Confessions of a Kitchen Witch

Touched By A Crystal

2012-01-23T22:11:00.000-05:00

That is the only way for me to describe what I felt this morning. I woke up at 6:30AM only to drag myself out of bed twenty minutes later. I really did not want to go into work this morning. I just wanted to continue to work on my magazine, write some blog posts and continue with my crystal studies. Anything but having to clean other people's houses (although the job itself isn't horrible).

Last night I learned how to properly cleanse my crystals and I had them soak in sea salt water for about 2-3 hours, then I took them out, dried them off gently and placed them all in a large bowl of Long Grain Organic Brown Rice. Prior to all that I first cleansed my Black Tourmaline pendant I just bought and received the other day so it was sitting in the brown rice for several hours. I took it out last night and placed it inside it's black velvet bag and went to sleep.

When I awoke this morning I decided I wanted to wear it for the first time but I wanted it to be special. I wanted to feel grounded as I wasn't feeling that way this morning. I found a Silver chain (I adore silver) and placed the pendant on that and placed it around my neck. Since it's a little on the big side, I placed it inside my work shirt. This is where it gets interesting!

The whole time I was focusing on what I wanted this crystal to do and the very second it touched my skin I got goosebumps! My entire body felt like it was being *turned* on! I have never felt anything like this in my life! It was amazing! About a minute after, the area in which it laid upon began to feel warm and it stayed that way All day! Whenever I felt a need to feel more balanced and protected, I would touch my crystal and almost immediately I would feel more grounded. It's quite hard to explain but the title of this post says it all. I honestly felt touched by this crystal; like it was *meant* for me to wear. I believe my intuition guided me and I listened and this was it's *thank you* so to speak.

I am looking forward to getting to know all my crystals and see what transpires. I know not all crystals will have this effect on me but this new world I have stepped into is one of the most fascinating elements to my life right now and my goal for clarity and confidence is sure to be granted as I continue learning as I will always be a lifetime student. I'm looking forward to the day when I can combine Reiki with Crystal Healing!

Random-ness...

2012-01-23T18:29:00.002-05:00

***No, This has nothing to do with Chuck Norris...It's Random, like this blog post! Made ya look though, huh?!

Okay, I do not normally do this kind of thing but I'm in a playful mood and the person who tagged me is a SUPER Dear friend of mine-Crafts by Sandi-Psst!-If you go to her blog, she is offering tarot reading for a limited time!! So here it goes! And yes, I do tag 11 people at the end! Please do not feel obligated to do this, it's just for fun.

The Rules
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random thoughts about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you have tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about 'you are tagged if you are reading this.' blah, blah, blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 Random thoughts about me:
1) When alone I DO dance, especially while doing house work!
2) I'm left-handed (not that it's interesting but it was a random thought!)
3) I used to be a coffee-holoic..I would drink up to 2 pots a day! Now, I have managed to go down to 2 cups a day!
4) When I was 7 I wanted to move to Russia, study Classical Ballet and then moved back to the USA to become a ballerina famous in NYC
5) When I was 11, I told my parents that when I grow up I will move to Romania, live with the Gypsies in a caravan and weave baskets and make my own wine!
6) I played the flute for 5 years
7) I studied French for another 5 years
8)Cannot remember anything about French or play the Flute (although I want to take flute lessons again!)
9) As a Kitchen Witch I have yet to create a kitchen altar as I am very picky about what goes into my sacred space!
10) I'll be 42 in May but still feel 25
11) Last random thought is *Wow, it's hard finding things to say about oneself!"

Questions for me to answer:

1. What is your favorite time of year? Hands down, Autumn is my favorite time of year when Mother Earth gets to paint our Earth in all her glorious colors.

2. If you could live in any work of fiction which would you pick and why? I have to say anything Medieval as I have always had an affinity with King Arthur and the Renaissance. I worked at the NY Renaissance faire back in HS.

3. You walk in the door after a long day at work and Johnny Depp is standing in your kitchen. What is the first thing you want him to say? Damn! I thought Bon Jovi was coming over!

4. Let's say you came home from work and all of your furniture was glued to the ceiling in the exact same place it was on the floor. Who is the first person you would think did it? Hands down, my son!

5. On a scale of 1 - 3 how much do you LOVE Doctor Who? 1: More than my kids 2: More than the kids AND my cat/dog/pet 3: More than life itself (Hint: You should NEVER need more than 3 numbers to chose from) IF you DON'T like Doctor who then Question 5 changes to - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?!-Ummmmm...I'm in the group of WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?! Sorry Sandi!

6. Did you ever put the lime in the coconut and drink them both up? Did it work? Not yet but want to! I know I suck!

7. If you could live anywhere real or fiction where would it be? My dream is to live in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy just like in the movie 'Under the Tuscan Sun'

8. Describe your ideal birthday celebration! Two things-1) A Whole Day spent at the spa and then be able to have an unlimited shopping spree on everything I have wanted all year! In reality though I do adore being with my children as I now have them with me at the same time for the first time in 8 years!

9. What is the weirdest pagan themed item you own or have seen? Ca not say I have owned or seen anything particularly weird.

10. If you could hug anyone ever in existence who would it be? I have to say my children and my husband-I simply adore them all!

11. What would you love to see (and purchase) in my shop next time you go shopping for hand made ritual supplies? (hee hee I can't help it the business owner in me is DYING to know!) I would have to say Astrological Kits with candles, oils, crystals, etc

People I am tagging:

1. Betwixt and Between

2. Bridget's Daughter
3. Cottage Garden Studios

Okay, I only tagged three as I have to get dinner on!!!

Also, the questions I was made to answer, you may as well too as I do not have the time to post new questions.

Dolphins, Crystals and Self-Healing

2012-01-22T07:00:00.008-05:00

Although I am working with my Root Chakra, Dolphins have once again began making their appearance known to me; my thoughts, day dreams, night dreams and images are all about Dolphins so I will be heeding their message to me. As I was looking around for Dolphin pictures and other related information on Dolphins here is what I have found and included is two meditations using Aquamarine Crystals and Lemurian Seed Crystals: (Source: Meditations are from Lightworkers.org)

Quoted from linsdomain-"The Power of Breath and Sound

A Dolphin totem can show you how to enter
the waters of life and then with breath and sound
call forth what you most need or desire.

Sounds are a part of dolphin life, and therefore, if you have this totem,
they need to be a part of yours.
Sound is the creative life force.
Learn to create inner sounds so that you can create outer manifestations.

The dolphin, along with the whale, are the other sentient beings of our planet.
They too are self-aware and have souls.
Accordingly to the Michael Teachings, they are on their fourth cycle,
while most of mankind is on its eleventh or twelfth cycle.

If a Dolphin totem has shown up in your life,
ask yourself what your words and thoughts are creating.
Are you getting outside and into the fresh air? Are you holding in tensions?
A Dolphin reminds us to get out, play and most of all, breath!"

Lemurian Seed Crystal/Aquamarine/Dolphin Meditation:

- Holding a Lemurian Seed Crystal (or Aquamarine/any quartz crystal) to the Higher Heart chakra in the prayer position

- Visualising the gentle, soothing, Aquamarine colour entering the crown chakra and filling your whole being completely

- Then when you feel ready, visualise the Aquamarine colour flowing up from the Heart chakra and down from the Throat chakra joining in between at the Higher Heart (Thymus) Chakra

- Then rest for a while enjoying the beautiful gentle energies and breathing them in deeply at this point, really feeling the loving energies within you.

- Then make a connection with Archangel Aquariel and ask him to bring forth the divine connection with the Dolphins and the Aquamarine Ray.

- Then breath out the gentle aquamarine colour from the Higher Heart centre, sending flowing energy through the seed crystal, where it is then amplified, and see it flowing out around the whole of the planet.

- As the beautiful Aquamarine colour flows out of the Higher Heart chakra and through the Seed Crystal, see everything in the World glowing beautifully and vibrantly, so colourful, enfolding everyone and everything,

- Visualise how paradise would be where everyone was healthy, happy, and everything was in divine perfection.

- Then to close, see aquamarine flowing into the earth grids around the planet, into the oceans and to all the whales and dolphins for them to anchor into the ocean grids.

- Give thanks and blessings to the Dolphins and Whales, Aquariel and the Aquamarine Ray.

Aquamarine Dolphin Energy for Personal Healing:

(Note: Only do this visualisation if you feel okay with being in water)

- See yourself sitting in a beautiful sparkling, warm, crystal clear, shallow aquamarine pool

- Stay for a while and enjoy being enfolded and surrounded by the beautiful colour of the glistening aquamarine water

- Invite the dolphins or whales to join you (or both),

- Ask them to send their sonic healing rays to you and see their energy beaming from their heart centres into your heart centre

- These rays fill you with beautiful, radiant Aquamarine light which is so soothing.

- Let them gently swim around you slowly and you will feel so relaxed afterwards.

- To close, give thanks and blessings to the Dolphins and the Aquamarine Ray.

Jonathan Goldman:Root Chakra:Ruby Resonance

2012-01-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Beautiful meditation I am now using to strengthen my Root Chakra

Creating Sacred Space

2012-01-21T19:59:00.000-05:00

Today I created two new videos on Wytchy Confessions where I share my sacred space. I am now taking a class on creating your sacred space and protecting yourself using crystals. The second video I created today is where I share some of my ritual items and crystals that I will be using for Imbolc.

I began my spiritual journey at the age of 13 to be exact and I have read an enormous number of books but it has not been until recently that I realized that my intuition, my inner voice has been leading me where my Soul needs to be. It's that quite moment when I make a conscious effort to truly listen to my Higher Self, my inner voice when things begin to fall into place. Utilizing my sacred space helps keep me aligned, grounded and balanced.

It is so easy to get caught up in so much-people, situations, your own mind chatter; even too much media information. As I said in my last blog post, my crystal clarity of confidence is embracing much more than I realized and the one thing I have had to make a true conscious effort to do is SLOW DOWN. Just because I love something does not mean I have to do it RIGHT NOW. By doing one thing at a time, taking one step at a time I begin to feel more clear, more grounded, more confident.

When I follow through on one thing, one goal, one dream I feel much more confident within myself to my very core. So with that being said, I hope you stop by and check out the two videos I created today and my wish is that maybe you might take something with you that you may be able to apply to you and your life.

Whisperings of Confidence

2012-01-19T17:16:00.000-05:00

When I sit quietly and really listen what I wish to hear is the crystal clarity of confidence. Jamie Ridler's Wishcast Wednesday's question was 'what do you wish to hear?' and this is my response.

The way other people see us is often way different from how we perceive ourselves as we are all our own worst critics and my wish is to listen to my inner voice, my inner guidance and Higher Self telling me that I have the solid confidence to make it in this world. To do all the things and live the life I have been dreaming about for decades.

To continue to heal and to help others in finding their healing. To teach others and share and give back the gift that was given to me-the ability to rise above the muddy waters of life and blossom into a beautiful being as is the Lotus-which is why you see a pic of it on my header.

My next project is creating two altars-one for my kitchen and the other for where I do all my work in my little corner office in my bedroom. From there I will be creating a crystal grid to amplify confidence and abundance. I have quieted my being and I am listening with an open heart and mind!

Imbolc Celebration Menu

2012-01-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Although we are still in the depths of winter's slumber, slowly Mother Earth begins to stir and awaken and with that comes new growth, new beginnings and the purification of a new cycle in the wheel of the year and of life itself. To celebrate this coming Imbolc here is a menu that you can pick and choose from to adorn your table at this sabbat's gathering. If you are vegetarian or vegan here is a wonderful link to a Vegan Imbolc Menu! Just click the links provided to take you to the recipes for this meat-free menu! Imbolc Blessings!

Imbolc menu
Spiced Apple Cider
Roasted Garlic Bruschetta
Roast Marinated Leg of Lamb
Sautéed Green Beans with Olive Oil and Garlic
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Blackberry Trifle

Roasted Garlic Bruschetta
4 heads Garlic
Olive oil
12 ½ in. thick Slices baguette, bias cut
1 large Tomato, diced
2 Tbsp. Basil, minced
Balsamic Vinegar to taste

Toss the garlic in the olive oil. Place the garlic heads on a baking pan. Roast garlic in a 350 degree oven about 1 hour or until the garlic is tender to the touch. Remove and let cool to warm. Cut the garlic heads in half and squeeze out the pulp. Mash or puree the garlic. Lightly toss the diced tomato, basil, and vinegar together. Set aside. Brush the baguette slices with the olive oil. Bake in a 350 degree oven until golden brown. Remove. Let cool to room temperature. Spread the garlic over the bread and top with the tomato mixture.

Roast leg of Lamb
1 boneless Leg of lamb, tied
1 cup Olive Oil
2 cups Red wine vinegar
3 sprigs Fresh rosemary, chopped
2 sprigs Fresh thyme, chopped
To taste Salt & Pepper

Mix the oil, vinegar, herbs, and seasonings. Pour over the lamb leg. Let marinate overnight, turning 2 or 3 times. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Drain the lamb and roast about 1 ½ hours, or until an internal temperature of 135 degrees. Remove from the oven and let sit for fifteen minutes before carving.

Sautéed Green Beans with Olive Oil and Garlic

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound green beans, cleaned and stem tips removed

Salt and pepper to taste

1-1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram leaves

2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic

Water as needed

1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped marjoram leaves (optional garnish)

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then the beans, salt and pepper. Sauté until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the marjoram and garlic; sauté another minute. Add just enough water for moisture, about 3 tablespoons. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 15 to 20 minutes or until beans are the desired tenderness. Uncover and cook until any moisture is evaporated. Garnish with the marjoram. Serve immediately.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 large sweet potatoes

2 pinches dried oregano

2 pinches salt

2 pinches ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat the bottom of a glass or non-stick baking dish with olive oil, just enough to coat.

Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into medium size pieces. Place the cut sweet potatoes in the baking dish and turn them so that they are coated with the olive oil. Sprinkle moderately with oregano, and salt and pepper (to taste).

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 60 minutes or until soft.

Blackberry Trifle

3 cups Blackberries, thawed

1/2 lb. Pound Cake, Cubed

2 oz. Cream Sherry

1 cup Chantilly Cream

4 cups Pastry Cream

8- 8oz. Parfait Glasses

Toss the blackberries with ¼ cup sugar and let stand. Sprinkle the sherry over the cake and let stand for 15 minutes. **Apple juice can be substituted for the sherry as a nonalcoholic option.**

Pastry Cream: Mix 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. salt, and 6 oz. flour together in a saucepan. Stir in the milk and cream and cook over low heat, stirring until it comes to a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir a little of this mixture into 4 beaten eggs. Blend this into the hot mixture in the saucepan. Bring back to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in 4 tsp. vanilla extract. Pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool to room temperature. It can be covered with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.

Chantilly Cream: Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 Tbsp. sugar and ½ tsp. vanilla until stiff peaks form. Set aside in the refrigerator.

To Assemble: Pour about 2 oz. cream in the bottom of each glass. Next layer the cake, berries, ending with the rest of the pastry cream. Cover and chill until cold. Right before serving, top with the Chantilly Cream.

Imbolc Craft:Brigit's Bed

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is a craft that I found a couple of years ago and can not find where I found it or who authored it, so if anyone knows where this can be found, I'd be happy to credit the author. In preparation for Imbolc (which is fast becoming one of my favorite Sabbats) I am going to take a trip to the local craft shop to gather a few items but otherwise I will make this (and post pics of course) from all natural items like suggested.

Materials:
Basket, wood box, or doll cradle
Padding to make receptacle like a bed (help offered below)
Figure to represent the goddess Brigit
Figure to represent the god (any god)
Nuts (optional)

Directions:

Dress up the basket, box, or cradle like a bed, and make it comfortable. Put it by the fireplace or the most desirable, warm spot in the house, as if you were waiting for a visitor to lie in it. Make a figurine to represent Brigit; this can be made with a bundle of oats, rushes, straw, or any grain or craft material fashioned into a loop or slightly human shape, and can be simple or ornate, and even can be decorated with clothes of any sort, preferably white with red ribbons. (One traditional adornment is a sparkling crystal around her neck.) You can make a god figurine by making a fruitwood wand with a pinecone attached to the end, decorated with ribbons, or any male-oriented symbol that works for you.

Padding:
One easy way would be to take a premade, small pillow and a small cloth and simply tuck it into the box/basket, with the cloth representing the "blanket". If you wish to make your own pillow (say you want to add an herb or two to represent the holiday or simply want it to smell good...or maybe you just want the bed to have more meaning to you...) it's really simple.

Ritual use:
Place the Brigit's Bed in the most inviting, warmest place in the house and imagine that you will really be visited by Brigit, the night before or night of Imbolc. Leave an aromatic, hot snack out for her by the bed. As you invite the spirit of the goddess to inhabit the bed, ask for her blessings of fertility and healing. Put the dolly in the bed, and offer the company of the god-wand. For an extra ounce of fertility blessing, the wand can be crossed like an X over the dolly to form the Norse rune Gifu. Add nuts to the bed to stimulate fertility. Use the Brigit dolly as a talisman of protection and fertility through the winter, and either recycle her for Lughnasadh or return her to the earth if she is made of grain.

New Layout, New Image, New Changes

2012-01-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

I have to say 2012 did not ring in very friendly to me but I always believe that everything happens for a reason. With my going away and not being on the Internet for two weeks it has given me some time to re-group and gather myself for what I want to manifest this New Year. For me, there has been a lot of introspection which is still churning within and with that comes the light.

I have taken the time today to fly on over to The Black Hat Society and I have done some Yule clean-up and have added a new header as well as preparing for our first Brew Talk with my members. Tuesday, January 24th at 9PM EST will be our first chat night! I'm excited to see how that will turn out and if it becomes a success I will be preparing for topic chats as well.

As you can see, I have once again changed around this blog as I am trying to match the direction I am going in as well as where this blog is going to go. There will be more information on herbs, herbalism, earth medicine, crystal healing and other forms of healing and self-love. I am continuing my education with my Crystal Certification Course with Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy and am on my second class. I started in October and now I am moving forward in my goal to become a healer in vibrational medicine. As I learn and grow and evolve so will this blog until finally it will fit exactly the way it is supposed to!

