The magick of stones - how to use them - my favorites

 Good Evening,

                                      Rhodocrosite


Tonight we continue our discussion on the magickal properties of stones.  You've seen some of the magickal properties associated with the birthstones. It is believed by those of us that work with natural energies, that all things found in nature have magickal properties that either attract or repel energies around us.  That is the basis for natural magick or what is sometimes referred to as green magick.  Even though tonight we discuss stones, minerals and crystals and not herbs, the magick still falls into the 'green witchery' realm.

I love stones.  I have had 'pretty stones' in my pockets since I was a little girl, three or four years old. I remember walking on the dirt driveway on the farm I grew up on, and just popping down on  the ground to ooh and ah over shiny stones and always had to pick them some up and bring them home with me!

I still do.  .  .  have rocks in my pockets that is, or in my purse or tied to my waist in a pouch on a cord, on side tables in my home and scattered on my desk at work.  You see that's how the magick works with stones and minerals.  They must be around you, with you. Touching you if you wear them in jewelry or holding them in your hand.  If you can't carry or wear them, surround yourself with them. Scatter protection stones like Jet, Amber, Carnelian in the cup holder of your vehicle for a constant resource of protective energy.  Or hang them from the rear view mirror in a pouch.

                Amber - fossilized resin/ tree sap millions of years old.

                Malachite is the green oxidation that grows on copper ore, and builds up over thousands of years

    

 Toger's Eye stone used by Roman Soldiers for protection in battle, also has many other magickal properties


Carry in your change purse, stones that attract the energies of money and abundance. I like Green Agate, Bloodstone, Tiger's Eye, Malachite or Topaz to name some of my favorites. Place in your business's cash register or in another place that represents wealth and financial prosperity to you, maybe a crock you throw loose change into, or the corner of your desk in your place of business.

 Lapis Lazuli

Love the lovin' energies of stones? Mmmm, some of my favorite are rose quartz, but I like big, chunky pieces that fill my hand and I put them around my bedroom and carry at least one with me throughout my day. Garnet, Rhodocrosite, Malachite and Lapis Lazuli are also favorites.  I always add a crystal point or three to intensify the loving magickal energies. I have a pouch of loving stones in my purse as I always like them close.  One never knows where one will suddenly and abruptly encounter sour, foul and harsh energies in the wide world around us, and sometimes I find that having my stones with me, and holding them, feeling the weight of them in my hand, soothes, focuses and makes me feel better.


Maybe you require tranquility and peace, a calming and soothing effect. You may enjoy the nergies of combining these stones together, Moonstone, Amethyst, Quartz Crystal, Calcite and Aquamarine. Hold them lightly n your hands for a few moments throughout your day to feel the soothing qualities enter your life.

Amethyst


Feeling drained and fatigued? ALWAYS seek out competent medical professionals first when dealing with any physical malady, but then it's safer in many cases to use stones and crystals to enhance your medical regime than to self medicate using herbs and home remedies that can be dangerous when combined with prescription drugs or other medical treatments. Do I need to go over my lecture that not everything 'natural' is safe, or effective or smart to use without checking with your doctor?  Hmmm, (taping foot smartly) I didn't think so.  But I will if you ever want me to elaborate.  For this topic tonight though, some stones that can safely aide you while trying to get your strength or physical energy back: Carnelian, Garnet, Crystal, Bloodstone, Diamond and Tiger's Eye  are some favorites. 

Garnet


As you've seen thus far, stones such as Malachite, Tiger's Eye, Crystal, Garnet and many others have multiple magickal propeties and by combining a variety of stones and charging them properly, they can do many things for you.  You can use stones for one purpose, cleanse and charge them and they will work on other things for you.  Stones are a reusable magickal resource and with just a little magickal care they will serve you for years. 

We'll discuss the care and charging of stones in an upcoming discussion. Have a great evening!


Peace and Happiness

Please check out my newest blog The Life and Recipes of a Medieval Cook @ http://thelifeandrecipesofamedievalcook.blogspot.com 

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Crystal, Mineral and Stone magicks - Birthstones

Good Evening,

I've missed you!  I've been very busy lately with the arrival of spring and the shop, and I wanted to take a moment to thank you. For coming in and shopping, reading these discussions and telling others about me and Enchantments.  It's working!! We're getting more people stopping by and supporting us by allowing us to fulfill their magickal needs. In turn it's looking much better that with a slight tweek here and a twitch of the nose there, we may be staying in business in our quaint little town of Manchester, CT New England.  I have you to thank and I do, sincerely and deeply. 

