Do You Say Grace??

So, on my way to work yesterday I was listening to the Crooked Path Podcast on my iPod. I had just downloaded some of them to listen to while walking to work, they're very interesting as they have a different take on Paganism, not just the "fluffy, love & light" side of things.

Anyway, Peter (Paddon, that is) brought something up on his episode about sacrifice about saying a type of Grace before we eat. This was something I never really thought of until lately in my life. It was something I never did as an Anglican/Episcopalian, but while I was reading a novel where Paganism was the main religion, they said Grace before every meal. NOTE: Kate West was an influence on the author & helped him with things Pagan. Thanking the Gods for what we put into our mouths is another way of connecting with them. Also, thanking the animal's spirit whose meat we are eating (if you're not a vegetarian) and for thanking the Great Mother for the bounty of the produce we have, as well. I know a lot of you may be thing that saying Grace is a Christian thing, but in a way, they have that right by thanking their God for what they have, but there are also cultures who aren't Christian who thank their Gods, too.

Here are a couple of examples of a Pagan food blessings:

I Thank thee Great Goddess
For the bounty before me
A gift of thy great abundance.
Thank you for sustaining my life.
I receive your gift of food in gratitude.

OR

Lord and Lady, watch over us,
and bless us as we eat.
Bless this food, this bounty of earth,
we thank you, so mote it be.

These are just a few that I have found in the past couple of months. If you don't feel comfortable saying Grace before your meal, you can always have a moment of silence before eating.

~Rowan
)O(

T'was the Eve Before Midwinter

'Twas The Eve of Midwinter, and all through the coven

The Witches were cooking strange things in the oven.

There were mugwart frittatas, and dragon's-blood stew

And mescaline eggnog and mandrake fondue.

There were hot mountain oysters and road-kill pate

And spotted-owl kidneys, and wombat flambe.

The circle was cast and the herbs had been smoked

In hopes that the Goddess would soon be invoked.

When out by the hot tub arose such a clatter

I jumped on my broom to see what was the matter.

And what should I see in the blackberry thorns

but a soaking wet Goddess and eight unicorns!

"I was just sitting down with my vibrating phallus

And a good book," she muttered, "You bitches are callous.

I came when you called, over all my objections,

And got lost in the woods--you give lousy directions.

You turkeys invoked me, now look at my dress

My period's late and I've got PMS."

She cursed and she muttered, she looked like a wreck

The unicorns whimpered and shat on the deck.

We gave her some weed and we got her some grub

We brought her clean towels and she soaked in the tub.

Then she rose, hot and dripping, and gave us her blessing

And jumped in her chariot, without even dressing!

"On Isis! On Eris! Oya and Astarte!

On Ishtar! Inanna! Kali and Hecate!"

We heard her exclaim as she climbed through the air

"Thank Goddess there's only eight sabbats a year!"

My Yule Ritual

I'm still on a high from last night's Yule Ritual & Feast that I attended. It was glorious!!! I got there about 20minutes before it began, sat with my friend, Heddy and her friend, Cathy, who was wearing sandalwood. I had some patchouli in my hair, so we smelled so good last night. That our little joke all night, about how we were the best smelling Pagans there.

We chatted until it was time for the ritual to begin. We all lined up to be cleansed by a sage smudge, so I even smelled better lol!! Cathy & I were the only 2 who shed our winter boots to go barefoot for the ritual. I think it makes the energy flow better when there's nothing between you & the floor. It was an indoor rite, as it is very cold now here in the Maritimes to go outside for a ritual, not as mild as it is over in the UK & Europe to do outdoor rituals.

The room was in total darkness as we joined hands & cast the circle. We chanted, called the quarters (Heddy welcomed the North) and chanted some more. The ritual itself was a beautiful one. It's been ages since I've participated in a group ritual for a Sabbat. The only other one was Samhain in '93 and I had no idea what I was doing when they asked me to call on the element of the West, but I digress.

There was about 30-40 who participated in the rit. There were a few children who got to light the Yule Log. We all got candles to welcome the coming sun as the days are going to be growing longer. The Wheel is definitely turning again.

Then, there was a huge feast after the ritual. We had roast turkey, tofurkey for the vegans, mash potatoes, corn, carrots, mixed veg, 2 kinds of stuffing and gravy. There was also hot apple cider to warm your insides...yummy. Just when you think you've had your fill, out come the desserts: pumpkin pies, cookies, a Yule Log cake, more sweets. I do have to thank my friend, Lisa, who slaved over a hot oven preparing this feast. She did an awesome job!!

I got to meet some more new friends, as well as those who I met at the Witches' Ball a month ago. We all sat around the table discussing issues important to Pagans, books we've read, music and how we should all go see "Avatar". I guess it's has a very Goddess-friendly view of things & an important message as well. I do plan on going to see it after hearing about it from one of the ladies at our table.

All in all, I had a wonderful time last night. I was so energized when I came home I had to ground some of that energy before going to bed, so I danced around my livingroom to Blackmore's Night. I tired myself out so much, I don't even remembering hitting the pillow.

Blessed Be & Happy Yule!!!!

