Bath Bombs

You need:

2 tablespoons citric acid

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fragrance oil

3 to 6 drops liquid colorant if desired

3 tablespoons coconut oil or any other emollient oil such as Almond, Avocado, Apricot Kernel

Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Mix fragrance and colorant together. In a small glass bowl, combine oil with fragrance and colorant mixture. Slowly add oil mixture to dry ingredients and blend well.

Take truffle sized scoops of the mixture and shape into balls. Balls should be about 1″ in diameter. Let balls rest on a sheet of waxed paper for 2 – 3 hours.

Let the bombs dry and harden for 24 – 48 hours. You can pack each bomb into its own candy cup. Store bombs in a closed container.

To use: drop 1 – 3 into warm bath water.

Wedding Poetry

The Best Is Yet To Be

On your joyful wedding day,
You begin a brand new life.
Friends and family give their gifts
To joyful husband, blissful wife.

But the greatest gift you’ll ever get,
A gift from heaven above,
Is love forever, ending never,
Everlasting love.

You’ll share life’s joy and pleasure;
You’ll have plenty of that, it’s true.
But love is the real treasure
For your new spouse and you.

And if life hands you challenges,
As it does to one and all,
Your love will hold you steady
And never let you fall.

Your wedding day is full of joy;
Tomorrow you cannot see.
But one thing’s sure for the two of you:
The best is yet to be.

 

Unshakeable Bond

A wedding of two people
of quality and character,
so obviously right for each other,
is a joy and a blessing to the world.
May your fondest hopes, wishes and dreams
all come true,
as you grow closer together
in an unshakeable, loving bond.
May your marriage be filled
with sunshine and rainbows
and every kind of happiness
you two so richly deserve.
Congratulations, and every good wish
for the best things life has to offer you.

 

Wedding Toast

Here’s to___ and ___:
May they always love each other as much as they do today.
Now each of you has a best friend forever.
Each of you is a shelter for the other from life’s storms.
Each of you can share with each other life’s greatest pleasures.
This is a great beginning, but the best is yet to come.
Let today’s treasured memories turn into beautiful tomorrows
full of joy, fun, contentment and satisfaction.
The world always welcomes lovers,
and the whole wide world is opening up for you now
to share its treasures and delights.
May all your dreams come true, and may we get to share in them

SUN-DRIED TOMATO HERB BREAD

2/3 CUP BUTTERMILK, ROOM TEMPERATURE

1/4 CUP DRIED TOMATOES, (DO NOT USE OIL PACKED, AND USE SCISSORS TO CUT INTO SMALL PIECES).

2 TBSPS OLIVE OIL

1/3 CUP WARM WATER

1/4 TSP SALT

2 TBSP SUGAR, BROWN OR WHITE

3 CUPS  BREAD FLOUR, (CAN SUB ONE CUP WHEAT, BUT REMEMBER TO ADD 1/2 TSP WHEAT GERM).

1/2 TSP TARRAGON

1/2 TSP BASIL

1/2 TSP OREGANO

1 TSP BREAD MACHINE YEAST

 

ADD TO BREAD MACHINE IN ORDER BY DIRECTIONS OF BREAD MACHINE.  REMEMBER TO CHECK DOUGH AFTER 3-4 MINUTES TO MAKE SURE DOUGH IS MIXING PROPERLY.  AFTER BREAD MACHINE CYCLE IS COMPLETED, REMOVE FROM MACHINE.

PUNCH DOWN, PLACE IN OILED BREADPAN, COVER AND LET RISE UNTIL DOUBLED.  BAKE IN 350 DEGREE OVEN 25-30 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON HOW BROWN YOU LIKE  YOUR CRUST.  THIS IS THE BREAD TO USE FOR BLT’S, NOTHING CAN BEAT IT!

QUICK AND EASY SHEET CAKE

2 c. cake flour (unsifted)
2 c. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 c. water
1/2 c. cooking oil
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c chopped nuts

Sift dry ingredients together in large mixing bowl. Combine butter, water and cooking oil in saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour over dry mixture. Mix well. Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and nuts. Beat well. Pour into greased and floured 11×16 inch jelly roll pan. Bake in 375 degree oven, 20 to 25 minutes. Frost and eat!