For tonight's discussion I want to discuss the magickal uses of stones, crystals and minerals. This topic will cover a few discussions over the next week or so, the topic of which could cover vast volumes, but we'll keep it simple and easy and covered over a few discussions.  The concept is the magickal benefits to be had from  carrying, wearing or using natural stones, crystal, minerals even metals such as gold, silver, copper.  We already are familiar with this practice, it really isn't that uncommon when you consider jewelry.  The first pieces of jewelry worn by humans is believed to have been worn for the magickal properties of the metal and of the stones contained within a piece of jewelry.  Over history great significance has been attributed to pieces of jewelry as famous or infamous as the Crown jewels and the Hope diamond,  and magickal significance is attributed to wedding bands and engagement rings. 

Early man wore stones to ward off evil, keep one safe from harm, attract and bring in prosperity, love, healing or other necessary, desired results.  Today everyone has birthstones associated with their date of birth, and incidentally each sign has more than one birthstone. Did you know that? If you aren't wild about the one you were given you might wish to look into the other stones associated over time with your birthday.

Traditionally, birthstones were attributed to their respective month by societal rules.  Each culture had their own traditional birthstones and then as now, there were more than one list of differing stones considered the true list. Many in our culture come from the Polish and the December stone of turquoise is an example fo this. The other poplar surce for birthstones in English speaking societies was the Gregorian calendar which has poems for each month referencing a birthstone.

Tiffany & Co published the following poems in a pamphlet they passed out to customers in 1870 and attributed these 'Gregorian poems' to author unknown.  Regardless of authorship these little poems tell us much about the traditional birthstones and the characteristics of the person born during that month.

By her who in January was born No gem save garnets shall be worn They will ensure her constancy True friendship and fidelity. The February born shall find Sincerity and peace of mind, Freedom from passion and from care, If they, the amethyst will wear. By her who in March was born No gem save bloodstone shall be worn They will ensure her constancy True friendship and fidelity. She who from April dates her years, diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears For vain repentance flow. Who first beholds the light of day In spring's sweet, flower month of May And wears an emerald all her life Shall be a loved and a loving wife. By her who in June was born No gem save pearls shall be worn They will ensure her constancy True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming ruby should adorn, All those who in July are born, For thus they'll be exempt and free, From lover's doubts and anxiety. Wear a peridot or for thee, No conjugal fidelity, The August born without this stone, `Tis said, must live unloved; alone. A maiden born when autumn leaves Are rustling in September's breeze, A sapphire on her brow should bind; To bring her joy and peace of mind. October's child is born for woe, And life's vicissitudes must know, But lay an opal on her breast, And hope will lull those woes to rest. Who first comes to this world below In dreary November's fog and snow, Should prize the topaz amber hue, Emblem of friends and lovers true. If cold December gave you birth The month of snow and ice and mirth Place on your hand a turquoise blue; Success will bless whatever you do.

—Gregorian Birthstone Poems

Over history, everything seems to get a make-over. Anniversary gifts are revamped and modernized after a few decades and the same holds true for birthstones.


The most current, commonly known birthstones for the past 50 years or so are as follows:
January - Garnet
February - Amethyst

March -  Aquamarine
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October -  Opal

November  - Citrine
December - Blue Topaz

This above list is just one of the various lists available from jewelers, web sites and published works and  not surprisingly they all differ from the other if only slightly.

But if you dislike the birthstone you believe to be yours, or perhaps would enjoy more than one!, check out my compilation of all birthstones associated with each month for the past several hundred of years.  I've used several lists from various cultures and eras. There's a bit  of overlap, as stones were shifted in some cases from one month to another.  Pick the one you like, or be daring and wear more than one from your birth month.  Like all of our magick, it's up to you to determine what's significant to you.  Wear or use the stone that suits you and then search out the stones specific magickal properties to see how that stone can really assist you in your day to day life.  More on the magickal properties of the stones in our next discussion. 

January - Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19th - garnet,  emerald, aquamarine, fossils, jet

February - Pisces Feb 20 - March 20th - amethyst, bloodstone, pearl, sugilite

March - Aries  March 21 - April 19th - bloodstone, black jasper, aquamarine, jade, garnet, ruby

April - Taurus  April 20 - May 19 - sapphire, diamond, black sapphire, opal, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli

May - Gemini  May 21 - June 21 - Agate, emerald, sapphire, aventurine

June - Cancer - June 22 - July 22 - emerald, cat's eye, turquoise, agate, alexandrite, moonstone, pearl, beryl, moonstone, sapphire

July - Leo July 23 - August 23 - onyx, ruby, amber, carnelian, diamond, topaz

August - Virgo Aug 24 - Sept 22 - carnelian, sardonyx, moonstone, topaz, peridot, diamond, sapphire, agate, aventurine, onyx

September - Libra  Sept 23 - Oct 22 - peridot, chrysolite, sapphire, agate, moonstone, chrysoprase, lapis lazuli, turquoise

October - Scorpio - Oct 23 - Nov 22 - beryl, opal, aquamarine, tourmaline, jasper, kunzite, spinel, tourmalated quartz

November - Sagittarius - Nov 23 - Dec 21- topaz, pearl, citrine, amethyst, sugilite

December - Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20 - ruby, bloodstone, blue topaz, turquoise, onyx, apache tear, hematite, onyx, zircon, lapis lazuli

The concept of a birthstone(s) associated with every month is familiar to most people, but did you know that the day of the week you were born also has its associated birthday stone? I know! Here's yet another chance of getting a stone you really like, or adding to all the ones you already have.  My birthday is in August, I'm a Virgo and I think that's the month/sign with the most stones! I love my stones, and whereas peridot never really did it for me, most examples are poorer quality yellowish green of an unattractive hue I was very happy to learn that diamond is one of my choices. So, I choose to wear diamond as my birthstone and it seems to be working out well.  So, let's see what stone is associated with the day of the week you were born on. If you don't know do a search on the Internet and put in Calendar days for 19??, your year of birth. I was born on a Wednesday so let's see what my stone is:

Monday - Pearl
Tuesday - Garnet
Wednesday - Emerald
Thursday - Topaz
Friday - Diamond
Saturday - Blue sapphire
Sunday - Ruby

I've always loved my stones and from a very early age was always to be found with rocks in my pockets. It's still the same! Diamonds and Emeralds, I like those choices.  They are very magickal stones and I like that also. We'll talk soon about the magickal properties of the stones and how they can be used.   Until then,


Peace and Happiness 

           The stone display at Enchantments. One of the largest selection of magickal stones to be found in any magickal supply store in CT.


Please check out my newest blog The Life and Recipes of a Medieval Cook @ http://thelifeandrecipesofamedievalcook.blogspot.com

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Witches do's and don'ts

 Good Evening,

I wanted to touch on this subject because it's been bantered about lately. A witch's do's and don't's list. I've seen a few on facebook and in other mediums and wanted to discuss this with you.

As my learning and understanding goes there's only one 'An' it harm none, do what you will'.  Having said that I've seen lists drawn up by other Wiccans, some High Priestesses or Priests that state a variety of concepts like: a witch doesn't believe in the devil or in hell.  That tends to be true for many.  But if you're raised in a faith that has programmed you to believe in and fear a devil or a place like hell, than maybe you do believe in it, and many find their way to this path to hopefully rid themselves of this fear.

Witches wear a pentacle or pentagram. I saw this recently and thought 'oh, no!' I'm gonna get it!! (Facetiously of course) because I don't wear a pentacle.  I wear a triquetra, the ancient Gaelic symbol that stands for my name Faith. I also wear a diamond chip pendant and earrings that were gifts.  Ooops, no pentagram.  Does that make me not a 'real' witch? Of course not!  Many choose to wear the pentacle which is a five pointed star (pentagram) within a circle.  This is worn for many purposes, primarily protection and identification for other like minded individuals.  I wore one for years, until it was misplaced and it occurred to me that even without wearing one, I'm still a witch.  The jewelry I wear does not make me who, or what I am.  It doesn't make others who and what they are either.  I've included a picture of a gentleman wearing some serious Wiccan bling below!!

Our actions and words define us.  Our interaction with others.  For to be a 'beast' around other people, i.e. cutting people off in traffic, shooting rude gestures or yelling at others but then being all sweetness and light during a witches meeting for the full moon, is not being authentic  Well, insincerity has a way of shining out from those who are not truly the people they claim to be because of the jewelry they wear, at least that has been my experience over the years.

As far as a do or don't list, here's some homework for you. Sit down, take a piece of paper and write two columns, what makes you a witch and what doesn't.  What are your do's and don't's?  That list that you create will be more significant, important and real than anything you'll read from another. Simply because what works for one, myself for example, doesn't have to work for you.  I give suggestions, simple basic training in the fundementals and sciences of magick and respectfully leave the rest up to you to discover.