I am also now working on a New Class that I hope to teach through a Live teleclass. I do not want to divulge much information about this but it is going to be a 4 week to maybe 6 week Live teleclass surrounding the Triple Goddess (with an added element) and delving into nurturing and further knowledge in Knowing Thyself-one of the most important lessons I have been learning in life as well as my chosen spiritual path.

The last thing I am now working on is learning Adobe Acrobat 10 Pro so I may upload all the necessary files so I may offer Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine in print! This has been a long time in the making and I still get emails asking where one can buy my magazine so I am quite excited and look forward to updating all of you on that progress.

February second is when I will be posting my Imbolc Dreamboard for my Wheel of the Year Dreamboards. I have a lot of seeds I am planting and I slowly take one step at a time in furthering myself to achieve my goals in living my life the way in which it has always been meant to live-authentically with love and integrity! I hope some of you will join me in my Wheel of the Year Dreamboards!

Imbolc Newsletter Available Now!

2012-01-14T14:01:00.000-05:00

If you would like to read my latest Newsletter for Ye Olde Witches Brew you may do so by clicking the link here!

After being away for 15 days I am trying to slowly catch up on all my activity as well as working. I'm so happy to have the weekends off!!! Until Next Time...Brightest Blessings!!

Ye Olde Witches Brew-Yule Issue 2011

2011-12-26T16:57:00.000-05:00

It is my sincerest wish that everyone has had a most beautiful Yule as well as a very Merry Christmas, Hanukkah and any other holiday that is observed and celebrated this time of year. Yule holds many lessons and that light will spring forth from the deepest darkness! Due to my Grandmother passing away earlier this month, I had to fly out to Arizona to be with family which left this issue falling behind and to that I apologize.

It is my hope that as everyone has now settled down a bit after all the holiday hooplah, you can sit quietly with your favorite brew and browse through the pages of this latest issue of of Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine! This issue is all about healing, contemplation, rest and reflection! Everything from healing foods, to using feng shui as well as using the power of crystals to heal. Once again, Nadia Romanov dishes out some glorious Winter Magick in her Column K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Spells)...

This issue has also given me the pleasure of interviewing Paranormal Author Devin O'Branagan! Along with this wonderful interview, I have also had the opportunity to read and review her latest novel, Threshold-released in November 2011! Make sure you make your way to take a peek into the life and writing of Devin along with the glowing review of Threshold.

New Year, New You-Writing Prompt-Goals

2011-12-23T00:00:00.003-05:00

My head is spinning, my mind a complete mess of thoughts, images and ideas. To put my goals on paper has always been a challenge for me as I never know what to focus on first. I want so much, I want to do so much and always feel paralyzed thinking I am running out of time which in turn gets me no where and I remain frozen! Well.....

Reality has not only made it clear to me what I need to focus on, now I have to truly sit down and write it all out! My goal for this New Year is to move to Arizona by July/August. We haven't set an actual date yet but this is our biggest goal. Breaking this up into bite size pieces is a project in itself for me. Where do I begin?

For starters, my husband and I have to sit down and plan out not just our actual move, but we have to sit down and plan out how we are going to release all our old, non-productive habits. Our biggest challenge is going to be learning to save and to learn to not only live within our means but BELOW our means. To really buckle down, save, budget and prioritize our whole life.

We are both in our early 40's so we do not have the luxury of time anymore and need to begin the process of saving for our golden future. To have something for us when we retire and if done right, we still have a good 25 years. Not only to live within the NOW but to keep in mind our life when we no longer can physically work as hard as we do now!

My other goals such as working on my own business, furthering my education is not really on hold as I like to do something each day to move myself further toward those goals but they are now temporarily second place as I begin the arduous task of moving across the US.

Going back to the post on Making Way is so important as I weed through all our *stuff*, throw out what no longer serves us, donate to help others who need and to learn to live a more Zen, simplistic life! After this is all done, the task on looking for a place to live, obtaining gainful employment, finding the right location to move as well as looking at the schools for my 15 year old daughter- not to mention having to deal with my ex-husband and telling him that I am moving (our daughter lives with me and this is going to be a mess that I choose not to detail here) is going to be a tremendous test on my resolve, patience and strength!

So, as 2012 approaches, I begin to prepare in completing my goal to moving to Arizona!

Planting the Seeds to Feed Your Soul

2011-12-22T00:00:00.002-05:00

Now that Yule has passed, I immediately feel the need to begin the planting process as Imbolc will approach us in no time at all. Meditation, quiet contemplation, inner reflection and the clearing away of the old, stagnant energy is what we have been flooded with as New Year's approaches but for me it is not a time for resolutions but of planting.

Preparing the soil (the deep soul reflection I mentioned above) in order to plant the seeds that your soul longs for, whether that be something as simple as taking a new art or yoga class to something more elaborate as a new career change, a new move, or even the ending or beginning of a relationship. What sings to your soul? What makes you ache with desire? What do you long for? These are some questions you can contemplate on as you clear away the old and prepare to plant the new.

I have begun this process since Samhain and have been doing a lot of soul searching in order to plant the seeds my soul has been hungry for and have ached with desire. This is a process in which I have constantly questioned over and over again-lacking confidence and confronting residual emotions and feelings that have long been awaiting for me to clear away and although I have been impatient at times, I know deep within my heart that I am where I am supposed to be and my world is safe, or at least that is what I tell myself over and over again. You know the old phrase, 'fake it til you make it?'-that's me at times.

So, as I continue to plant the seeds that feed my soul, here are some tips to help you along your path of planting the seeds that feed you, your mind, your body and your soul! Also, I will be posting my Imbolc Dreamboard on February 1st!

Make a 'shopping list' of those things you absolutely love; things that your soul needs to thrive-A long hot bath? Buying fresh flowers to brighten your home? Spending some time with a close friend? An hour long walk in nature? Anything that makes your heart sing, write it down. These 'small' things are HUGE for your heart and soul.

Eat clean, healthy food. Soul Food! Eating more greens, drinking clean water and enjoying the season's fruits will not only having you feel more energized, it will also feed the mind and nurture your soul. You will then have the motivation to want to do those things that bring you the most joy.

Getting enough sleep-We all know this to be a very important aspect of overall health, but making sleep a priority will have long lasting effects on how you feel overall, giving you and your Soul much love and care, so make sure you try and get some deep, restful zzzz's!

Meditation-Developing a regular mediation practice is an excellent way calm the mind and begin to gain the clarity we need when manifesting our dreams and even walking through day to day life. You do not need an hour to revel in the power of mediation. If you only have 5-10 minutes a day then do that as it can also help with workday stresses as well as just re-energizing you when you need a quick pick-me-up during that mid-afternoon slump.

These are just four suggestions to begin planting the seeds your soul needs to thrive and experience immense joy. As the Wheel of the Year continues to turn, I will continue to share tips on feeding your mind, body and soul with recipes, magick and manifesting your dreams.

Be Careful What You Wish For...

2011-12-21T00:00:00.004-05:00

Since being away this last week and a half, I missed Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday seven days ago. Last Wednesday's wish is *What is your deepest wish?* Now this is a very deep wish and question so in thinking about what my deepest heartfelt, soulful wish is, it needs to be exact for me because I have always believed in being careful what you wish for.

This wish actually comes in parts as there are deep wishes from different parts of me. Deep soulful energy filled with earthy-jewel colors is what my mind's eye perceives with this wish prompt. Planting seeds, hibernating and deep soul reflection is what this time of year means and this prompt couldn't come at a better time. I have noticed that in the recent weeks I have been doing a lot of comparing. It's beautiful to see some of my closest friends finally seeing their dreams flourish and bloom and then I immediately *compare* to myself and become disillusioned with myself and wonder why I am not anywhere near I should be!

Instead of comparing I have decided to pull back and just allow the Universe to send to me what it is I need to do in order to get where I want to be. I have clear dreams and goals, although sometimes I doubt those which I feel is half my problem. So in essence one of my deepest wishes is to have clarity!

Clarity in where I am heading, clarity in my feelings and emotions, and clarity in obtaining the confidence that I still seem to lack in terms of creating the life I wish to live. Clarity within my home, my finances, my relationships, clarity WITHIN ME!

New Year, New You-Writing Prompt-Making Way

2011-12-20T17:45:00.001-05:00

There are so many New Year Challenges out there and I am participating in two which sort of overlap but are also different in their own right and have decided to participate in both. One I post on a group I was invited to on Facebook (need to get moving on that one) and another one is right here by Charmed I'm Sure and although this began a few days ago, I am still catching up on all I have to as I have returned from Arizona.

The writing prompt has us making our way through all our clutter (house cleaning), making our way with how we spend our time as well as making our way and ridding ourselves of those hefty 'rocks' we all carry with us and within ourselves.

My house-All I will say is *UGH!* My house is in dire need of a physical, magickal and spiritual cleansing. For me this is a huge task as I am a sentimental pack rat and am in need of discarding things that no longer hold a higher vibration for me and my environment. Starting a new job tomorrow is going to make this task a bit difficult for two reasons. One, I will be out most of the day and two, I start a housekeeping position which will not have me in the mood to want to clean my own home. I'm choosing to direct my energy into my own home as a way to clear away all that is stagnant so I may welcome new beginnings and learn to simplify my life through my household environment.

My time-I'm a HUGE time waster and procrastinator. A lot of online friends always ask me how I get all the things I do to get done. Well, I tend to wait til last minute on the things I am most afraid to conquer which ends up leaving me feeling very frazzled, stressed out and overwhelmed. Learning to prioritize my time is something that is very important for me to learn along with learning not to be so afraid of success.

My 'Rocks'-I can honestly say that I do not have a lot of heavy boulders anymore that I carry with me but what does linger are the small pebbles in my pocket that I know keep me from moving forward which truly weighs me down and when I get out of my own way I feel that will be the sure-fire link to my success.

Now, onto some magical transformation....to be continued!~

Yule Dreamboard

2011-12-20T00:00:00.003-05:00

Click to View Full Image

Yule marks the longest night of the year where night and darkness is at it's apex and The Wheel of the Year begins to turn once again bringing balance. Following Yule, the sun begins it's entrance back and slowly growing in strength.

"The darkness of this longest night holds many lessons. One of the most powerful is the awareness that hope and light spring forth from deepest darkness. Here, indeed, is the message “that the darkest hour comes just before the dawn”. As we wait quietly in the darkness, we honor the stillness and the mystery of the night, and light candles or a Yule log to summon the sun’s return. In the summoning of the sun, we work in partnership with Nature to preserve balance. Similarly, when faced with difficult challenges in our lives, we are partners with the Universe in manifesting hope out of despair."-HeartWorks Healing Arts

Since Samhain I have been engaging in a lot of soul searching, self-reflection and dreaming. Dreaming of what I would like to see, to hear, to feel, to manifest! I have been also facing a lot of residual messages and beliefs that have lingered for years that I finally decided to confront, face and release. As of this blog post I am now 100% Smoke-Free!

There truly is hope and light within the darkness but I could not go around it, or hide it anymore, I needed to go through all my fears, insecurities and frustrations in order to come out on the other side. I am also 100% proud of myself! The one thing I have wanted to combat, win and never look back is my war in trying to quit but also STAY QUIT! I have and I am happier than I have ever been in my whole life outside of my children and husband!

My Yule Dreamboard relays a lot of messages to me. It reflects not isolation but introspection. I needed to go through this alone as I am the only one who holds the answers as to why I felt the need to hold onto my smoking addiction as well as my limiting beliefs.

Contemplation and the magick and energy of the moon. It's a first for me to work with the Dark Goddess and really get involved with Moon Magick. Going deeper into my psyche, I was able to meet my Dark Guides that gave me the strength and love to learn to not be afraid anymore.

The presence of the Lord and Lady represents to me my faith, my love and my new found trust not only in my Higher Power, but most importantly my new found trust within myself, my inner voice and my intuition. Learning to listen to my authentic, true self. it has taken me to places that I never thought I would go. I feel I have been looking in the wrong direction and what I have needed all along has been right in front of me-my guides have only been waiting for me to see it myself.

"Yule is also a celebration of dawning potentiality. As darkness gives way to light, the Earth lies sleeping. To us, the Earth appears dead, dormant, but deep within her soil lies the slumbering seed awaiting the power of the newborn sun to activate its growth. At Yule, we look within ourselves for the sleeping seeds, and identify the situations, blessings, activities we would like to germinate and grow in the coming year. We honor the need for the regenerative stillness, the rest before the energetic growth of springtime. Yule is a time of transformation and rebirth. Rituals and personal healing work centered around rebirthing are customary at this time..."-HeartWorks Healing Arts

These 'slumbering seeds' have been germinating since Samhain and I have been feeding them daily through meditation, yoga, making better food choices and education. I am moving forward and allowing my heart, my spirit and my intuition this time take the driver's seat and I feel blessed to finally face some of my inner-most fears.

What slumbering seeds are you cultivating?

Share your Yule Dreamboards with us by leaving a comment below and a URL of your Dreamboard post!

Back From Arizona

2011-12-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

Brightest Holiday Blessings Dear Hearts! I'm finally back from Arizona after being away for a week and a half. It has been very difficult to materialize in my heart and mind that I no longer have my Grandparents. My Poppi died in May and my Grandmother just passed away earlier this month. I miss them more than words can describe. The tears come in waves but I know they are both no longer in pain and are together again, as the 25th of this month marks their 65th Wedding Anniversary. RIP Poppi and Grandma!

It's also hard getting myself back to my normal routine. There is so much to do and so very little time, so I am only going to do what I can, a little at a time. I should be back to my normal blogging routine within a day or two plus I am making last minute adjustments to Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine for our Yule issue.

2012 is fast approaching and I certainly have my work cut out for me as I begin making plans to move from PA to AZ by July/August. After getting back to my daily grind, I plan to sit down and begin to make the goals I need to accomplish to make this move happen, to continue my education, to look toward the future for this blog and my magazine. I see 2012 as the year that I begin to finally solidify everything I have longed to become and do.

Be Back Soon!

2011-12-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

Greetings Dear Readers,

Due to the passing of my Grandmother 2 days ago, I will be leaving tomorrow (Dec 5th) for AZ to be with my family. I should only be gone about a week and when I return I will resume my normal blogging routine. Wishing everyone a beautiful week ahead!

Much Love,
Jennifer

How I Became Smoke-Free

2011-12-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

I have drafted this post over and over trying to find the right way to explain how I finally beat my 26 year addiction to cigarettes and tobacco. I have tried quitting cold turkey many many times in my life only to fail. I have tried the patch, pills, the gum, you name it, I've tried it (except the electronic cigarettes) but this time I decided that if I am going to quit I do not want a replacement but a way to finally quit for good!

Now, my quit is still very new so I am being diligent in keeping an eye on my triggers which are normally stress related or emotional related. I did have some habits like my first morning cigarette with coffee (big one!) but through this process, I realized that I smoked out of boredom..a lot!

I would hem and haw about quitting as I stated in the beginning of 2011 that this was going to be the year I quit and started off very strong only to go right back within a few weeks. About three weeks ago I was searching yet again to find a way for me to 'comfortably' quit smoking. Let me say this...Comfortable was HUGE for me because anyone who has gone through this knows that this is NOT easy nor is it comfortable which is why going cold turkey never worked for me.

The withdrawal symptoms I personally went through were horrible and as I posted on my other blog The Raw Goddess, Smoking IS an addiction and that is the way I treated this all along with what I will explain further. For me, I needed to figure out how the mind worked in accordance to nicotine addiction so I went about researching this and on my web travels I landed on the website of Dr. Andrew Weil and on his website he recommended Dr. Gurgevich's Hypnotic Tonic and for $25 I order it. It's a self-hypnosis 2 Disc CD set.

After receiving this CD set and listening to it thoroughly and writing notes this is what I devised that got me to quit. Mind you, the whole time I was smoking as this program had me wean off cigarettes at the pace that worked for me. Here is what I did:

1) Every morning I would listen to a guided meditation designed to release the habit of smoking and after that I would then listen to Disc One of the self-hypnosis set I bought. It was a total of one hour of meditation and self-hypnosis

2) I upped my water intake to drinking about 8-10 cups of water a day as well as drinking 2-3 cups of orange juice a day. I continued to smoke normally while doing this but within a few days I began to notice my cravings slowly diminishing.

3) Every night I would do the same thing as I did each morning. One hour of meditation and self-hypnosis. I also would drink a nice cup of hot Nighty-Nite Tea to help me sleep. I was also consciously working on learning to sleep better. Due to my making changes, I have decreased my coffee intake, upped my water intake and now drink more Herbal teas than anything else.

4) I completely cleaned my house, all my clothes and my car, got rid of all ashtrays and told my husband and 21 year old son to no longer smoke in the house. I needed to be free of any lingering residue of cigarette smoke and the awful scent that clogged the fibers of my clothes. I also disinfected my house about three times over.

5) I changed to a brand that I loathed which is menthol and began to expand the time I would light up a cigarette. Within a week I went from smoking a pack and a half a day down to 8 cigarettes. I also kept my cigarettes in very inconvenient places making smoking more of a chore. The point was to 'deliberately smoke' instead of how I have been living my life the last 26 years with this addiction. It's a matter of re-wiring everything I have done when it came to my smoking.

I continued to do this until I got down to having only 3 cigarettes a day and then finally I just stopped! That's it! I needed to work with my mind and *teaching* it new messages, new images and a new way of living.

I will say this, it has NOT been easy and there were days that I just wanted to cry but overall I have to say the way I did this made this process less painful than going cold turkey. I am now FREE!! I am free to do all the things that I couldn't due to my smoking addiction. I am now free to work my body in ways I couldn't and learn to live a much cleaner life!

I can now continue with confidence the schooling I have been doing in learning crystal healing and Reiki and other holistic practices knowing that I no longer live within a "smoke screen" and for my One Year Anniversary I am treating myself to a Spa Retreat Vacation as I am saving up all the money I would have spent on cigarettes to go toward this vacation. I'm thinking either Hawaii or Sedona, AZ!