PLANTING A FAERIE CHAIR

Flower Faeries are intriguing to have in the garden. A great way to invite them to move into your own herb garden is to plant an enticing Faerie Chair. Faerie scouts will be able to see this high rise Faerie Garden from a great distance! They will be so delighted that perhaps a whole clan will make their home near this awesome chair garden. You do however, have to make sure that your friends and relatives never try to sit on the chair. Who knows what would
happen!!

Begin by finding an old wooden chair. Garage sales are a good source.
Remove the seat part of the chair. And gather the rest of the needed
material.

Chicken wire
Staple gun
Wire cutters
Sphagnum moss
Potting soil
Green sheet moss
Curly branches
Special herb plants for the Faeries
Lady’s Mantle  (So that the Faeries can shower with the dew drops. ( The dew drops from this perennial keeps away wrinkles . This is very important for
someone as old as the Faeries.)
Lavender (The clan likes to have many parties and lavender infused wine is one of their favourites. (Promotes pure knowledge!) Lavender plants are
where the Faeries drape their clothes to dry and the lavender scent perfumes the air so there is no stress. )
Woolly Lamb’s Ear (This is a perennial pet for the Faeries normal animals are just tooooo big! )
Thyme  (Thyme is a must! The Faeries build their homes under the mounds of  thyme. )
Rosemary (Rosemary is also good. Good for the memory! A trailing variety looks great trailing down over the side of the chair. )
Boxwood (Boxwood can be clipped into a topiary tree and decorated for a special Faerie events, perhaps a wedding. (The small leaf boxwood would be the best!)
Sweet Woodruff  (The whirly white blossoms of the sweet woodruff reflect the moon light for late night Faerie dancing.

It is best to find a work area outside to plant the chair. With any luck the Faeries will spot what you are doing and the word will be out already!

Cut 2 squares of chicken wire approximately 12″ wider than the opening of the chair seat. Staple the chicken wire to the sides and form the excess wire into a pouch. You might want to double the staples to insure the pouch is secure.

Line the bottom of the chicken wire pouch with wet sphagnum moss until all
the mesh part is covered by approximately an 2″. Fill in the pouch with a good potting soil amended with compost or well rotted manure, bring the soil up to the level of the top of the seat.

Take the herb plants out of their pots and start planting them in the soil. Remember to keep taller growing plants at the back and the shorter plants such as thyme to the front. Water well and cover the soil around the plants with the green sheet moss.

The Faeries will like to hold picnics on the moss and it will help the herbs from
becoming too hot on all those sunny days in July! The curly branches
should be twisted down a leg of the chair, this will allow the Flower Faerie a way of climbing up to their Faerie Garden. If you have extra branches they can be inserted into the soil at the back in case the Faeries want to build a swing.

To encourage interest place little mini tea sets on the moss and give the Faeries their own sign that says “Faerie Garden” that is tied onto the chair rail with bright raffia. The Faeries like all kinds of earthly delights. Add acorns,
seashells and bits of gold ribbon but most of all add your imagination and have lots of “Faerie Fun”

The Faerie Chair should be watered once a day and in cold temperatures in the winter, given some protection.

Books that may be of interest:
Are there Faeries at the bottom of Your Garden? by Betsy Williams
Beyond Betwixt Between by Carla J. Nelson 

PIADINA – No yeast bread

Ingredients :

1 ½ cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil or 2 tablespoons butter
Water
Salt
Olive oil (to serve)
Salt (to serve)

Combine flour with oil and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water until a soft dough is formed.

If a food processor is used, start by processing flour with olive oil and salt.With machine running, gradually start pouring water until dough forms a ball.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and let stand for 20 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 or 4 parts and form 2 ½ inches balls.
Roll out on a lightly floured surface into 9 to 10-inch circles.

Heat greaseless skillet and place piadina. Prick with a fork. Cook until bottom begins to turn golden. Turn over and cook until golden.

Serve piadinas as an appetizer with a small dish with olive oil and salt to dip.

Piadinas can be used to prepare last minute individual pizzas.

Yields: 3 to 4 piadinas depending on the size.

