!! To see the snow on the branches first thing in the morning is a sight to behold.

Wanna know what else I love about this month?? The Twilight Saga: New Moon is out on the 20th!! Yes, I love me some Edward Cullen. I have 3 weeks to wait til I get to see this movie. I've been following it on other blogs since they started filming it back in March. You can say I'm a little obsessed.

So, this ends my into to November. May you all be rested up this month for the soon-to-be-here Solstice/Yule/Christmas season. Remember, it's only 51 days 'til Solstice.

)O( Blessed Be,
Rowan

The Three Witches by Wm Shakespeare

Thrice, the brinded cat mewed.
Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined.
Harpier cries ! 'Tis time!
Round about the cauldron go;
In the poisoned entrails throw:
Toad that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one. Sweltered venom, sleeping got,
Boil thou first i'the charmed pot.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth, boil and bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witch's mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravined salt sea shark,
Root of hemlock digged i'the dark,
Liver of blaspheming jew,
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Slivered in the moon's eclipse,
Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips,
Finger of birth-strangled babe,
Ditch-delivered by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron
For the ingredience of our cauldron.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Cool it with a baboon's blood;
Then the charm is firm and good....

Blessed Samhain!!!!!

Pix of Pumpkin Carving

Samhain Correspondences

Symbolism: Third Harvest, wisdom of the Crone, death of the God, reflection on our place in the Wheel of the Year, New Year, reincarnation, the dark mysteries, Rebirth after Death.

Foods: turnips, apples, nuts, beef, pork, poultry, gingerbread.

Drinks: Mead, apple cider, mulled cider, mulled wines.

Herbs: Angelica, burdock, catnip, pennyroyal, rosemary, rue, sunflower, sage, thyme, wild ginseng, tarragon, mugwort.

Flowers: Calendula, chrysanthemum, cosmos, marigold.

Trees: Acacia, apple, cypress, hazel, hemlock, yew.

Incenses and oils: Bay, cedar, clove, copal, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, heather, mugwort, myrrh, patchouli, peppermint, sage, sandalwood, vetiver, wormwood.

Colors: Black, brown, orange.

Stones: Amber, beryl, bloodstone, carnelian, clear quartz, diamond, garnet, gold, granite, hematite, jasper, jet, marble, obsidian, opal, pyrite, rose sapphire, ruby, sandstone, smoky quartz, steel, tourmaline, turquoise.

Animals: Stag, jackal, cat, bat, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin.

Mythical creatures: Goblins, harpies.

Some appropriate Gods: all Death, Underworld, and aged Gods; Am-Heh (Egyptian), Anubis (Egyptian), Arawn (Welsh), Cernunnos (Celtic), Dis (Roman), Hades (Greek), Heimdahl (Norse), Herne (English), The Horned God (European), Kronos (Greek), Loki (Norse), Nefertum (Egyptian), Odin (Norse), Osiris (Egyptian), Pluto (Greco-Roman)

Some appropriate Goddesses: all Crone and Underworld Goddesses; Arachne (Greek), Aradia (Italian), Babd (Irish), Cerridwen (Welsh), Elli (Teutonic), Ereshkigal (Assyro-Babylonian), Eris (Greek), The Fates/Moerae (Greek), Fortuna (Roman), Freya/Frigg (Norse), Hecate (Greek), Hel (Teutonic), Inanna (Sumerian), Ishtar (Babylonian), Macha (Irish), Mari (Basque), Morrigan (Celtic), Nephthys (Egyptian), Nicneven (Scottish), Persephone (Greek), Psyche (Greek), Proserpina (Roman), Rhiannon (Welsh)

Decorations: Autumn leaves, fall flowers, pomegranates, apples, pumpkins, ears of corn, sprays of grain, corn dollies, gourds, nuts, seeds.

Traditional activities: divination, drying winter herbs, feasting and partying to defy the coming darkness (bob for apples, roast nuts, pop popcorn), Witches' Ball.