I'm very proud of me!!

Merry Yule Vegan Style

2011-12-02T00:00:00.011-05:00

As I make my way through the world of vegan and raw food cooking, recipes and lifestyle I am diligently gathering recipes that I am drawn to; knowing what flavors and textures I love, this isn't as hard and with Yule around the corner this is a great opportunity for me to try out new dishes and get creative. I have found some of the yummiest vegan holiday dishes with proper credit given to where I found them, I look forward to upping my taste buds to a whole new level.

Season's Greetings Latte-recipe from She Knows Miso Vegan
How can you not love pumpkin and ginger...Yum!
Serves 1

Ingredients:
2 fluid ounces espresso coffee-I often try to buy 100% organic fair trade coffee when I am able
2 tablespoons gingerbread flavored syrup-I would try grating some fresh ginger (about 1/8 of a teaspoon)
1/2 cup soymilk, steamed-I will be using almond and/or coconut milk
1 pinch pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

Directions:
In a coffee mug, combine espresso coffee with flavored syrup.
Pour in steamed milk and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and vanilla powder.

Vegan Paella-She Knows Miso Vegan
"savor delicious, bountiful, earthly delights in an eco-minded fashion without feeling like they are missing out."

2 ears of fresh corn, husked
1-1⁄4 teaspoons saffron
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1⁄2 pound oyster mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2-1⁄2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more for sautéing
Freshly ground pepper
1⁄2 cup chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1-1⁄4 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 cup chopped cauliflower florets
1 cup chopped tomatoes
3 to 4 cups vegetable stock
2 cups Valencia or Arborio rice
1 cup ground seitan sausage, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces-if you are on a gluten-free diet just omit this)
1⁄2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (optional)
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions:
Using tongs, hold the corn over a gas flame and cook, turning, until nicely charred. When cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cobs and set aside.

Soak the saffron in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.

Using the same pan, heat another 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, and 1 teaspoon of the smoked paprika and sauté until just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the corn, cauliflower, and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to the mushrooms.

Heat the stock in a saucepan and hold it at a simmer. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a soup pot or traditional paella pan over medium heat. Add the rice and stir until well coated, about 30 seconds. Add the salt and the saffron water and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed. Add 1⁄2 cup of the simmering stock to the rice and cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed it all. Continue adding the liquid in 1⁄2-cup increments and stirring until the rice has absorbed it, until the rice is tender, not mushy, and retains its bite, 25 to 30 minutes.

To get the socarrat, or caramelized crust on the rice, uncover the pot and increase the heat to high. Cook until the rice crackles and smells toasty, being careful not to burn it. Add the mushroom mixture and sausage and stir. Cook over medium heat, scraping the bottom of the pot so the rice doesn’t stick, for about 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

Sprinkle the paella with the remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon of smoked paprika and the optional scallions. Garnish with the lemon wedges and serve.

Two Potato Salad Recipe with Sweet Potatoes-recipe from The Gluten-Free Goddess:Karina Allrich (yes, the same women who wrote 'Cooking by Moonlight and 'Cooking by the Seasons'

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, diced
2-3 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, diced
Sea salt
Cracked pepper, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Apple cider vinegar, to taste (use a clean, light vinegar- not too strong)
2-3 teaspoons dill
Sliced or chopped red or purple onion, to taste

Place the cut potatoes into a pot of fresh salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender- about 20 minutes. Drain well.

Season with sea salt and cracked pepper. Sprinkle with apple cider vinegar. Drizzle with olive oil. Add the dill and onion. Toss gently to combine.
Taste test.

Keep adding vinegar, sea salt and olive oil a sprinkle at a time; and toss; until the salad achieves the flavor you prefer.

"Note- I add a lot of vinegar because I love the combination of vinegar, sea salt and potatoes. So I add more than I expect to usually, based on tasting. That's why it's so important to taste test while you're seasoning.
A recipe is only a blueprint. You have to engage your own senses.
One flavor tip I've learned from experience- it's better to season assertively when it comes to potato salad- especially if you're going to chill it before serving. Chilling dulls the flavors. You'll often need more than you think."-Quoted from Karina Allrich at The Gluten-Free Goddess
Serves 4-5.

Karina's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie with Praline and Coconut-Pecan Crust-The Gluten-Free Goddess
"The key to this version of vegan pumpkin pie is the cashew cream. It thickens the pumpkin custard filling without eggs."-Karina Allrich

Prepare a 9-inch Springform pan by lining the bottom with a piece of parchment paper.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
First, make the crust:

1 cup flaked unsweetened organic coconut
1 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup all purpose gluten-free flour blend
1/2 cup organic light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
5 tablespoons vegan butter (I used Earth Balance)

Place all of the dry ingredients into a food processor bowl and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Add in the vegan butter and pulse several times in short bursts until the crumbs are moist and begin to fall away from the sides of the bowl.

Dump the crumbs into the cake pan and spread them evenly. Using your fingers gently press the crumbs across the bottom and up the sides- about 2/3 of the way up.

Bake in the center of the oven for about 7 minutes- to set.

Remove the pan and set aside.

Make your filling:

2 14-oz. cans organic pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups thick cashew cream- see below for instructions
1 1/4 cups organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or orange juice
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla
2 tablespoons tapioca starch
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using a whisk attachment (if you have one- if not, use standard beaters) beat the ingredients on medium high until you have a smooth, creamy custard texture.

Pour the pumpkin custard into the Springform pan and smooth it out evenly. Your pan should be quite full- about 1-2 inches from the top. Place the pan into the center of the preheated 350 F degree oven. Bake for about one hour, till set, and up to 70 minutes or so, if necessary. If the cashew cream was very cold, for instance, you'll need to bake it longer. If the cashew cream was room temperature, the pie will set/bake sooner.

Check the pie at about 50 minutes, to make sure the top is not over-browning (some ovens may run hotter, etc). If the top gets too brown too soon, tent it with a piece of foil.

The pie should look set and slightly firm- though it will still shimmy a little if you shake the pan slightly. You want the center firmness to match the firmness near the outer edges. I baked mine for a full 67 minutes. Every oven is slightly different. Start with an hour in mind- and be willing to bake up to 70 minutes, if it the pie looks "loose".

That said- know that this pie firms up when chilled. It is the chilling of the cashew cream that replaces the eggs in this recipe.

Cool the pie on a wire rack until it is cool enough to handle. Place a piece of parchment paper across the top, and a dinner plate to keep it in place. Chill in the fridge for at least six hours- but preferably, overnight. It will slice best when thoroughly chilled.

Before serving, remove the outer ring of the Springform pan. Top the pie with Pecan-Pumpkin Seed Praline (recipe follows).

More Yuletide Treats

2011-12-01T00:00:00.004-05:00

~Cardamom Shortbread~

Ingredients:

225g (8oz) all purpose flour

115g (4oz) cornflour

225g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened

55g (2oz) caster sugar

55g (2oz) confectioner's sugar, sieved

12 green cardamom pods

Method:

1. Sieve the flour and cornflour together.

2. Beat the butter and sugars together in a bowl until soft and fluffy.

3. Split open the cardamom pods and place the seeds into a pestle and mortar and grind to a powder. Add the cardamom powder to the butter and sugar mixture along with the flour and cornflour and then knead well to make a dough.

4. Shape into a ball then flatten and wrap in cling film. Chill for about 15 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 2 baking sheets(or line with parchment paper).

6. Roll out the dough to about 5mm (¼”) thick then use a 7cm (2¾”) diameter cutter to cut out the biscuits.

7. Place on the baking sheets then bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until pale golden brown. Allow to cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

~Candy Cane Brittle~

Ingredients :

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup crushed candy canes

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

In a round 1-1/2 quart microwave safe dish, combine corn syrup and sugar. Stir well until blended. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir mixture (if using nuts instead of candy canes, stir nuts in now). Microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until light brown. Stir in butter and vanilla-blend well. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes. Add baking soda-stir lightly until foamy. Quickly pour onto lightly greased baking sheet (you can use Pam or shortening). Pour crushed candy canes over brittle while warm and press lightly onto surface. Let cool.Recipe yields two pounds.

~Cherry Spiced Cider~

This tasty beverage is a treat for all.

3 whole cloves

3 whole allspice

16 maraschino cherries

8 orange slice halves

1 quart apple cider

3/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice

1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon

1 strip (1/2x3-inches) orange peel

Put apple cider, maraschino cherry juice, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel, and allspice in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Strain out cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel and allspice. Place 2 maraschino cherries and one orange slice half in each of six mugs. Pour about 2/3 cup spiced cider over cherries. Serve warm.

Note: Spiced cider can be prepared in advance and reheated just before serving.

Makes 8 servings

Treasures I Wish For

2011-11-30T01:15:00.000-05:00

The holidays are upon us and as many people scurry around trying to find that perfect treasure, Jamie Ridler asks us today *What Treasures Do You Wish For?* More and more each year the less and less I want for Yule. Anything material I can buy anytime of the year!

The treasures I seek and wish for is financial stability-starting to feel secure for my future golden years. The treasure of starting school soon and working towards the degree(s) I seek and the treasure of knowing that I can create a life for me that not only gives me financial freedom but the Freedom to be me, to live the life I daydream about every day.

The comfort of my home and having my family and my children around is a treasure I already have and DO treasure this every moment as it's been 8 years since both my children have been with me under the same roof. So when seeking treasure, it is not in the material world but the treasure of every day magick that is all around me at any given moment.

Healing French Onion Soup

2011-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

FRENCH ONION SOUP

2 cups thinly sliced onions
2 tablespoons dry sherry, dry wine or nonalcoholic wine
3 cups beef broth, defatted
1 can of chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons of fresh chopped thyme
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 clove of garlic
pinch of cayenne pepper
8 slices baguette or 4 slices French bread, toasted
8 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated.
Sliced green onion tops (optional)

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine the onions, sugar and butter. Cook until caramelized. Add sherry or wine. Cook and stir until the onions are tender. Add the broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add chopped clove of garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Add herbs. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Meanwhile, place the bread slices on a cookie sheet. Place the cheese on top of the bread. Broil just until the cheese melts. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and float the bread on top of each. If desired, sprinkle with the green onion tops.

The reasons why French Onion soup is healing

* Soup has anti-inflammatory properties that helped sore throats and helped stop the movement of neutrophils (white blood cells that encourage the flow of mucus that accumulates in the lungs and nose).

* steam is a real benefit. Sipping the hot soup and breathing in the steam helps clear up congestion. This can also be said for many hot soups.

* Spices that are often added to soup, such as garlic and pepper (all ancient treatments for respiratory diseases), work the same way as modern cough medicines, thinning mucus and making breathing easier.

* chicken broth contains drug-like agents similar to those in modern cold medicines. For example, an amino acid released from chicken during cooking chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

* Chicken Soup puts needed fluids back into the body.

The ingredients

* Onions: a regular in french onion soup- contains quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant that is also a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory. Onion are a strong antibacterial agent.

* Garlic has phytochemicals that are helpful in reducing cancer risk and boosting the immune system. The herb (yes it is considered a herb or veggie) is beneficial to the bodys overall maitenance. It is rich in protein; vitamins A, B-1 and C; essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium. Plus it contains 17 different amino acids. Increases energy and endurance. Garlic gives chicken soup a great flavor as well. ---- Bible: God through Jesus Christ our Lord (John 1:3, Col. 1:16) created garlic for us not only to enjoy as a flavor in our cooked foods, but also to use as a medicine.

* Cayenne pepper sprinkled in food, broth or tea also promotes sweating to break a fever. Cayenne acts as a catalyst, carrying all other herbs and supplements quickly to the place in the body where they are needed and increasing their effectiveness. It is also high in vitamin C and useful in the treatment of colds, sinus problems and respiratory ailments.

* Thyme/herb: Thyme heals all colds. It's an effective expectorant, as well as an antiseptic. It can help clear congestion, viral infections, or a dry, hacking cough.

Yule Crafts-Herb and Crystal Ornaments

2011-11-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

These beautiful ornaments can be easily made and you do not need to spend a lot of money to make them. I got this craft from one of my Silver Ravenwolf books and they make wonderful nature inspired ornaments for your Yule tree. If you are unable to express your pagan beliefs this is one ornament that is very natural and not obviously pagan, so have at it!

What you'll need:
-Empty glass ball ornaments-these can be bought at your local crafting store. For a decent size tree, you may want to buy about 2 dozen. They cost about $2-$6...not bad!
-Pretty Ribbon of your choice-go nuts, be creative, have fun!
-Seasonal herbs like dried holly berries, mistletoe, berries, pine
needles; again be creative, go with the flow, listen to your instincts.
-Small clear quartz fragments or any other crystals or stones that strike your fancy. They can be bought inexpensively from your local stone and crystal shop or new age/pagan shop. You can buy them cut, uncut, tumbled, whatever your heart desires.
-Spray glue
-Hot glue gun
-Silver glitter-or of course if you want red and green and silver...buy one or all of them and change it up for each ornament made!

How to make:
When removing the tops of the ornaments be careful not to squeeze too hard and have the ornament shatter. Take off all the tops of the ornaments and set aside.

Next, create your herb mixture. Depending upon the size of the ornaments you buy will determine the amount of herbs you need, so if money is an issue, I would suggest buying the smaller ornaments. Take all your herbs mix them up and place them aside (of course in a small bowl)

Take the spray glue and spray the outside of the ornament (do this ONE ornament at a time) and then LIGHTLY sprinkle the ornament with your glitter. You do not want to completely cover the ornament with glitter as you want to see the herbs and crystals.

After your ornaments dry fill each ball about halfway full of your herb mixture and then add a little of your glitter to add some sparkle. Once the ornaments are filled replace the tops on your ornaments.

Next, take your hot glue gun and begin to glue your crystal pieces to the tops of your ornament. You can even make it look like a crown by gluing the crystals all around the tops you just replaced on your ornaments.

Finally, hot glue your ribbon to the top making a loop so you can adorn your Yule tree with these sparkly crystal herb ornaments.

Herb/Spice of the Month-Cinnamon

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

homecooking.about.com

Ahhhh! The sweet, sweet smell of cinnamon. I love and adore the aroma of cinnamon! Once September came around, I began setting out my cinnamon pine cones and other cinnamon scented potpourris'. I also hung up my cinnamon broom. Cinnamon is such a versatile and beloved spice by many and for good reason. Enhancing both sweet and savory foods, cinnamon is used around the world due to its bold and distinctive flavor adding depth to many dishes, both familiar and exotic.

From sweet treats such as cinnamon rolls, apple and pumpkin pies as well as gingerbread, cinnamon is most commonly used in baking particularly around the holidays and lest not forget the humble cinnamon-sugar we all used to add to buttered toast.

For savory dishes, cinnamon is widely used in venison, but also domestic meats such as pork, beef, poultry, etc. Cinnamon is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking and Indian curries. Cinnamon is also a natural to be used with sweet potatoes and winter squash.

Cinnamon is also widely used and loved in a variety of beverages such as Chai, mulled wine, hot cider, hot cocoa and of course, lest not forget holiday eggnog!

Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) aka sweet wood-A tropical evergreen tree up to 50 feet tall. Cinnamon sticks are quills from the inner bark and the essential oil is distilled by water or steam from the leaves and twigs.

Masculine. Sun. Fire. Deities: Venus, Aphrodite-Spirituality, Success, Healing, Power, Psychic Powers, Lust, Protection, Love. When paired with Tourmaline becomes a highly empowered element in your magickal spell and ritual work.. If using with divination, cinnamon enhances psychic and empathetic abilities.. When burned as an incense, it raises your spiritual vibrations higher, especially when working with your Chakras.

Old Fashioned Egg Nog
A super rich eggnog with cream and milk, with a bit of a kick from brandy and rum.

6 eggs
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 C milk
2 C heavy whipping cream
3/4 C brandy
1/3 C dark rum

Chill all ingredients before starting, for best results. Beat eggs until frothy, then beat in sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Slowly stir in brandy, rum, milk and cream. Chill again.
Serve eggnog cold.

Peppered Cinnamon Sweet Cakes Recipe

Italian Dessert-recipe from The Epicurean

1 1/4 c. of pastry flour
1 level t. baking powder
1/2 t. ground rosemary
1/3 c. chopped almonds
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. of grape juice
2 T. of honey
milk
1/3 c. of chopped hazelnuts

Mix flour and baking powder. Blend with the ground rosemary, almonds and cinnamon. In a measuring cup combine the grape juice and honey. Add milk to make one cup of liquid.
Mix with the dry ingredients and bake in a greased flat pan, in a preheated 375° F oven for 30 minutes.
Garnish with roasted chopped hazelnuts and serve.
To vary, lightly spread liquid honey over the warm cake and decorate with roasted chopped hazelnuts. Then prick the surface here and there with a fork and drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of grape juice into the cake.

Yule Recipes Part Two

2011-11-27T00:00:00.002-05:00

A lot of Yule recipes, entrees in particular traditionally are heavy meat dishes and this year I am wanting to make a much lighter fare for my family and although I will most likely be making the traditional (in our house) ham or more turkey (haven't decided yet) I will also be adding dishes not just for myself as I do not want any meat but for the family as well so I may introduce them to new foods, flavors and textures.

Recipes are from "Recipes From a Vegetarian Goddess: Delectable Feasts Through the Seasons" by Karri Allrich, c2000 Llewellyn Publications.

Linguine with White Vegetables and Pine Nuts
Snowy cauliflower and sweet cabbage are accented with the crunch of pine nuts on creamy white pasta. Wonderfully delicious.

1 pound Italian linguine
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
½ head cauliflower, cored, chopped into small pieces
½ head white cabbage, cored, thinly shredded
5-6 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup pine nuts
Sea salt
White pepper, freshly ground
¼ teaspoon fennel seed
Juice of ½ lemon
3-4 tablespoons cream or soy cream
Parmesan cheese, grated

Bring a large pot of fresh water to a rolling boil and cook the linguine till al dente. Warm up a large pasta serving bowl.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion for 5 minutes, until soft. Add in the cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, pine nuts, sea salt, ground pepper, and fennel. Squeeze on the lemon juice. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and the pine nuts are toasted. Stir in the cream.