No Yeast Bread

If you need, or want, to remove yeast from your diet, but can’t stand the thought of giving up bread, this recipe gives you an alternative. The Irish gave us this one, out of necessity when yeast was unavailable to them.

The vinegar is essential because baking soda requires an acidic component to do its work. You could also use buttermilk, or milk with 2 tsp of cider vinegar added.

This recipe makes a 2 lb. round loaf. Use a pizza pan for baking, preferably one of the silvertone no-stick type. Otherwise you will need to flour the bottom where the bread rests to keep it from sticking.

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

4 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp baking soda
1½ cups water
2 tsp vinegar (cider or white)

Combine dry ingredients and mix. Combine water and vinegar. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix.

Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for two or three minutes (no need to overdo it).

Shape into a round (about 1½ to 2 inches high), then place on pan. Dip a sharp knife into flour and cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf.

Bake 40 minutes. Remove, and while hot, glaze with 1 tbsp melted or softened butter.

Meditation

Learn to clear your mind. Learning to meditate, or listen to yourself and your inner guide, is the first thing you have to do as a witch. Find a comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Take the phone off the hook. Tell other occupants not to bother you.

Sit in a comfortable position, with your back straight. (I sit against a wall, on a pillow.) Place your hands on your knees. Close your eyes, and listen to yourself breathing. Don’t try and force an unnatural breathing pattern, just listen to yourself breathe.

After a while you may notice that your breathing has become slower, and deeper. Feel it. Feel the way the wind goes up your nostrils, and the way it rushes out. Feel how your diaphragm expands and shrinks with each breath. Listen to the sound the air makes as it passes through the nasal passages.

Feel your heartbeat. Feel how steady it is, how calm, how perfect. After a few moments, become aware of your body. Your body is your temple. Your body is your magick. Be aware of how it feels. Is it heavy or light? Does it tingle?

As you sit there, aware of breath, heartbeat, and total body, let whatever comes into your mind be fully explored. This is your inner guide talking to you. Experience full color, full sound, full scent. Don’t think or analyze, just let images and shadows come and go as they please.

When you are finished, stand up, stretch out, clap your hands together and say your name out loud. This will bring you back to the normal world. I advise you to do this at least once a day, and always before a magickal working.

Learn to Give Thanks

The gifts that we have are not to be taken for granted. The fact that we can think, walk, breath, make love, and give joy are things that fulfill our lives and make us human. We should not take these things for granted under any circumstances.

One way to reaffirm ourselves as witches and as humans is to give thanks. Always thank those that help up. Always thank those that give their time to us. Always thank those that offer good advice. Always thank those who make you happy. And ALWAYS thank the Earth and ALWAYS thank the Goddess.

You don’t have to do it everyday, but at least once a week, and always after the fruition of a spell. Go to your altar. Light your candles, your incense, and give her thanks. Talk to her out loud. Tell her you love her, tell her you need her. Tell her that you want always to have her in your temple (body). Tell her why you are a witch.

All of these things give thanks and they also reaffirm your faith to yourself. I like to thank the elements at this time as well. I use this time to draw her into me, to breath deeply and imagine her sinking into me. Afterwards, go outside and offer a piece of bread and a drink of wine to the Earth.  There is more to Wicca than magick.

LEMON JELLY

Yield: 2 pints
 12 LEMONS       4 lg APPLES (tart--Granny Smith)
 Water To cover  3c  GRANULATED SUGAR

Slice the lemons, including the rind, seeds and all, thin, and place into a saucepan.

Core the apples, but do not peel, and chop coarsely.

Add the apples to the pan and pour in enough water to just cover the fruit. Cook over moderate heat, until the fruit becomes mushy.

Pour the mixture into a jelly bag or a colander lined with several thicknesses of damp cheesecloth and let drip into a bowl for about an hour. Using a spoon, force as much liquid through the cheesecloth as possible.

Measure the juice; you should have about 4 cups.

For each cup of juice, add 3/4 cup of sugar.

Return to the pan and boil for another 15 minutes or so, until the mixture reaches the jelly stage, about  220- to 225-degrees F on a candy thermometer.

To be absolutely certain, place a tablespoon of the hot mixture into a saucer and set it in the freezer for a few minutes. If it jells, the mixture is ready.