That's the most important aspect of this discussion, discovery. Self discovery. So instead of giving you a list of do's and don't's, I'll give you a list of questions to help you discovery what type of witch or magickal person you are. 

• Do you enjoy the outdoors?  You might be a green, herbal witch

• Do you feel safe and protected out of doors?  If so you might enjoy rituals conducted out of doors, if not even though you love being outside, you may feel safer conducting your rituals inside.

• Do you care and enjoy being around others?  If so, you may like to find a coven of like minded people to practice with. If not so much, you may be happier as a solitary practitioner. 

• Do you like to read?  Then read as much as you can.  If not, there are many resources on the internet with videos and short clips on Youtube that can help you feel your way through this path. 

• Do you like to wear 'witchy' clothing? Then dress as you choose to please yourself, of course taking into consideration proper dress for work and being seen in public.  Some enjoy the British practice of practicing 'skyclad' (naked) but I wouldn't recommend doing this out of doors if you don;t want all sorts of the wrong attention and risk of possible arrest.  (No, this isn't covered under religious freedom!! If you want to be naked, do it inside, and draw the curtains please) 

• The one rule is 'an' it harm none, do what you will' Does this give us the right to do whatever we want? Not if it involves interfering with anothers rights (skyclad outdoor rituals next door to a home with children, not cool! Also things that are illegal, create a public nuisance or otherwise upset or distress people.  For instance many people live or work in buildings where candles, incense or smudge is not allowed.  Everyone can smell them and it can be distressing (something burning!!) these are not your Goddess given right just because we have freedom of religion.  

How you wish to practice or worship is totally up to you.  No one can tell you what's right or wrong, except for your experiences and the karmic feedback it brings.  

Use common sense, Be respectful and considerate of others, and then do as thou wilt.

Peace and Happiness 







Please check out my newest blog The Life and Recipes of a Medieval Cook @ http://thelifeandrecipesofamedievalcook.blogspot.com

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

What did you do today? I planted seeds!

 Good evening,

Today was a busy day with appointments and such, but I took some time late this afternoon to plant some seeds.  I planted snow peas, spinach and Chinese cucumber, an early hybrid that can be sown as early as now. 

I'm looking forward to the salad these fun crops will compliment in just a couple of months.  The rains have started and will continue for the next couple of months if we're lucky, ensuring a green, abundant summer.  Now's the time to plan on paper the crops and garden designs you'll incorporate this year.

I've been thinking about planting a medieval vegetable garden with all of the crops available in the middle ages.  I'll be sharing these plans with you.  Now, to bed and to dream of lovage, lettuce, leeks and thyme!

Peace and Happiness



Please check out my newest blog The Life and Recipes of a Medieval Cook @ http://thelifeandrecipesofamedievalcook.blogspot.com

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Roses and relationships - a metaphor

Good Evening,

Tonight's post is brief, as this witch is tired!! A good tired, as I worked in the yard today, uncovering one of my gardens and trimming back some large overgrown rose bushes.  As I was pruning I started to get philosophical, as I'm wont to do while working in my gardens.  I started to see comparisons between the rose bush and relationships. 

The rose has the magickal properties of protection and love. These properties figure prominently in ones social and personal relationships.  Like relationships, rose bushes need to be trimmed, boundaries set, deadwood removed and over-growth controlled and with enough care, roses,  like a relationship in your life,  can be refreshed and blossom anew. 

At times, especially over a long, harsh, cold winter we might lose a rose bush or two.  This also happens in relationships that have run their natural course. Every living thing, has a birth, life and death. This is also the case in the relationships in our lives.

  As a witch I am often asked questions regarding spell work that will help an existing relationship, or to end one. Even to help a person get over a past relationship that seems to linger emotionally within them. I often explain my concepts of the birth, life and death of a relationship.  I feel, that whether it be the 5 minute relationship you have with the clerk of a convenience store you may never visit again, or a life long relationship with a best friend or a family member, each has a birth we may or may not remember, a life, and an inevitable end. The end may be simply your walking out of the store, wishing the person well, or a grief-filled tragic end of a life long friend with the person passing away.  Not knowing how long a friendship will last, causes one to work carefully to nourish and cultivate a good relationship and to tend it with love and care. 