When the pasta is al dente, drain and pour the linguine into the warmed pasta bowl, and drizzle a little olive oil on the pasta to moisten it. Immediately add your white vegetables/pine nuts mixture and stir well.

Serve at the table with a small bowl of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Serves 4-5.

Midwinter Gingerbread

This spicy-sweet bread is also wonderful sliced, toasted, and buttered for an afternoon tea, accompanied by a warm, cozy throw and a good book.

½ stick butter or solid margarine

½ cup molasses

1 large free-range egg

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons ginger

¼ teaspoon cloves

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ cup boiling water

½ cup orange marmalade or good apricot jam

½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter with the molasses and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the egg and brown sugar and beat well. Pour in the melted butter/molasses mixture and beat with an electric mixer to blend well. Then, by hand, stir in the flour, spices, and salt, just enough to blend.

Add the baking soda to the boiling water and stir well. Pour this soda water into the batter and gently mix. Add the marmalade and pecans, again, stirring just until mixed in.

Pour the gingerbread batter into a lightly greased 8-by-8-inch or 9-by-9-inch pan. Bake for about 30 minutes. The gingerbread is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Let the pan cool for 10 minutes, then insert a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread. Gently invert, placing it onto a plate.

Serve simply as squares dusted with powdered sugar or topped with a spoonful of fresh whipped cream.

Serves 8.

Kale with Feta and Bacon

recipe from-Gardening with Confidence

a tasty way to eat more healthy winter greens. This recipe combines nutritious kale with bacon (vegetarian) and goat cheese.

3 slices of bacon or vegetarian-style bacon (preferably organic, local or sustainably raised)

1 bunch of kale leaves, chopped

1/3 cup of chopped red peppers (I use frozen peppers from my garden)

1 medium sized onion

1-2 cloves garlic

2/3 cup of vegetable broth

1/4 cup of dry white wine

1-2 tablespoons of feta cheese

1 tsp of Dijon style mustard

1 tsp fresh thyme (1/2 tsp of dried thyme)

1 tsp fresh rosemary (1/2 tsp of dried rosemary)

Pinch of cayenne

Salt and pepper to taste

Fry bacon until crisp. Place cooked bacon on paper towels to drain. In remaining bacon fat, sauté garlic and onions in cooking pan at medium heat until onions are translucent. (If using vegetarian-style bacon, add olive oil while cooking bacon and also while cooking onions.) Then, add red peppers and cook a minute or so to soften.

Add herbs, mustard, broth, white wine, and salt and pepper. Stir to mix well.

Then add chopped kale and stir well. Cover pan and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. A few minutes before done, add feta and stir well. Serve warm.

This recipe makes a yummy side dish. But these greens also make a great quiche: simply add a cup of milk or almond milk; 3/4 cup of shredded cheese; and three eggs to the above recipe. Pour mixture into uncooked pie crust and bake at 375° F for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick stuck in the center of the quiche comes out clean. Let it sit a few minutes before serving.

Mocha Bûche de Noël-Recipe from Good Housekeeping

French for "Yule Log," Bûche de Noël is a traditional rolled sponge cake served on Christmas. Ours is distinguished by a rich coffee-flavored cream filling.

Mocha Cake:

1/2 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa, plus additional for dusting

1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder

1/8 teaspoon(s) salt

2 tablespoon(s) instant coffee or instant espresso powder or granules

2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

6 large eggs, separated

1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar

Chocolate Glaze:

4 ounce(s) semisweet chocolate

3 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine

2 tablespoon(s) corn syrup

Coffee Cream Filling:

1 cup(s) heavy or whipping cream

1 tablespoon(s) instant coffee or instant espresso powder or granules

1/4 cup(s) confectioners' sugar

Prepare Mocha Cake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly-roll pan; line with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper.

In small bowl, combine cocoa, baking powder, and salt. In cup, combine instant coffee and vanilla, stirring to dissolve coffee.

In large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until whites stand in stiff, glossy peaks when beaters are lifted. Set whites aside.

In another large bowl, using same beaters, with mixer at high speed, beat egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 minutes or until thick and pale yellow. With mixer at low speed, add coffee mixture and beat until blended. Beat in cocoa mixture just until blended. With rubber spatula, gently fold egg whites into cocoa mixture, one-third at a time.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when lightly pressed with finger. Cool cake in pan on wire rack 10 minutes.

Sprinkle clean kitchen towel with some cocoa. Immediately invert warm cake onto towel; carefully peel off waxed paper. Starting from a long side, roll up cake with towel inside, jelly-roll fashion. Transfer roll, seam side down, to wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

Prepare Chocolate Glaze: In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate with butter and corn syrup over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove saucepan from heat. Let glaze stand at room temperature 15 to 20 minutes to cool slightly and thicken.

Prepare Coffee Cream Filling: In medium bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat cream and instant coffee until soft peaks form. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Gently unroll cooled cake. With metal spatula, spread filling evenly over cake almost to edges. Starting from same long side, roll cake without towel. (Cake may crack slightly as you roll it.) Cut 1 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slice off 1 end of roll and reserve. Transfer roll to large cookie sheet.

Spread some glaze over roll, but do not spread glaze on ends. Place reserved end piece on side of roll to resemble cut branch. Spread remaining glaze over branch, leaving cut side unglazed. Refrigerate cake, uncovered, until glaze sets, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or up to overnight.

With 2 metal spatulas, gently transfer roll to long platter. Garnish platter with Coffee Meringue Mushrooms if you like.

Winter Sabbat Recipes Part 1

2011-11-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

Creating a warm cozy atmosphere is my forte particularly around the holidays and what better way than cooking and baking. Here are four recipes to get started. Traditional Wassail and three cookie recipes that I have made and will be making again this year to give as gifts as well as to give to family. Blessings~

Wassail-
recipe and small ceremony from the book The Winter Solstice by John and Caitlin Matthews
Heat a large container of ale or beer, about 3 or 4 pints.
Add:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup mixed spice (cinnamon sticks and whole cloves are also an excellent choice)
2 or 3 small sweet apples, cut up
1 1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 1/4 cup orange juice
the juice of 2 lemons
Place over a slow flame; then, before it begins to boil, take off the heat and whip up some cream. Let this float on top of the brew like foam.
Put in a suitably large pretty bowl
Now go out to a tree or trees with a few friends. Wet the roots liberally with the brew. Pass the rest around and when everyone is thoroughly warmed up sing a wassailing song, for example:
"Here's to thee, old apple tree
Whence thou may'st bud and whence tho may'st blow
And whence thou may'st bear apples now.
Hats full, caps full, bushel, bushel sacks full, And my pockets full too!"
Lift your glasses to the tree and shout "Huzzah!" as loud as you can.

Magickal associations
apples - love, health, peace
pineapple - healing, money, protection & love (in early America, this fruit was the symbol of hospitality)
lemons - love, happiness & purification
cinnamon - love, psychic awareness & money
sugar - love

Sun Shine Sugar Cookies with Orange Frosting
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine milk with vinegar to make sour milk. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugars, shortening, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in sour milk and mix well. NOTE: Dough will be very sticky and hard to handle so be sure to refrigerate either several hours or overnight. Roll on well floured board to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters to desired shapes-a sun shape or large round circles are best to signify the sun with large cutters working best. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly brown on bottom. Frost with frosting (recipe below) and decorate.

Frosting
3 egg whites
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 Tablespoon of orange rind
1 Tablespoon of Orange Juice

Beat egg whites in clean, large bowl with mixer at high speed until very foamy Gradually add sugar, rind, orange juice and extract. Beat at high speed until thickened. Spread over cooled cookies or put in a pastry bag with a piping tip attached and pipe onto cookies.

magickal associations:
orange - love, purification
vanilla - love, sexuality
eggs - healing, protection, fertility
sugar - love
nutmeg - psychic awareness

Anise Treasures

3 large egg whites
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter (3/4 stick), melted
3/4 teaspoon anise extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease large cookie sheet. In large bowl, with wire whisk, beat egg whites, confectioners' sugar, and flour until blended and smooth. Beat in melted butter, anise extract, and salt.
2. Drop 1 heaping teaspoon mixture onto cookie sheet. Repeat to make 3 more cookies, about 3 inches apart. With small spatula, spread each cookie to a 3-inch round.
3. Bake cookies 5 to 7 minutes until edges are golden. With pancake turner, quickly remove 1 cookie to wire rack. With hands, gently shape warm cookie to flute edges. Repeat with remaining cookies on cookie sheet. If cookies become too hard to shape, return cookie sheet to oven to soften cookies slightly. Repeat with remaining batter. (Batter will become slightly thicker upon standing.) Store in tightly covered container.

magickal associations:
anise - love (it's also used to flavor wedding cakes!)
eggs - healing, protection, fertility
sugar - love
butter - spirituality

Yule Moon Cookies

1 cup butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. grated lemon peel

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/3 cup flour

1 1/2 cup grated almonds (blanched)

1 tsp. vanilla

Icing:

2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 Tbsp. water

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add grated lemon peel, salt, flour, grated almonds, and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix thoroughly. Place dough in bowl. Cover and chill thoroughly. When the dough is well chilled; or the next day, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness and cut with moon/crescent cookie cutter. Place 1/2" apart on un-greased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 375° oven for 8-10 minutes.

Icing: While cookies bake, combine confectioner's sugar, vanilla and water. Spread over the tops of cookies while still warm, but not too hot, as icing will melt. Thin with additional drops of water if glaze is too thick. Allow cookies to cool.

Yield: 10 dozen cookies

magickal associations:
sugar - love
butter - spirituality
lemon- love, purification
almonds- love, passions

The Wheel of Yule

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Artist Serena Sorrenti

As things calm down from our very filling Thanksgiving dinner I am now sitting down and really thinking about Yule, what it means, what it means to me and the creation of my Yule Dreamboard (which I will post on December 21st) as I begin my Wheel of the Year Dreamboards. This gives me an opportunity to truly think and feel what this season and time truly mean and begin to live out those feelings and turn them into dreams and those dreams into my own reality.

Being one with Mother Earth and Father Time, I started my own descent right after Samhain as I have been doing alot of inner reflection and dreaming. Yule, the Winter Solstice-a time for rest, relaxation (yes, you actually can this time of year), hibernation and dreamtime.

"Yule, from the Icelandic, jol via Old English geol, is the winter solstice festival of our Nordic ancestors. The word's root meaning is of a wheel, a symbol of the sun and the cyclical nature of the year. It marked a holiday of thirteen nights during which time the Goddess Freya would be honored with the sacrifice of one of her sacred animals, the boar and food would be left out for Odin, who is the leader of the Wild Hunt would traverse the countryside bestowing favours on those who honored him best and as Jolnir, was Lord of the Yule"...(source: http://www.witchology.com/free_downloads/winsol.pdf)

"The Yule log is a cross between sympathetic magick and ritual: a great log is placed in the hearth and lit with a brand from the previous year's log symbolizing the return of the sun and ensuring good luck for the household. The same symbolism was conveyed by bringing of evergreen plants into the house, tied in wreaths or as decorated trees..."(source: http://www.witchology.com/free_downloads/winsol.pdf)

While basking in all the Yuletide celebrating I have and will purposely take the time to embrace, inhale and gather myself because once the hoopla of the holiday season is over, I am left with, well a new beginning and myself- which began on Samhain (The Witches New year) so I have been contemplating, writing, meditating on what I want to see for myself this brand new year!

What dreams do you want to see flourish? What are you contemplating for this New Year? How will you spend this dreamtime, this hibernation period?

What I Wish To Remember

2011-11-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

Before I go into my wishcasting wednesday, I want to take a moment and be very very thankful and grateful as Thanksgiving is only moments away.

I am thankful and grateful for our Mother Earth for without her we all would not be here. I thank our Earth that sustains us and nourishes us, I am thankful for the water that cleanses and bathes us everyday from our emotions down to the essence of our being. I am thankful for the fire that warms us and I am thankful to Spirit; in essence we all strive for the same thing and that is Love as I am thankful for everything and everyone I am surrounded by.

Jamie asks us *What do we wish to remember?* In what I stated above, I wish to ALWAYS remember to be ever thankful and grateful especially in times when everything seems dark, sad, lonely and hard. It is THEN we need gratitude the most because no matter how hard life gets there is ALWAYS something, even the most basic of needs to be thankful for. It's Gratitude that can propel us to get from point A to point B even if it's a snail's pace.

I wish to remember to always be thankful as life can change in the blink of an eye! Beautiful, Bright and Loving Holiday and Everyday Wishes To All!

My Three Teachers All In White...

2011-11-21T14:56:00.000-05:00

I have been chronicling my lifestyle changes on my other blog 'The Raw Goddess' and as most of my friends know, I am doing a Smoking Cessation program involving Guided Meditation and Self-Hypnosis and it's been working, although this is not what I am writing about here, if you'd like to see what i am doing you can click here to read about my quitting smoking.

What I am writing about is the Guided Meditation that I am doing called Releasing the Habit of Smoking and part of this meditation at one point asks me to meet my Master, My Guide and Teacher. I didn't get just one, I got THREE!! A White Horse, A White Wolf (she is ALWAYS in my dreams and meditations) and a White Dove. I have been curious about what all three stand for, particularly them all being white and here is what I found:

From the Website, 'Whats-Your-Sign.com, Avia Venefica states a lot about the meaning of horses but this is what I feel the meaning in my meditation stands for-"A summary of prevalent symbol meanings for the horse:

Power
Grace
Beauty
Nobility
Strength
Freedom"

"As a Native American symbol, the Horse symbol meanings combine the grounded power of the earth with the whispers of wisdom found in the spirit winds. The Horse has long been honored has helper, messenger, and harbinger of spirit knowledge...Considered wild and an emblem of freedom...White Horse:

Light, sun, day, vitality, illumination, resurrection, messenger of birth..."

The White Wolf-"To dream of white wolf means valor and victory. You have the ability to see the light even in your darkest hours...The colour white symbolizes spiritual well-being, innocence, or cleansing. Wolves may appear in dreams when one has lost faith on a quest for something; the wolf appears to guide them and renew their hope..."

The White Dove-"The symbol of peace and love herald the end of disagreements. Dreaming of white doves foretell a happy domestic life filled with peace and tranquillity..."

Since 11/16/2011 when I had done my ritual with Hecate, I honestly feel that she has been the one guiding me to all it is that I need to move toward a much healthy and happy life!

Mistletoe Magic

2011-11-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

Mistletoe

Sitting under the mistletoe

(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),

One last candle burning low,

All the sleepy dancers gone,

Just one candle burning on,

Shadows lurking everywhere:

Some one came, and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go

Nodding under the mistletoe

(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),

No footsteps came, no voice, but only,

Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,

Stooped in the still and shadowy air

Lips unseen - and kissed me there.

~Walter de la Mare

The holy magic of the mistletoe was well known to the druids, whose ceremonial rites are remembered in the traditions of Yule and other seasonal festivals.

Traditionally, mistletoe has always formed part of the decorations of the Christmas season if only to provide the excuse for a kiss when hung in a prominent doorway. This tradition is decidedly pagan in origin and dates back to Scandinavian mythology when Baldur, god of peace was slain by Loki, god of destruction with an arrow made from mistletoe. Outraged by the injustice of Baldur’s death the other gods and goddesses demanded his life be restored. As a token of thanks, Baldur’s mother, Frigga, hung mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed beneath it, thus establishing the symbolism of love, peace and forgiveness that is now associated with mistletoe.

The Celts, whose uses of the plant included a much darker side, gave us the Christmas connection by using mistletoe as part of the Yule festival where it decorated the houses and strengthened all magical workings, protected the home and caused beautiful dreams during the shadowy, dream time of midwinter when the dark force of Mean Geimhridh held back the life giving light of the sun. This winter festival eventually became absorbed into the Christian calendar along with the mistletoe customs and other pagan practices such as the burning of the Yule log and the gathering of holly.

Neither herb nor plant, and suspended high in the branches of sacred trees, Mistletoe was thought by the Druids to be an "in between", or a gateway to other worlds. Such was their reverence for the plant that the Celtic Tree alphabet had no word for it. The Anglo-Saxons however, though acknowledging its specialness were not so particular and named it mistl (different), tan (twig).
A parasitically plant that favours hardwoods, especially the oak that the Druids held so sacred, it is able to produce it’s own chlorophyll, but depends on out-competing it’s host for vital nutrients. Birds help it to proliferate by dispersing the seeds to other tree limbs where a sticky viscin layer allows it to adhere to the branch. Once established it is extremely difficult to eradicate and generally kills its host when it has exhausted the available food supply.

The small white berries, produce by the plant, are generally considered to be extremely toxic and if eaten by children produce epileptic type fits and convulsions. Not surprisingly then, the Celts and other cultures were quick to realise the homeopathic uses of the plant and used extracts of the berries for many ailments including convulsions, delirium, hysteria, neuralgia and heart conditions and as an antidote for poison.

The Native Americans used a "Tea ooze" for bathing the head as a cure for headache while an infusion of the plant helped to lower blood pressure and ease lung problems. The plant, dried and powdered, particularly if it came from an oak tree was said to be good for epilepsy and to cure "love sickness" and other uses included cures for debility and paralytic weakness.

Much of the folklore surrounding the plant is deeply entwined with Celtic history and particularly the Druids who were a bardic cult that held great sway amongst tribal leaders. This class of priest/philosophers was well aware of mistletoe’s ability to alter levels and states of consciousness and used it with great reverence in many of their ceremonies.

Wearing white robes, priests and priestesses would ceremonially harvest the plant with golden sickles on the sixth day of the moon, which was the first day of the Druidic month, slaughtering two oxen as sacrificial gifts for the harvest.
Used as a powerful antidote to all poisons it seems as if this also included that most deadly of all poisons, death itself, for according to recent archaeological findings, Mistletoe played a prominent part in human sacrifice.