Pour the jelly into HOT, sterilized jars and seal.

Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Or it may be store in a covered container in the refrigerator for several months.

Headache Cures and Remedies

Natural Headache Cure using Lemon

There are several natural remedies for various types or headaches. The juice of three or four slices of lemon should be squeezed in a cup of tea and taken by the patient for treating this condition. It gives immediate relief. The crust of lemon, which is generally thrown away, has been found useful in headaches caused by heat. Lemon crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar and applied as plaster on the forehead. Applying the yellow, freshly pared-off rind of a lemon to each temple will also give relief.

Cure Headaches naturally using Apple

Apples are valuable in curing all types of headaches. After removing the upper rind and the inner hard portion of a ripe apple, it should be taken with a little salt every morning on an empty stomach in such cases. This should be continued for about a week.

Natural Headache remedy using Henna

The flowers of henna have been found valuable in curing headaches caused by hot sun. The flowers should be rubbed in vinegar and applied over the forehead. This remedy will soon provide relief.

Headache remedy using Cinnamon

Cinnamon is useful in headaches caused by exposure to cold air. A fine paste of this spice should be prepared by mixing it with water and it should be applied over the temples and forehead to obtain relief.

Headache treatment using Marjoram

The herb marjoram is beneficial in the treatment of a nervous headache. An infusion of the leaves is taken as a tea in the treatment of this disorder.

Headache treatment using Rosemary

The herb rosemary has been found valuable in headaches resulting from cold. A handful of this herb should be boiled in a litre of water and put in a mug. The head should be covered with a towel and the steam inhaled for as long as the patient can bear. This should be repeated till the headache is relieved.

 

 

Daily Commitments to Live By

Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.

Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.

Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.

Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.

Today, I will plant seeds, plants or constructive ideas.

Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world’s hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of the hunger.

Today, I will acknowledge every human being’s fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.

Today, I will appreciate the earth’s bounty and all of those who work to make my food available (i.e., grower, trucker, grocery clerk, cook, waitress, etc.)

Today, I will work to understand and respect another culture.

Today, I will oppose injustice, not people.

Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices.

Today, I will choose to be aware of what I talk about and I will refuse to gossip.

Today, I will live in the present moment and release the past.

Today, I will speak with kindness, respect, and patience to every person that I talk with on the telephone.

Today, I will affirm my value and worth with positive “self talk” and refuse to put myself down.

Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.

Today, I will cause a ripple effect of good by an act of kindness toward another.

Today, I will choose to use my talents to serve others by volunteering a portion of my time.

Today, I will say a blessing for greater understanding whenever I see evidence of crime, vandalism or graffiti.

Today, I will say “No” to ideas or actions that violate me or others.

Today, I will turn off anything that portrays or supports violence whether on television, in the movies, or on the Internet.

Today, I will greet this day-everyone and everything-with openness and acceptance as if I was encountering them for the first time.

Today, I will drive with tolerance and patience.

Today, I will constructively channel my anger, frustration or jealousy into healthy physical activities (i.e., doing sit ups, picking up trash, taking a walk, etc.)

Today, I will take time to appreciate the people who provide me with challenges in my life, especially those who make me angry or frustrated.

Today, I will talk less and listen more.

Today, I will notice the peacefulness in the world around me.

Today, I will recognize that my actions directly affect others.

Today, I will take time to tell a family member of friend how much they mean to me.

Today, I will acknowledge and thank someone for acting kindly.

Today, I will send a kind, anonymous message to someone.

Today, I will identify something special in everyone I meet.

Today, I will discuss ideas about nonviolence with a friend to gain new perspectives.

Today, I will practice praise rather than criticism

Today, I will strive to learn from my mistakes.

Today, I will tell at least one person they are special and important.

Today, I will hold children tenderly in thought and/or action.

Today, I will listen without defending and speak without judgment.

Today, I will help someone in trouble.

Today, I will listen with an open heart to at least one person.

Today, I will treat the elderly I encounter with respect and dignity.

Today, I will treat the children I encounter with respect and care, knowing that I serve as a model to them.

Today, I will see my co-workers in a new light—with understanding and compassion.