Those few lucky ones will experience a  relationship that will  last a lifetime and end with our passing, but many won't. Looking at a relationship as one looks at the rose bush can help us in many ways. Some relationships are as the floribunda rose. High maintenance, stress and drama and still at the end of the day you have a weak, unsatisfying and unhappy rose bush. This is when the gardener needs to decide if the rose is a healthy one to have in your garden.

Floribunda roses, those that grow upright and are used for long stem rose bouquets are the most difficult, least satisfying rose to have in your garden. They are easily susceptible to black mold, fungus, black spot, rust, pests and a number of issues making it necessary to use a lot of poisons and chemicals to try to keep this beautiful, but difficult rose flourishing. Have you ever had a relationship like that? Everything about the relationship is difficult, challenging and stress filled?  Sometimes it's necessary to remove unhealthy plants to make room for the healthy ones.

I have done this by cutting out of my garden the roses that bring disease and may infect the other plants. Instead I plant and love bush roses, shrub and climbing or rambling roses. They are more native in their nature, more resistant to most of the ills that befall the fancy, uptight, floribunda rose.  They are beautiful and many still retain their natural sweetness of smell, where the floribunda roses  have been crossed and refined so much they often no longer have their smell.   I have even had floribunda roses I have planted in the past years that seemingly would die after a few years then make an appearance the next year having reverted back to their natural state and they are many times a rambling rose that grows long limbs that reach out everywhere. 

Today I trimmed a rose garden in my yard, I have included a picture with myself standing in front of it, in full bloom.  As I'm 5'5" tall, you can get some idea of the height of the bush. I'm also wearing flat shoes in this photo.

                                                                                   

What had been a large bush, made up of three separate bush roses is now trimmed to about 1 foot above the ground. I know!! A pretty intense trimming, but every five to ten years they can benefit from this treatment.  Of course they won't grow to their full potential in the next season, but that's o.k..  I trim them this time of year because to trim them in the fall, I find the winter chill can enter and actually kill the heart of the rose. The crown found right above the ground or above the dirt in the container that you purchase before planting.

When you have a new rose bush, notice the enlarged knob on the main trunk of the rose. It's right on top of the dirt and this dirt  level needs to be maintained when planting the rose. For to cover up this oxygen breathing part of the plant will suffocate it and cause it to die.  The entire plant breathes in the air around it, but this knob is like the lungs of the rose. It needs to be clear of dirt and heavily packed mulch so that it can take in the air and water the root system requires.

By trimming my roses this time of the year, I am re-directing the life energy of the plant, that is about to burst forth for the spring, into the root system and the main body of the plant. The growth will be compact and stronger.  I cut out the dead wood and any damaged stems that could further harm the main bush later in the season.  When the rains start this month I will put some granular fertilizer lightly worked into the soil around the plant.  It;'s important to note that if you have just planted the plant wait at least 2 and better 4 weeks before fertilizing. Fertilizing right after planting can in effect 'burn' the plant and kill it.  Allow it to settle in and start some new growth before fertilizing. Then follow directions carefully as over fertilizing can also affect the plant.  Hmmm, how do we over-fertilize the relationships in our lives?  Or do we not fertilize them enough. Do we fail to give the nurturing, care and gentle love needed for a relationship to grow and flourish, assuming that the relationship will do just fine on its own?

I finished by raking the leaves and the top layer of mulch away and find myself waiting for the rain, which will start the growing season and if its a good year, the rains will stay for a month or two and then we will have a lush, abundant and green summer season.

I find that I surround myself in my personal life today with the shrub roses, the strong, resilient and healthy friends I've acquired that nurture and enriches my life.   If you look at your life as a garden, what have you cultured? What flourishes in your life and what could possibly be considered a weed and may need to be yanked out?!

Please check out my newest blog  The Life and Recipes of a Medieval Cook @
http://thelifeandrecipesofamedievalcook.blogspot.com




© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Let's work out in the garden some, shall we? With some homework for you

  Good Evening,

Today was a perfect, typical April day.  A day best served in the garden surrounded by the plants all bursting forth with spring excitement.  Much needs to be cleaned off and taken away, as its important to clean any old leaves and debris left by the winter storms off your garden and dispose of it in a mulch pile or by the curb if your town recycles yard waste. Leaving leaves and other debris laying in your garden , such as bark from trees stick and branches can allow mold and rot to get in your flower beds, and now is not a time for death in the garden, but life. So symbolically as well as practically a good spring cleaning is in order.