Lindow man, discovered in 1984 in a peat bog south of Manchester, lived during the end of the iron age and forensic analysis of his body shows that he was a victim of ritualistic murder resulting in a "three fold" death that was an important theme of Celtic culture.

The first "death" involved a number of heavy blows to the head using a narrow bladed ax which would cause him to loose consciousness and allow the head wounds to swell. The second "death", caused by having his neck broken by using a tightened cord actually dispatched the victim and it was the ensuing death struggles that provided the means of divination that the Druid priest and priestesses so desired.

Though by now clinically dead, a third "death" was procured by cutting the victim’s throat and further omens read from the spilled blood.

Examination of Lindow man’s stomach contents revealed that before his ordeal began, he had been given a concoction of mistletoe so perhaps the Druid priests were not so callous as history portrays them and their victims were given the "antidote for all poisons" to help them on their journey to the Other world. The consciousness altering properties of the plant giving some protection from the horrors that were to come.

The magical properties surrounding mistletoe are legion and although sceptics are likely to argue that the only thing you will get from mistletoe is a cold from kissing infected strangers, true believers know better.

Staffordshire folk, for instance, know that burning mistletoe under the following year’s xmas pudding repels witches while for Yorkshire farmers good health and luck is guaranteed for the cow herd by feeding a sprig of mistletoe to the first cow to calve during the new year.

According to apple growers in Worcestershire, mistletoe should only be cut at midnight on Christmas Eve but if preserved throughout the following year, fortunate times will follow.

Mistletoe hung over a doorway during the winter and summer solstices protects against thunder, lightening and all evil and a sprig hung over a child’s cradle prevents theft from fairies, but as everyone knows, the most powerful mistletoe magic of all lies in a lover’s kiss!

Source: essortment.com

New Wheel of the Year Dreamboards

2011-11-19T20:43:00.002-05:00

We have all seen and heard of Dreamboards and Vision Boards. When the ever popular *The Secret* came, we were formally introduced to Vision Boards. Collages filled with images,pictures, phrases and words to help guide you to manifesting your dreams and goals. Dreamboards are pretty much the same way. I join Jamie Ridler every month (at least I try to!) to participate in her Full Moon Dreamboards. Using the power of the Full Moon we place our desires and intentions in accordance with Full Moon of that particular month.

Wheel of the Year Dreamboards is something I thought of recently as not only a continuation of my Full Moon Dreamboards but also to further connect me to Mother Earth to help and guide me in making my life and those around me a more abundant and peaceful place to live.

By connecting to the Wheel of the Year we can begin to tune deeply to this foundational cycle and learn to work with rather than against the natural currents of life on Mother Earth. With our dreams being made manifested through the power of the moon, we can also honor the Wheel of the Year as we learn and participate in the dance of creation, which is found again and again in Nature and in our lives bringing us closer and closer to living our heart center!

We have Eight Sacred Earth Holidays and I had this idea to create a beautiful dreamboard for each holiday. On the day of each Holiday/Sabbat, I will post my dreamboard representing what my intentions, desires, goals and dreams I want to infuse into my life with each given holiday. You can use all your available art supplies. Poster board, glue, magazines, glitter, embellishments, anything your creative fire speaks of!

What if you do not have art supplies, or have run out? No problem, you can always make a digital dreamboard like I have and yes you can still infuse your intent and energy. When I have not been able to make a dreamboard with my hands, I will make a digital dreamboard and make a ritual out of it! I light candles, burn incense. my energy and focus isn't any different. Think you're not artistic enough? Yes, you are!! If you have magazines, art supplies or just a desire, a dream, a goal, then you can allow your Spirit to speak through you!

I am hoping others will join me in this fun and sacred activity as we move through the Wheel of the Year allowing our intuition, our heart, our souls speak through us bringing peace and balance within!

I'm going to try to set up a Mr.Linky so others can easily join in on The Wheel of the Year Dreamboards.

My Ritual Night with Hecate

2011-11-16T23:52:00.002-05:00

I have been planning this for the last 2 days and although I had to improvise, what I planned out was the actual type of ritual that I wanted to use. One of these days when I am more confident within myself, I will try my hand at writing my own but I scoured and found through Google a ritual from a website I absolutely adore; Hecate's Cauldron. She has a few but the one I chose fit my needs very well. Let's have a look!

I used decorations from Samhain to adorn my ritual space since the ritual asked for ravens, wolves, cauldrons and black stones. I allowed my intuition to chose. It also asked for a black candle which I am out of so I improvised with my LED mini-black candle. Instead of wine or juice (I have neither) I used a detox herbal tea in my goblet. The tea and some sea salt were my offerings for Hecate. Didn't have time to bake so I did the best I could with what I had. It's been a LONG time since I have done a full ritual from beginning to end.

Here is my raven up close. She also guided and protected me during ritual!

Another view of my goblet and my Tarot Deck-The Witches Tarot

The book I am now reading-Sisters of the Dark Moon:13 Rituals of the Dark Goddess by Gail Wood

I did a reading tonight after falling away from the Tarot for many years and although I had to have a book in front of me, it came back to me quite easily and what it revealed was quite humbling. This witch needs to get her groove on and Hecate definitely let me know.

After the ritual was over I placed my offering through my back door as I do not live by a close by crossroads. Although some of the things revealed to me this evening are things that deep inside I already know, it's high time I begin to shift my mind-set and begin to live everyday life more authentically, honest, true and with integrity. Something I always try to do but deep within the recesses of my mind I knew that certain things were not quite right. I intend to deepen my relationship with The Great Mother Hecate as I no longer fear her and I am beginning to no longer fear The Dark!

How did you Honor or Celebrate Hecate's Night?

Wishcasting Wednesday

2011-11-16T06:58:00.000-05:00

Jonathan Earl Bowser Art

I will not die.

I am love and I abide.

Deeper than the ocean,

Higher than the sky.

Sometimes I think Jamie Ridler is psychic! Her prompt today is *What is your Greatest Wish?* This couldn't have come at a better time!

My greatest wish at this moment in time is to be able to integrate all my inner scattered pieces for them to become whole. One lesson I always have to be reminded of is patience. Life is a process and at times I become impatient with myself wanting to progress way before my soul is ready. In order to run we must walk first and in order to walk we need to crawl. Sometimes taking baby steps is necessary and I find that is where my impatience lies.

To find that enlightening inner peace not only during meditation but to take it with me out into my every day existence is my greatest wish. To remain feeling whole during the storms of life. Shedding my skin once again in order to fit into the new skin that awaits to be fitted and I am wishing that the fit is just right!

I do think this new skin is going to fit like a beautiful, flowing gown bejeweled with shimmering light!

What is your greatest wish?

Hecate's Night-November 16th 2011

2011-11-15T22:04:00.000-05:00

This post was meant to be posted WAAAAYYYYY earlier in the day as I made my first video for Wytchy Confessions on Youtube but today has officially been Murphy's Law for me and well....better late than never.

To find out about Hecate's Night here is a great informational link! I am also doing a ritual to connect and speak with Hecate (she's been bugging me to speak with her for WEEKS! LOL!) and here is another link for you to peruse. I thought it was a great idea to share our experiences with Hecate and if you intend to do a ritual in her honor for her night, I will be posting another blog post with Mr. Linky so we can all share our experiences.

Until next time...Brightest Blessings~

Important Notice To My Workshop Subscribers!

2011-11-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

WORKSHOP SUBSCRIBERS:Please Note that my Vimeo Account has been hacked and I have contacted them Immediately! I have changed my password and if you see the Letters-ASCII in the Beginning of the title on the video and the word BYE on the end of the title, I DID NOT do that! I tried fixing this in my settings but to no avail! I am SORRY for this and I am in contact with Vimeo as I type this!! Any questions please feel free to email me at yeoldewitchesbrew at gmail dot com!

I am VERY angry and upset over this as I have tried fixing ALL the titles of my videos but EACH and EVERY ONE of my videos have this annoying tag added to my videos. I do not know what it means but I want it off!

So sorry for this inconvenience!

WytchyConfessions Youtube Channel

2011-11-14T22:04:00.000-05:00

That is the Username for my New Youtube Channel for Confessions of a Kitchen Witch. This is where I will begin uploading instructional videos, video dreamboards and other kitchen witch and healing related content! Right now I only have one video uploaded but I am working on adding more, so if you'd like to follow WytchyConfessions just click and add yourself! I hope you join me on this fun new journey I am taking!

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics Part Three

2011-11-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

This is a continued post from Kitchen Witch Basics Part Two! We left off with Lunar Infusions and now we move onto other herbal mixtures and preparations.

Herbal Tinctures
Described here is the old folk method. To make a tincture, fill a clean dry glass jar half way with your herbal mixture/combination. Using vodka, brandy or any other grain alcohol completely cover the herbal mixture, adding a little more to allow the herbs to absorb the liquid and expand. Let the tincture steep in a warm, dark place for up to eight weeks. Shake daily, strain when done and store in a dark colored bottle, label with content and date of preparation. It's important to keep everything labeled with a description of ingredients so you may know for the next time you decide to make the same tincture.

Herbal Syrups
Herbal syrups have been used for hundred of years to help soothe sore throats, coughs and other digestive ailments. Due to the high sugar content, if refrigerated and stored properly will last quite a long while. To make an herbal syrup, add about two ounces of herb(s) to one quart of water. Gently bring to a boil, then simmer until liquid is reduced to one pint. Strain the herbs from the mixture, and while the liquid is still warm, add 1/2 -1 cup of honey or brown/white sugar or even maple syrup. You can also use agave if you would prefer. You may also add six to eight tablespoons of plain or fruit brandy to your herbal syrup. Brandy relaxes the throat and helps to calm coughing. Store in refrigerator. If the syrup loses color or begins to form a strong odor then discard.

Liniments
For sore and aching muscles, liniments are used to soothe and is for external use only. Make sure to label everything. The recipe here is also good for keeping fleas and bugs off arms and legs. Please note that you have any allergies consult your physician prior to using any herbal remedy whether internal or external!

Combine one ounce of each of the following; golden seal powder, myrrh powder and Echinacea, plus 1/4 ounce cayenne powder. Place these dried herbs in a bottle and add one pint of rubbing alcohol. Shake this bottle daily for three to ten days. Strain and store in a dark glass bottle.

Salves / Ointments
A salve and/or ointment is also used for various aliments such as skin abrasions, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Due to it's thick texture, it will stay in place and you can also rub/massage the ointment on the skin. It will also last quite a long while if stored properly.

To make a salve heat up one cup of infused oil and about one-fourth cup of grated beeswax in a ceramic pot. Using a wooden spoon, stir gently until all the beeswax has dissolved. Remove from heat and let this mixture cool until you see a ridge forming around the edge of your ceramic pot. Add a couple drops of essential oils of your choice and blend the oils in well. Immediately pour this mixture into small containers and store in a cool dark place. When they lose their color and smell rancid discard them.

Tomorrow I will conclude the Kitchen Witch Herbal Basic with herbal compresses, tisanes/teas, and infused oil mixtures...

The Raw Goddess Blog

2011-11-12T08:21:00.000-05:00

This is another blog that I started at the beginning of the year and began to write in it about my journey towards a raw food lifestyle but it fell away as I allowed myself to get in my own way. Now I have started it up again as I am working through some issues surrounding lifestyle changes I have been wanting to make and it's a place where I write about my fears, my challenges, my triumphs (not many yet) and the journey into true loving self-care. If you would like to follow me on this journey click here to follow along with me.

At this present moment I am working my way through some of my fears and why these changes are important to me. My first entry since August is 'Transforming Me" and today I made another entry. I will be regularly writing here of course but The Raw Goddess is my place to openly write about my feelings and emotions in getting through quitting smoking for good, changing my eating habits, food and mood and how living a clean and pure life will lead me to where I want to be!

Day 2-15 Days of Thankfulness: 3 Veterans

2011-11-11T10:17:00.000-05:00

Let us not forget those who have served our country to help keep us safe and to preserve our freedom!

The three veterans I am thankful for are my Grandfather, my ex father-in-law and my now present father-in-law. My Grandfather served in the Marines in WWII. He was stationed in Hawaii and was a part of the Canine Unit. Both my ex father-in-law and present father-in-law both served in the Army during Vietnam! The stories they have told and the memories they keep are nothing short of amazing! I hold immense respect for those who have served our country!

Day 1 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - Author, Artist, Musician

2011-11-10T15:14:00.001-05:00

Over at Cordelia's Cauldron she created 15 Days of Thankfulness to get us in the habit of acknowledging what we are grateful for as Thanksgiving is approaching fast. Although being grateful is something we all should get in the habit of doing, even when times are rough and it's hard to find those things...but they are there-even the basics are something to be very thankful for as some people do not even have those.

Let's begin-November 10 - Day 1 - An author, artist and musician you are thankful for.

I have so many authors I can be thankful for that it is hard to choose. The one author I have chosen is Louise Hay. Of all the books I h ave read, I have to say I am most thankful for her. The book 'You Can Heal Your Life' profoundly changed my life during a time when I truly thought all was lost! Her book helped me through some pretty dark moments when at the time all I wanted to do was go to sleep and never wake up. Not something I readily admit as those days are now but a distant memory and the one thing that literally saved me aside from my counselor at the time was Louise's book!

To choose an artist is just as difficult as choosing an Author and the one artist(s) that I have chosen to be Thankful for is Ron and Sherry Byrum. Their artwork speaks to me, my spirit and my spiritual path. It's as if they have reached into my heart and mind and have created art especially for me. Of course that isn't true but that is the essence and feeling I get when looking at the magnificent artwork they create.

With that said, it is even better knowing that the artist behind the artwork is just as special as the art itself. They are the kindest, most generous people I have ever gotten the chance to meet. We met through my online site The Black Hat Society Network back in 2008 when we were on the Ning netowrks and have remained friends ever since. I truly believe our paths will meet and I will be able to sit down and maybe have some tea (or witches brew, maybe?) and just talk for a while!

Autumn Ritual by Ron Byrum

Of all the musicians I can talk about, I have to say (and don't laugh!) that I am most grateful for Bon Jovi! I became a fan back in high school when I was 15 and have grown to love him more and more over the years. Aside from his wickedly good looks (putting it mildly, of course!) Jon Bon Jovi sings of us everyday working people and that life IS good when you take the time to truly become thankful for what you have.

To always strive for more, for better and to never give up! His love songs have always spoken to my heart and his song 'Never Say Goodbye' was the very first song my present husband dedicated to me back in high school when we first began dating! He wrote out all the lyrics and highlighted the lyrics that meant the most to him! I have never forgotten and after 14 years apart, we never said goodbye! We reunited in 2006 after he found me on Myspace!~

Another reason why I chose Bon Jovi as a musician I am thankful is the way Jon gives back to his community. He has created what is called Soul Kitchen and that just endears me to him even more. JBJ Soul Kitchen is "A community restaurant with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meal. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family's meal."

I find it admirable for those in the limelight to truly walk the walk and being a person of integrity really ranks high on my list. He is definitely someone who can certainly be looked upon as a role model in my eyes! I will always be a fan!

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen from JBJ Soul Kitchen on Vimeo.

Full Frost Moon Dreamboard-November 10 2011

2011-11-10T14:29:00.000-05:00

Click Image for Full View

It's been a while since I have created a dreamboard and over at Jamie Ridler Studios every month she does her Full Moon Dreamboards for everyone to share.

From Jamie:

"Under the Full Frost Moon it is time to deepen our dreams, to grow powerful roots of support as we move into the colder months. Allow that fresh chill in the air to wake you up to your dreams. Let’s choose to give our energy to the things that nourish our hearts and our lives, while releasing what no longer serves us. Let’s fill not only our dreamboards but also our calendars and lists with what we dream of.

This moon’s question: “What dreams would I like to grow roots for?”
What are you dreaming under this Full Frost Moon?"

I already had in my mind what dreams I want to take root, flourish, grow and bloom! These are things I have wanted for a long time and it is only now that I have pin-pointed exactly what it is I want my life to look like and in order for it to materialize it first has to come from within in order for it to flourish outwards. A huge part of my dreams come from living a life I love.

Creating a lifestyle that feeds my mind, my body and my soul. To wake up everyday with renewed energy, a fire in my belly and a sparkle that radiates outwards for all to embrace as I want to share that with the world! In doing so, I firmly believe that my career goals will fall into a place and I can finally have the life that not only have I dreamed about but am living it full throttle!

The messages in my dreamboard relate to carving out special time in caring for me. To truly nurture myself from the inside. To calm myself, to center and ground! To feed my soul, to hug my spirit and to drench my inner longings for the freedom I so desire. Freedom of Spirit, Financial Freedom, Freedom of My Heart and Soul!

The colors hold meaning for me. Working with the fire element is what I feel I need to be doing as the stillness of Winter lies not too far ahead.. Igniting that spark and fanning the flames of my internal desires. To find peace in the healing I need, to let go of ideals and behaviors that no longer fit or feed my highest good!

Namaste-

Having Tea with Bon Jovi and Rainbeau Mars

2011-11-09T10:26:00.001-05:00

What a fun wish today from Jamie Ridler Studios' Wishcasting Wednesday! *Who Do You Wish To Have Tea With?

Since I just couldn't just choose one person I chose the two people I would love to sit down and have tea with. Being a HUGE fan since the age of 15, Bon Jovi is of course a definite. Not only has his music touched my heart throughout the decades (aside from him being so damn HOT!), he has proven to be an amazing businessman and philanthropist. His idea for Soul Kitchen in helping the community has made him more dear to my heart. To sit down and talk with him and say Thank You for all he has given people through his music and his heart would be amazing!

Another person I would love to sit down and have tea with is Rainbeau Mars. Rainbeau is someone I admire greatly and one of my role models as to how I would like to live my life. Through her healthy yoga and vegan lifestyle I would love to be able to sit down with her and discuss all things spiritual, healthy, vegan and yoga!