Today, I will be open to other ways of thinking and acting that are different from my own.

Today, I will think of at least three alternate ways I can handle a situation when confronted with conflict.

Today, I will work to help others resolve differences.

Today, I will express my feeling honestly and nonviolently with respect for myself and others.

Today, I will sit down with my family for one meal.

Today, I will set an example of a peacemaker by promoting nonviolent responses.

Today, I will use no violent language.

Today, I will pause for reflection.

Today, I will hold no one hostage to the past, seeing each-as I see myself-as a work in process.

Today, I will make a conscious effort to smile at someone whom I have held a grudge against in the past.

Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness by apologizing to someone whom I have hurt in the past.

Today, I will reflect on whom I need to forgive and take at least one step in that direction.

Today, I will forgive myself.

Today, I will embrace the spiritual belief of my heart in my own personal and reflective way.

Today, I will enlarge my capacity to embrace difference and appreciate the value of every human being.

Today, I will be compassionate in my thoughts, words, and actions.

Today, I will cultivate my moral strength and courage through education and creative nonviolent action.

Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness for myself and others.

Today, I will use my talents to serve others as well as myself.

Today, I will serve humanity by dedicating myself to a vision greater than myself.

The Art of a Good Relationship

The little things are as important as the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole community.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating
gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive.
It is creating an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
And the interdependence is mutual
It is not only committing to the right partner,
it is being the right partner.

Jumping the Broom

Jumping The Broom

The practice of couples who “jump the broom” during wedding ceremonies is both an African American custom as well as a neo-pagan custom.

In contrast to many West African traditions recognized and included in African American wedding ceremonies, the practice of “jumping the broom” is a wholly American addition that developed out of the institution of African slavery in the United States. Shortly after the introduction of slavery to the country, the right to legal marriage was taken away from the enslaved.

Slaveholders considered the Africans property, and as property, they had no rights in the eyes of the law. The owners also feared that legal marriage and family bonds had the potential to lead to organization and revolt. Marriage rituals were important events to the Africans who came from numerous richly ceremonial cultures.

When faced with the loss of the right to marry, many, ingrained with the significance of the marriage since childhood, created new rituals with what was on hand. Taking vows in the presence of a witness and then leaping over the handle of a broom became the common practice to create a recognized union. Incorporating “jumping the broom” into modern weddings is just one way African Americans today celebrate their cultural heritage.

Neo-pagans have borrowed this simple practice from the African American community, and have incorporated it into their handfastings. Many pagans, as well as non-pagans, now associate “jumping the broom” with pagan handfastings. For pagans not of African American decent, including a broom in the ceremony is appropriate. The broom represents a threshold. The handfasted couple, although still individuals, begin a new life together.

Jumping over the broom represents crossing this threshold into new territory, a life vitally connected to another’s. The leap that the couple takes over the broom is also symbolic. Starting a new life with another person does require a “leap of faith”. But by taking the leap, the individuals make a gesture of dedication to working together through the tough times ahead.

Brooms are also symbols of the hearth, the center of the new family being created. The broom also holds other significance specific to Neo-pagan and Wiccan beliefs.

Other comments on broom jumping

More people are familiar with broom-jumping’s use in African American wedding ceremony, than they are with pagans’ use of this custom.

An English custom was for the groom to hold the broom parallel to the floor on one side of the room where the reception was held, with the unmarried men at the other side of the room. Then, at a signal, the men raced across the room and the first one to grab the handle was to be the next one to marry. Alternately, some Pennsylvania German brides were tossed over the broom by unmarried women.

In some cultures, it was thought that in order to bring prosperity to their home, the first things a new wife should bring into the couples home was a broom and either a box of salt or a head of garlic.

Another European folk belief stated that the groom’s mother could define what sort of woman her son’s new wife was through the use of a broom. The groom’s mother would arrive at the couples new home before they did, and would lay a broom across the threshold. If the bride picked up the broom before entering, she would be a good housekeeper; alternately, if she just stepped over it, she would be a lazy wife. (A similar belief states that if the bride didn’t just step over the broom she was a witch. If she didn’t pick up the broom, and immediately did step over it, she might be lazy, but at least she wasn’t a witch!)