The moon is waxing towards fullness at this time, and the moon will be officially full on April 18th.  Now is a good time to plant seeds as they will be getting the increasing energy of the moon as it grows stronger and bright. The seeds will get a strong start and will grow healthy and strong.  So plant some seeds if you've already chosen them, if not start planning what you wish to grow.  I personally find indoor seed planting tedious and the results are not as good as planting directly outdoors.  But do what you will, and have fun while you're at it! Read your seed packet closely for the time to sow the seeds outdoors. Seeds are much more hearty than tender, new, indoor sprouted plants that need to be hardened off, another job that requires diligence, space and some effort to build a proper cold frame or such. One can just move the plant trays outdoors for a few hours and then back in again for a few weeks or so, but this is a daily chore. I prefer to plant my seeds directly outdoors.

I find they will sprout when ready, grow as they need to and be a strong, hearty plant from the very beginning. Some plants I purchase late in the spring from farms or nurseries that always grow a good crop of what I want.  Even though I grew up in the country, I am now a suburban witch and like so many people I find myself in plant  nurseries this time of year looking for that perfect specimen. That tomato plant, or dahlia, maybe an herb I wish to work with and I bring my finds home with me.  If I had more space and time to be a suburban farmer I might grow more from scratch, yet I appreciate the farmers and nurserymen who work and dedicate their life to growing and producing the finest crops in the optimum conditions .  .  .   ah to have a glass green house .  .  .  but that is a dream for another time.

And in truth, growing plants from seed require the right touch to avoid having spindly, weak plants and then transplantation! That's a whole 'nother animal.  Did you know that sunflowers hate!!! to be transplanted and many times will die if you try to move them.  Best to plant outdoors directly from seed or with them already in a seed pod.  Seed pods plant better with sunflowers because the roots are not disturbed. That's the key to successful transplantation, not disturbing the root system.

When working with seeds, or bulbs planted in the spring,  be careful to read everything on the seed packet or tag they come with. . This is really your classroom of information on the seeds inside.  Some seeds need sunlight to germinate, and some need a lack of light. Some need to be buried deep and some quite shallow as in Irises.

You know what? My best piece of advice for you right now is to acquire a notebook that you can dedicate to gardening and lore and magick.  Then the first thing I want you to do, is on the inside pages,  outline the footprint of your house. Maybe start in a few pages, in  case this book turns out really well, and it will!! You'll want to go back and put in a table of contents.

Start by having a page as your identification page. Your name, street address (which is important because this book will be tied to the home and someday perhaps it will stay with them home. Just a simple outline of your home, many people will have a square or rectangular shape. Now find out the compass directions and place them in the correct locations on your map.

Knowing that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west may help you, not only determine location but other aspects of your gardening plan.  A good compass is important if you don't know your directions.

We can do a lot from this map, such as determine full sun, partial sun, and little to no sun areas of your yard depending on the buildings, fences and trees in your yard.

Now get outside and clean off your flower beds, and yard. Or if you just have window boxes and potted plants, now is a good time to clean them off and prepare for planting, and for inside plants a nice dose of light weight fertilizer as is always welcome this time of year, and a light dressing of fresh potting soil. 

Clean up, get ready with your gardening journal and wait for your next warm day, or cool day without rain.  In the meantime buy seeds or get planting books from your nursery, if you haven't received them in your mail all winter, and start planning, dreaming and creating mentally and on paper your dream garden.  We'll talk more in the near future.

Homework: 

• Get a journal you can dedicate to be your garden journal

• Diagram your house and property include large trees and plantings 

• Clean off your planting beds 

• Buy seeds or plan your plantings for later this spring

Peace and Happiness



© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

The Witch Hunts are back and sanctioned by Harvard University! A very sad day indeed

 Good Evening,

This is an incredibly sad day for me.  There was held yesterday and today a conference called "Social  Transformation Conference" at the once prestigious Harvard University in Boston Massachusetts.  This conference which featured speakers all from the Wagner Leadership Institute, and refers to their speakers as the International Coalition of Apostles, convened to discuss openly the hatred and intolerance they hold for witches, magickal practitioners, Native Americans, homosexuals, Jews  and others they feel should be eliminated from the world.    Before I go further, if you click on the title of this discussion above, it is a direct link to a 14 minutes video featuring these scary individuals and their threats and beliefs against anyone who doesn't feel as they do.  