My Crystal Journey-Working w/Amethyst

2011-11-05T16:26:00.001-04:00

To further my knowledge and relationship and my awareness of working with crystals I am now working with and getting to know the Amethyst. I will not look it up for any information and do what Stephanie has suggested and just handle it, hold it, meditate with it and only after I am finished working with it will I look up it's total meaning.

Here is a jounral entry I wrote this afternoon:

"I first retuned the crystal by placing it right in front of my speakers while playing Deva Premal for about 2 hours. After retuning the crystal I prepared for meditation. I choose music that fit for me as I need this to remain focused in meditation. Instinctively my hands placed the crystal on my Sacral Chakra (this was not my intention and my knowledge of the chakras are very very basic as I had to look up what chakra my hands where resting upon) and meditated for a full 5-7 minutes-then instinctively again my hands moved from my Sacral Chakra to my Heart Chakra and again meditated for another 7-10 minutes.

With both placements my body physically began to release pent-up stress and energy and replaced with a calmness, although I began to feel light-headed."

As I sat and wrote in my journal about my experience, I held the crystal in my right hand and the crystal "tingled" in my hands while holding it. Another thing to note is that about 10 minutes or so after my meditation again I had this urge to cry but did not. I know this is coming as I am making more lifestyle changes and I can feel my spirit wanting to purge the old to open up channels allowing the new to enter.

I will continue to further my relationship with the Amethyst as I feel this crystal is going to be a powerful one for me!

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics Part Two

2011-11-05T11:35:00.001-04:00

There are many ways you can prepare herbs to use in a variety of ways. Here I will list a few of the many ways you can prepare herbs aside from your everyday cooking.

Decoctions: The definition of a decoction is-1)The liquor resulting from concentrating the essence of a substance by heating or boiling, esp. a medicinal preparation made from a plant. 2)The action or process of extracting the essence of something.

This is one of the best methods of extracting the roots, bark and woody stems of your herbs. To make a decoction add one ounce of roots, bark and stems to one pint of spring water. Bring this mixture to a boil and then lower the flame and allow to simmer for approximately 15-30 minutes depending on how strong you want your decoction to become. Use only glass, ceramic or enameled pots when creating this and keep the pot tightly covered while boiling. If you can see steam escaping or smell the aroma of the herb, your lid is not tight enough and valuable essential oils are escaping.

Using the cheesecloth (as mentioned in my last post) as a sieve make sure you strain as much of the decoction from the herb by pressing on the cut herbs. Note: If using powdered herb, allow it to settle to the bottom of the pot and then pour off the decoction from the top into a teacup (any sediment missed will settle to the bottom of the teacup).

Standard dosages for decoctions are generally one-half to one cup, two or three times daily. Again, the entire day's dosage can be prepared in the morning (2-3 cups at one time), and the remainder refrigerated until ready to use later in the day.

Infusions: Infusions are made for more delicate herbs and tender plants. It's very much the same as brewing a cup of tea. Fresh water is brought to a boil then poured over your herb of choice (or combination of herbs), it is then covered and allowed to steep for about 15-20 minutes. it can be prepared in the drinking cup by pouring over the boiling water onto your herbs or you can purchase Empty gauze tea-bags which can be filled with herbs and then sealed with a iron. or you can purchase a tea ball and put your herb(s) into the tea ball and then pour the boiling water over the tea ball and allow to steep.

The amount of herb to water can vary depending on the remedy being made, the plant, and whether cut herb or powdered herb is used. Normally, using 1 teaspoon of powdered herb or 2 teaspoons of more bulky cut herbs in a 6-8 ounce cup of water is perfect. Infusions are best prepared as needed and taken the same day it was prepared and can be taken hot, warm, or cold. Standard dosages of infusions are generally one teacup, two or three times daily. The entire day's dosage can be prepared in the morning and the remainder refrigerated until ready to use. If using more aromatic plants with active essential oils, these are best prepared in single dosages as needed and taken immediately.

Solar Infusions: Take your selected herbs and put in a glass jar with a tight lid. Pour spring water over your herbs and place in direct sunlight (like making sun tea) for several hours. I prefer to have the mixture sit in the sun for about 4-6 hours. When the infusion is at the desired strength, strain the herbs from the water and refrigerate until ready to drink.

Lunar Infusions: Using the above directions place your herb mixture under the Full Moon rays overnight. Experiment with different herbs (even flowers) and if you have a desired intent or ritual or spell work you plan on doing, choose herbs which correlate with your so desired intent or spell work. Of course make sure to use only edible flowers that are pesticide free and 100% organic.

Next post will cover more Herbal Mixtures and Preparations.

Related Post (s):
Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics

2011-11-04T21:15:00.001-04:00

Want to become one with your herbs? If you are new to using and cooking with herbs there are few simple rules to be aware of and from there it's all about the magic herbal ride!

It is best not to use aluminum or copper pans for preparing herbs. Both medals can be quite toxic to the quality of the herbs you decide to use. Aluminum pans should be avoided, as the metal may be released in unsafe amounts making it quite toxic when cooking with herbs. Copper may destroy the vitamin C content of certain foods. Glass, stainless steel, ceramic, enamel, and iron pots are quite good for herbal preparations. Each herbalist has his or her own preferences, and you will hear a lot of debate for each. I suggest that you experiment and come to your own conclusions.

Invest in some wooden spoons and measuring cups. You can also purchase a potato ricer which can be lined with cheesecloth which can be used as an inexpensive hand press. If you do not have a mortar and pestle, you can use a coffee grinder for powdering and grinding herbs, or the other way around (if you do not own a coffee grinder, etc...)..Although if you decide to use a coffee grinder then use it solely for your herbal cooking.

Other items you will need on your herbal journey:

A large stainless steel, fine meshed strainer.
Cheese cloth for straining your herbs.
A hand grater used only for grating beeswax (if making herbal candles).
Recipe box and blank recipe cards.
Bottles and jars for storing your herbal concoctions (glass)
Labels for your containers (you can make these quite pretty).
Large and small muslin drawstring bags from your local health food or craft store (can be used for sachets).
Small crock pot (used for your herbal concoctions).
A nice journal to keep all your herbal notes in-you can divide the journal seasonally to keep track of patterns, moon cycles and herbal and seasonal information.

Your Herbal Collection:

There are literally thousands of herbs you can choose from but my suggestion is to choose from about 10-15; or if that seems too daunting at first then choose maybe 5-8 different herbs and learn all there is to know about your chosen herbs. Try growing herbs that you are drawn to in your garden. Learn as much as you can about the usage, history and folklore of each plant you will be using by going to the library, or maybe ordering from amazon.com. it's best to become knowledgeable with a few herbs at a time then to have mounds of herbs you know only a little bit about.
And again, have fun, be creative, use your intuition and enjoy the ride.

Here are a few common herbs you may like to start with (taken from my ebook 'Herbs for the Witches Cupboard):

Anise:
Attributed to protection, youth and purification. Anise is tied to the planet Jupiter and the element of Air. Anise also aids in sleeplessness and wards off bad dreams. To strengthen psychic and spiritual development drink a cup of Anise tea once per day. To create a purifying bath, add bay leaves in a sachet with Star Anise. Burning dried anise seeds aids in protection and meditation rituals.

Basil-
This wonderful robust herb is attributed to a variety of magical uses such as consecration, divination, exorcism, fertility, fidelity, luck, happiness, harmony, love to just name a few. Basil is bound to the planet Mars and the element Fire.

Bay Leaves-
The Bay leaf is the leaf of two types of trees, the sweet bay tree and the laurel tree. Bay leaves are one of those herbs that should adorn every witch and non-witches' cupboards for it's fantastic flavor in soups and sauces. It's magical properties include wisdom, clairvoyance, protection and psychic power. Bay leaves are also used in aiding healing and purification. Bay leaves are also known to keep moths away and keeping your clothing and linens fresh.

Chamomile-
Being a medicinal herb, the volatile oils are an anti-spasmodic which is used in treating indigestion as well as menstrual cramps and other common stomach ailments. Also known as an anti-inflammatory and anti-infective, chamomile is great for treating minor skin disorders. Let's not forget the wonders of having a cup of hot chamomile tea to ensure a good night's rest.

Next post will be about herbal preparations-stay tuned...

Interview with a Concierge Witch...

2011-11-04T12:40:00.000-04:00

There are times when you meet someone and immediately you are drawn by their magnetic personality. That is what happened when I received an email from Diana Rajchel.

On August 18, 2011, I received an email asking me to review "The Spellcasting Picture Book:Visual Tools for Grown-Up Magic." I happily agreed and went off to read. Of all the pagan books I have read, I must say that The Spellcasting Picture Book is the most original, genuine, down to earth and FUN (Yes, FUN!) book on spells I have read in years.

As one reviewer states:
"this is an exploration in creativity, pushing boundaries and finding fresh perspectives. I found the sheer delight and fun on every page to be nearly as wonderful as the spells themselves. (Which are, by the way, lucid, focused and powerful - much better than most spellwork I've reviewed over the years.)"-Lisa Mc Sherry "Author, Reviewer(Amazon.com)

I was so enthralled not only with the book but with Diana herself. Honest, fresh, outspoken, funny and powerful! Diana so eloquently agreed to allow me to interview her and I'm very grateful to have met such a magnetic, soulful woman. So, without further adieu, let's talk with the 'Concierge Witch.'

1-You describe yourself as eclectic in your lifestyle, art and individual tastes, a "concierge witch" (I love that!)-Can we have a peek into who Diana Rajchel is and what is your definition of a 'concierge witch"?

I consider my spiritual work an "on-call" service to others. While I value and love my Pagan community and the diversity therein, I believe it's important to keep myself connected with and contributing to my entire community.

I don't only affiliate with Pagans; I also affiliate with my neighbors, with friends who practice non-Pagan faiths or who eschew religion, and with activist causes not all related to my religious practice. My personal Wiccan practice demands an attitude of religious pluralism for all people of faith that support the human rights of those around them. This practice has also allowed me many cross-cultural encounters. I've given my support and magical skill to Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews (is that the correct word?) and even the occasional atheist.

One example of my concierge work is that I often handle hauntings for people that prefer not to believe in ghosts. I can do what I can to repair any external energy imbalance in their homes and these people trust me not to try to make the situation into a "you HAVE to believe this because this happened." I feel no need to win the whose-religion-is-right game. This has let me learn a lot more than I might if I kept only to my own community.

2-Your book "The Spellcasting Picture Book" is so profoundly down to earth, playful, and genuinely real. What inspired you to write this and in the style you chose to write it?

The book is a direct result of my participation in the Artists's Way. To give background, Julia Cameron (former wife of Martin Scorcese) created a system of creative recovery that complemented her work recovery from alcoholism. The best-known part of this system is her 12 week program in the book actually titled the Artist's Way.

As I completed exercises from her book, I found myself scribbling poems and even putting drawings on paper the things I normally edited or refused to commit to the page. I found several pieces came out as magical workings in sketch. Enough came out of me that I decided to assemble them in a pdf to share with my artist’s way cluster. The book was intended as a diversion and relief from the serious and difficult book I’m still writing about divorce that had prompted me to try the Artist’s Way in the first place.

As I worked on the Spellcasting Picture book, however, I found an inner voice encouraging me to make it available to the public.

For about two years, I kept a much shorter 1st edition posted on Etsy. This year, I became interested in the Nook Color and made the book available in epub. Initially, though, the work was too short for creating a print edition through CreateSpace, so I decided to create a few more pages. In the process of creating these pages, I also found a file folder I'd filled with sketches from the first edition I never included and that I had forgotten.

To Read More About Diana Stop On By To Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine for the rest of the interview...

Working with Crystals-My Soul's Purpose

2011-11-04T11:47:00.000-04:00

A month ago I signed up for my first Crystal Class. It is a class in a series of 12 that will give me my certification to become a crystal healer. The class is run by Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy and the woman running it is someone I know from following her blog several years back. It's the best thing I could have done.

I have always been fascinated by crystals and now I get to understand not only the science behind crystals but all about how they heal and why. My first homework assignment was to take two crystals and begin to connect and form a *relationship* with each crystal and journal about my findings. I did this for 3-4 days using only one crystal to start with-the Clear Quartz Crystal. Here is an excerpt of some of my findings as I meditated and carried around my crystal for several days:

Dated 10/01/2011-Day One:

"My hands felt warm when holding the crystal and at first I didn't feel anything physical but I did feel a warming connection from within; as if finding an old friend after years apart."

""Later this evening I sat down and did an informal meditation while listening to ocean and dolphin sounds. I cupped the crystal in my hands, closed my eyes and began to breath into my meditation. I then placed the crystal to my heart. Within a minute or maybe three to be exact my eyes began to well up with tears but I didn't cry. I began to feel a *pushing* or purging so to speak as if my body wants to rid itself of residual sludge that I have kept within for a very long time. I know I didn't *allow* myself to cry when in fact I know it was what my body/mind/spirit truly wanted. I have a clue as to why I didn't allow myself to cleanse."

-In my days of connecting to the Quartz Crystal I know without a doubt that it was trying to do it's job and I held a lot of resistance-like a tug of war. As I begin to read more into crystals and vibrational medicine I am moving toward the steps I need to take in order to evolve into the person I have longed to become.

With all my blogging, writing, working at various jobs in different industries I have finally pin-pointed what my soul's purpose is and what I need to be doing to make a difference in my corner of the world. With this knowledge I continue to strive and move ahead, although it is a very scary and unsure path, I know this is the path I am supposed to be following.

This week I will be connecting to the Amethyst crystal and will blog about my progress as I move ahead into this Crystal Healing Journey.

Everyday Magick

2011-11-03T22:10:00.000-04:00

You do not need candles, oils, herbs, an athame, an altar or any other *prop* to experience pure unadulterated magick! Our altar is right in front of us the moment we open our eyes in the morning! The sun, the trees, the birds, the seasons and all of the Goddesses' gifts that are given to us every single breath we take! We only need to stop, step back, listen and breathe!

I have become aware when I need a break from all media. In this techie world it can become overload and can cause frustration and stress, at least for me it can. Too much chatter and noise as much as I love to connect with all my online friends.

I also know when I need to step back and breathe and allow my ideas, projects and *wants* to marinate and stew for a while. To push and push creativity, even when you're bursting forth with it can cause overload as well. That is where I am right now. You can not push the Law of Attraction or the Universe. It's a lesson in patience.

Today I needed to take my 15 year old to the dentist for a root canal (yucky!) and as I was sitting in the car (going and coming home as well as being the passenger for a change) I began to notice a few things that I call everyday magick!

When I was very very young living in Brooklyn, NY, our family would take rides *to the country* which was Upstate NY in the summer to visit my Great-Grandmother. As we would ride in the car which to me as a young girl felt like 3 hours when it really was only an hour and a half but that is a child's perception, I would stare out the window and just watch the trees go by, close my eyes and let the breeze caress my face.

Today I did the very same thing as we drove to the dentist. I sat staring out the window and watched the trees go by and let the wind caress my face, my neck and my shoulders as it was a bit windier today and I had my jacket open.

I miss my Grandmother. She lives in AZ with the rest of my family and she is now in a long-term facility due to an accident she had recently. I so badly want to visit her and hug her and spend time with her. She half raised me and I want to see her as I know her time is limited. I can smell her chicken soup, hear her tell me about the next great book she is going to read and all the hugs and affection she bestowed upon me. She was and still is the best Grandmother any child could have!

Other everyday magick to me is this:

~Spending an afternoon with both my older kids (20 and 15) window shopping and going to Used and Rare book shops, and vintage stores. To me the magick is that both my children, although older still want to spend the time with me when they could be doing so many other things.

~Seeing the change in my son after years of a drug induced haze. Being able to put my head on my pillow every night, knowing that this day was good to him and I say my prayer every morning that another day will treat him well and he will continue to grow into the wonderful man he is and the person I have always known him to be.

~The light I see in my daughter's eyes that had disappeared a long while ago and knowing that she is safe with me again. Hearing her laugh. Laughing with her when we are acting crazy and silly.

~Watching the leaves turn, age and fall away as the stillness of Winter begins to make her presence. Listening to the dancing leaves in the morning as well as the geese and ducks sing their last song before the world is blanketed in silence.

~That indescribable feeling of the night air in Autumn when the air is chilled and I warm up with my favorite hot chocolate and snuggle with a good book and my husband.

~The magick of my husband's hand on mine as we drive in the car. The smile on his face when I buy him an unexpected *just because* gift.

~My life as it is in this very moment in time as I can not fortell the future but embracing this present moment.

This is what I refer to as Everyday Magick~

Nourishing Myself from the Inside Out

2011-11-02T11:03:00.000-04:00

Jamie Ridler asks us *How Do You Wish To Nourish Yourself?*

With my first magazine issue out after 2 years and embarking on a new journey into creating workshops underway, I wish to nourish myself in the glowing light of Mother nature herself! Eating right, getting enough sleep and utilizing all the gifts our beautiful Gaia bestows upon us to help keep me healthy and bright so I can keep doing what I love to do most...writing, creating and caring for our canine and feline friends!

I also wish to nourish myself by continuing to surround myself with the positive flow of energy that comes from the new friendships and partnerships that have recently made their appearance! Here's to nourishing from the inside out!

Ye Olde Witches Brew Is Back!

2011-11-01T11:01:00.001-04:00

Finally after 2 years, Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine is back! Our Newest Issue is available ONLINE (I am working on getting the printed version out!) for all to peruse!

There is a *Print This Issue* link so anyone who has a printer may print out the issue to have for themselves!

This issue is filled with Interviews, Pagan Reviews of Crafters, Recipes, Decor, and a lot more!

I am now taking Submissions for our Yule Issue to come out December 21st! The DEADLINE for Yule Submssions is December 6th!

Any Crafters of Artists wanting to be featured in Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine, you may email me at yeoldewitchesbrew@gmail.com!

Enjoy the Issue!

My First Mini-Workshop!

2011-10-30T21:02:00.000-04:00

I asked, you answered and I have created my First Mini-Workshop! Creating a Kitchen Witch Altar is my New Mini-Workshop that will take you through a step by step process of creating your sacred space within your kitchen. The Sign-Up Form is on the Right-Side Bar or you can Click Here to Sign Up!