Rowan

Yule Songs

We Three Crones
Tune: "We Three Kings"

We three crones of magic-past are,

Bearing gifts, we traverse afar,

Fields & fountain, moor & mountain,

Following each our star.

Chorus:

Oh, star of wonder, star of might,

Star of radiant beauty bright,

Inward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us with thy magick light.

Gold I bring, the Earth's hidden gleam,

Guards our Mem'ry, draws forth our dream;

Weary-curing, strong enduring,

Holding time's circling stream.

Chorus

Frankincense I carry with me.

Incense aids the spirit to see;

Analyzing, wize, up-rising,

Sense of the Earth, flow free!

Chorus

Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume

Lifts new life, a magical broom;

Praying, flying, purifying,

Away with old lingering gloom.

Chorus

Glorious gifts of magic (wimmin) we praise,

Maiden, Mother, Ancient of Days;

Strength, and sense, and energy; whence

Return to our sacred ways.

Wiccan Wonderland

by Stephanie Barclay, Storm Bear & Jimmy Williams

Tarot cards are you listening

Crystal balls are you glistening

The quarters are charged, we're wizards at large

We're walking in a Wiccan Wonderland.

In the meadow we will cast a circle

and pretend that its a geosphere

We'll have lots of fun upon the altar

Until and evil spirit chances near.

Later one we'll perspire

And get drunk by the fire.

We'll dance without clothes 'cause nobody knows

We're walking in a Wiccan Wonderland.

All you Pagans come on gather round us

Raise your chalice and join in our cheer

We'll have lots of cakes until the Sun comes

And chase it with another keg of beer.

After all is said and done

Bye to Spirits that have come

Please stay if you will or go if you must

We're walking in a Wicccan Wonderland

All Hail Ye, Simple Pagans

Tune: "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful"

All hail ye, simple pagans

Gather round the Yule fire

Oh come ye Oh come ye

To call the Sun!

Fires within us

Call the fire above us

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come let us adore him!

Our Lord, the Sun!

Yea Lord, we greet thee

Born again at Yuletide!

Yule fires and candle flames

Are lighted for you!

Come to thy children

Calling for thy blessing!

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come let us adore him!

Our Lord, the Sun

Carol of the Bells

Tune: "Traditional Ukranian Carol"

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells

All seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Yuletide is here, bringing good cheer

To young and old, meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song,

With joyful ring, all caroling

One seems to hear words of good cheer

From everywhere, filling the air

O, how they pound, raising the sound

O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing

Songs of good cheer, Yuletide is here!

Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

On, on they send, on without end

Their joyful tone to every home

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells

All seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Yuletide is here, bringing good cheer

To young and old, meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song

With joyful ring, all caroling.

One seems to hear words of good cheer

From everywhere, filling the air

O, how they pound, raising the sound

O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing

songs of good cheer, Yuletide is here

Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

On, on they send, on without end

Their joyful tone to every home.

Holly Jolly Yuletide

Tune: Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly jolly Yuletide

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Yuletide

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know

And ev'ryone you meet

Oh, ho, the mistletoe

Hung where you can see

Somebody waits for you

Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Yuletide

and in case you didn't hear

Oh, by golly have a holly jolly Yuletide

This year!

Good King Wenceslas

Tune: "Traditional Carol"

Good King Wenceslas last looked out

On the Feast of Yule

When the snow lay round about

Deep in Winter's rule

Brightly shone the Moon that night

Though the frost was cruel

When a poor roe came in sight

Seeking winter fuel.

"Hither, page, and stand by me

If thou know'st it, telling

yonder stag, O whose is he?

Where and how his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence

Underneath the mountain

Right against the forest fence

By good Brighit's fountain."

"Bring me apples; bring me corn

Bring my warm clothes hither

He shall dine `fore Solstice morn

When we bring them thither."

Page and monarch, forth they went

Forth they went together

through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather.

"Page, the night is darker now

And the wind blows stronger

Fails my heart, I know not how

I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good King

Tread thou in them boldly

Thou shalt find fierce Winter's sting

Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In the Oak King's steps he trod

Where the snow lay dinted

Heat was in the very sod

Which the God had printed.

Therefore, Paganfolk, be sure

Any rank possessing

Ye who now will bless the Earth

Shall, yourselves, find blessing.

Busy Yuletide!!

Hey, I just wanted you to know that it's been a very busy Yule season so far in my household this year. Between looking for a job and raising my son, I haven't been on here as often as I would like.

An update to what's going on with me. I've been making Pomanders tonight. What are Pomanders, you ask?? They're a very fragrant smelling holiday thingie that I make each year. You take an orange and poke whole cloves in a pattern into the skin of the orange. I make about 9 of these (3x3x3) and place them in a basket in my livingroom. The combination of the orange & cloves is to die for!! They smell so yummy!! I would take pix, but the batteries are dead in my camera & I'm broke til Friday when I get my CCTB (that's a monthly cheque I receive in Canada for being a mom) to get more batteries.