The Wagner Institute is lead by director Che Ahn and his speakers Dr. Pat Francis, Dr. Lance Wallnau, Os Hillman, Bill Hamon, Doris Wagner, Ed Silvoso and self proclaimed Apostle, Prophet and Exorcist Cindy Jacobs,  are the most frightening group of people I have ever seen assembled in one place.  These people all, many with doctorates which would indicate a level of education that usually precludes ignorance, have amongst them a level of fear and ignorance as well as a potential power that has not been seen since the last witch hunters led by Mathew Hopkins, Witchfinder General in the 17th century.

These people (RFN's) 'religious fanatical nuts' as I will call them for clarity in this discussion, loudly and vehemently preach, nay demand, the elimination of gays, witches, Jews, Native Americans and anyone who does not follow and believe as they do.  Their level of animosity as you can see in the video link I've included, borders on the edge of encouraging violence and Cindy Jacobs comes out and demands that objects be burned, all things not approved of, by I guess her and these other RFN's.  Any idols, questionable books, religious artifacts, art work, Native American totem poles just to name a few.  What will stop them from burning ancient texts, artwork by great Masters or even people next?  I hope and pray the laws of our country stop them, but be aware these people can influence many. Many people do not want to stand up and make a strong decision, they would rather follow. We saw this mentality during World War II, with Hitler and his Nazi's and it can happen again. We are seeing the start of this today at this conference in Boston.

I will not, and cannot write anything that could change these people's narrow, intolerant, hate filled viewpoints but I can speak with authority on history and I will take a moment to address a couple of obvious conflicting concepts in their thinking.  But then again, someone who is as filled with hate and intolerance as this group of people obviously are, well .  .  .  is it a surprise, really .  .  .  that their viewpoints harbor many inaccuracies and tend to overlook much?

For instance they scream repetitively  in their preaching (and why is it they all have to shout and scream? And repeat the same phrases again and again and again, reminding one of brain washing.  If their words held power, would not the very utterance of the words be enough?)  Yet they scream again and again that they must cast out demons.  Then they are quick to mention homosexuals, which today people,  are the next group of 'witches' to be burnt at the stake, if they have their way.  They will also mention in the same breath pedophiles and homosexuals as if the two had any connections to each other.  Please, anyone with any sense would discount this as fear, intolerance and plain stupidity.  I mean really, I don't consider all Catholic Priests pedophiles or sexual molesters, as the majority are not!!  Anymore than any of these groups are evil.  Yet they are expert manipulators on how to fuel fear in people today.

They scream to burn idols, such as totem poles, artwork that shows Goddesses and Gods and that evil people worship idols. Guess what RFN's,  that crucifix you pray before, that cross you wear around your neck,well the earliest Christians, the real and only apostles according to Christian teachings, I'm not making this stuff up, they considered those objects taboo, because the early Christians allowed no symbols or ornamentation depicting anything or person, even Jesus.  Yes, even the depiction of Jesus hanging on a crucifix was considered idol worship. You would think for those so vehement about their own religion would actually know something about their history, ah .  .  . but then that would make their religious practice so much harder, wouldn't it?

Now, this is America, and I am a huge proponent that in this country you have the right of free speech, but by our very laws you are not allowed speech that incites hate crimes. You are allowed freedom of religion, but you are not allowed to cram your religion down my throat or force me to practice as you do.  You are allowed to have your opinion and yes you can burn a book if you choose (even though I'm personally against this) but you are not allowed to threaten me and my items with burning. 

And Harvard University.  .  .  Really?   A conservative institution historically, but to promote this type of hate-filled  intolerance against other humans, in this day and age, is truly shocking and terribly disappointing.  Considering that we were not very long ago targets of religious bombings from the Taliban. Many people don't stop to think the bombings of the Trade Towers and the Pentagon in 2001 were not about oil or weapons of mass destruction, they were religious intolerant murders from a religious, intolerant, psychotic, dangerous faction our government has been fighting against ever since.

Having a conference, like this one, at Harvard gives these dangerous delusional people tacit support from what was once a great University.  Will they allow the KKK to hold a rally and conference? Perhaps the Neo Nazi movement?  Ah, perhaps the Taliban can hold a conference and rally on the grounds of Harvard? Hmmm? I wouldn't be surprised after this weekend.  Does the Dean of Harvard really think this group and its conference was a good choice considering the wars in the Middle East and others areas of the world?   We fight intolerance on every level, every day and here along comes Harvard with open arms and closed minds to allow this conference.