This workshop is simple, basic and is perfect for those who are new to their path and are looking for simple ways to bring magic and the Divine into their kitchen, their home and their life. My workshop will comprise of video lessons, PDF lesson files that are filled with tips, advice, recommended reading and sites to visit to help further your knowledge in creating beautiful energy.

The workshop starts on November 14th and goes for 4 weeks. I am working on other eCourses and workshops (both Free and paid) that are along the same lines-kitchen witchery, herbs, cooking, oils, candles, etc. My wish is to be able to help in guiding you to achieve harmony and magic within your home!

Crafty Halloween Decor

2011-10-30T11:58:00.001-04:00

Turn an ordinary foliage wreath into a fun and creepy Halloween decoration with the addition of black spray paint and a few embellishments; what about a creepy, fruity centerpiece? Here are some Beautiful, fun and easy crafts to help decorate your home for the Halloween and Samhain season~

Materials and Tools:

wreath covered with silk foliage
flat black spray paint
orange and black glass Christmas balls
plastic skulls
hot-glue gun and glue sticks
black ribbon
Steps:
1. Spray foliage wreath with black spray paint. Try to cover all of the greenery or flowers with spray paint so no other colors show. This may take several coats.

2. Attach skulls to the wreath with hot glue, spacing them evenly. Fill in with black and orange glass balls, attaching them with hot glue or tying them on with black ribbon.

Spooky Fruit Centerpiece

Materials and Tools:

assorted faux fruit and vegetables
decorative bowl
white craft paint
black spray paint
small detail paintbrush
Steps:
1. Spray paint the fruit and vegetables black and allow to thoroughly dry. This may take a few coats to get the fake produce truly black.

2. Paint scary faces onto the fruit and vegetables with paintbrush and white craft paint. Once dry, display spooky fruit and vegetables in bowl, either mixed in with the real stuff or by itself.

3. A fun alternative to the plastic skulls are plastic vampire's teeth, wrapped Halloween candy or chatter teeth.

Illuminated Witches' Broomsticks

Materials and Tools:

8-10 brooms with straw bristles
orange spray paint
purple spray paint
brown spray paint (made specifically for plastic)
box cutter or craft knife
outdoor lights in orange, white or purple
hand drill with auger attachment or wooden stake and mallet
drop cords (rated for exterior use)
Steps:
1. To make modern brooms look older and handmade, cut the string that binds the bristles together. Remove all traces of string and fan the bristles out. If the broom has a plastic, rather than a wooden handle, paint it with brown spray paint. Also, if the broom has a plastic hook at the end of the handle meant for hanging, remove it.

2. Add a touch of color to the broom bristles by lightly spraying them with purple or orange spray paint, use one color per broom.

3. Wrap outdoor lights around broomstick. Begin wrapping with the female end nearest the bristles. While wrapping, keep in mind that the plug end needs to be located at the base of the broomstick, allowing the lights to be plugged into an extension cord. If desired, match the color of lights to the color of paint on the broom bristles; for instance, match purple-painted brooms with purple lights.

4. Using either a hand drill with an auger attachment or a wooden stake and mallet, create several 8-inch-deep holes to hold broomsticks. Make sure to evenly space holes, placing them no farther apart than drop cords can reach. Finally, insert broomsticks into holes with bristles facing up and plug in lights.

Glam Sequined Pumpkin

Materials and Tools:

small foam pumpkin
sequin pins or craft glue
sequins or glass beads
Steps:
1. Cover the surface of the pumpkin with sequins or glass beads, attaching them with craft glue or sequin pins. This project could be completed with a fresh pumpkin rather than a foam pumpkin, but a foam pumpkin is preferable because it's much easier to stick with pins than a fresh pumpkin. Plus, it won't spoil so it can be used year after year. Tip: For a stylish variation, use contrasting colored sequins to spell out letters or to create a design.

Cute Halloween Trees

What you will need:

Clay/Terracotta Pots

Black paint

Leafless tree branches

Sand

Black rocks

Strands of small Orange lights

1-2 artificial crows

1 artificial owl

Glue or Wire

Making the Halloween Trees:

Paint the pots with black paint and leave aside to dry.

When dry, fill them with sand and insert the branches in them.

Cover with black rocks.

Paint tips of some of the smaller branches with black paint. Let dry.

String the orange lights to decorate the tree.

Glue or use wire to attach the crows and owl to the branches.

Displaying your trees:

Make trees in different sizes using pots according to the size of the branches. Display the smaller trees on table tops and mantels and place larger ones on the floor in corners or inside an empty fireplace. Using 4 to 5 of these trees in a room will transform the room to a scary, barren jungle!

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Bell Peppers

2011-10-29T15:48:00.002-04:00

A combination of tangy taste and crunchy texture, bell peppers are the Christmas ornaments of the veggie world. With colors ranging from green , yellow, orange, purple, brown to black, bell peppers all come from the same family scientifically called Capsicum annuum.

"They are members of the nightshade family, which also includes potatoes (except sweet potatoes and yams), tomatoes and eggplant. Sweet peppers are plump, bell-shaped vegetables featuring either three or four lobes. Green and purple peppers have a slightly bitter flavor, while the red, orange and yellows are sweeter and almost fruity. Paprika can be prepared from red bell peppers (as well as from chili peppers). Bell peppers are not 'hot'. The primary substance that controls "hotness" in peppers is called capsaicin, and it's found in very small amounts in bell peppers. Although peppers are available throughout the year, they are most abundant and tasty during the summer and early fall months."-(source: http://www.whfoods.com/)

The actual nutrient and phytonutrient content of bell peppers is impressive - and also somewhat surprising given the very low-fat nature of this vegetable. Bell pepper is a good source of vitamin E at about 630 micrograms per cup, and it contains more than 30 different carotenoids, including excellent amounts of beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Both of these carotenoids provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits.

The list of bell pepper phytonutrients:

Flavonoids

luteolin
quercetin
hesperidin

Carotenoids

alpha-carotene
beta-carotene
cryptoxanthin
lutein
zeaxanthin

Hydroxycinnamic Acids

ferulic acid
cinnamic acid

Roasted Red Pepper Potato Soup Recipe

recipe from simply recipes-it's gluten-free and vegetarian

simply recipes

INGREDIENTS

4 large red bell peppers

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)

1 large russet potato, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cup)

3 cloves garlic

1 quart chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian option)

1/4 cup cream or milk

3 Tbsp butter

Cayenne, salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

1 Roast the red bell peppers by placing them over or under an open flame until they blacken on all sides. (You can use a grill, cooktop gas burner, or oven broiler.) Place the blackened peppers in a bag, close the bag and let the peppers steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the skins feel like they can easily be slipped off. Remove the peppers from the bag, peel off the blackened skins, remove the seeds. Chop the peppers roughly.

2 Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes and cook another 1-2 minutes, then add the garlic and roasted peppers. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes.

3 Add the stock, stir well and bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until potatoes are soft.

4 Purée the soup in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Fill the blender about halfway with the soup. Start the blender on low and keep your hand on the top, in case the lid wants to pop off from the rising steam. Once everything is well chopped, turn the blender to its highest setting and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. You might need to do this in batches.

5 Return to a clean pot set over low heat. Add the cream, stir well and taste. Add some cayenne, salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: Serves 4-6.

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce

recipe from simply recipes

simply recipes

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

Salt

4 garlic cloves, chopped

1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped

3-5 anchovies, or 2 teaspoons anchovy paste

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 1/2 cups red wine

4 cups roasted red peppers (jarred or freshly roasted)

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

1/2 teaspoon cayenne or hot paprika

Grated cheese (parmesan, pecorino, manchego, etc.)

Some minced fresh sage for garnish

METHOD

1 If you are using jarred peppers, drain away the marinade and soak them in a large bowl of cold water. If you skip this step, the sauce will become too acidic. Soak for 10-15 minutes before proceeding.

2 Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté, stirring from time to time, until it is wilted and translucent, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle some salt over the onions as they cook.

3 Add the garlic and sage, mix well, and sauté another minute. Mix in the anchovies, smashing them up, and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the paste begins to turn a brick red

4 Add the red wine and stir well. Turn the heat up to high and let this boil down by half. Stir in the roasted red peppers and turn the heat back down to medium. Let this simmer for 10-20 minutes – it’s pretty forgiving at this point. You just want the peppers to be cooked through and soft.

5 Purée the sauce in a blender. You might need to do this in batches, because you don’t want to fill your blender more than 2/3 up at one time. Purée the sauce, starting with the machine on low for 1-2 minutes to break up the big pieces. Turn off the blender and scrape the sides down. Turn it on again, and starting at the low setting, bring it up to its highest setting. Purée for at least a minute, until smooth

6 Return the sauce to the pan and heat to medium-low. Taste for salt and add some if needed. Add the cayenne or hot paprika, along with smoked paprika if you have some. If you want, a teaspoon of sugar helps, too, if your peppers are not already sweet enough. Keep the sauce warm while you make the pasta.

7 Make the pasta according to the package instructions, depending on the type of pasta you are using.

8 To serve, drain the cooked pasta and put it into a large bowl. Ladle some sauce over the pasta and mix with tongs to combine. You want to coat all the noodles evenly. Divide into servings. Garnish with some grated cheese and minced fresh sage. Serve with a medium-bodied red wine, or a dry rose.

Yield: Serves 6-8.

My Secret and Wishcasting Wednesday

2011-10-26T11:28:00.000-04:00

Over at Jamie Ridler Studios, she asks us *What Do You Wish To Let Go Of?* Hindsight is always 20/20 and with each new life lesson I learn something with much more clarity. As of late, most of my close friends (online and off) know that I just recently quit my job at the pet salon. It really wasn't a tough choice to make when it happened but I had pondered doing it for weeks.

After talking with my husband about this I realized that for me, I allow people to push and push and push until I break. It is said that people treat you the way in which you allow them to treat you. I have always and still live by the belief that you treat others the way in which you would like to be treated. I always pick and choose my battles but the one thing I wish to let go of is having too loose or soft boundaries.

What I need and want to learn is to have stronger and firmer boundaries put in place, particularly in the workplace from the very beginning. Learning how to set better boundaries will fend off a potential blow-up on my part. I let things go and go until I can not take it anymore which is very unhealthy.

As for my *secret*; I have been asked quite often, what my secret is for all the activities I do online and off. Well, there really isn't any secret at all except that I am determined and have tried all kinds of things and have many varied interests. I strongly believe in positive affirmations, the law of attraction and I am JUST beginning to become closer in my spiritual path. I have made huge mistakes and still make mistakes but I just can not give up. I am a persistent person and believe that my life is determined by my choices in life and I choose to be happy!

Over my years in blogging many friends have seen me go through one phase after another and I feel that I have finally found my niche and I am going for it full throttle. I like to keep busy and I like to be sociable so it really isn't much of a stretch and have and still enjoy interacting with all of you! So here's to persistence! YAY!!

Abundance Mind Movie

2011-10-23T18:07:00.001-04:00

In keeping with this awesome energy I have been feeling I decided to make a Mind Movie (it's like a Dreamboard put into video form) to continue with the prosperous feeling I want to keep flowing. The song is *Unbreakable* by Bon Jovi which I have never heard until today and has fast become my new *theme* song!

Magick is Afoot...

2011-10-22T12:53:00.000-04:00

That is exactly how it feels for me the last several days. It seems as though the Universe has opened up to me letting me know that the choices I have made as of late are the right ones.

Three days ago I finally quit my job at the pet salon. It was a hard but much needed choice I had to make in order to nurture my emotional and mental well being. That decision has catapulted me into a whole new world where I can still work in the pet industry, make a viable living and doing what my heart and soul is happiest doing. Providing tender loving pet care for our canine and feline companions.

The Soulful Sitter has been born. Providing pet sitting services in my local and surrounding areas. I have already had my 1st consultation which I walked away with a wonderful feeling and hopefully that will jump start my new career move.

I already bought the domain for the name and will be working on a website. I already am a Member of PUPS (Professional United Pet Sitters) and am now in the process of obtaining Pet Insurance and learning what it takes to become Bonded. I also am waiting on the schedule of becoming Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR and joining The Red Paw through the Red Cross within my area.

I am still taking my Crystal Certification Class and will be moving on to Reiki and Flower Essence and Aromatherapy as these vibrational medicine modalities go hand in hand with offering it to my canine and feline friends, along with learning the in's and out's of offering Homemade Holistic Pet Treats which is being called *Ziggy's Paws Pet Treats*.

So much to do, but I am loving every bit of it as I finally feel that I am walking down the path I was always supposed to walk...alongside my animal companions!

Moon of the Falling Leaves-Podcast Episode

2011-10-09T18:38:00.000-04:00

Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)

I wanted to have this out by October 1st but at least I'm here, right?! This episode we discuss the the Moon of the Falling Leaves in our book Series Cooking By Moonlight by Karri Ann Allrich.

We discuss our Shadow work and going inward as Winter creeps in and begins to knock on our door! Heeding to your passions and allowing your intuition to call forth all that you have been holding within and to hollow out our wisdom to use and to teach us as we move along on our spiritual and life path! Here I discuss some of what I will be working this at this time of inner reflection and self-healing!~

I discuss my Crystal Certification Program, my new Reiki journey along with updates on Ye Olde Witches Brew and the New Mini-Workshop coming to Confessions of a Kitchen Witch Blog!

Busy, Busy October!

2011-10-09T15:08:00.000-04:00

October is looking to be a very busy month for this witchy-poo! I just took on a part-time, seasonal job at Spirit Halloween locally where I live! This is some extra money for the holidays and what a perfect place for me to work..A Halloween Store!

I'm am concluding, revising and editing Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine for it's launch on November 1, 2011! This is looking to be an amazing New Issue! Great interviews I have done with some of my favorite peeps as well as some new friends I have made along the way! I couldn't ask for more than that!!!

Speaking of which, I'm working REALLY hard on getting this issue out to print! The issues will be posted on MagCloud; a print-on-demand magazine publishing site. Two things have been standing in my way. Time is the major one. Being that I work during the day and now in the evening, it's trying to find the time to create these pdf files to upload to the site to make this magazine a printed magazine!

The other thing is finding the right software to organize and merge all my files. This is a task that I know at first is going to be hard but after the 1st issue is done, it will cake from here on out! So, be patient as I get myself and my files together! You'll be happy that you did!

Other news on the witch front is that I just started a Crystal Healing Certification Course with Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy! I just finished my 1st class and finished up my homework assignment. What a great, informative and fun class this is and I look forward to taking the rest of the classes as well. When I have finished taking 12 classes I become a certified crystal healer which is going to go very well with my Reiki Certification.

Starting October 20, I will be starting on my Reiki journey! I feel very accomplished as of late. I will have another podcast ready and blog posts for Confession's Kitchen Witch Basics Series as well as more Herbs of the Month!

Speaking of this blog...I am also in the middle of creating my 1st FREE Mini-Workshop so look out for that. It's going to be so much fun and very interactive. Meaning it is going to be a tele-video workshop with guided meditations and fun activities for all of you!!

So, that's a wrap for this witch at the moment. Looking forward to getting everything set and ready! Happy October everyone!

Connecting to Spirit Through Touch

2011-10-05T19:12:00.001-04:00

"In our effort to heal, we want to explore every aspect of what we are, hoping to do whatever we can to be healthy. The holistic nature of body, mind, emotion, and spirit are aspects of our fundamental nature that cannot be separated."-Len Saputo, MD

A few days ago I wrote about connecting to spirit through sound and today I'd like to discuss connecting to spirit through touch. I'm sure I do not have to say how vitally important it is to have human contact. Humans are social beings and being able to express through touch is so important for our overall health. A gentle hug from your spouse, mate or partner; a close friend or family member can literally melt away fears, stresses, and anxiety. We connect to spirit through touch in several ways in addition to human touch. There are many techniques used in 'energy therapy' which is what is commonly known as Healing Touch. In the scope of this post I am going to discuss ways that I, personally connect to spirit and healing through touch.

One of the ways I truly feel connected to Spirit is when I am gardening. Not only the smell (another vital sense to connect to spirit) of fresh earth (must be the Taurus in me!) but to put my hands literally through the earth and I instantaneously feel connected to Mother Earth. The soft, cool texture running through my fingers to me is very soothing and therapeutic. Knowing that I am also contributing by planting my own herbs, flowers and vegetables is another way I feel quite connected to the Universe and Gaia herself! Working with the earth is very healing for me and give me a sense of purpose as well.

Another way I connect through touch is my job. Today is a prime example. I bathed 2 elderly German Shepard's (different owners) and one of them had a severe skin infection (non-contagious). I was to use special medicated shampoo and massage it in an leave it for about 10 minutes. The elderly dogs have always been my favorite to bath and groom.

What I do is of course wet the dog and then apply a liberal amount of the shampoo. When I begin to massage the dog, I close my eyes and envision them feeling better. I also try to give them some of my positive, loving energy through my hands. I gently massage their neck and shoulder area as well as their hips and thighs. I know this helps due to the reaction I get from the dogs. 9 times out of 10 I get a kiss. I actually had a Golden Retriever once lay his head against my chest and just doze off for a minute or two. The German Shepards were wonderful and the one that had the skin infection affectionately nuzzled his nose against my cheek as I was brushing him and gave me a kiss goodbye, today!

This to me connects me to Spirit through the love I have for my canine friends. I adore caring for them and it shows through my touch. Not only does it help heal them, it helps heal me. Especially on the days when I need healing. My job at times has been my own sanity and therapy of sorts.

How do you connect to Spirit through touch?

Connecting with Spirit Through Sound

2011-09-30T12:49:00.000-04:00

In lieu of yesterday's post, I decided to break up the ways in which I connect with Spirit through all 5 senses. Today is connecting with spirit through sound. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, one of the ways I connect to Spirit is through sound. Sound can be so very transformative, or it can cause turmoil and chaos.