Spell/ritual work: astral projection, past life recall, Dark Moon mysteries, mirror spells, scrying, protection, inner work, clearing obstacles, transition, culmination, transformation. Releasing bad habits and toxic relationships, illness, failure and poverty; everything you do not want to carry into the new year.

A History of Samhain

The other day, I received a email from an author asking me to remove "A History of Samhain" from this blog. Apparently I didn't give the author credit to her work, as I forgot where I had gotten the info. I emailed the author back apologizing and told her I knew who reported me, 'cause she likes to copy things from other blogs and passes it off as her own, even though I am noticing that she is now giving credit to those she "borrows" from. I'm not naming names because that only causes negative energy.


I can't say I'm not a I'm a little put off, that I had to remove a item from my blog. It had a lot of great information, but I have left a link to site and article.

Thanks, Lady Spring Wolf, as I did see my name on her list of infringements. At least I wasn't nasty like some who have copied her stuff without permission.

Here's the link: http://www.paganspath.com/magik/samhain-history.htm

An Autumn Chant

"I will dance
The dance of dying days
And sleeping life.

I will dance
In cold, dead leaves
A bending, whirling human flame.

I will dance
As the Horned God rides
Across the skies.

I will dance
To the music of His hounds
Running, baying in chorus.

I will dance
With the ghosts of those
Gone before.

I will dance
Between the sleep of life
And the dream of death.

I will dance
On Samhain's dusky eye,
I will dance."

*By Karen Bergquist*

Thanks to Margaret Mullins for tagging me on Facebook :-D

A Chant for Samhain

This chant can be outdoors around a bonfire or inside around an extra large altar candle.

Fire red, summer's dead,
Yet shall it return.
Clear and bright in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart's desire,
When the spell's chanted well
Of the witching fire.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire spark, when nights are dark,
Makes our winter's mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven's rain,
And blessed be, and so may we,
At Hallowstide again.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Valiente, Doreen; "Witchcraft for Tomorrow"; Phoenix Publishing 1985

Autumn Colors Cocktail

If you're not into Halloween ghosts and gore, try this toned-down drink that celebrates the season, not the scares. This sweet iced tea and pomegranate liqueur give the drink a color that mirrors fall foliage, while a shot of vodka gives it a little kick.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz. vodka
3/4 oz. pomegranate liqueur
1/2 cup sweet ice tea
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest

Preparation: Place all ingredients into a shaker, shake. Pour over ice in a glass and garnish with a lime

The Drums of Samhain

The drums of Samhain keeping time.
The gates of magic open wide.

A cauldron's blessings overflow.

The candle flames are dying low.

The witches dance the circle 'round
to chant and bring the power down.

Hecate will hear our call
to turn the summer into fall.

The magic veil is growing thin.

The Netherworld is near our own.

We'll see the sacred fire fed
while witches commune with the dead.

The winds of Autumn call our names.

The driving rhythm slowly calms.

The glowing embers we will tend
until the drums of Samhain end.

Samhain Pumpkin Bread

This recipe makes 2 loaves

3 eggs
2C sugar
15oz canned pumpkin
1C vegetable oil
2tsp vanilla
3C flour
1tsp each salt, baking soda and baking powder
2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp nutmeg
1/2tsp cloves

Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir i sugar, canned pumpkin, oil and vanilla. Add dry ingredients & spices. Mix well. Pour into 2 bread pans that have been greased on the bottom only.
Bake at 325F for 60 to 80 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes & then remove from loaf pans and allow to cool completely. Enjoy!!

**From the Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2009**

Soul Cakes Recipe

Buttery Soul Cakes

You'll need:

• Two sticks butter, softened
• 3 1/2 C flour, sifted
• 1 C sugar
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg & saffron
• 1 tsp each cinnamon & allspice
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp malt vinegar
• Powdered sugar

Cut the butter into the flour with a large fork. Mix in the sugar, nutmeg, saffron, cinammon and allspice. Lightly beat eggs, and add to flour mixture. Add malt vinegar. Mix until you have a stiff dough. Knead for a while, then roll out until 1/4" thick. Use a floured glass to cut out 3" circles. Place on greased baking sheet and bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while the cakes are still warm.