We do have rights in this country, that many men and women have fought for and continue to fight for that make us, in my opinion, one of the greatest countries on earth.  I do feel that there is one demographic that needs to be shown intolerance and not be accepted. That is hate groups.  And though we have religious freedom, and as a witch I am firmly behind that law, but is a hate group that hides behind religion deserving of these protections and rights?

We have many laws against hate crimes and groups that incite hatred. This Wagner Institute is just such a group. Hiding behind Jesus Christ to condemn, spew hatred and evil intention towards others who are simply different from them and choose to believe differently, is not a religion or church, but a hate group like the KKK, Neo Nazi's etc.    Those that incite hatred, fear and encourage intolerance towards others just because they do not believe the same way need to be told, by all of us,  that their hatred will not be tolerated. Not be accepted and NOT be showcased at a University with the once prestigious reputation like Harvard University.

Be careful Harvard, I bet my broomstick that there are many on your faculty that would incur the wrath of these RFN's , perhaps even the dean himself.Actually, as Jesus was a Jew by birth and openly celebrated Passover and encouraged others to only celebrate the holiday of Passover, no other, I guess he also would be a target for these sick and deluded individuals. Are you scared? You should be.

I will go to bed tonight and hope that tomorrow I wake up and like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, find it was all a horrible dream and that we all find ourselves closer to love and acceptance of all God's beings. Because all was created out of love and acceptance. 

Peace and Happiness 



© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.


If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

April Fool's Day

 Good Evening,

Happy April 1st.  A day traditionally known as April Fool's Day and also All Fool's Day.  No one seems to know who or why this day was called April Fool's Day, but evidence of this day goes back several hundreds of years.

The first known reference was found in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' published in 1392.  Some feel that because at one time,  before the 16th century New Year's Day was changed from March 25th to January 1st that this explains this holiday. You see in the Middle Ages March 25th was celebrated as New Year's Day and many times a week long celebration would ensue ending on April 1st.

It is thought that when New Year's Day was changed to January 1st, that those who still celebrated the 'old ways' were considered fools. As a witch I see a correlation between this story and the terms pagan and heathen.  These were derogatory terms used to describe the people who lived in the countryside around the cities when the new religion of Christianity pushed aside the old ways.  The ways of those who followed the Goddess and the earth based spiritual systems that were the traditional beliefs for hundreds if not thousands of years.  After the 'modern' peoples of Rome and other cosmopolitan cities adopted Christianity, soon the pagan ways were considered old fashioned, out of vogue and not cool.

The change of the accepted calendar with  the movement of important yearly dates such as New Year's Day, which originally occurred at the spring equinox, happened in the 16th century.   In the 13th and 14th centuries when the first of the year was held on March 25th,  it's interesting to note that at that time the equinoxes and solstices occurred on the 24th or 25th of their respective months, unlike today when they occur primarily on the 20 - 21st of their months.  The earth in relation to the sun and its rotation  has shifted just slightly over the centuries causing these natural demarcations of the year to move a couple of days to where we find them today.  Which meant New Year's Day was held at the spring equinox and that was considered at the time as the start of their new year, which makes a lot of sense to me.

The early Christian church in its attempt to force things to fit its new dogma, made many change to the calendar and the holidays that surrounded the wheel of the year the common man followed.  We can only look at April Fool's Day as a day that has more hidden in its history than is exposed, and perhaps we will never know the truth of why this day was formed.  But I will hazard a guess as to why its still celebrated, and incidentially its celebrated all over the world.  Because humans have a sense of humor and we are the only animal that exhibits one.

We enjoy a joke, and truthfully, we pull jokes on others because we enjoy making others laugh as well as ourselves.   Some favorite quotes of mine that I think of writing this discussion is one by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain ) "Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand."

and one by William Hazlitt "Man is the only animals that laughs and weeps, for  he is the only animal that is struck with the difference of what things are, and what they ought to be."

Some countries perform tricks on this day until noontime, and none afterwards. If one pulls a trick on someone after noon they are referred to as the fool.  Other countries celebrate by tricking others for the entire day.  But everyone celebrates the fun and laughter of a harmless joke and many feel left out if a joke is not played on them, where others prefer not to be the butt of a joke. Ah, to each his own.

Mother nature had a bit of a joke on us, with the snow she sprinkled over New England last night, but happily the storm which continues as I write this has become all rain and as a result  "April Showers bring May Flowers" and the wheel of the year continues to turn.

Peace and Happiness


© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.