Being raised in a very loud, chaotic household, I will often find any way out when a loud argument ensues, whether it's within my home or elsewhere. Chaotic noise actually rattles my every cell, my every nerve and will often cause anxiety. It's no wonder that I have "trained" myself to start to hum in order to drown out the chaotic noise. Not loud, just enough for me to hear but also feel the vibration of my own voice to help calm, settle and ground myself.

The same holds true within the workplace. Now, I do work in a noisy environment. I work in a pet salon, which of course can become quite loud. This type of noise doesn't affect me the same way chaotic arguing does; although I do have to admit the high shrill of a dog's yelping will go through my whole being.

I also do not ever allow co-workers nor my employer to ever think they can yell at me...for anything. Even if I have done something wrong or have made a mistake. As long as I am spoken to with a firm but respectful tone, I'm quite okay. If it were to escalate, then not only do I tune out, I also will walk away. That may not be possible in some situations but I have such a deep belief in not allowing others to abuse me in any way, including verbal, that I have walked away while being yelled at. I will not allow another person, regardless of their *title* to think they can they can treat me in any fashion they choose to.

Now that we got chaotic noise out of the way, let's move on to connecting to spirit through sound. I wrote about listening to the ocean, the rain, even music. All of these are wonderfully therapeutic to me but aside from recorded sound, being out in nature has it's own symphony.

"Sound has always been considered a direct link between humanity and the divine. At some point, all of the ancient mystery schools taught their students the use of sound as a creative and healing force. It is considered the oldest form of healing, and it was a predominant part of the early teachings of the Greeks, Chinese, East Indians, Tibetans, Egyptians, American Indians, Mayas, and the Aztecs."-The Online Health Journal:Article *Sound therapy: using sound to create harmony in your life*

Sometimes while I am sitting here at my computer I have my window open so I can listen to the birds sing outside my windowsill. I can also listen to the music of the wind rustling in the trees and also the sound of the rain. When I am walking outside it all becomes not only clearer, but I also physically feel closer, almost like I can touch the Goddess herself through her poetic melody. I can often drown out the noise of cars driving by and even the sound of a plane flying overhead.

When I have made the time to meditate, I normally use guided meditation CD's such as Kelly Howell from BrainSync.com Her voice is angelic, soothing and nurturing. It helps focus my often wild chatter-some mind to center and truly listen. She (Kelly Howell) also uses brain wave therapy; using alpha, beta and theta wave sound therapy (since I am not an expert by any means it's best to hop on over to the site to read what that is all about, I just know I love it and it works!)

I also listen Reiki and other relaxation music and sound. To further delve into sound therapy and how it can heal and transform your well-being, there is a great article by The Sound Healers Association called "NINE INSIGHTS on SOUND HEALING" by (C) by JONATHAN GOLDMAN. It's worth the read.

When we take the time to be still and truly listen, you'd be amazed at just how sound affects our overall well-being! It is therapeutic, soothing and nurtures your soul. Try experimenting with different sounds and see which ones you resonate with the closest. Happy Listening!~

Connecting with Spirit...What is my realm?

2011-09-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

This is something I have pondered for the last several days. How do I connect with Spirit? It's more than just sitting down and reading books, which I have done for years and years, and although I do love to read, connecting with Spirit is a more tangible, action based activity of sorts. I do meditate when I make the time to but I feel that since I do not have a regular practice I do not connect with spirit enough.

What I have found is that sound is one way I connect with Spirit. Listening to ocean waves, or rain, or dolphins, and even a beautiful piece of music, I am moved and touched; sometimes to tears. That to me is connecting to spirit.

When I am in the forest or mountains, I connect with Spirit. Through the sound of the leaving rustling within the trees or feeling them and hearing the crunch under my feet I feel connected. The smell of the trees, the earth beneath my feet, I am connected.

Being at the ocean is a biggie for me. The sound, the smell, the strength, the touch of the ocean water permeates every cell in my body and I feel the closest I can get to Spirit. When I am working in the garden and have my hands in the earth I feel Spirit all around me.

So what is my realm? For me, it's nature! Connecting all 5 senses within nature is how I connect closest to Spirit and Nature is my realm...it is my church!~

How do you connect with Spirit?
What is your realm?

Autumn Wishes

2011-09-29T12:12:00.001-04:00

Jamie Ridler asked us on Wednesday Wishcasting, *What Do You Wish For Fall?* This is my all-time favorite season. The brisk air, the backdrop of colored leaves in red, gold, orange and yellow, the nights of hot cocoa, scrunchy socks and fuzzy sweaters and warm blankets are what I love.

My wish for Autumn would be to reflect over this last year, go inward and continue to walk the path I have been walking. To fill my heart, mind and soul with every experience and take with me what is needed to evolve and to throw away what doesn't serve me, my life, my soul!

My wish is to embrace Autumn in her full glory, her full beauty and inhale everything that makes this season as beautiful as Gaia herself, for it is she who has given us these amazingly beautiful gifts to nurture, enjoy and love!~

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Parsnips

2011-09-29T06:00:00.014-04:00

Photo Source:gardenaction.co.uk

Parsnip is considered a winter vegetable because its flavor is not fully developed until the roots have been exposed to near-freezing temperatures for 2 to 4 weeks in the fall and early winter. The starch in the parsnip root changes into sugar, resulting in a strong, sweet, unique taste.

"The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable related to the carrot. Parsnips resemble carrots, but are paler than most carrots and have a sweeter taste, especially when cooked.[2] The buttery, slightly spicy, sweet flavor of cooked mature (often picked after the first frost) parsnips is reminiscent of butterscotch, honey, and subtle cardamom.

While parsnips can be eaten raw, they are more commonly served cooked. Parsnips can be boiled, roasted or used in stews, soups and casseroles. In some cases, the parsnip is boiled and the solid portions are removed from the soup or stew, leaving behind a more subtle flavor than the whole root and contributing starch to thicken the dish. Roasted parsnip is considered an essential part of Christmas dinner in some parts of the English-speaking world and frequently features in the traditional Sunday Roast. Parsnips can also be fried or made into crisps."(source: wikipedia)

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Thyme
recipe courtesy Danny Bloome-FoodNetwork
Ingredients

1 pound carrots

1 pound parsnips
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

-Peel the carrots and parsnips and cut them in half lengthwise, larger ones can be quartered. Place them on a large rimmed baking sheet.

-Drizzle the carrots and parsnips with the olive oil and honey. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Scatter the thyme sprigs on top. Place them in the preheated oven.
-After 10 minutes, give the veggies a toss and put back in the oven for another 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized. Serve warm.

Parsnips, Potatoes, and Roasted Garlic
Equal amounts parsnips and (preferably) yukon gold potatoes; peeled and cut into large chunks

1 lg Head of garlic
Olive oil
Salt; pepper, dried thyme, parsley, or whatever other herbs suit your fancy!
Rub parsnips and potatoes with seasonings, and roast until tender. At the same time, peel garlic, put in a piece of tin foil, and smother it with olive oil. Partially cover the garlic, and roast until soft.
When done, squeeze out garlic and combine all ingredients (mashed, whipped, or however you like), and season further to taste. I also like the combination of parsnips and yukons in an au gratin dish: Grate parsnips and potatoes into a bowl, season with salt and pepper. Layer the mixture in between alternating layers of shaved parmesan in an oiled glass baking dish. Finish off with a layer of parmesan, and dribble with oil. Bake until brown and crispy on top.
Related Posts
Leeks
Kale
Jerusalem Artichokes
Endive
Chicory
Celery
Celeriac (celery root)
Cabbages
Brussel Sprouts

Recommendations:

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Onions

2011-09-28T06:00:00.007-04:00

Nothing compares to the aroma and flavor of the onion. It can fill out any flavor of almost any type of cuisine. Although every chef and kitchen witch knows, the onion will bring a tear to your eye and cause unsightly breath, there isn't anything that tastes quite like an onion. Fortunately, yellow onions can be bought all year round, but the more sweet onions are normally only available when they are in season.

"The onion, known scientifically as Allium cepa, is, on the surface, a humble brown, white or red, paper-thin skinned bulb; yet, despite its plain looks, it has an intense flavor and is a beloved part of the cuisine of almost every region of the world.The word onion comes from the Latin word unio, which means "single," or "one"â€"reflecting of the onion plant producing a single bulb, unlike its cousin, the garlic, that produces many small bulbs. The name also describes the onion bulb when cut down the middle; it is a union (also from unio) of many separate, concentrically arranged layers.

Onions range in size, color, and taste depending upon their variety. There are generally two types of large, globe-shaped onions, classified as spring/summer or storage onions. The former class includes those that are grown in warm weather climates and have characteristic mild or sweet tastes. Included in this group are the Maui Sweet Onion (in season April through June), Vidalia (in season May through June) and Walla Walla (in season July and August). Storage onions are grown in colder weather climates and, after harvesting, are dried out for a period of several months, which allows them to attain dry, crisp skins. They generally have a more pungent flavor and are usually named by their color: white, yellow or red. Spanish onions fall into this classification. In addition to these large onions, there are also smaller varieties such as the green onion, or scallion, and the pearl onion." (source: WHFoods.com )

Mystical Tidbit- "Yogi Bhajan said that three roots would always maintain you in perfect health and balance when combined any season. These are garlic, onion and ginger. Yogiji said, they “will maintain you through the times and through the age." These fascinating, mystical and tasty roots are essential to a healthy diet for cleansing, sustaining, and producing energy in the body."-By Olga Tarabashkina at Spirit Voyage

Olga's Russian Onion Soup

recipe found at Spirit Voyage.com

3 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped leeks
1 sprig parsley, root and greens, chopped

1 sprig dill, roots and greens, chopped
1 celery (with leaves), chopped
8 peppercorns
1 1/2 liters water
Salt (to taste)

Ghee (to taste)

Crush the onions and leeks with salt in a porcelain bowl. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil, add the vegetables and peppercorns and boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add ghee and cover with several towels and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Let the soup get its potency to heal and restore.

Trinity Rice

recipe found at Spirit Voyage.com

2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 inch (2.5 cm) ginger root, peeled & grated
1 cup basmati rice
1/2-3/4 cup (250 ml) ghee
1 tomato, peeled
4-5 cups (1-1.25 L) assorted chopped vegetables

Rinse rice thoroughly and set aside. Use a pot with a tight lid and add onion, garlic and ginger. Stir slowly until onions begin falling apart. Then add tomato, vegetables, and rice, along with 4 cups of water. Cover and let simmer on low heat, checking often. Add water as necessary. Cook until vegetables are soft and rice is done. Makes 4 servings.

From The Aquarian Teacher Level One Textbook by Yogi Bhajan

Related Posts:

Leeks
Kale
Jerusalem Artichokes
Endive
Chicory
Celery
Celeriac (celery root)
Cabbages
Brussel Sprouts

Recommendations:

Repost:My Trip To India With Miss Gilbert!~

2011-09-25T16:20:00.001-04:00

This is a post I chose to repeat to give a very very slight hint as to what I am working on with the new workshop I'm creating!

Ever have those moments when a thought rises in your mind and you just have to sit down and write. Well, this is my moment. As most of the world, I have been reading Eat Pray Love and I am now in India with Miss Gilbert. I have read Tale # 57 and it finally hit me about the reasons why and where my own frustrations lie when it refers to my Spirituality, my Spiritual Path. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, don't talk the talk if you won't walk the walk. I have to say that I have been trying for YEARS to walk the walk only to consistently hit the inevitable brick wall. I have blamed it on so many different things like *I'm too stressed right now to do this*, *There's too much going on in my life, right now*, *I'm tired*, *I think I may have ADD* and the list of excuses could go on and on...Know what the REAL reason I haven't incorporated a Morning Ritual, or transitioned to vegetarianism, or quit smoking, or anything that I feel will support my Spiritual Path, bringing me closer to the Goddess/God? I just do not want to be or feel uncomfortable PLUS I have felt that I am not good enough to talk to God or the Goddess, The Divine, whomever and whatever is out there. That I have made too many mistakes and feel that I am just not worthy to speak my intentions, to ask for Divine Guidance, etc.

Why haven't I quit smoking? I do not want to feel the uncomfortableness of withdrawals. Why haven't I fully changed my diet to a more healthy lifestyle? I do not want to feel the uncomfortableness of my system getting used to a new way of eating. In Eat Pray Love, Miss Gilbert says; "In the search for God, you revert from what attracts you and swim toward that which is difficult. You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered you in return for what you have given up."

I'm afraid to give up my comfort zone. If I quit smoking or change my dietary lifestyle, will I get sick, will I gain weight? How uncomfortable will I become? When the *smoke screen* clears what awaits me in the dark? Are there any more *demons* I have to fight, any more shattered pieces to put back together? I'm just afraid to feel uncomfortable again. I have done it before and thought *Well, I'm done! After 6 years of intense therapy, I'm whole, I'm *fixed*!"...Yeah, okay, Jenn! It must be nice living in your world, huh?! No wonder you feel you can not talk to God, you're a mess! This is what goes on in my mind that I purposely *choose* to ignore or pretend isn't there.

I know this may not be a new concept of reason as to why people might not go about doing what's good for them, but this is a first for me to willingly admit why I haven't really *done* anything. I am also an all or nothing person. I get real psyched about starting something new, only to lose steam and then quit, or something happens and I get discouraged and quit. I also overwhelmingly stress myself as to what or where to begin first. Like now!! Okay, I have this revelation so now what? Where do I go from here? What do I start first? How very confusing, frustrating and stressful it is to me to begin something when I do not know where to begin. Obviously, I am not as privileged to stay in a remote Ashram in India but it would be nice to find a Spiritual Teacher, my own Guru to help guide me in the right direction but that hasn't happened for me as well. And so my search and my journey continues and maybe, just maybe now that I have put this *out there* the Universe in all it's Grace and Splendor will reveal it's answer to me cause I just know deep in my Soul that I am here for a reason and I am meant to do something than just existing in this world! It can't just be getting up, going to work, coming home only to start the cycle all over again. There is more out there for me to do, to become and I will not stop searching until I find that and I know it takes a Leap of Faith to believe in something you can see or touch but I know it's out there, somewhere and it's just waiting for me to *see* it! I'm sure God(dess) will say *It's About Time! We've been waiting for you!!*

Getting My Groove Back!~

2011-09-25T14:23:00.000-04:00

Doesn't it feel great when we get our groove back after being out of it for so long. I have mainly concentrated on this blog and Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine, but I also run an online community, The Black Hat Society Network which I have neglected for so long only due to my poor time management skills coupled with life in general.

I have now re-vamped the site, began updating the Groups in there and feel SO good to be back in the saddle (broomstick) again! I am learning better time management skills so I can do all the things I have always loved to do. If anyone would like to join The Black Hat Society Online Community, it's FREE and it's a wonderful bunch of people who are kind, warm, friendly and Drama-Free (my BIGGEST rule!) Cordelia from Cordelia's Cauldron is an Admin on there to help keep the place happy and warm as well. I intend to be on there at least 1-2 times a day and hope to bring life back to this wonderful community I created 3 years ago!

Welcome

2011-09-24T15:49:00.000-04:00

As I continue to make this a warm and fun place to visit I have added a new welcome video here to my blog. Aside from posting it to this blog entry, it will be sitting on my right side bar for all who visit. I am attempting at making live videos as I am gearing up to make my first cooking vlog series so working with video is very new to me, so a welcome video seemed like a good start. I tried to keep it at only 5 minutes since I know more than that usually gets clicked off, so this video is only about 5:10.

I am working with lighting, audio, etc. My lovely daughter is helping me with this but as far as editing goes, I am learning on my own. I hope you enjoy this Welcome video as much as I loved making it! Brightest Blessings!

Confessions of a Kitchen Witch

Touched By A Crystal

Random-ness...

Dolphins, Crystals and Self-Healing

Jonathan Goldman:Root Chakra:Ruby Resonance

Creating Sacred Space

Whisperings of Confidence

Imbolc Celebration Menu

Imbolc Craft:Brigit's Bed

New Layout, New Image, New Changes

Imbolc Newsletter Available Now!

Ye Olde Witches Brew-Yule Issue 2011

New Year, New You-Writing Prompt-Goals

Planting the Seeds to Feed Your Soul

Be Careful What You Wish For...

New Year, New You-Writing Prompt-Making Way

Yule Dreamboard

Back From Arizona

Be Back Soon!

How I Became Smoke-Free

Merry Yule Vegan Style

More Yuletide Treats

Treasures I Wish For

Healing French Onion Soup

Yule Crafts-Herb and Crystal Ornaments

Herb/Spice of the Month-Cinnamon

Yule Recipes Part Two

Winter Sabbat Recipes Part 1

The Wheel of Yule

What I Wish To Remember

My Three Teachers All In White...

Mistletoe Magic

*New* Wheel of the Year Dreamboards

My Ritual Night with Hecate

Wishcasting Wednesday

Hecate's Night-November 16th 2011

Important Notice To My Workshop Subscribers!

WytchyConfessions Youtube Channel

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics Part Three

The Raw Goddess Blog

Day 2-15 Days of Thankfulness: 3 Veterans

Day 1 - 15 Days of Thankfulness - Author, Artist, Musician

Full Frost Moon Dreamboard-November 10 2011

Having Tea with Bon Jovi and Rainbeau Mars

My Crystal Journey-Working w/Amethyst

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics Part Two

Kitchen Witch Herbal Basics

Interview with a Concierge Witch...

Working with Crystals-My Soul's Purpose

Everyday Magick

Nourishing Myself from the Inside Out

Ye Olde Witches Brew Is Back!

My First Mini-Workshop!

Crafty Halloween Decor

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Bell Peppers

My Secret and Wishcasting Wednesday

Abundance Mind Movie

Magick is Afoot...

Moon of the Falling Leaves-Podcast Episode

Busy, Busy October!

Connecting to Spirit Through Touch

Connecting with Spirit Through Sound

Connecting with Spirit...What is my realm?

Autumn Wishes

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Parsnips

Herbs/Veggies of the Month:Onions

Olga's Russian Onion Soup

Trinity Rice

Repost:My Trip To India With Miss Gilbert!~

Getting My Groove Back!~

Welcome

New Wheel of the Year Dreamboards