(My son standing in front of the tree)

The tree is up & decorated, as well as my apt is getting more festive as the days go on. I set up a Yule log again this year, adorning it with gold & silver candles. It sits in the place of honour on my coffee table. Lights are eveywhere!! In the windows, around my entertainment center, the window between my diningroom & kitchen. It's so well lit, that would think the sun is out shining on these long cold nights.

(This was taken last Yule)

We had our 1st snowstorm the other night, but since I live near the ocean, we didn't get as much as I thought we would. But, never fear, there is a Nor'Easter on its way for tomorrow. I love winter & everything about it. I'm very lucky to live on the Atlantic coast of Canada.

There is a Yule dinner & ritual coming up on the 19th of this month that I am thinking about attending. It's a Potluck feast. I'm looking forward to going & celebrating the season with my fellow Pagans in Halifax. I hope I get to see some familiar faces that I met at the Witches' Ball last month.

So, that's an update from me. I thank everyone who follows my blogs & leaves me feedback & comments. Your words mean a lot to me. I've only been on this journey with the Goddess for 3 yrs & I've learned so much. I enjoy sharing with you all what I've learned. I am on Facebook if you want to add me: Rowan Silverstar

Love & Light to you all!!
)O(

Rowan

Holiday Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon cold water

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Beat in molasses and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, salt, cinnamon and cloves; add to the creamed mixture alternately with water. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

2. On a well-floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a rocking horse cookie cutter or cutter of your choice dipped in flour. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 9-11 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.

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

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.

Are You Ready??

I love this time of year!! The autumn chill is in the air, leaves have turned into wonderful shades of golds, reds & oranges. The chestnuts are falling from their limbs. And...can you feel it?? I can. The Veil is getting thinner as the days go by. It feels thinner this year, over last year. The Goddess is showing us those who have gone on before us.

Samahin is a very special Sabbat for me. It was the very first ritual I ever got to participate in when I was in college. It was with a group of eclectic witches. I can still feel the magick it had that night. That was when I first saw one of my Patron Deities, Cernunnos. I didn't know who he was at that time, as I was was still very fresh to the Pagan ways.

I have a "To Do: list that I have been working on this past week. To prepare of the Samhain Sabbat, I have been getting things in order. I cleaned up my Facebook, by deleting those who I really don't talk to, or do not want to talk to anymore.

I've been cleaning house, as well. As this is the Pagan New Year, I wanted to make sure things are fresh & clean. I changed all the bedding in my house, caught up on my laundry, I cleaned my patio outside by sweeping all the dead leaves away, brought in all the summer things (patio chairs, etc) I refreshed my protection barriers around the outside of my place, including the main doors to the building. I swept & mopped all my floors, vacuumed what needed to be. Everything got a good dusting and now I feel I'm ready to proceed with the Sabbat.

My altar cloth is ironed and I've set up my altar for Samhain. I'll be using my copper cauldron, in honor of Hecate, this year. My meal is planned for the Dumb Supper, hopefully my son will be as quiet as he can be (he has Autism). After we return from "Trick or Treating" I will be doing my ritual, honoring those who have gone on before me. I will listen to what the Great Mother has to say to me. And what would a New Year's be without a resolution?? I will be making one, but it won't be the usual things that muggles do on the 1st of January. mine will be a special resolution.

Anyway, I have some folding of laundry to do. May the Goddess bless you this special time of the year. May you behold visions & wonders this Samhain.

)O( Blessed Be,
Rowan

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

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**

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!!

Well, it's another Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. The autumn chill is in full swing, the leaves are changing into their autumn looks, shades of reds, oranges and golds are everywhere. Looking in the grocery stores are all the gourds, fall vegetables and turkeys for sale. Bakeries are baking & selling pumpkin pies, apple pies, all sorts of fall treats.

This year, however, I will not be taking part in the whole Turkey-day festivities. Why, you ask?? Well, for a few reasons. It's my son's weekend to spend with his father, so the idea of me cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is a little pointless when it's just me home alone with 2 cats. I also had to work this weekend, so I couldn't go home to my family's for dinner (I don't even think Mom's cooking anything special) and I have a bunch of housework to keep me busy for the long weekend (laundry, dishes, changing the litter box, garbage, etc).

I do like this holiday, not just because I get a paid day off from work, either. I love being with my family & friends back at home. I love my mom's roast turkey dinner, that I help cook with her. It's just us 2 in the kitchen, bonding over boiling carrots & potatoes. Since I don't like pumpkin pie (hearing gasps from all you readers), Mom usually makes me my favourite pie, lemon meringue. I will be taking Mark home next weekend where we'll have a belated Thanksgiving dinner. I will also be taking him to a corn maze, where we can pick a pumpkin for Samhain, go on a hayride and play in those bouncy castes thingies. It will be a lot of fun. We'll also go walking through the park, look at the waterfalls, hike through the trails in the woods and then go play in the playground.

I am looking forward to next weekend, my Thanksgiving with my family, eating the wonderful food, sharing laughs across the dinner table and being thankful for all that we have in this life. The Gods have blessed us with many things and even though this is a secular holiday, based on our Harvest Sabbats, giving thanks is always appreciated.

Blessed Be )O(